Subd. 1. Purpose. The R-C District is intended for a gradual transition between commercial and residential uses. More specifically, the R-C District is established to buffer residential uses from adjacent high intensity use areas by permitting residentially compatible service- oriented commercial uses and controlling those uses which can be compatible with residential areas given adequate control.
Subd. 2. Permitted uses. The following are permitted uses in an R-C District: all uses permitted in Residential Districts R-IA through R-2B, except single-family residential dwellings.
Subd. 3. Permitted accessory uses. The following are permitted accessory uses in an R-C District:
a. All accessory uses allowed in the R-2B District;
b. Parking and loading facilities subject to the provisions of § 1201.03, Subds. 5 and 6;
c. Signs, as regulated in § 1201.03, Subd. 11.
Subd. 4. Conditional uses. The following are conditional uses allowed in an R-C District: (Requires a conditional use permit based upon procedures set forth in and regulated by § 1201.04.)
a. All conditional permitted uses, subject to the same conditions as allowed in the R-2B District;
b. Conservatories, art or music studios, nurseries and nurseries with garden supply centers, provided that:
(1) Adequate off-street parking shall be provided in compliance with § 1201.03, Subd. 5g;
(2) Vehicular access shall create a minimum of traffic conflicts;
(3) The use shall not have a predominant retail character;
(4) The site and related parking and service entrances shall be served by an arterial or collector street of sufficient capacity to accommodate the traffic which will be generated;
(5) When abutting an R-1A through R-2C Residential District, a buffer area with screening and landscaping as provided in § 1201.03, Subd. 2g.
c. Professional and business offices, medical and dental offices, provided that:
(1) Adequate off-street parking shall be provided in compliance with § 1201.03, Subd. 5;
(2) Vehicular access shall create a minimum of traffic conflict;
(3) The site and related parking and service entrances shall be served by an arterial or collector street of sufficient capacity to accommodate the traffic which will be generated;
(4) When abutting an R-1A through R-2C Residential District, a buffer area with screening and landscaping as provided in § 1201.03, Subd. 2.g.
d. Residential or commercial planned unit development as regulated by § 1201.06, provided that:
(1) Land uses allowed in a planned unit development are limited to those land uses listed as permitted uses, permitted accessory uses and conditional uses in this section;
(2) The proposed development complies with the development agreement as required for planned unit developments, pursuant to § 1201.25.
e. Nursing homes as defined in § 1201.02, provided that:
(1) Side yards are double the minimum requirements established for this District and are screened in compliance with § 1201.03, Subd. 2.g.;
(2) The site shall be served by an arterial or collector street of sufficient capacity to accommodate traffic which will be generated;
(3) All signing and informational or visual communication devices shall be in compliance with § 1201.03, Subd. 11;
(4) All state laws and statutes governing the use are strictly adhered to and all required permits are secured;
(5) Adequate off-street parking is provided in compliance with § 1201.03, Subd. 5;
(6) One off-street loading space in compliance with § 1201.03, Subd. 6 is provided;
(7) The provisions of § 1201.04, Subd. 4.d.(1) have been considered and satisfactorily met.
f. Custom woodworking shop, provided that:
(1) The total number of employees working on the premises shall not exceed three.
(2) The use shall not have a predominant retail character. Any retail sales conducted on the premises shall be limited to products produced on the premises.
(3) Products produced on the premises shall be limited to custom, one-of-a- kind woodwork items.
(4) Noise, dust and odor shall comply with the standards of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and shall not constitute a nuisance to adjacent residential uses.
(5) Adequate off-street parking shall be provided in compliance with § 1201.03, Subd. 5. of this code.
(6) All work shall be performed entirely within the building. There shall be no outdoor display or storage on the property.
g. Daycare facilities, as defined in § 1201.02 Subd. 4. of this code, serving ten or more persons, as a principal or accessory use, provided that:
(1) The facility shall be licensed by the State of Minnesota. No certificate of occupancy shall be issued for a daycare facility until proof of approved applicable state licenses has been provided to the Zoning Administrator.
(2) All child daycare facilities shall have an outdoor activity area complying with the following:
(a) The activity area shall be at least 1,500 square feet in area, and at least 75 square feet of area per child within the area at any given time during use.
(b) The activity area shall be located within the buildable area of the lot.
(c) The activity area shall be screened and landscaped to buffer neighboring residential uses.
(d) The activity area shall be enclosed to prevent children from leaving the premises unattended.
(3) Off-street parking must be provided in compliance with § 1201.03 Subd. 5. of this code. The number of parking spaces required for a daycare facility shall be one space for each four persons of licensed capacity.
(4) Adequate short-term parking or drop-off area shall be provided within close proximity to the main entrance of the building. The short-term parking or drop-off area shall accommodate three car spaces and shall be designated as temporary in nature. The short-term parking or drop-off area shall not conflict with off-street parking access or pedestrian movement.
(5) When a daycare facility is an accessory use within a structure containing another principal use, each use shall be calculated separately for determining the total off-street parking spaces required.
(6) Daycare facilities are limited to 4,500 square feet in gross floor area.
(7) The structure in which the daycare facility is located shall comply with all applicable building and fire codes.
