The purpose of this article is to provide for
certain uses which cannot be well adjusted to their environment in
particular locations with full protection offered to surrounding properties
by rigid application of the district regulations. These uses are generally
of a public or semipublic character and are essential and desirable
for the general convenience and welfare. Although these uses are not
permitted uses in the zoning district, a conditional use may be adopted
where the exercise of planning judgment on location and site plan
recognizes the following criteria:
A. The presence of adjoining or nearby similar uses;
B. A need for the use in the area proposed;
C. Minimal effect on neighboring properties;
D. Imposition of Sufficient safeguards, such as traffic
control, parking, lighting, screening, hours of operation, number
of occupants, and similar conditions, to protect property values and
enjoyment.
Conditional uses may be applied for in all zoning
districts.
The following uses may be permitted as conditional
uses when approved in accordance with this chapter: residential, business,
commercial or industrial uses when the purposes and criteria of this
chapter are more fully met by issuing a conditional use.
[Amended 1-14-2009 by Ord. No. 2008-25]
A. The Director of Planning and Zoning shall establish criteria for determining whether a Category 2 site plan complying with the requirements of §
230-213 or a preliminary site plan complying with the requirements of §
230-211 shall accompany an application for approval of a conditional use under this article. Either plan shall include such information as may be required for a determination of the nature of the proposed use and its effect on the Comprehensive Plan, the neighborhood and surrounding properties.
B. A conditional use application shall be filed with
the Georgetown Planning Director. Thereafter, the application shall
be submitted to the Planning Commission for a public hearing and a
recommendation to Council. The Commission shall make its recommendation
to deny, to approve or to approve with conditions the application
no later than 90 days after its public hearing unless otherwise agreed
by the applicant. Thereafter, the application shall be scheduled for
a public hearing in Town Council. The Commission may recommend and
Council may impose specific conditions on the conditional use that
meet the purpose of this article. In the event that the Commission
has not made its recommendation to Council within 90 days, Council
may act on the application without the recommendation; Council may
approve the conditional use with conditions, deny or table the application.
Amendments to a conditional use must be reviewed and approved in accordance
with this section.
C. Amendments to a conditional use requiring Planning Commission and
Town Council review and approval as set forth in this section shall
include any and all modifications to the site plan on file, including:
erection, modification or removal of any external building accessory
building, or fixed structure, any change in or expansion of use, and/or
any deviation from any express condition(s) attached to the conditional
use.
[Added 4-24-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-8]
Approval of a conditional use under this article
shall be valid for a period of one year after the date of approval
and thereafter shall become null and void unless construction or use
is substantially underway during said one-year period or unless an
extension of time, not exceeding one year, is approved by the Planning
and Zoning Commission, and for good cause shown, before the expiration
of said one-year period. A maximum of two one-year extensions may
be granted.
The Planning Commission may recommend revocation
of a conditional use and Council may revoke a conditional use after
notice to the property owner and the public and after public hearings
for violation of conditions of approval or violation of the approved
use.
Conditional uses shall run with the ownership of the land but shall expire upon the abandonment of the use, violation of the use or conditions of approval as set forth in §
230-236 or expiration of the approved time duration of the conditional use.