Chapter 18.110
C-C COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL ZONE

Sections

18.110.010    Title.

18.110.020    Application.

18.110.030    Purpose.

18.110.040    Authority.

18.110.050    Environmental performance standards and general limitations.

18.110.060    Dimensional standards.

18.110.070    General site design requirements.

18.110.080    General building design requirements.

18.110.010 Title.

This chapter shall be entitled “C-C Community Commercial Zone.” [Ord. 1591 § 265, 2014.]

18.110.020 Application.

This chapter shall apply to all areas zoned C-C Community Commercial. [Ord. 1591 § 266, 2014.]

18.110.030 Purpose.

(1) The primary purpose of the Community Commercial Zone is to enhance, promote and maintain community oriented business areas.

(2) It is the further purpose of this zone to:

(a) Ensure land use compatibility among businesses in terms of permitted uses, building height, bulk, scale;

(b) Provide a commercial area that reflects its community-oriented function;

(c) Serve the general public; and

(d) Ensure that development occurs consistent with the goals, policies, and implementation strategies of the City of Des Moines Comprehensive Plan. [Ord. 1591 § 267, 2014.]

18.110.040 Authority.

This chapter is adopted pursuant to the provisions of chapters 35.63, 35A.63 and 36.70A RCW and other applicable laws. [Ord. 1591 § 268, 2014.]

18.110.050 Environmental performance standards and general limitations.

(1) Every use permitted within the C-C Zone pursuant to this chapter shall conform to the following general limitations and standards:

(a) As provided by chapter 9.64 DMMC, no use, activity, or equipment shall be permitted that creates a nuisance or is offensive, objectionable, or hazardous by reason of creation of odors, noise, sound, vibrations, dust, dirt, smoke, or other pollutants, noxious, toxic, or corrosive fumes or gases, radiation, explosion or fire hazard, or by reason of the generation, disposal, or storage of hazardous or dangerous wastes or materials in a manner(s) inconsistent with Title 70 RCW as presently constituted or as may be subsequently amended;

(b) Accessory uses are permitted that are customarily appurtenant or incidental to the principally permitted uses;

(c) Landscaping and fencing are required in accordance with chapter 18.195 DMMC;

(d) All uses shall be primarily contained within an enclosed structure except the following:

(i) Outdoor seating and dining;

(ii) Signs;

(iii) Off-street parking, drive-through facilities, and loading areas;

(iv) Motor vehicle fuel pumps;

(v) Display of merchandise sold on-site;

(vi) Boat storage;

(vii) Play/recreation areas; and

(viii) Miscellaneous storage when limited to 25 percent of the site area and when perimeter landscaping and fencing is provided;

(e) In reviewing a proposed permitted use, the Planning, Building and Public Works Director may waive or include minimal conditions as may be reasonably needed to ensure that the use is consistent with the purpose of the C-C Zone, and to minimize the likelihood of adverse impacts.

(2) Adult entertainment facilities and adult motion picture theaters are not permitted in the C-C Zone.

(3) Automobile repair, car washes, automobile service stations, uses with drive-through facilities, and similar uses shall conform to the following limitations and standards:

(a) Automobile repair and the installation of automobile parts and accessories shall be primarily contained within an enclosed structure;

(b) Unless specifically authorized by the Planning, Building and Public Works Director, vehicular access shall be limited to one driveway per street frontage;

(c) Motor vehicle fuel pump islands shall be set back a minimum of 15 feet from property lines;

(d) A six-foot-high, 100 percent sight-obscuring fence shall be provided along property lines that abut residentially zoned properties, unless waived by the residential property owner prior to building permit issuance; and

(e) Vehicle storage shall be limited to those vehicles contracted for repair or service.

(4) Welding repair (7692) is only permitted in an enclosed structure.

(5) All products which are manufactured, processed, or treated on the premises must also be sold at retail to the general public on-site.

(6) Social service facilities shall conform to the following limitations and standards:

(a) Outdoor play/recreation areas for children shall be set back a minimum of five feet from property lines;

(b) Unless specifically authorized by the Planning, Building and Public Works Director, passenger loading and unloading areas shall be provided on-site. [Ord. 1591 § 269, 2014.]

18.110.060 Dimensional standards.

(1) Height. Maximum building height is 35 feet.

(2) Setbacks. Placement of buildings and structures including additions to existing buildings or structures, excluding signs, shall maintain minimum setbacks established by the Planning, Building and Public Works Department based on the following criteria:

(a) When the front or side lot line abuts the public right-of-way, the building or structure shall abut the public right-of-way unless:

(i) This subsection (2) requires that the building or structure be set back; or

(ii) Through the permitting process, the Planning, Building and Public Works Director finds it is in the public interest to allow the proposed building or structure to be set back from the right-of-way. In considering a request for a setback, the Director shall consider matters such as adopted land use policies, vehicular and pedestrian circulation, landscaping, existing site improvements, adjacent site improvements, and public benefit features such as plazas and public artwork. Decisions of the Director regarding setbacks are appealable to the Hearing Examiner pursuant to chapter 18.240 DMMC.

(b) Where any lot line lies adjacent to a public right-of-way or private street and residentially zoned property lies adjacent to such public right-of-way or private street, or when the lot line abuts a residentially zoned property, a minimum building or structure setback of 10 feet shall be maintained.

