(A) Purpose and intent. The purpose and intent is to establish regulations for ceremony venues, to allow these venues in a manner that contributes to the rural residential character of the R-1 and A-2 Zones in the city. The intent is to allow ceremonies. A commercial special occasion ceremony venue is a location to conduct a formal ceremony observing a special occasion, and operated with the intention of earning a profit by providing the venue to the public. Examples of uses not permitted under the definition of special occasion ceremony venue are receptions, meetings, and conferences. Prohibited uses are not limited to this list.
(B) Required permits. An interim use permit is required for a ceremony venue in the R-1 or A-2 Zone.
(C) Other requirements. Ceremony venues must comply with all rules and regulations of federal, state, county, and local agencies.
(D) Performance standards.
(1) A minimum lot area of 20 acres shall be provided.
(2) A ceremony venue shall be an accessory use. The primary use shall be a homesteaded dwelling and the primary structure shall be the dwelling unit. The ceremony venue shall be operated by the occupant of the homesteaded dwelling.
(3) Accessory structures are subject to the standards contained in § 159.083 Accessory Buildings and Structures. With an interim use permit, an accessory structure may be permitted for ceremony venue use.
(4) Prohibited uses. Assembly including parties, receptions, meetings, conferences, and other events outside the purpose and intent of a special occasion ceremony venue are prohibited.
(5) There shall be no food or alcoholic beverages allowed.
(6) There shall be no overnight accommodations provided for customers or their guests.
(7) Ceremony venues shall not generate noise that unreasonably annoys, disturbs, or endangers the comfort or peace of any persons, or precludes their enjoyment of property or affects their property’s value.
(8) Hours of operation. All use of the ceremony venue, including parking of vehicles, shall cease within 1/2 hour after sunset.
(9) The applicant shall provide information in the application for the permit, and as requested by the city for permit review, regarding the ceremonies provided by the venue. Information shall include the number of attendees per ceremony, number of ceremonies per year, number of employees, hours of operation, parking facilities, sanitary facilities, lighting, sound amplification, temporary structures/tents, signage, screening, and landscaping. As deemed necessary, the City Council may restrict the operation of the venue.
(10) Off-street parking shall be required in the ratio of 1 parking space for each 3 seats. The off-street parking area and the number of parking spaces shall be shown on a site plan to be submitted with the application.
(11) A transportation management plan shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator at the time of application. This plan shall address traffic control, including traffic movement to the public street system and impact on the surrounding roadways.
(12) A grading, drainage and erosion control plan shall be submitted if required by the Zoning Administrator. The standards of the Watershed Management Organization or Watershed District and the Washington Conservation District must be met.
(13) Landscaping may be required to be installed to buffer the use from the adjacent land uses and to provide screening. A landscape plan shall be submitted at the time of application for an interim use permit, if required by the Zoning Administrator.
(14) Signage shall comply with the following requirements in addition to conforming to the general standards set forth in §§ 159.180 through 159.205: one sign up to 16 square feet is permitted per ceremony venue. The sign shall not be electronic and it shall not be internally, externally or indirectly illuminated.
(Ord. 7539, passed 5-21-2013; Am. Ord. 7544, passed 4-21-2015)