The G-C Groundwater Conservation district is
intended to provide the opportunity for environmentally sensitive
commercial and/or industrial development while preserving significant
environmental features, encouraging environmentally sensitive and
sustainable "green" design and construction methods, minimizing impervious
surface, maximizing groundwater recharge and protecting the aquifer.
The intent of the district is to allow a mix of low- to moderate-intensity
industrial and commercial uses while maintaining high performance
standards that protect the environment, balance water use with groundwater
recharge and minimize any deleterious effect on adjoining uses including
residential areas. The further intent is to promote the use of emerging
sustainable technologies in the design and construction of buildings,
roads and parking areas.
The following regulations and applicable regulations
contained in other articles shall apply in the G-C Groundwater Conservation
District.
Principal permitted uses or structures shall
be:
A. Agriculture or viticulture where irrigation is not required and where any buildings or feeding pens in which farm animals are kept shall comply with the distance requirements of §
135-20. This excludes concentrated livestock or poultry feeding operations or any other intensive agricultural activities determined by the Planning and Zoning Commission to be incongruent with the purpose of this chapter.
B. Forestry and tree farming.
C. Parks and such recreational uses as are consistent
with the purpose and intentions of this section.
D. Wildlife refuges and ecological sanctuaries.
E. Water impoundments and wells for water supply.
F. Conservation areas and nature trails.
G. Municipal and public utility structures.
Conditional permitted uses or structures shall
be:
A. Low- to moderate-intensity, environmentally sensitive,
sustainable commercial or industrial uses that are determined by the
Board of Zoning Appeals ("the Board") to be congruent with the intent
and purposes of this article. Examples of such uses may include but
are not limited to professional offices, technology-based businesses,
research and development facilities, commercial/retail uses and light
assembly and manufacturing.
B. In granting or denying a conditional use or uses, the Board of Zoning Appeals ("the Board") shall consider the intent of the G-C district, the potential impact on significant environmental features, the congruency of the proposed use or uses with the site including all natural features, the capacity of public facilities, the environmental sensitivity of the proposed uses and structures and other considerations deemed reasonable by the Board. Before convening any hearing on a request for a conditional use or uses in the G-C district, the Board shall allow at least 60 days to receive reports from the Mayor and Council, the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Zoning Administrator concerning the requested conditional use or uses. The Board shall not have the authority to grant any variance from the required conditions in §
135-149.
Accessory uses shall be as follows:
A. Uses and structures customarily accessory and incidental
to any permitted principal use or authorized conditional use.
For the purposes of avoiding misinterpretation
and providing guidance to the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Planning
and Zoning Commission as to the legislative intent of the G-C District,
the following uses are expressly prohibited in the G-C District:
B. Any prohibited use in the I-R district (§
135-135).
D. Automotive or vehicle service, maintenance or repair
facilities.
E. Laundry or dry-cleaning facilities.