Chapter 10.90
GC – GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONE

Sections:

10.90.010    Purpose.

10.90.020    Permitted uses.

10.90.030    Conditional uses.

10.90.040    Minimum lot standards.

10.90.050    Off-street parking and loading.

10.90.060    Signs.

10.90.070    Special provisions.

10.90.080    Development theme.

10.90.090    Development plan.

10.90.100    Architectural Review Committee.

10.90.010 Purpose.

The purpose of this zone is to provide for a broad range of retail, service, and entertainment functions. [Ord. 11-02 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 08-07 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 06-27; Ord. 06-17; amended 1991; Code 1971 § 10-19-010.]

10.90.020 Permitted uses.

The following are permitted uses by right provided the parcel and building meet all other provisions of this title or any other applicable ordinances of Syracuse City and receive site plan approval as provided in SCC 10.20.090.

(A) Agriculture.

(B) Amusement and recreational activities.

(C) Animal clinics.

(D) Automotive retail and routine maintenance services.

(E) Car washes, full-service tunnel style.

(F) Churches, synagogues, and temples.

(G) Community or civic services.

(H) Dwellings. (Completed or under construction at the time of adoption of this title. If such dwellings convert to any other permitted or conditional use allowed in this section or SCC 10.85.030, they may not thereafter convert back to residential use without first obtaining a conditional use permit.)

(I) Fully enclosed dog boarding facilities (see SCC 10.30.040(D)).

(J) Hotels and motels.

(K) Public and quasi-public buildings.

(L) Professional office buildings (situated on one acre or less).

(M) Public parks.

(N) Restaurants and fast food services.

(O) Retail trade.

(P) Theaters and amusement facilities. [Ord. 22-28 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 21-30 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 14-10 § 1; Ord. 11-02 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 08-11 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 08-07 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 06-27; Ord. 06-17; Ord. 03-18; amended 2001, 1991; Code 1971 § 10-19-020.]

10.90.030 Conditional uses.

The following may be permitted as conditional uses after application and approval as specified in SCC 10.20.080.

(A) Accessory uses and buildings (200 square feet or greater) (minor).

(B) Animal hospitals (major).

(C) Day care centers (major).

(D) Professional nonretail services, up to a maximum 25 percent of the commercial subdivision (major).

(E) Temporary commercial uses (see SCC 10.35.050) (minor). [Ord. 21-30 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 14-10 § 1; Ord. 11-10 § 11; Ord. 11-02 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 08-07 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 06-27; Ord. 06-17; Ord. 03-18; amended 2001, 1991; Code 1971 § 10-19-030.]

10.90.040 Minimum lot standards.

All lots developed and all structures and uses placed on lots shall be in accordance with the following lot standards:

(A) Lot area: no minimum required.

(B) Lot width: as required by site plan review.

(C) Front yard: 15 feet.

(D) Side yards: as required by site plan review.

(E) Rear yard: 10 feet.

(F) Building height: the height of buildings over 35 feet may be equal to the horizontal distance from the nearest zone boundary line. Buildings 35 feet high or less may be permitted within 10 feet of the zone boundary line. [Ord. 11-02 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 08-07 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 06-27; Ord. 06-17; amended 2001, 1991; Code 1971 § 10-19-040.]

10.90.050 Off-street parking and loading.

Off-street parking and loading shall be provided as specified in Chapter 10.40 SCC. [Ord. 11-02 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 08-07 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 06-27; Ord. 06-17; amended 1991; Code 1971 § 10-19-050.]

10.90.060 Signs.

The signs permitted in this zone shall be those allowed in commercial zones by Chapter 10.45 SCC. [Ord. 11-02 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 08-07 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 06-27; Ord. 06-17; amended 1991; Code 1971 § 10-19-060.]

10.90.070 Special provisions.

(A) All lots, parcels, or sites shall have a minimum 15 percent of the total area landscaped, including all required front yards, installed within four months of occupancy and permanently maintained in good condition.

(1) Turfgrass is not to exceed 15 percent of the total landscaped area.

(2) No turfgrass in parkstrips.

(3) Drip irrigation only in landscape areas less than eight feet wide.

(B) Temporary buildings for temporary commercial uses shall meet the provisions of the currently adopted edition of the International Building Code and must be sufficiently anchored to withstand a 100-mile-per-hour wind.

(C) Commercial uses that require grease traps/interceptors shall locate such devices on the outside of the restaurant or food service building and frequently and effectively service such devices to maintain them in satisfactory working order to protect the sanitary sewer system from excessive contaminants. A licensed hauler shall dispose of all materials removed from a grease trap/interceptor at an approved disposal site in a lawful manner. Restaurant, food service businesses, or commercial uses of used fryer oil shall dispose of such oil into a self-contained oil rendering tank for disposal and transport. Outside or “refuse/dumpster” storage of oil-rendering barrels or other containers is prohibited.

(D) In order to minimize the possibility of commercial properties becoming blighted, retail establishments of 40,000 square feet or greater shall enter into a facility use agreement with the City prior to the issuance of a building permit. Additionally, the owner shall submit a facility maintenance plan as required in subsection (D)(3) of this section 30 days prior to the owner vacating the building.

