Chapter 18.22 GC GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONE DISTRICT

Chapter 18.22
GC GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONE DISTRICT

Sections:

18.22.010 Intent.

18.22.020 Permitted uses.

18.22.030 Accessory uses.

18.22.040 Conditional uses.

18.22.050 Density regulations.

18.22.010 Intent.

The intent of the general commercial (GC) zone is to:

A. Provide for those commercial uses and activities which are dependent on convenient vehicular access.

B. Discourage extension of “strip” development by filling in available space in areas where substantial auto-oriented commercial development already exists.

C. Provide development standards which enhance efficient operation of these districts, and lead to more pedestrian and transit oriented development.

D. Provide for a type, configuration, and density of development that will entice pedestrian shoppers to frequent the area, encourage pedestrian traffic between businesses, facilitate efficient mass transit, and require less reliance on automobiles within a business area.

E. Balance the needs of motorists and businesses serving a regional or community-wide market with the needs of pedestrians and neighborhood residents.

F. Integrate new development with existing uses to achieve a better environment for pedestrians and to maintain or enhance the livability of adjacent residential neighborhoods.

G. Encourage the provision of urban plazas and convenient access to transit stops.

(Ord. O95-035, Added, 12/19/1995)

18.22.020 Permitted uses.

Uses permitted in the GC district are as follows:

A. Professional services;

B. General retail sales;

C. General offices;

D. Appliance equipment repair;

E. Support facilities;

F. Parks/open space;

G. Recreational facilities;

H. Restaurants;

I. Automobile service stations including car washes;

J. Post offices;

K. Motels, hotels;

L. Planned unit developments (PUD);

M. Medical clinics;

N. Child day care center; child mini-day care center;

O. Adult family homes, residential care facilities;

P. Group foster homes;

Q. Private clubs and lodges;

R. Family child care home;

S. Mixed use: multifamily/residential/commercial structure;

T. Personal services;

U. Used motor oil recycling collection point;

V. Parking lots as separate, primary uses are permitted. The proposed parking lot shall exclusively serve specifically identified uses in or adjacent to the district to accommodate shared employee or customer parking or off-site employee parking. The uses served by the lot may change over time;

W. Parking structures;

X. Park and ride lots;

Y. Museum, library, art gallery;

Z. Campgrounds, recreational vehicle parks;

AA. Riding academies;

BB. Entertainment facilities;

CC. Nurseries;

DD. Attached wireless communication facilities, except that it is prohibited to attach a nonaccessory wireless communication antenna on a single-family or two-family dwelling;*

EE. Equipment rental and sales facilities;

FF. Motorsports sales facility, provided outdoor displays or visible storage of vehicles does not cover an area larger than ten percent of the gross floor area of the facility;

GG. Electric vehicle infrastructure;

HH. Community gardens;

II. Farmers markets.

*Emergency communication towers and antennas and wireless communication facilities are subject to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards and approval if they apply, and furthermore both uses are subject to provisions for wireless communication facilities in TMC Chapter 11.20, Communication Antennas and Towers.

(Ord. O2010-029, Amended, 06/07/2011; Ord. O2010-015, Amended, 09/07/2010; Ord. O2003-001, Amended, 02/18/2003; Ord. O97-019, Amended, 06/17/1997; Ord. O96-022, Amended, 12/17/1996; Ord. O95-035, Added, 12/19/1995)

18.22.030 Accessory uses.

Accessory uses in the GC district are as follows:

A. Storage, if less than fifty percent of gross floor area of the primary structure;

B. Energy systems;

C. On-site hazardous waste treatment and storage facilities;

D. All uses customarily accessory to permitted uses;

E. Cocktail lounge as an accessory use to restaurants;

F. Living or residential quarters as an accessory use including, but not limited to, security guards’ quarters where such quarters are customarily provided for security and/or insurability of the premises and other residential uses directly related to the operation of the primary permitted use;

G. Off-street parking and loading areas;

H. Accessory wireless communication antenna.*

(Ord. O97-019, Amended, 06/17/1997; Ord. O96-022, Amended, 12/17/1996; Ord. O95-035, Added, 12/19/1995)

18.22.040 Conditional uses.

Conditional uses in the GC district are as follows:

A. Transportation terminals;

B. Taverns, cocktail lounges;

C. Animal clinics;

D. Convalescent centers;

E. High-rise residential (five stories or more);

F. Freestanding wireless communication facilities;*

G. Off-premises signs;

H. Public and/or private schools;

I. Mini-storage facilities, wholesaling, manufacturing, assembling, warehousing, storing, repairing, fabricating, or other handling of such products and equipment;

J. Auto repair facilities;

K. Motor vehicles sales facilities;

L. The following essential public facilities:

1. Emergency communication towers and antennas;*

2. State education facilities;

3. Large scale state or regional transportation facilities;

4. Prisons, jails and other correctional facilities;

5. Mental health facilities (including but not limited to congregate care facilities; adult residential treatment facilities; evaluation and treatment centers);

6. Inpatient facilities including substance abuse facilities (including but not limited to: intensive inpatient facilities; long-term residential drug treatment facilities; recovery house facilities);

M. Private education facilities;

N. Building heights over fifty feet;**

O. Animal kennels.

**Subject to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards and approval if they apply.

(Ord. O2008-016, Amended, 09/16/2008; Ord. O2003-001, Amended, 02/18/2003; Ord. O2000-004, Amended, 07/18/2000; Ord. O97-019, Amended, 06/17/1977; Ord. O96-022, Amended, 12/17/1996; Ord. O95-035, Added, 12/19/1996)

18.22.050 Density regulations.

Density regulations in the GC district are as follows:

A. Site area: no minimum, except the lot shall be adequate to provide for required parking, yards and landscaping;

B. Lot coverage: no maximum, except adequate space must be provided for required parking, yards and landscaping;

C. Structure height: a maximum height of fifty feet; provided, however, that no structure shall penetrate imaginary airspace surfaces as defined by 14 C.F.R. Part 77. A map that provides detailed information on ground and imaginary airspace surface elevations is available for inspection in the community development department;

D. Yards.**

1. Front: no minimum setback,

2. Side: no minimum,

3. Rear: no minimum.

Where any structures or portions of structures are adjacent to any residential zoning district, the minimum structural setback shall be twenty feet. Where structures are constructed over one story, the setback of the structure from the adjacent property line or lines shall be increased by ten feet for every story above the ground level story of the proposed new building, and shall be screened from view in accordance with TMC Chapter 18.47.

**See TMC 18.04.670.

(Ord. O2011-002, Amended, 03/01/2011; Ord. O2004-009, Amended, 12/07/2004; Ord. O2000-004, Amended, 07/18/2000; Ord. O97-024, Amended, 03/03/1998; Ord. O96-022, Amended, 12/17/1996; Ord. O95-035, Added, 12/19/1995)