Chapter 17.36
UTILITY ZONE

Sections:

17.36.010    Purposes and uses.

17.36.020    Development standards.

17.36.010 Purposes and uses.

A. Purpose. The purpose of the utility zone is to provide areas for development and for regulations of both land located within the corporate limits and noncontiguous land annexed into the town that are used for municipal utility purposes. Such uses shall be compatible with the uses of adjoining zones, and shall protect the natural environment from potential air, water, noise, visual, or other forms of pollution.

B. Permitted Uses. Permitted uses within a utility zone shall be as follows:

1. Watersheds and reservoirs to supply potable water;

2. Water treatment facilities;

3. Water storage tanks;

4. Wastewater treatment and solids handling facilities;

5. Town public works yards and offices;

6. Solid waste transfer facilities;

7. Town maintenance facilities, including repairs performed outdoors and outdoor storage; and

8. Accessory buildings associated with the above uses.

C. Conditional Uses. Conditional uses in a utility zone shall be as follows:

1. Any municipal use not expressly permitted in subsection B of this section. (Ord. 1257 § 3, 2004; Ord. 1172 § 45, 2001)

17.36.020 Development standards.

A. Lot Coverage. The maximum lot area covered by structures in a utility zone shall not exceed 60 percent.

B. Yards. Yard requirements in a utility zone shall be as follows:

1. Front yards and side yards abutting rights-of-way and road easements shall be not less than five feet, exclusive of parking areas;

2. Side yards shall total not less than 15 feet. Exterior walls of buildings shall be constructed in accordance with the fire resistive requirements of the most recently adopted town building codes;

3. No rear yard shall be required; providing, that the rear wall is of fire resistant construction, pursuant to the most recently adopted town building codes, and has no windows or other openings; and

4. In addition to the above yard requirements, whenever a property which is zoned utility directly abuts a property which is zoned by the town for residential use, there shall be installed along all property lines which abut property zoned for residential use a barrier designed to substantially mitigate sights and sounds.

C. Access Requirements. Access requirements for a utility zone shall be as defined in the street and storm drainage standards as defined in Chapter 12.02 FHMC.

D. Height Limitation. Structures that are associated with essential public facilities, as defined in Appendix B (San Juan County and Town of Friday Harbor Joint Planning Policy) to the Town of Friday Harbor 2002 Comprehensive Plan, as amended from time to time, shall not be subject to any specific height limitation; provided, however, that any such structure which exceeds 27 feet in height shall not exceed the minimum height that is reasonably necessary for the structure to function efficiently for its intended purpose. (Ord. 1406 § 1, 2009; Ord. 1257 § 3, 2004; Ord. 1172 § 46, 2001)