Chapter 20.27
C-1 GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT

Sections:

20.27.010    Intent.

20.27.020    Permitted uses.

20.27.030    Prohibited uses.

20.27.040    Environmental performance standards.

20.27.050    Building location.

20.27.060    Design and development guidelines.

20.27.070    Public right-of-way.

20.27.080    Landscaping, buffering, fencing, and solid waste receptacles.

20.27.090    Off-street parking.

20.27.100    Height.

20.27.110    Site plan review.

20.27.010 Intent.

It is the intent of this chapter to:

A.    Permit, in designated areas, commercial uses and activities;

B.    Limit location of general commercial areas to sites having safe and efficient access to major transportation routes;

C.    Identify the types of commercial uses appropriate or acceptable in the general commercial district;

D.    Provide development standards to enhance the efficient operation of these districts; and to achieve minimum adverse impact on the community as a whole, especially on adjacent properties having different land use characteristics. (Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999).

20.27.020 Permitted uses.

A.    Permitted as provided in Chapter 20.11 CMC.

B.    Other or Related Uses Permitted.

1.    Home occupations as provided in Chapter 20.69 CMC;

2.    Signs. See Chapter 18.24 CMC;

3.    Hotels/Motels. A hotel/motel is an establishment that provides lodging paid on a short-term basis. The maximum time any person may stay at a hotel/motel shall be thirty consecutive days;

4.    Wireless communication facilities on existing structures, with the intent to make them stealth facilities, which are not noticeable to a degree greater than the structure to which they are attached; or new stealth facilities which are camouflaged into their surroundings;

5.    Adult entertainment business uses within the city limits which comply with Chapter 5.44 CMC.

C.    Conditional uses as provided in Chapter 20.67 CMC.

D.    Similar or related permitted uses, and criteria for determination of similarity or relatedness, are as follows:

1.    Uses similar to, or related to, those listed in subsection (A) of this section are permitted upon a finding of the community development director and/or the site plan review committee that a particular unlisted use does not conflict with the intent of this chapter or the policies of the Centralia comprehensive plan;

2.    The criteria for such finding of similarity shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

a.    The proposed use is appropriate in this area;

b.    The development standards for permitted uses can be met by the proposed use;

c.    The public need is served by the proposed use. (Ord. 2445 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 2020: Ord. 2374 § 5, 2016; Ord. 2346 § 8, 2015: Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2190 § 2, 2007: Ord. 2094 § 2, 2002: Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999).

20.27.030 Prohibited uses.

Wireless communication facilities, and other uses other than those identified or described in CMC 20.27.020, are prohibited. (Ord. 2346 § 9, 2015: Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999).

20.27.040 Environmental performance standards.

A.    It shall be the responsibility of the operator and/or the proprietor of any permitted use to provide such evidence and technical data as the enforcing officer may require to demonstrate that the use or activity is or will be in compliance with the environmental performance standards of Chapter 20.57 CMC.

B.    Failure of the enforcing officer to require such information shall not be construed as relieving the operator and/or the proprietor from compliance with the environmental performance standards of this title. (Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999).

20.27.050 Building location.

Location of buildings or structures on site, if adjacent parcels are in same zoning district or in another commercial or industrial district, shall be as follows:

A.    Setbacks from side property lines: ten feet;

B.    Setbacks from rear property lines: fifteen feet;

C.    Setbacks from front property lines shall be in accordance with CMC 20.72.050;

D.    Setbacks from corner property lines: fifteen feet. (Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999).

20.27.060 Design and development guidelines.

Developments shall comply with the requirements of CMC 18.10.030, Design and Development Guidelines manual. (Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999).

20.27.070 Public right-of-way.

Setbacks from public right-of-way shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 20.72 CMC. (Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999).

20.27.080 Landscaping, buffering, fencing, and solid waste receptacles.

Landscaping shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 20.50 CMC. (Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999. Formerly 20.27.110).

20.27.090 Off-street parking.

Off-street parking shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 20.72 CMC. (Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999).

20.27.100 Height.

Maximum height of buildings shall be eighty feet or eight stories. (Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999).

20.27.110 Site plan review.

Architectural and building materials review will be critical in this district to ensure that new or remodeled structures maintain an appearance which is highly compatible with adjoining commercial and residential areas in accordance with Chapter 20.84 CMC. (Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999).