The LC, light commercial, district is intended to provide a location for commercial and service-related establishments, such as wholesale product sales, welding/contractor’s shops, automotive repair services, upholstery shops, and other similar commercial uses. Uses in the LC district may utilize open storage areas that are screened from public view (see chapter 26, article 26.03). Some light manufacturing may also be allowed in the LC district, in conformity with certain conditions as required in this division. The uses envisioned for the LC district will typically utilize smaller sites and have operation characteristics which are generally not compatible with residential uses and some nonresidential uses. Convenient access to thoroughfares and collector streets is also a primary consideration in the LC district.
(2006 Code, sec. 86-531; Ordinance 04-05-610, sec. 31.1, adopted 5/17/04)
Those uses listed for the LC district in article 30.06 of this chapter as “P” or “S” are authorized uses permitted by right or specially permitted uses, respectively. Special uses must be approved utilizing procedures set forth in article 30.05 of this chapter.
(2006 Code, sec. 86-532; Ordinance 04-05-610, sec. 31.2, adopted 5/17/04)
Maximum height regulations for the LC district shall be as follows:
(1) 
Two stories or 35 feet for the main building, except maximum height shall be 25 feet for any portion of a building that is located within 150 feet of a residential zoning district.
(2) 
One story for accessory buildings.
(3) 
Other (see chapter 26, article 26.06).
(2006 Code, sec. 86-533; Ordinance 04-05-610, sec. 31.3, adopted 5/17/04)
(a) 
Size of lot/tract.
The size of lots/tracts in the LC district shall be as follows:
(1) 
Minimum lot/tract area: 10,000 square feet, except one-half acre (21,780 square feet) for any site having frontage along FM 544.
(2) 
Minimum lot/tract width: 100 feet, except 120 feet along FM 544 or Murphy Road frontage.
(3) 
Minimum lot/tract depth: 100 feet.
(b) 
Size of yards.
The size of yards in the LC district shall be as follows:
(1) 
Minimum front yard: 40 feet from ultimate right-of-way line of roadway; all yards adjacent to a street shall be considered a front yard (see chapter 26, article 26.06 for additional setback requirements).
(2) 
Minimum side and rear yard: 20 feet unless adjacent to a residentially zoned property (see below).
(3) 
Interior side yards: When retail uses are platted adjacent to other retail uses and integrated into an overall shopping center site so that lot/tracts/lease spaces abutting [abut] one another, no side yard is required provided it complies with the city’s building code.
(4) 
Minimum side or rear yard adjacent to a residential district: 100 feet and shall be open space with heavy landscaping.
(c) 
Maximum lot/tract coverage.
The maximum lot/tract coverage in the LC district shall be 40 percent including main and accessory buildings; maximum 80 percent impervious coverage (including all buildings, parking areas, sidewalks, etc.).
(d) 
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR).
The maximum lot/tract coverage in the LC district shall be one to one (1:1).
(e) 
Parking requirements.
Parking requirements for the LC district shall be established by article 30.07, division 2 of this chapter regarding off-street parking and loading requirements.
(f) 
Minimum exterior construction standards.
See chapter 26, article 26.06 for exterior construction standards in the LC district.
(2006 Code, sec. 86-534; Ordinance 04-05-610, sec. 31.4, adopted 5/17/04)
(a) 
Driveway spacing.
Driveway spacing in the LC district (i.e., distance between driveways, measured edge-to-edge) shall be as follows:
(1) 
Arterial street: One driveway per 200 linear feet of frontage.
(2) 
Collector street: One driveway per 100 linear feet of frontage.
(3) 
Local street: One driveway per 50 linear feet of frontage.
(4) 
Minimum distance from driveway to street corner: 50 feet, as measured from the street corner radius point of tangency.
(b) 
Site plan review.
Review and approval of a site plan by the planning and zoning commission and the city council (in accordance with article 30.02, division 7 of this chapter) shall be required for any tract/lot/tract within the LC district. No certificate of occupancy shall be issued in the LC district unless all construction and development conforms to the site plan as approved by the city council.
(c) 
Landscaping requirements.
See chapter 26, article 26.07 for landscaping requirements in the LC district.
(d) 
Screening requirements.
See chapter 26, article 26.03 for screening requirements in the LC district.
(e) 
Outside display of merchandise and seasonal items.
Outside display of merchandise and seasonal items in the LC district, such as Christmas trees, pumpkins, etc., shall be limited to the following:
(1) 
Shall not be placed/located more than 30 feet from the main building.
(2) 
Shall not occupy any of the parking spaces that are required by this chapter for the primary use of the property, except on a temporary basis only, which is a maximum of 30 days per display and a maximum of two displays per calendar year.
(3) 
Shall not pose a safety or visibility hazard, nor impede public vehicular or pedestrian circulation, either on-site or off-site, in any way.
(4) 
Shall not extend into public right-of-way or onto adjacent property.
(5) 
All outside display items shall be removed at the end of business each day, except for large seasonal items such as Christmas trees.
(6) 
All merchandise shall be displayed in a neat, orderly manner, and the display area shall be maintained in a clean, litter-free manner.
(f) 
Open storage.
Open storage in the LC district is limited to a maximum of five percent of the total lot/tract area, shall not be located in front of the building facing the major thoroughfare or on top of the building, and must be screened in accordance with the provisions of chapter 26, article 26.03 so that it is not visible from any public street or adjacent property. However, periodic display of seasonal items, i.e. Christmas trees, pumpkins, etc., is allowed in the LC district during the appropriate time periods in conformity with the provisions set forth herein.
(g) 
Color building facade and elevation plans.
Color building facade and elevation plans in the LC district shall be submitted for review and approval along with the site plan. Facade and elevation plans in the LC district shall clearly show how the building will look, especially as viewed from the major thoroughfare upon which the property faces and/or sides, and will portray a reasonably accurate depiction of the materials and colors to be used. The city manager, or his designee, may, as he deems appropriate, require submission of additional information and materials during the site plan review process.
(h) 
Recreational vehicles, travel trailers, motor homes or temporary buildings.
Recreational vehicles, travel trailers, motor homes or temporary buildings may not be used for on-site dwelling or permanent nonresidential purposes in the LC district.
(i) 
Maintenance requirements for common areas.
A property owners’ association is required for continued maintenance of any common land and facilities provided within the development in the LC district (see section 28.04.003 for property owners’/homeowners’ association requirements).
(j) 
Other regulations.
Other regulations for the LC district shall be established in the development standards in articles 30.06 and 30.07 of this chapter and chapter 26.
(2006 Code, sec. 86-535; Ordinance 04-05-610, sec. 31.5, adopted 5/17/04)