As required by Sec. 8-2.227 in Article 2 of this chapter, a Use Classification System has been employed to identify commercial Use Types. The most prevalent uses identified for each commercial zone district are “principal” uses allowed by right, as well as “accessory” or “ancillary” uses allowed by right or with the issuance of a Site Plan Review. A smaller number of uses are “conditional” uses permitted through the issuance of a Minor or Major Use Permit.
The commercial Use Types include a full range of retail sales, personal and business services, eating and drinking establishments, offices, limited wholesale and warehouse activities, some public and quasi-public uses, crafts, and mixed-use residential uses. The descriptions of the Use Types in this chapter contain individual specific uses that are classified within the Use Type. These lists of specific typical uses are examples and are not meant to include all uses that may properly be classified within the Use Type. If a specific use is not included under a Use Type, the Planning Director has the discretion of finding that the specific use is similar or consistent with another listed use, and may be allowed as a principal, accessory, or conditional use or, conversely, may find that the use is not an allowed use within the zone.
(a) Retail Uses. This Use Type includes stores and shops of all sizes that sell a wide range of retail goods. Typical uses include drugstores; florist shops; bakeries; grocery stores; hardware stores; antique stores; arts and crafts, “boutiques” and specialty shops; sales of automobiles, household appliances, and furniture; and all other similar retail businesses that sell goods to members of the public. Cannabis retail uses, including storefront and non-storefront, and microbusiness, require the issuance of a Major Use Permit as regulated by Article 14 of this Chapter.
(b) Eating and Drinking Uses. This Use Type includes all “sit down,” as well as drive-through or fast food, restaurants; bars and cocktail lounges; breweries and wine tasting bars; night clubs, dance halls, bowling alleys; and other establishments that sell food and/or alcohol.
(c) Service Uses. This Use Type includes all personal and business services, such as barbers and hairdressers; pet grooming; small and large appliance and furniture repair; auto repair and gasoline service stations; accountants and attorneys that rely on “walk in” traffic; Laundromats; plumbing services; and all other similar businesses that sell services to members of the public. Some of these business services may also be classified under the “Office” Use Type.
(d) Office Uses. This Use Type includes private offices that house professional firms and services that do not rely on “walk in” customers, such as administrative offices, as well as banks/financial institutions and medical professionals.
(e) Live/work, Light Manufacturing and Storage. This Use Type includes “live/work” activities that are involved in light manufacturing and sales of artisan crafts, such as jewelry and pottery. The Use Type also includes limited wholesale and warehouse/storage uses. Cannabis uses, including processing, manufacturing, and distribution, require the issuance of a Major Use Permit as regulated by Article 14 of this Chapter.
(f) Residential Uses. This Use Type includes some high density single-family, and a wide range of multi-family, residential uses that may be combined with commercial uses in the same building, on the same lot, or on adjacent lots. Examples of housing that is allowed and encouraged in the commercial zones are apartments other located on upper floors of commercial buildings, live/work residences on upper or ground floors in commercial districts, and dense stand-alone single family homes that meet a minimum density of ten (10) units per net acre.
(g) Public/Quasi-Public and Recreation Uses. This Use Type includes public/quasi-public uses such as schools, museums, libraries, fraternal organizations, and also private uses that attract large numbers of customers such as theaters and sports event venues. Public uses would normally be required to locate on lands that have been re-zoned “Public and Quasi-Public” (PQP); however, smaller uses may be permitted to locate in the commercial zones without a rezoning to PQP.
(Ord. 1445, eff. August 14, 2014; as amended by § 2, Ord. 1545, eff. January 6, 2022)