Chapter 17.28
C COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS

Sections:

17.28.010    Specific purposes.

17.28.020    CC, CO, CG, and CW districts – Land use regulations.

17.28.030    CC, CO, CG, and CW districts – Property development regulations.

17.28.040    Review of plans.

17.28.010 Specific purposes.

A. In addition to the general purposes listed in Chapter 17.04 BMC, the specific purposes of commercial districts are to:

1. Provide appropriately located areas consistent with the general plan for a full range of office, retail commercial, and service commercial uses needed by residents of, and visitors to, the city and region;

2. Strengthen the city’s economic base, and provide employment opportunities close to home for residents of the city and surrounding communities;

3. Create suitable environments for various types of commercial uses, and protect them from the adverse effects of inharmonious uses;

4. Minimize the impact of commercial development on adjacent residential districts;

5. Ensure that the appearance and effects of commercial buildings and uses are harmonious with the character of the area in which they are located;

6. Provide opportunities for residential development on the site of commercial development or on separate sites in certain commercial districts;

7. Ensure the provision of adequate off-street parking and loading facilities;

8. Provide sites for public and semipublic uses needed to complement commercial development or compatible with a commercial environment;

9. Preserve a balanced mix of locally, regionally, and nationally based businesses and small and medium sized businesses to maintain and promote the long-term economic health of businesses and the community as a whole;

10. Regulate the location and operation of formula businesses in order to maintain the city’s unique historic small town character, the diversity and economic vitality of the community’s commercial districts and the quality of life of Benicia residents.

B. The additional purposes of each C district are as follows:

1. CC Community Commercial District. To provide sites for businesses serving the daily needs of nearby residential areas while establishing development standards that prevent significant adverse effects on residential uses adjoining a CC district.

2. CO Commercial Office District. To provide a landscaped environment for offices of residential scale and for residential development that is protected from the more intense levels of activity associated with retail commercial development.

3. CG General Commercial District. To provide opportunities for the full range of retail and service businesses deemed suitable for location in Benicia, including businesses not permitted in other commercial districts because they attract heavy vehicular traffic or have certain adverse impacts; and to provide opportunities for certain limited manufacturing uses that have impacts comparable to those of permitted retail and service uses to occupy space not in demand for retailing or services.

4. Repealed by Ord. 07-21.

5. CW Waterfront Commercial District. To provide opportunities for waterfront-related development around the Benicia marina and along the shoreline at appropriate locations. (Ord. 07-21 § 4; Ord. 07-12 § 2; Ord. 87-4 N.S., 1987).

17.28.020 CC, CO, CG, and CW districts – Land use regulations.

In the following schedules, the letter “P” designates use classifications permitted in commercial districts. The letter “L” designates use classifications subject to certain limitations prescribed by the “Additional Use Regulations” that follow. The letter “U” designates use classifications permitted on approval of a use permit, as provided in Chapter 17.104 BMC. The letters “P/U” designate use classifications permitted on the site of a permitted use, but requiring a use permit on the site of a conditional use. Letters in parentheses in the “Additional Regulations” column refer to the “Additional Use Regulations” following the schedule. Where letters in parentheses are opposite a use classification heading, referenced regulations shall apply to all classifications under the heading.

CC, CO, CG, and CW Districts: Land Use Regulations 

P    – Permitted

U    – Use Permit

L    – Limited (See “Additional Use Regulations”)

–     – Not Permitted

 

CC

CO

CG

CW

Additional Regulations

Residential

 

 

 

 

(A)

Group Residential

–

–

U

–

 

Live/Work Quarters

P

–

P

P

 

Multi-Family Residential

L1

L1

–

P

 

Residential Care, Limited

–

–

–

P

 

Single-Family Residential

L1

L1

–

L1

 

 

Public and Semipublic

 

 

 

 

 

Clubs and Lodges

U

U

P

P

 

Cultural Institutions

U

U

P

P

 

Day Care, General

L14

L14

–

L14

 

Government Offices

P

P

P

P

 

Hospitals

–

U

U

–

 

Park and Recreation Facilities

–

–

–

P

(B)

Public Safety Facilities

U

U

U

U

 

Religious Assembly

P

U

U

U

(K)

Residential Care, General

U

U

–

–

 

Schools, Public or Private

U

–

–

–

 

Utilities, Major

 

 

 

 

 

Waste Facility

U

U

U

U

 

Utilities, Minor

P

P

P

P

 

Commercial Uses

 

 

 

 

(A)

Adult Businesses

–

–

L3

–

(C)

Ambulance Services

–

–

P

–

 

Animal Sales and Services

 

 

 

 

 

Animal Boarding

–

–

L15

–

 

Animal Grooming

L15

–

P

–

 

Animal Hospitals

–

L15

L15

–

 

Animals – Retail Sales

–

–

P

P

 

Artists’ Studios

P

P

P

P

 

Banks and Savings and Loans with Drive-Up Service

–

U

U

–

 

Building Materials and Services

–

–

P

–

 

Catering Services

P

P

P

P

 

Commercial Filming

U

U

U

U

 

Commercial Recreation and Entertainment

U

L12

U

U

 

Card Room, Game Center, Billiard Parlor

–

–

U

U

(D)

Communication Facilities

–

–

P

–

 

Conference and Meeting Facilities

U

U

L17

L17

 

Eating and Drinking Establishments

P

P

P

P