(8) The provisions of § 1201.04 Subd. 1.d.(1) of this code must be considered and satisfactorily met.
h. Self-storage facility, as defined in this chapter, provided that:
(1) Adequate screening and landscaping from neighboring residential districts is provided in accordance with § 1201.03, Subd. 2.g.;
(2) The entire facility is located within a complete enclosure. The enclosure shall conform to applicable city codes and ordinances;
(3) The access to the facility shall be by a security gate;
(4) The hours of operation shall be limited to 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight, Friday and Saturday;
(5) The lighting shall be consistent with § 1201.03 Subd. 2.v. of this chapter;
(6) The structures shall conform to height restrictions of the C-1 District. In addition, all structures within 50 feet of any property line shall be limited to one story or 15 feet, whichever is less;
(7) The storage is confined to enclosed permanent structures;
(8) The use of all structures shall be limited to storage only. No retail service businesses or workshops shall be allowed. Each facility shall have one residential dwelling unit to be used only by a resident caretaker or manager. The requirement of a caretaker residence may be waived by the City Council, provided that:
(a) A caretaker residence for an approved self-storage facility under the same ownership is located within 600 feet of the subject property;
(b) The applicant shall submit a plan showing where a caretaker residence can be located on the property in the future;
(c) The applicant shall submit restrictive covenants, to be recorded against the property, restricting its sale unless a caretaker residence is constructed on the property, or a caretaker residence for an approved self-storage facility under the same ownership, located within 600 feet of the subject property is provided;
(9) The entire area, other than occupied by the buildings or plantings, shall be surfaced with material which will control dust and drainage and is subject to the approval of the City Engineer;
(10) The number of off-street parking spaces shall not be less than six. No on-street parking shall be allowed;
(11) Loading areas shall be located entirely within the site which will be designed so as not to require backing in from a public street;
(12) The provisions of § 1201.04, Subd. 1.d.(1) are considered and satisfactorily met.
Subd. 5. Lot requirements and setbacks. The following minimum requirements shall be observed in an R-C District subject to additional requirements, exceptions and modifications set forth in this chapter:
a. Lot area:
(1) Two-family dwelling: not less than 20,000 square feet;
(2) All other: not less than 15,000 square feet;
b. Lot width: not less than 100 feet;
c. Lot depth: not less than 120 feet;
d. Setbacks:
(1) Front yard: not less than 35 feet;
(2) Rear yard: not less than 40 feet;
(3) Side yard: not less than 15 feet on each side nor less than 35 feet on a side yard abutting a street;
(4) Nonresidential use setback from R District boundary: not less than 25 feet;
(5) Lakeshore: not less than 100 feet.
Subd. 6. Building requirements. Height: no structure shall exceed two and one-half stories, or 35 feet, whichever is least.
Subd. 7. Lot area per unit requirement. Not less than 10,000 square feet.
Subd. 8. Special district provisions.
a. Where a conditional use abuts an R-1A through R-2C District, buffer fences or planting screens shall be installed by the conditional use permit recipient according to provisions of § 1201.03, Subd. 2.g. of this code, should the Council determine that a need for a buffer exists.
b. Special use commercial activities shall be allowed to operate only between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. in the R-C District. Occasional emergency dental service may occur outside of normal business hours provided such service does not adversely affect surrounding residential uses.
c. All noise levels generated by activities in the R-C District must conform to state standards.
d. Signs shall comply with the requirements under § 1201.03, Subd. 11, as well as the following additional provisions:
(1) Business signs shall be limited to a total surface area determined by taking 5% of the gross silhouette area of the front of the building, but not more than 100 square feet per property. Where the principal building is on a corner lot and thus faces two public streets, both sides may be counted. Not more than two individual signs, including freestanding signs, may be displayed per property;
(2) Illuminated signs shall not be permitted in the R-C District, except that:
(a) Signs located at least 100 feet from a residential district boundary may be illuminated.
(b) Signs located nearer than 100 feet to a residential district boundary may be illuminated, provided the sign is screened from view of residential properties.
(c) In no case shall signs in the R-C District be illuminated between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
(d) All illuminated signs must comply with the provisions of § 1201.03 Subd. 2.i. of this code.
(3) Freestanding signs not exceeding 40 square feet and not higher than eight feet shall be permitted in the R-C District.
e. Storage - displays: with the exception of nursery stock, all materials, supplies, merchandise or other similar matter not on display for direct sale, rental or lease to the ultimate consumer or user shall be stored within a completely enclosed building within the R-C District or within the confines of 100% opaque wall or fence not less than five feet high.
f. The City Council or its designated representative shall evaluate the design elements of the conditional uses under the provisions of § 1201.04.
(1987 Code, § 1201.19) (Ord. 180, passed 5-19-1986; Ord. 208, passed 4-11-1988; Ord. 243, passed 9-9-1991; Ord. 397, passed 8-25-2003; Ord. 403, passed 5-24-2004; Ord. 422, passed 7-24-2006; Am. Ord. 520, passed 7-27-2015; Am. Ord. 569, passed 8-26-2019; Am. Ord. 575, passed 12-14-2020)