A single-family dwelling and any additions or alterations thereto, erected, moved or placed in the city, other than a mobile home park, shall conform to the following regulations in addition to all other regulations of this chapter:
(A) The plan outline of the dwelling, including only heated living area, shall be large enough to contain within it a square of 20 feet on a side. This size requirement shall not make any houses existing at the date of amendment non-conforming so that they cannot be enlarged or improved.
(B) It shall be firmly attached to a permanent foundation constructed on the site in accordance with the city Building Code and shall have a wall of the same permitted dimensions of the dwelling and constructed of such materials and type as required in the applicable building code for single-family dwellings. In the event that the dwelling is a mobile home, as defined herein, such dwelling shall be installed pursuant to the manufacturer's setup instructions and shall be secured to the premises by an anchoring system or device complying with the rules and regulations of the Michigan Mobile Home Commission and shall have a perimeter wall as required above.
(C) In the event that a dwelling is a mobile home as defined herein, each mobile home shall be installed with the wheels removed. Additionally, no dwelling shall have any exposed towing mechanism, undercarriage, or chassis.
(D) It shall be connected to a public sewer and water supply, if available or if connection is required by the city sewer or water ordinances, otherwise they may be connected to private facilities approved by the Mid-Michigan Health Department.
(E) The construction of all new single and two family residences shall include, if none are present, the construction of a public sidewalk. The sidewalk shall be constructed in accordance with city specifications.
(F) It shall comply with all pertinent zoning, subdivision, and other ordinances regulating use, floor area, lot size, setback, yards, and the like, in the zoning district in which it is located.
(G) It shall comply with all pertinent building construction and fire codes. In the case of a mobile home, all construction and all plumbing, electrical apparatus and insulation within and connected to the mobile home shall be of a type and quality conforming to the ?Mobile Home Construction and Safety Standards” as promulgated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development standards may be amended. Additionally, all dwellings shall meet or exceed all applicable roof snow load and strength requirements.
(H) It shall be aesthetically compatible in design and appearance to homes in the neighborhood in which it is located. In the first instance, it shall be the responsibility of the Zoning Administrator to determine whether this standard is met. The City of St. Johns Zoning Administrator may at his or her discretion, refer the matter to the Zoning Board of Appeals for the determination. Any party aggrieved by an adverse decision by the City Zoning Administrator may appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals, which board shall make the determination, with findings, without reference to the standards for the granting of variances. The determination of compatibility shall be based upon the character, design and appearance of residential dwellings located outside of mobile home parks within 300 feet of the subject dwelling where such area is developed with dwellings to the extent of not less than 20% of the lots situated within said area; or where said area is not so developed, by the character, design, and appearance of the residential dwellings generally found throughout the city. The determination of compatibility shall also be based upon compliance with the following standards:
(1) The dwelling shall have a combination of roof overhang and pitch comparable to the overhang and pitch of homes typically found in the neighborhood in which it is to be located.
(2) The dwelling shall have a chimney that is constructed of a material and style similar to those of other dwellings typically found in the neighborhood in which it is to be located.
(3) The dwelling shall have steps and/or porches which provide access to exterior doors, which are permanently attached to the ground and to the structure, and which are comparable to steps and/or porches of homes typically found in the neighborhood in which it is located.
(4) The dwelling and roof shall be covered with a material which is in composition, comparable to those typically found in the neighborhood in which it is to be located.
(5) The dwelling shall have windows located on the front sides, and exterior doors either on the front and rear or front and side as generally found in homes in the neighborhood in which it is to be located.
(6) The orientation of the dwelling's front entrance shall be similar to the orientation of homes in the neighborhood in which it is located.
(7) A dwelling may be approved as aesthetically compatible in design and appearance to homes in the neighborhood in which it is to be located, even if all of the above conditions do not exist, provided it is determined that the dwelling and/or its site has other design features which make it aesthetically compatible to homes in the district. The foregoing shall not be construed to prohibit innovative design concepts involving such matters as energy conscious devices such as solar energy, view, unique land contour or relief from the common or standard designed home.
(Ord. 616, passed 9-23-2013)