Division 9. Special Use Zones
9159.1 SU-CEM Zone (Cemetery).
A. Applicability. The provisions of this Section shall be applicable in the SU-CEM Zone.
B. Uses Permitted.
1. Principal Use. The following principal use shall be permitted:
a. Cemetery.
2. Accessory Uses Subject to Conditional Use Permit. The following accessory uses shall be permitted, provided a Conditional Use Permit therefor is approved:
a. Columbarium.
b. Crematory.
Existing facilities of the type listed in the above paragraph shall be subject to the provisions of CMC 9183.3.
In addition to the general criteria for the approval of a Conditional Use Permit pursuant to CMC 9172.21(D)(1), the following shall be considered in acting upon a Conditional Use Permit in the SU-CEM Zone:
a. The use shall be unobtrusive from adjacent residential and school areas.
b. The open space character of the overall development shall be maintained.
c. Adequate provision shall be made for continued maintenance.
d. Additional traffic hazard shall not be created.
e. There shall be no adverse environmental effects upon surrounding property
3. Permitted Accessory Uses. The following accessory uses shall be permitted:
a. Caretaker’s residence – one (1) residential unit only.
b. Offices.
c. Maintenance buildings and outdoor storage areas.
d. Off-street parking (the provisions of CMC 9152.2 shall apply).
e. Mausoleum.
f. Other accessory uses, facilities or activities found to be customary or necessary in connection with the maintenance, upkeep or visitation of the permitted use, if so interpreted in accordance with CMC 9172.24, but not including a mortuary, chapel or auditorium.
C. Site Requirement. The entire existing site shall not be reduced in size except by street dedication and shall be maintained under a single management.
D. Site Development Standards.
1. Height of Buildings and Structures. Main buildings and accessory buildings permitted under subsection (B)(2) of this Section shall not exceed a height of thirty (30) feet unless otherwise approved under a Conditional Use Permit.
2. Ground Coverage. The ground area included within the exterior walls and/or supporting columns of all roofed structures shall not exceed five (5) percent of the net lot area unless otherwise approved under a Conditional Use Permit.
3. Front Yard. There shall be a front yard with a depth of at least twenty (20) feet.
4. Side and Rear Yards. There shall be a side yard on each side of the site at least ten (10) feet in width, and a rear yard at least ten (10) feet in depth.
5. Yard Encroachments. Encroachments in required yards shall be subject to the provisions of CMC 9126.29 insofar as applicable and consistent with other provisions of this Section.
6. Screening. Outdoor storage areas, trash areas and mechanical equipment shall be enclosed within a solid fence or wall at least six (6) feet in height but not more than eight (8) feet in height.
7. Perimeter Walls. The site shall be enclosed along the side and rear lot lines with a solid wall or fence at least six (6) feet in height but not more than eight (8) feet in height. This provision shall not apply within the required front yard area nor along any lot line adjacent to the OS Zone.
8. Street Dedication and Improvement. The provisions of Division 1 of Part 6 of this Chapter shall apply.
9. Parking. The provisions of Division 2 of Part 6 of this Chapter shall apply, but only in relation to any new, additional or intensified use or development.
10. Access. Any change in the means or arrangement of access from a public street within the City of Carson shall be subject to the approval of the Director of Public Works.
11. Signs. Signs shall be limited to identification, directional and informational messages pertaining to the permitted use of the site. No sign face shall have an area greater than fifty (50) square feet and the total sign face area on the site shall not exceed two hundred (200) square feet.
12. Utilities. All utility lines on the site shall be placed underground. All aboveground utility equipment shall be within a solid enclosure or otherwise screened from public view. Such enclosure/screening shall be in accordance with the utility’s service requirement.
13. Site Planning and Design. All new or additional development shall be in conformance with development plans which have been approved pursuant to the Site Plan and Design Review procedure as provided in CMC 9172.23. No permit shall be issued for grading or construction, or sign installed, involving significant exterior changes as determined by the Director, which is not in conformance with such approved development plans.
14. Landscaping. The entire site including any abutting parkway area in the street right-of-way, other than paved areas, screened storage areas and land occupied by structures, shall be covered with turf or other landscaping.
E. Environmental Effects.
1. Lighting. The provisions of CMC 9157.1 shall apply.
F. Maintenance. Within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this Section, the owner or operator of any cemetery within the SU-CEM Zone shall submit to the Director, for record purposes, a copy of documents setting forth all agreements and arrangements for continuing care and maintenance of the premises.