(1) The term “vacant” or “vacate” as used herein shall mean that no business activity is undertaken from the retail establishment for a period of 180 consecutive days.

(2) The facility use agreement shall outline the responsibility of the owner to remove the building, should it become vacant for more than three and one-half consecutive years, and shall provide legal remedies to enforce the terms of the agreement. In the event a building is vacant for more than three and one-half consecutive years, the owner shall remove the building and restore the property to a safe and compatible condition. The facility use agreement shall be in substantially the following form, which form is hereby adopted as part of this title.

Facility Use Agreement

AN AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN __________________________, A _____________________ HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS OWNER, AND SYRACUSE CITY, A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS CITY.

Recitals

(1) The Owner desires to construct a commercial facility, at approximately ___________________, in Syracuse City to conduct a business known as __________________.

(2) The City has adopted ordinances to govern the development of commercial property within Syracuse City designed to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community.

(3) The City has valid concern that blighted conditions might occur should said facility or structure become vacant for an extended period of time.

(4) The Owner and City are desirous to minimize impact to the community should the building become vacant.

Agreement

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants, and conditions set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the Owner and City agree as follows:

(1) Owner will provide the City a written facility management plan 30 days prior to vacating the building which outlines plans to maintain the property according to City Ordinance. Failure to do so will constitute a breach of this Agreement and entitle the City to injunctive relief to enforce the provisions hereof.

(2) Should the building remain vacant for 42 consecutive months, the City shall provide written notice to the Owner, at the address as it appears on this Agreement, ordering Owner to remove the building and restore the property to a condition that does not distract from surrounding businesses.

(3) Should the Owner fail to comply with the City’s request to remove the building within 30 days from the mailing date of said notice to the Owner, the City may file suit for specific performance to enforce the terms of this Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed this _________ day of ________, 20__ (Signed, witnessed, and/or attested)

(3) In the event, for any reason, the retail establishment chooses to vacate the premises for a period of six months or greater, the owner shall submit a facility maintenance plan to the City 30 days prior to vacating. The maintenance plan shall include:

(a) The estimated time the facility will be vacant.

(b) Detailed plans to maintain the property during the time it will be vacant.

(c) Method of securing all entrances to the facility.

(d) Plans to restrict access to off-street parking.

(e) Plans to remove all advertisement and business signage.

(f) Plans to market the property.

(E) Existing residential and accessory structures in this zone may be converted for commercial purposes if the property meets all the following conditions:

(1) The proposed use for the structure conforms to the permitted use for this zone.

(2) The proposed use of the building does not adversely impact the surrounding area.

(3) The primary residential structure adds appeal and character to the area, and the property owner ensures appropriate maintenance of all existing structures on the property as well as the entire property itself in order to keep the appeal.

(4) The lot size has a minimum of 21,780 square feet.

(5) The parcel has a minimum 110 feet of frontage on an existing public street.

(6) Setbacks comply with the established minimum requirements for this zone and receive approval with site plan.

(7) The lot has an existing driveway access from a public street and receives approval with site plan for any proposed modifications to said driveway (the Utah Department of Transportation shall also approve any access located on a state road).

(8) All off-street parking complies with the requirements in Chapter 10.40 SCC and receives approval with site plan.

(9) All signs and lighting complies with the requirements in Chapter 10.45 SCC and receives approval with site plan.

(10) All landscape and buffering complies with the established requirements in Chapter 10.30 SCC and receives approval with site plan.

(11) The Building and Fire Departments inspect and approve the use.

(F) In order to maximize the availability of commercial and retail space for commercial and retail businesses in this zone, the amount of space available for professional businesses shall be limited to no more than 20 percent of the gross floor area available for lease or purchase in any commercial development. Professional business shall include but not be limited to physicians, dentists, lawyers, accountants, real estate agents, insurance agents, artists, planners, architects, engineers, travel agencies, and similar professional businesses. [Ord. 22-08 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 11-10 § 11; Ord. 11-02 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 08-11 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 08-07 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 06-27; Ord. 06-17; amended 2001, 1991; Code 1971 § 10-19-070.]

10.90.080 Development theme.

Development in this zone shall conform to an approved development theme. The theme shall be approved by the City Council, and shall conform to the provisions outlined in the area’s master plan. [Ord. 11-02 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 08-11 § 1 (Exh. A); Code 1971 § 10-19-080.]

10.90.090 Development plan.

To ensure development conforms to the area’s master plan, City staff shall review and approve all development plans. Drawings should include the placement of buildings and their uses, landscaping, parking, lighting, and design guidelines outlined in the area’s master plan. The Architectural Review Committee shall likewise review and approve the plans prior to consideration and recommendation by the Planning Commission. [Ord. 11-02 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 08-11 § 1 (Exh. A); Code 1971 § 10-19-090.]

10.90.100 Architectural Review Committee.

Developments within the GC zone are required to be reviewed by the Architectural Review Committee in accordance with Chapter 10.28 SCC, Architectural Review Committee and Design Standards. [Ord. 13-11 § 1; Ord. 11-02 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 08-11 § 1 (Exh. A); Code 1971 § 10-19-100.]