(3) Parking in the C-C Zone shall be provided pursuant to chapter 18.210 DMMC.

(4) Underground structures are permitted in all required setback areas. [Ord. 1591 § 270, 2014.]

18.110.070 General site design requirements.

Development within the C-C Zone shall conform to the following site design requirements:

(1) Walkways. Paved pedestrian walkways shall be provided on-site on newly developed properties or materially remodeled, enlarged, or repaired to the extent of 50 percent of the market value as specified below:

(a) Pedestrian walkways shall be provided at or around building(s) of sufficient extent to provide safe pedestrian passage. A minimum six-foot walkway shall be provided adjacent to the principal building entrance(s);

(b) A minimum six-foot pedestrian walkway shall be provided that connects walkways at the building to the street sidewalks. Where no street sidewalk exists, the connecting walkway shall extend to the public right-of-way;

(c) Walkways and sidewalks shall be differentiated from vehicular circulation or vehicular parking areas as approved by the Planning, Building and Public Works Director;

(d) Walkways shall conform with all applicable provisions of chapter 51-10 WAC, Barrier-Free Facilities, as presently constituted or as may be subsequently amended; and

(e) Lighting shall be provided where stairs, curbs, ramps, or abrupt changes in walkway direction occur.

(2) Parking and Loading Areas. All uses shall conform to the off-street parking provisions and loading area provisions set forth by chapter 18.210 DMMC.

(3) Vehicular Access and Other Right-of-Way Improvements. Vehicular access and other right-of-way improvements shall conform to the provisions of Title 12 DMMC.

(4) Uses within the Right-of-Way. Sidewalk cafes, vendors, and similar temporary commercial uses within the public right-of-way shall conform to the provisions of Title 12 DMMC and the following provisions:

(a) A minimum of six feet of unobstructed sidewalk shall be maintained;

(b) The applicant shall demonstrate proof of public liability insurance and consent to a public place indemnity agreement;

(c) The duration of right-of-way use permits for commercial purposes shall be limited to one year. Applicants may reapply for right-of-way use permits;

(d) Sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited;

(e) Applications for right-of-way use permits for commercial purposes shall include the following information:

(i) Proposed items to be placed within the right-of-way, such as seating, tables, fencing, vending carts, etc.;

(ii) Proposed activities to occur within the right-of-way, such as dining, amplification of music, preparation and sale of food or beverage items, etc.;

(iii) Proposed periods of operation, including months of the year, days of the week, hours, etc., and

(iv) Proposed source(s) of utilities such as electrical power;

(f) Applicants must immediately clear the public right-of-way when ordered to do so by City authorities for reasons of public health or safety; and

(g) In reviewing a proposed use within the public right-of-way, the Planning, Building and Public Works Director may include conditions as may reasonably be needed to ensure that the use is consistent with the purpose of the C-C Zone, and to minimize the likelihood of adverse impacts. The Planning, Building and Public Works Director shall deny the request if it is determined that adverse impacts cannot be mitigated satisfactorily.

(5) Landscaping. All uses shall conform to the landscaping and screening provisions set forth by chapter 18.195 DMMC.

(6) Outdoor Uses. Outdoor activities such as sales, display, storage, dining, etc., shall not obstruct vehicular or pedestrian visibility or movement. [Ord. 1591 § 271, 2014.]

18.110.080 General building design requirements.

Development within the C-C Zone shall conform to the following building design requirements:

(1) Structural encroachments into the right-of-way, such as cornices, signs, eaves, sills, awnings, bay windows, balconies, facade treatment, marquees, etc., shall conform to the provisions set forth by Title 12 DMMC, the International Building Code (IBC), and the following provisions:

(a) Structural encroachments into the right-of-way shall be capable of being removed without impact upon the structural integrity of the primary building;

(b) Structural encroachments into the right-of-way shall not result in additional building floor area than would otherwise be allowed;

(c) Except for awnings, signs, and marquees, the maximum horizontal encroachment into the right-of-way shall be two feet;

(d) The maximum horizontal encroachment in the right-of-way by signs shall be four feet;

(e) The maximum horizontal encroachment in the right-of-way by awnings and marquees shall be six feet;

(f) The minimum horizontal distance between the structural encroachment and the curbline shall be two feet;

(g) Except for awnings over the public sidewalk which may be continuous, the maximum length of each balcony, bay window, or similar feature that encroaches the right-of-way shall be 12 feet;

(h) The applicant shall demonstrate proof of public liability insurance and consent to a public place indemnity agreement;

(i) Owners of structural encroachments into the right-of-way must clear the public right-of-way when ordered to do so by City authorities for reasons of public health or safety; and

(j) In reviewing a proposed structural encroachment into the public right-of-way, the Planning, Building and Public Works Director may include conditions as may be reasonably needed to ensure that the structure is consistent with the purpose of the C-C Zone, and to minimize the likelihood of adverse impacts. The Planning, Building and Public Works Director shall deny the request if it is determined that adverse impacts cannot be mitigated satisfactorily.

(2) Pedestrian entrances to commercial uses at street level shall conform to all applicable provisions of chapter 51-10 WAC, Barrier-Free Facilities, as presently constituted or as may be subsequently amended.

(3) The width of all floors above the second level floor shall not exceed 80 percent of the width of the street level floor. [Ord. 1591 § 272, 2014.]