Any change in the agreements or arrangements for continuing care and maintenance of the premises or the method of financing such care shall be submitted to the Director. Any such change which in the opinion of the Director could result in a reduction in the quality, amount, continuity or length of time of such care shall be subject to approval in the same manner as for a modification of conditions of a Conditional Use Permit pursuant to CMC 9172.21(G).
G. Nonconformities. Any and all existing lawfully established features, development and uses of the site shall be permitted to continue without change. All new developments or use, alterations or changes shall be in conformance with the provisions of this Section.
H. Previous Approvals Superseded. Notwithstanding the provisions of CMC 9183.3, except as provided in subsection (B)(2)(a) of this Section, any previous approval for the use or development of property within the SU-CEM Zone, granted prior to the effective date of this Section under the zoning regulations of the City of Carson or granted prior to the incorporation of the City under the Zoning Ordinance of the County of Los Angeles or under the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Compton is hereby declared null and void and superseded by the provisions of this Section. (Ord. 78-425)
9159.2 SU-BP Zone (Blimp Port).
A. Applicability. The provisions of this Section shall be applicable in the SU-BP Zone.
B. Uses Permitted.
1. Principal Use. The following principal use shall be permitted:
a. Blimp port, subject to the following limitations:
(1) Except in case of emergency, this facility shall be used only by lighter-than-air ships (blimps). No other types of aircraft shall use, be stored or be kept on the subject property.
(2) Only blimp operations of a public relations nature shall be permitted; except, with prior notification and approval by the Director, blimp operations shall be permitted for special events or special projects, and with Planning Commission approval, the management may sell tickets for amusement rides aboard the blimp.
(3) Airship repairs shall be permitted at this facility. All repair activities, other than emergencies, shall be conducted within an enclosed building and shall be so located or soundproofed as to prevent annoyance or detriment to surrounding property. In no case shall doors or windows be permitted in any wall within one hundred (100) feet of and facing a residential zone. Repair activities shall be confined to the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. daily.
2. Permitted Accessory Uses. The following accessory uses shall be permitted:
a. Caretaker’s residence – one (1) residential unit only.
b. Offices.
c. Maintenance buildings and outdoor storage areas.
d. Off-street parking (the provisions of CMC 9152.2 shall apply).
e. Visitor facilities and landscaped park area.
f. Blimp hangar, subject to a Conditional Use Permit.
g. Other accessory uses, facilities or activities found to be customary or necessary in connection with permitted uses, if so interpreted in accordance with CMC 9172.24.
C. Site Requirements. The entire existing site of approximately twenty-seven (27) acres shall not be reduced in size except by dedication for street purposes or other publicly owned right-of-way, and shall be maintained in a single ownership and under the management and control of one (1) organization.
D. Site Development Standards.
1. Height of Buildings and Structures. Unless otherwise approved by a Conditional Use Permit, buildings and structures, other than a blimp mooring mast(s) and one (1) identification sign, shall not exceed a height of twenty (20) feet.
2. Ground Coverage. The ground area included within the exterior walls and/or supporting columns of all roofed structures shall not exceed five (5) percent of the net lot area.
3. Yards. Abutting each street and property line, there shall be a yard with a depth of at least twenty-five (25) feet.
4. Every part of a required yard or open space shall be open and unobstructed from finished grade to the sky except that permitted signs, off-street parking and fencing may be located within such yards. Other encroachments in required yards shall be subject to the provisions of CMC 9136.29 insofar as applicable and consistent with other provisions of this Section.
5. Screening. Outdoor storage areas, trash areas and mechanical equipment shall be enclosed within a solid fence or wall at least six (6) feet in height but not more than eight (8) feet in height.
6. Perimeter Fencing. The entire site shall be enclosed with a chain link or other open-mesh type of fence at least four (4) feet in height but not more than fifteen (15) feet in height. The public parking and other visitor arrival areas shall be separated from airship operations and maintenance areas by fencing at least three and one-half (3-1/2) feet in height.
7. Street Dedication and Improvement. The provisions of Division 1 of Part 6 of this Chapter shall apply.
8. Parking. The provisions of Division 2 of Part 6 of this Chapter shall apply subject to the following additional provisions:
a. There shall be a minimum of thirty (30) improved parking spaces located on the site.
b. In case of a special event or emergency situation, the turf or sod areas of the site may be used temporarily for overflow parking.
9. Access. Vehicular access to the site, including the parking areas, shall be subject to the review and approval of the Director of Public Works.
