In addition to the general purposes listed in Section 13-5.100, the specific purposes of the WC waterfront commercial district are to:
1. 
Reserve designated waterfront areas for a mix of commercial, public, recreation and open space uses that are consistent with the General Plan and preserve and enhance the characteristic meeting of land and water.
2. 
Create an attractive destination point for public access to and along the waterfront for residents of the City and surrounding communities.
3. 
Provide for appropriate waterfront related private and public/semi-public uses on Hercules Point and the Hercules waterfront.
4. 
Provide goods and services for visitors to public recreation and access areas along the waterfront.
5. 
Ensure that the appearance and effects of commercial buildings preserve and enhance the enjoyment of the waterfront's scenic setting, open views, and natural habitats.
6. 
Protect sensitive habitats of the shoreline area while providing trails and access points along the shoreline.
7. 
Provide for shoreline use and waterfront development consistent with the McAteer-Petris Act and the Bay Plan.
(ZO § 17.100; Ord. 515 § 2, 2018)
Plans for all new and expanded development and uses shall be submitted to the Community Development Director as per Section 13-40.300. The following general conditions shall apply to all areas designated WC, waterfront commercial.
1. 
All new and expanded development shall be subject to Chapter 13-42, Design Review, and Chapter 13-48, Planned Development Plans. Subdivision or partial development of any properties within this district shall not be approved until a planned development plan for full development of the property has been reviewed and approved. Other uses that can be shown to support visitor recreation and access within the waterfront commercial area or along the adjacent waterfront areas may be approved with a conditional use permit.
2. 
All new and expanded uses shall be consistent with an adopted planned development plan for the property and shall require an administrative or conditional use permit.
3. 
A shoreline access and management plan for the property is to be prepared as part of the planned development plan to identify sensitive shoreline areas, buffer areas, a trail and access system, signage, and access area maintenance.
4. 
An erosion control plan is to be prepared as part of the planned development plan to control sediment drainage to salt marshes and other wetlands, sensitive habitats, and natural drainage.
(ZO § 17.200; Ord. 515 § 2, 2018)
The standard performance standards for development specified in Chapter 13-31 shall be met. In addition, the following specific performance standards shall be met:
1. 
Design. Structures shall be designed with an attractive architectural theme consistent with the waterfront character of the site. In general, buildings should be designed and located so that lower, 1 story heights are along the edge of the waterfront development with higher building heights allowed to step back from the waterfront.
2. 
Shoreline Habitat Vegetation. Provide a reasonable buffer between development and adjacent salt and mud flat areas. Revegetation in special habitat areas and buffers should be of a native and approved nonnative species requiring no irrigation and little management.
3. 
Visual. Structures and landscaping are to be located and designed to protect existing view corridors and create additional view corridors of the Bay and shoreline within the planned development plan area.
4. 
Light and Glare. Waterfront structures should use nonreflective surfaces, and night lighting is to be designed to minimize glare on access and habitat areas.
5. 
Shoreline Access Design. Public access along the shoreline is to be provided through a shoreline trail and vertical access points within the project. Shoreline access design is to conform to the guidelines and standards contained in the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) publication Public Access Design Guidelines.
6. 
Soils and Geology. Where possible, development of buildings over areas of Bay Mud should be avoided. Development shall meet all requirements of geology and soils reports.
7. 
Noise. Predrilling shall be required for driving piles in the waterfront area.
(ZO § 17.300; Ord. 515 § 2, 2018)
All new and expanded development and uses that are allowed in the WC waterfront commercial are identified in Table 13-17.1 below. These uses may be allowed subject to compliance with Chapter 13-49 and approval by the Community Development Director.
The predominant uses in this district shall include recreational uses and commercial uses that provide goods and services for visitors to public access areas. Waterfront recreation development could include a marina, fishing pier, water transportation, boat yard and maintenance, and boat launching facilities. Other such uses that can be shown to be support visitor recreation and access within the waterfront commercial area or along the adjacent waterfront areas may be allowed pending approval of a conditional use permit.
(ZO § 17.400; Ord. 515 § 2, 2018)
The property development regulations presented in Table 13-17.2 establish basic site and design requirements for the WC waterfront commercial district. All regulation standards are minimum amounts unless otherwise stated.
Table 13-17.1 Land Use Regulations: WC Waterfront Commercial District
WC
Commercial Uses
Bed and Breakfast Inn/Hotel
C
Boat Sales, Service and Repair
C
Recreation and Entertainment
C
Retail Sales
Outdoor Sales
C
Retail Stores
2,000 sq ft or less
A
More than 2,000 sq ft
C
Restaurants and Delicatessens
A
With Liquor Service
C
Services and Offices
Boat Rental
A
Offices(1) and Banks
A
Recreation Services and Instruction
A
Recreational Equipment Rental and Repair
A
Residential Uses
Caretaker and Manager Housing
A
Public and Quasi-Public Uses
Clubs and Lodges (Yacht Club)
C
Daycare Facilities (for employees and visitors)
A
Government Offices
A(1)
Libraries, Museums and Galleries
A
Marina and Boat Launching Facilities
C
Public Pier
C
Public Safety Facilities
A
Transportation Facilities (Train and Ferry)
C
Utility Facilities
C
Accessory Uses and Structures
A(1)
Key to Land Use Regulations
A
Administrative Use Permit Required
C
Conditional Use Permit Required
(1)
Facility or use is directly related to the primary use of site.
Table 13-17.2 Property Development Regulations: WC Waterfront Commercial District
WC
See Also
Site Area (sf)
—
Density (FAR)
Range
0.15 to 0.30
Typical
0.20
Lot Size (sq ft)
(PDP)
Lot Frontage (ft)
(PDP)
Lot Depth (ft)
(PDP)
Setbacks
Front (ft)
10(1)
Rear (ft)
20(1)
Side (ft)
10(1)
Corner Side (ft)
10(1)
Maximum Site Coverage
30%
Landscaping Minimum
20%
Building Height (ft)
25
Parking
(PDP)
Chapter 13-32
Signage
(PDP)
Chapter 13-34
Key to Land Use Regulations
(1)
Lesser lot size and dimensions may be accepted in an approved planned development plan.
(PDP)
Or as per an approved planned development plan.
(ZO § 17.500; Ord. 515 § 2, 2018)