A. Objectives And Characteristics: The objective in establishing the residential estate district, RE, is to encourage the creation and maintenance of a residential environment within an area which is characterized by large lots (minimum of one acre) on which single-family dwellings are situated, surrounded by settings in which the predevelopment natural character of the landscape is retained. Native plant species, wildlife habitats, low water consumptive landscapes, minimum vehicular traffic, private lanes connected to public streets, featured or gated entries, building products produced from natural materials, and quiet residential conditions are also characteristic of this zone. While much of this zone is currently devoted to open land uses, it is intended that the land shall be developed into residential uses as the needs arise, having characteristics as herein above set forth. The minimum area for an RE district shall be ten (10) acres. Representative of the uses within the RE district are one-family dwellings, caretaker cottages (not to exceed one per lot), parks and playgrounds. Boarding and lodging houses, two-family dwellings, triplexes, apartment houses and other multiple dwellings representative of higher density residential areas are strictly prohibited in this zone. Commercial and industrial uses are strictly prohibited. In order to accomplish the objectives and purpose of this chapter, and to promote the characteristics of this zone, the following precise regulations shall apply to the residential estate district, RE.
B. Permitted Uses: The following uses shall be permitted in the residential estate district, RE:
Keeping of animals and fowl, as an accessory use to a single-family dwelling, limited to the following:
1. Two (2) large animals per lot and one additional large animal for each ten thousand (10,000) square feet over one acre. Large animals may include horses, cattle, goats, sheep or other animals determined by the planning and zoning commission to be compatible with this zone.
2. Not more than twenty (20) poultry or rabbits shall be kept on any lot.
One-family dwellings and accessory buildings and structures; including guesthouses (not to exceed 1,200 square feet) and subject to the setback requirements of one-family dwellings, private garage and/or barn.
Planned unit developments approved per this title.
Residential facility for persons with a disability, not to exceed four (4) residents.
C. Conditional Uses:
Fire stations as a conditional use shall be considered in the RE residential zone.
D. Area Requirements: An area of not less than one acre (43,560 square feet) shall be provided and maintained for each dwelling and uses accessory thereto.
E. Width Requirements: The minimum width of any building site for a dwelling shall be one hundred fifty (150) linear feet.
F. Building Setback Requirements:
1. Side Setback: A minimum side yard of any building shall be twenty feet (20'), and the total width of the two (2) required side yards shall be not less than forty feet (40'). On corner lots, the side yard which faces on a street shall be not less than thirty feet (30') for any building.
2. Front Setbacks: The minimum depth of the front yard for main buildings and for private garages which have a minimum side yard of twenty feet (20') shall be thirty five feet (35'). Other private garages and all accessory buildings other than private garages shall be located at least six feet (6') in the rear of the main building.
3. Rear Setbacks: The minimum rear yard for any main building shall be thirty feet (30').
G. Building Height Requirements: The maximum height of any building shall be two (2) stories aboveground, not to exceed thirty five feet (35').
H. Building Size Requirements: The ground floor area of any one-family main dwelling shall not be less than one thousand two hundred fifty (1,250) square feet, exclusive of open porches and carports.
I. Special Provisions:
1. All special provisions in R-1 residential zone.
2. Variations from development standards of other residential zones may be permitted by the city council as part of the approval of this zone. Variations shall not include changes in the permitted uses allowed, except to the extent set forth herein.
3. The minimum area required for residential estate district is ten (10) acres.
4. All streets within a residential estate district shall meet with city engineering standards. Streets adjacent to a residential estate district and master planned arterial and collectors shall be fully improved with curb, gutter and sidewalk in accordance with city engineering standards.
5. The residential estate district is designed to be in areas where the generally uniform slope is five percent (5%) or less and therefore, would not require curb, gutter and sidewalks along public streets. Areas with slopes greater than five percent (5%) will be permitted with fully improved streets (curb, gutter and sidewalk) or as a PUD. Public streets shall have a minimum of one hard surfaced sidewalk or footpath per street.
6. Areas used for animals shall be maintained so as to conform with health, sanitation, water and drainage requirements, or other conditions set forth by the planning and zoning commission and city council.
J. Supplementary Development Standards: See chapter 18.32, "Supplementary Development Standards", of this title. (Ord. 2008-002, 2008)