Chapter 18.15 ZONES, MAPS AND DESIGNATIONS

Chapter 18.15
ZONES, MAPS AND DESIGNATIONS

Sections:

18.15.010 Zones and map designations established.

18.15.020 Zone and map designation purpose.

18.15.030 Mineral zone.

18.15.040 Urban separator zone.

18.15.050 Urban residential zone.

18.15.060 Neighborhood commercial zone.

18.15.070 Community commercial zone.

18.15.080 Downtown zone.

18.15.090 Repealed.

18.15.100 Industrial zone.

18.15.110 Repealed.

18.15.120 Repealed.

18.15.130 Repealed.

18.15.140 Zoning maps and boundaries.

18.15.010 Zones and map designations established.

In order to accomplish the purposes of this title the following zoning designations and zoning map symbols are established:


Zoning Designations	Map Symbol
Mineral		M
Urban Separator		US (R-1)
Urban Residential		R (base density in dwellings per acre)
Neighborhood Commercial		NC
Community Commercial		CC
Downtown Zone		DN (further specified by district)
Town Center District Mixed Commercial District General Commercial District Mixed Housing/Office District		TC MC GC MHO
Industrial		I

(Ord. 10-10 § 3 (Exh. C); Ord. 42-02 § 2 (21A.04.010))

18.15.020 Zone and map designation purpose.

The purpose statements for each zone and map designation set forth in the following sections shall be used to guide the application of the zones and designations to all lands in the City. The purpose statements also shall guide interpretation and application of land use regulations within the zones and designations, and any changes to the range of permitted uses within each zone through amendments to this title. (Ord. 42-02 § 2 (21A.04.020))

18.15.030 Mineral zone.

(1) The purpose of the mineral zone (M) is to provide for continued extraction and processing of mineral and soil resources in an environmentally responsible manner by:

(a) Reserving known deposits of minerals and materials within areas as protection against premature development of the land for nonextractive purposes;

(b) Providing neighboring properties with notice of prospective extracting and processing activities; and

(c) Providing appropriate location and development standards for extraction and on-site processing to mitigate adverse impacts on the natural environment and on nearby properties.

(2) Use of this zone is appropriate for known deposits of minerals and materials on sites that are of sufficient size to mitigate the impacts of operation and that are served or capable of being served at the time of development by adequate roads and other public services, and for sites containing mineral extracting and processing operations that were established in compliance with land use regulations in effect at the time the use was established. (Ord. 42-02 § 2 (21A.04.050))

18.15.040 Urban separator zone.

(1) The purposes of the urban separator zone (US) are to phase growth and demand for urban services, and to reserve large tracts of land for possible future growth in portions of areas designated by the comprehensive plan for future urban growth while allowing reasonable interim uses of property; or to reflect designation by the comprehensive plan of a property or area as part of the urban growth area when a detailed plan for urban uses and densities has not been completed; or when the area has been designated as a site for future development or annexation. These purposes are accomplished by:

(a) Allowing for limited residential growth, contiguous to existing urban public facilities; and

(b) Requiring clustered residential developments, where feasible, to prevent establishment of uses and lot patterns which may foreclose future alternatives and impede efficient later development at urban densities.

(2) Use of this zone is appropriate in urban areas, designated by the comprehensive plan, when such areas do not have adequate public facilities and services or are not yet needed to accommodate planned growth, or do not yet have detailed land use plans for urban uses and densities. (Ord. 10-10 § 3 (Exh. C); Ord. 42-02 § 2 (21A.04.070))

18.15.050 Urban residential zone.

(1) The purpose of the urban residential zone (R) is to implement comprehensive plan goals and policies for housing quality, diversity and affordability, and to efficiently use urban residential land, public services and energy. These purposes are accomplished by:

(a) Providing, in the R-1 (urban separator) through R-8 zones, for a mix of predominantly single detached dwelling units and other development types, with a variety of densities and sizes;

(b) Providing, in the R-18 (multifamily) zone, a mix of higher densities and greater variety of housing uses;

(c) Allowing only those accessory and complementary nonresidential uses that are compatible with urban residential communities; and

(d) Establishing density designations to facilitate advanced area-wide planning for public facilities and services, and to protect environmentally sensitive sites from overdevelopment.

(2) Use of this zone is appropriate as follows:

(a) The urban separator (R-1) zone on or adjacent to lands with area-wide environmental constraints where development is required to cluster away from sensitive areas, on lands designated urban separators or wildlife habitat network where development is required to cluster away from the axis of the corridor on critical aquifer recharge areas, and on regionally and locally significant resource areas (RSRAs/LSRAs) or in well-established subdivisions of the same density, which are served at the time of development by public or private facilities and services adequate to support planned densities; and

(b) The R-4 through R-18 zones on lands that are predominantly environmentally unconstrained and are served at the time of development by adequate public sewers, water supply, roads and other needed public facilities and services. (Ord. 10-10 § 3 (Exh. C); Ord. 42-02 § 2 (21A.04.080))

18.15.060 Neighborhood commercial zone.

The purpose of the neighborhood commercial zone (NC) is to provide convenient daily retail and personal services within a local neighborhood while minimizing impacts of commercial activities on nearby properties outside of the commercial center, and to provide for limited residential development. These purposes are accomplished by:

(1) Limiting nonresidential uses to those retail or personal services, which can serve the everyday needs of a local neighborhood;

(2) Excluding industrial, community commercial and community/regional business-scaled uses;

(3) Maximum building size is limited to 5,000 gross square feet. (Ord. 10-10 § 3 (Exh. C); Ord. 42-02 § 2 (21A.04.090))

18.15.070 Community commercial zone.

(1) The purpose of the community commercial zone (CC) is to provide convenient daily retail and personal services for a limited service area and to minimize impacts of commercial activities on nearby properties outside of the commercial center, and to provide for limited residential development. These purposes are accomplished by:

(a) Limiting nonresidential uses to those retail or personal services, which can serve the everyday needs of a surrounding urban or rural residential area;

(b) Allowing for mixed-use (housing and retail/service) developments;

(d) Maximum building size is limited to 30,000 gross square feet.

(2) Use of this zone is appropriate in urban neighborhood commercial centers, on sites which are served at the time of development by adequate public sewers when located in urban areas, water supply, roads and other needed public facilities and services. (Ord. 10-10 § 3 (Exh. C); Ord. 42-02 § 2 (21A.04.095))

18.15.080 Downtown zone.

The following zoning districts are established within the downtown zone to protect the public health, safety and general welfare by implementing the goals and policies adopted in the City of Covington Downtown Element of the Comprehensive Plan. The district intent statements define the specific purpose of each district. They shall be the policies of the City of Covington Downtown Element of the Comprehensive Plan, serve as a guide for determining the appropriate location of uses, help determine appropriate conditions for development within the downtown zone, and help the Director interpret the standards and provisions of this chapter.

(1) The town center district (TC) is the pedestrian-oriented core of downtown and allows the most intensive level of development. The emphasis of this district is on mixed-use development that includes pedestrian-oriented retail, high density residential development, and civic uses. The development of a walkable street grid and a central public gathering space are key objectives of this district. To meet goals for a pedestrian-oriented town center, limited large-format retail uses are permitted, and such uses are subject to a conditional use permit and additional design criteria provided in CMC 18.31.040.

(2) The mixed commercial district (MC) is applied to the majority of the Covington downtown zone. This district encourages a mix of commercial and multi-story residential uses, public uses, and allows for large-format and auto-oriented retail, provided they meet pedestrian-oriented design standards that are more flexible than those applied to the town center district. Achieving a high level of connectivity with new and improved streets and trails is a major goal in this district.

(3) The general commercial district (GC) is applied to a limited area of the downtown and is intended to allow the widest range of uses, coupled with more limited design standards than other areas of downtown. Permitted uses include commercial and light industrial uses, offices, major transportation and utility facilities, and residential uses that are appropriately buffered to ensure compatibility. Development and design standards are less prescriptive and provide greater flexibility to accommodate the intended uses.

(4) The mixed housing/office district (MHO) is applied to areas where infill development and redevelopment of low intensity areas with multifamily housing and office is encouraged. Residential uses that are encouraged in this district include townhouses, cottages, and low-rise multifamily. Office development and limited intensity neighborhood retail is also permitted. Development and design standards applied to this district require buffers, lower height limits and building scale that is appropriate to the size of the lot. Trail connections are also emphasized in this district. (Ord. 10-10 § 3 (Exh. C); Ord. 42-02 § 2 (21A.04.100))

18.15.090 Regional commercial zone.

Repealed by Ord. 10-10. (Ord. 42-02 § 2 (21A.04.110))

18.15.100 Industrial zone.

(1) The purpose of the industrial zone (I) is to provide for the location and grouping of industrial enterprises and activities involving manufacturing, assembly, fabrication, processing, bulk handling and storage, research facilities, warehousing, power generation and heavy trucking. It is also a purpose of this zone to protect the industrial land base for industrial economic development and employment opportunities. These purposes are accomplished by:

(a) Allowing for a wide range of industrial and manufacturing uses;

(b) Establishing appropriate development standards and public review procedures for industrial activities with the greatest potential for adverse impacts; and

(c) Limiting residential, institutional, commercial, office and other nonindustrial uses to those necessary for the convenience of industrial activities.

(2) Use of this zone is appropriate where designated by the comprehensive plan and served at the time of development by adequate public sewers, water supply, roads and other needed public facilities and services. (Ord. 42-02 § 2 (21A.04.130))

18.15.110 Map designation – Regional use designation.

Repealed by Ord. 10-10. (Ord. 42-02 § 2 (21A.04.140))

18.15.120 Map designation – Special district overlay.

Repealed by Ord. 10-10. (Ord. 42-02 § 2 (21A.04.160))

18.15.130 Map designation – Interim zoning.

Repealed by Ord. 10-10. (Ord. 42-02 § 2 (21A.04.180))

18.15.140 Zoning maps and boundaries.

(1) The location and boundaries of the zones defined by this chapter shall be shown and delineated on zoning maps adopted by ordinance.

(2) Changes in the boundaries of the zones, including application or amendment of interim zoning, shall be made by ordinance adopting or amending a zoning map.

(3) Zoning maps are available for public review at the Department of Community Development permit center during business hours. (Amended at request of department 2/08; Ord. 42-02 § 2 (21A.04.190))