A. Purpose. This zoning district is comprised of certain lands, structures and uses which serve the central retail marketing function of the Sierra Vista trade area. Most persons entering the district will arrive by automobile on a multi-purpose trip. The economic welfare of the retail merchandising depends upon development of comparison shopping with each establishment contributing to the variety of goods available in the entire district. The essential interdependence of activities should be given preference over the provision of direct automobile access to each establishment. Office building activities, personal and business services, and minor repair services are compatible with the primary purpose of the district so long as they contribute to the one-stop shopping objective and are essentially complimentary to the primary function of retail sales. Regulations are designed to encourage a concentrated development limited by standards to prevent traffic congestion and to protect the district from incompatible uses.
B. Approval Required. No structure or building shall be built or remodeled upon land in the General Commercial district until all required subdivision plat and/or site plan approvals have been obtained.
C. Location. The following criteria shall be considered in establishing and maintaining a GC district.
1. Corresponds to appropriate designation in the City of Sierra Vista General Development Plan.
2. Corresponds to an existing district or development in an area annexed into the City.
D. Permitted Uses
1. Principal and accessory uses in this district shall be allowed as provided under Section 151.22.006, Matrix of Use Permissions by Zoning District.
E. Property Development Standards (Residential Use or Mixed-Use Building)
1. In accordance with the provisions of Section 151.22.010.E, MFR District, of this Code.
F. Property Development Standards (All Other Uses)
1. Required Area. No minimum area requirement.
2. Maximum Building Height. No building shall exceed 36 feet in height, except that within 100 feet of any UR, SFR, MFR, MHR or RV district, no building shall exceed 30 feet in height.
3. Minimum Distance between Main Buildings. As prescribed by the International Building Code.
4. Required Yards
a. Front Yard
(1) There shall be a front yard having a depth of not less than 40 feet.
(2) Where a lot has double frontage on two streets, the required front yard of not less than 40 feet shall be provided on both streets.
(3) Where a lot is located at the intersection of two or more streets, the required front yard of not less than 40 feet shall be provided on one street,
and a yard having a depth of not less than 20 feet shall be provided on the intersecting street.
b. Front Yard within Infill Incentive District Area. On properties located within the Infill Incentive District Area, the following minimum yard requirements shall apply:
(1) On interior lots and parcels, there shall be a front yard setback having a depth of not less than five feet.
(2) On through lots and parcels, there shall be a front yard having a depth of not less than five feet on the primary frontage and not less than 10 feet on the secondary frontage.
(3) On corner lots and parcels, there shall be a front yard having a depth of not less than five feet on the primary frontage and not less than 10 feet on the secondary frontage.
G. Non-Residential Accessory Buildings
1. Maximum Height. 15 feet above grade.
2. Maximum Yard Coverage. 35 percent of the required side and rear yard.
3. Location Restrictions. No accessory building shall be erected in any minimum required front or side yard, except as otherwise provided in this code.
4. Setback Requirements. Accessory buildings shall be setback from the side lot line and the rear lot line a distance not less than 3 feet, except;
a. for a lot having its rear lot line contiguous with an alley line, no rear setback shall be required for the accessory building(s), or
b. for a corner lot abutting a key lot and not separated by an alley, any accessory building shall be setback from the rear lot line a distance not less than the width of the least required side yard applicable to the main building, or
c. for a corner lot, the street side setback shall be the same as for the main building.
(Ord. 743, passed 4-10-86; Am. Ord. 764, passed 1-8-87; Am. Ord. 804, passed 3-24-88; Am. Ord. 834, passed 3-9-89; Am. Ord. 835, passed 3-23-89; Am. Ord. 934, passed 10-28-93; Am. Ord. 982, passed 5-25-95; Am. Ord. 1086, passed 2-11-99; Am. Ord. 2007-002, passed 1-25-07; Am. Ord. 2011-002, passed 3-10-11; Am. Ord. 2011-004, passed 5-12-11; Am. Ord. 2011-012, passed 9-22-11; Am. Ord. 2016-002, passed 2-25-16; Am. Ord. 2018-002, passed 2-8-18)