10. Signs.
a. Not more than two (2) large identification sign structures shall be permitted, with not more than four (4) sign faces totaling not more than twenty-one thousand five hundred twenty-eight (21,528) square feet of sign face area. Said signs shall not exceed eighty-eight (88) feet in height, and three hundred seventy (370) feet in length.
b. In addition, the site shall be permitted three (3) other signs for identification, directional or informational purposes only. Unless otherwise approved by a Conditional Use Permit, each such sign face shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet in area.
11. Utilities. All utility lines on the site shall be placed underground. All aboveground utility equipment shall be within a solid enclosure or otherwise screened from public view. Such enclosure/screening shall be in accordance with the utility’s service requirement.
12. Site Planning and Design. All new or additional development shall be in conformance with development plans which have been approved pursuant to the Site Plan and Design Review procedure as provided in CMC 9172.23. No permit shall be issued for grading or construction involving significant exterior changes, as determined by the Director, which is not in conformance with such approved development plans.
13. Drainage. Provisions shall be made for all natural drainage to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Works. Prior to any additional grading or construction, drainage plans shall be approved by the Director of Public Works.
14. Landscaping. The landscaping of the site, including parking areas and access thereto, shall be provided in accordance with a landscape plan approved by the Director. All portions of the property, and any abutting parkway area in a street right-of-way, other than paved areas and land occupied by structures, shall be covered with turf, sod or other suitable plant materials, and shall be provided with a suitable irrigation system. All landscaping shall be continuously maintained and cared for.
E. Environmental Effects.
1. Lighting. All floodlighting of the blimp, signs, buildings, parking lots, landscaping and other facilities shall be shielded and directed away from surrounding property, streets and freeways. This Section is also applicable to arc lights, searchlights and similar lighting devices.
2. Fire Protection. Prior to commencing construction of any additional or expanded buildings or structures on the subject property, the owner shall ascertain, from the Los Angeles County Forester and Fire Warden, what facilities are necessary to protect the property from fire hazard. Such facilities may include water mains, fire hydrants, and fire flow, which, prior to occupancy of any such buildings or structures, shall be provided as required by the Forester and Fire Warden.
F. Regulations of Other Agencies. Compliance with all applicable regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration, California Aeronautical Commission and other applicable laws and regulations of Federal, State and local agencies shall be required.
G. Nonconformities. The provisions of Division 2 of Part 8 of this Chapter shall apply.
H. Revocation. Permission to use property in the SU-BP Zone as provided in this Section is subject to revocation pursuant to CMC 9172.28. Upon revocation becoming effective, CMC 9151.7 shall become operative with respect to such property.
I. Previous Approvals Superseded. Notwithstanding the provisions of CMC 9183.3, the previous approval for the use and development of the subject property, granted by the County of Los Angeles under Zone Exception Case No. 8481-(2) prior to the incorporation of the City of Carson, is hereby declared null and void and superseded by the provisions of this Section. (Ord. 78-425; Ord. 17-1616, § 1)
9159.3 SU-COL Zone (College).
A. Applicability. The provisions of this Section shall be applicable in the SU-COL Zone.
B. Uses Permitted.
1. Principal Use. The following principal use shall be permitted:
a. A public or private academic institution of education at the college or university level of instruction. This use shall include, but not be limited to, classrooms, administrative offices, student union, gymnasium, field house, library, science laboratories, auditoriums, and communication center.
2. Permitted Accessory Uses. The following accessory uses shall be permitted:
a. Parking facilities.
b. Health Center.
c. Dormitories.
d. Eating establishments.
e. Other accessory facilities customary to the permitted principal use. (Interpretation of this provision is to be in accordance with CMC 9172.24.)
C. Site Requirement. The entire existing site shall not be reduced in size except by a street dedication and shall be maintained under a single ownership.
D. Site Development Standards. Because the City is preempted under state law from regulating uses located on property in the SU-COL Zone, there are no specific site development standards; provided, that all principal and accessory uses comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Board of Trustees of the California State University and Colleges, California State Department of Finance, California Public Works Board, Office of the State Fire Marshal and Office of the State Architect. Wherever feasible, the City should be permitted to review all future development plans of the campus to ascertain the probable impacts upon the community as a whole and to report to campus officials findings of deleterious impacts and to recommend mitigating measures, in an effort to afford better communication between the City and the campus officials and their regulatory agencies.
E. Environmental Effects. All lighting in buildings, landscaping, parking lots and similar facilities shall be directed away from all adjoining and nearby residential property. Such lighting shall be arranged and controlled so as not to create a nuisance or hazard to traffic or to the living environment. This Section is also applicable to arc lights, search lights and similar lighting devices. (Ord. 78-425)