(A) Introduction. Multi-family, including apartment, duplexes, and condominiums shall be defined as a permanent building designed or used exclusively for residential occupancy, containing two or more dwelling units per building.
(B) Permitted uses.
(1) Multi-family dwelling;
(2) Accessory building and uses incidental to the use permitted, located on same lot;
(3) Temporary construction buildings;
(4) Apartments;
(5) Condominiums;
(6) Parking lots needed to fulfill parking requirements for an existing or permitted use;
(7) Duplexes; and
(8) Home occupation.
(C) Apartment standards.
(1) Minimum lot frontage on public roads shall be 120 feet;
(3) Minimum setback lines:
(a) Front yard: 120 feet on primary and secondary arterial; 80 feet on major and minor collectors; and 60 feet on other roads;
(4) Maximum building height shall not exceed two and one-half stories or 35 feet;
(5) Minimum ground level square footage (excluding open porches, terraces and garages):
(a) Single story: 650 square feet per unit;
(b) Two story: 650 square feet per unit;
(c) Tri-level: 650 square feet per unit (basement and first level); and
(d) Story and one-half: 650 square feet per unit.
(6) Two parking spaces per unit are required for all apartments. At least four additional parking spaces are required for apartment complexes with clubhouses. No parking spaces are required for recreational areas;
(7) Signs:
(a) One nameplate is allowed per building and shall not exceed ten square feet;
(b) One freestanding sign is allowed per entrance to the development, but each sign shall not exceed ten square feet;
(c) Billboards and advertising signs are not allowed; and
(d) Temporary real estate signs, construction or contractor’s signs shall not exceed two in number per lot or be more than six square feet.
(D) Multi-family development standards.
(1) Site design and community impacts.
(a) Road hierarchy is how roads surrounding the site are used to connect the site to its surroundings. Connecting the development directly to a major highway is discouraged as a safety hazard due to traffic congestion, as cars exit or enter the new development. Entrance on a paved county road is preferred. Entrance on a gravel county road is mandatory.
(b) Sidewalks allow workers to move freely throughout the development without having to walk in the street making the area safer.
(c) The conservation of energy allows business owners to save money and saves local energy companies the cost of expansions. Energy saving provides the entire community the benefits of lower pollution and should be encouraged.
(d) Landscaping provides a more attractive setting for industries, can reduce summer cooling costs and provides wildlife habitat. Buffering between conflicting land uses is required.
(e) Parking lights make industrial areas safer at night and lower risks of robbery.
(f) Higher quality roads and parking make developments more attractive.
(g) Buffering or screening of industrial areas to adjacent land uses is required if the adjacent land use is residential or recreational, and is highly encouraged for other conflicting land uses.
(h) Employing local labor by using county workers so more money is brought into their community and commuting costs can be lowered is strongly encouraged.
(i) The use of products made in the county increases economic activity and can lead to new jobs in the county and is therefore strongly encouraged.
(2) Context and environmental impacts.
(a) Subdivisions (and other land uses) built adjacent to conflicting land uses can cause decreasing land values, create possible safety hazards to residents, and are generally not in the public interest. Buffering is required between industrial and residential or recreational uses and encouraged between other land uses.
(b) Developments built in isolated areas cost more in infrastructure and transportation costs and should be discouraged.
(c) Close proximity to fire and police services allows better services at less public cost and therefore is strongly encouraged.
(d) Close proximity to schools and medical facilities allows better services at less public cost and therefore is strongly encouraged.
(e) Close proximity to commercial developments (must be drug store, grocery store, department store or convenience store) allows easier access to every day needed items and reduces traffic.
(f) Proximity to industries and major employers allows a quicker travel time to work and less traffic.
(g) Close access to power, gas, and water lines provides more efficient use of limited public resources and therefore is strongly encouraged.
(h) Close access to roads makes the site easier to get to and eliminates the need for new access roads to be built and maintained.
(i) Erosion control measures should be provided on hillsides to prevent the loss of ground and reduce pollution.
(j) Developments that enhance, not reduce, forest lands should be encouraged.
(k) Prime farm land should not be built upon except as a last resort to preserve the value of crop production.
(BC Ord. passed 1-22-2003; BC Ord. passed 3-26-2003)