The C-1 District accommodates commercial and office facilities that serve the needs of markets ranging from several neighborhoods to the overall region. While allowed commercial and office uses are generally compatible with nearby residential areas, traffic and operating characteristics of some uses may have an impact on adjacent residential neighborhoods. Use regulations require conditional permit review for these selected uses. C-1 Districts are most appropriate at intersections of collector and arterial streets, at the junction of several neighborhoods, along major commercial or mixed-use corridors, or at substantial commercial subcenters. The district also permits other uses with similar urban impacts to substantial commercial development.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
Regulator
Permitted Residential Uses
All Other Permitted Uses
Site area per housing unit (square feet)
Same standards as for the R-4 District
NA
Minimum lot area
4,800
Minimum lot width (feet)
40
Minimum yards (feet)
Front yard (Note 1)
25
Side yard
5
Street side yard
15
Rear yard
Lesser of 20% of lot depth or 20 feet
Maximum height (feet)
35
Floor area ratio (Note 2)
1.00
Maximum amount of total parking located in street yard
80%
Note 1: Flexible Yard Setbacks in Planned Unit Development Districts.
The Planning Commission and City Council may vary required minimum setbacks in PUD Districts. Along arterials designated in the City's Comprehensive Development Plan, the Public Works Director may require a deeper front yard setback.
Note 2: Flexible Floor Area Ratios in Planned Districts.
The Planning Commission and City Council may increase the maximum floor area ratio for a development in a PUD District.
In order to maintain a residential character in community commercial areas in Seward, the following design standards shall apply to any office or commercial use developed within the C-1 District:
A. 
No single building shall have a building coverage area that exceeds 15,000 square feet without approval of a conditional use permit, as set forth in § 410-44.3.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
B. 
No street-facing facade may have a continuous length of 100 feet or over without an offset in the building elevation equal to a dimension of at least five feet.
C. 
Window area on each street-facing facade shall be equal to at least 20% of the area of that facade.
D. 
No building facade facing a street shall have the appearance of a rear facade. Architectural details, including materials, textures, patterns, colors, and design features used on the front facade shall be incorporated into all facades facing public streets and easily visible to the public.
E. 
All buildings and developments shall include a direct, clear, and safe pedestrian connection from adjacent public sidewalks to the entrances of buildings within the development.