CITY OF MOSES LAKE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 18.31 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS IN THE NC, NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL ZONE Sections: 18.31.010 Purpose 18.31.020 Minimum Lot Area 18.31.030 Setbacks 18.31.040 Maximum Height of Structures 18.31.050 Allowed Residential Density 18.31.060 Landscaped Areas 18.31.070 Service Areas 18.31.080 Exterior Light Regulations 18.31.090 Sign Design Standards 18.31.010 Purpose: The purpose of this chapter is to provide standards for the NC zone to ensure compatibility with adjacent uses. This chapter supplements the requirements in MLMC 18.30, Commercial Zones. The NC zone provides for small-scale shopping areas that offer retail convenience goods and personal services for the daily needs of nearby neighborhoods. This zoning district is designed to reduce trips by providing convenient shopping. The allowed uses serve the neighborhood. Uses that tend to draw traffic into the neighborhood are not allowed. NC zones are located on transit routes and near pedestrian facilities and bike paths to encourage transit use, walking, and biking. NC zones should not be located within one (1) mile of another NC zone. Each neighborhood commercial area is compact to prevent strip commercial development. Buildings are located so customers can walk from building to building to meet their daily needs. Neighborhood commercial sites are limited in size to keep them in scale with nearby uses and the neighborhoods they serve. In addition, high quality design and landscaping is used to make the area attractive and functional and to minimize negative impacts on nearby uses. Other measures, such as buffering requirements and limits on hours of operation, may be used to reduce impacts to nearby residences. Mixed use and above-ground-floor residential uses are encouraged. The decision to place a Neighborhood Commercial Zone and its specific location and size begins with a recommendation from the Planning Commission to the City Council for final decision and is subject to public review. (Ord. 2144, 12/9/03) 18.31.020 Minimum Lot Area: Each business shall be situated on a site of sufficient size to provide all offstreet parking and loading and unloading areas. (Ord. 2144, 12/9/03) 18.31.030 Setbacks: A. Front Yard: Each business shall have a front yard not less than ten feet (10') deep and not greater than twenty feet (20') deep or equal to the front yards of existing buildings within the same block. 1. Front setbacks may be modified from private streets and access corridors, provided front setbacks are maintained from all public streets. 2. Setback exceptions may trigger additional requirements under provisions of the State Building Code. 3. At least fifty percent (50%) of the length of the ground level street-facing facade of the structure shall be within the maximum setback. 4. Except as otherwise provided in this section, no structures are allowed within the minimum setback. 46 (6/09)
B. Side Yards: None required, unless the side lot line adjoins an existing residential development, a residential zone, or a street. 1. Existing residential development or residential zone: fifteen feet (15'). 2. Street: Twenty feet (20'). Required side yards shall be landscaped or covered with a hard surface or a combination of both. No accessory buildings or structures shall be located in such yards unless otherwise permitted by this title. C. Rear Yard: None required, unless the rear lot line adjoins an existing residential development, a residential zone, or a street: 1. Existing residential development or residential zone: fifteen feet (15'). 2. Street: Twenty feet (20'). Required rear yards shall be landscaped or covered with a hard surface or a combination of both. No accessory buildings or structures shall be located in such yards unless otherwise permitted by this title. D. Improvements: 1. Improvements less than thirty inches (30") above grade, including decks, patios, walks, and driveways are permitted in setbacks. Fences, landscaping, signs, flagpoles, street furniture, transit shelters, and slope stability structures are permitted in setback areas, provided that all other applicable requirements are met. No other structures including accessory structures are permitted in setback areas. 2. Projections or Equipment. Attached or detached mechanical structures or equipment such as but not limited to electrical equipment boxes, heat pumps, air conditioners, emergency generators, and water pumps are allowed in a street setback. However, mechanical structures or equipment shall not be allowed in a required setback or buffer abutting a residential zone. Landscaping shall screen such structures. Where there is no alternative location and the equipment will generate no noise, electrical or utility equipment boxes may be located in a setback adjoining a residential zone, but not a buffer. E. Private Streets and Access Corridors: Setbacks from private streets and access corridors shall be met when the private street or access corridor serves more than two (2) lots. (Ord. 2458, 5/12/09; Ord. 2144, 12/9/03) 18.31.040 Maximum Height of Structures: A. Purpose: The maximum height of structures maintains Moses Lake s visual character and limits potential overburdening of related infrastructure. Shoreline height limits are established to protect habitats and the aesthetic resources of the shoreline while preserving views in shoreline areas. B. Requirements: 1. Building heights shall not exceed the maximum height limit of the adjacent zoning district. If more than one (1) zoning district abuts the NC zone, the lower height limit shall apply, except that a property owner may request that the Planning Commission apply the greater height limit. 2. Maximum height requirements set the limit measured from the finished grade above which structures shall not extend. Antennas, flagpoles, and heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment may exceed the height limit by not more than fifteen feet (15'). For additional shoreline regulations, refer to the Shoreline Master Program. 47 (6/09)
3. Allowable Height Increase. The maximum height of structures may be increased by up to ten feet (10') if at least one (1) of the following features are constructed as part of the development and the intent of this chapter and MLMC 18.30, Commercial Zones, is met: a. The building has a pitched roof. b. No mechanical equipment is located on the roof. c. The existing grade under the proposed building pad is at least ten feet (10') below the grade at the property lines of all properties in adjoining zones that abut the development site or are across the street from the development site. (Ord. 2144, 12/9/03) 18.31.050 Allowed Residential Density: A. Purpose: The allowed residential density maintains the desirable character of neighborhood commercial areas and prevents public nuisances that may result from overcrowding residential housing units within neighborhood commercial areas. B. Requirements: To determine allowed density, the gross land area of the site is multiplied by the allowed density per acre in the adjacent zoning district. If the NC zone abuts more than one (1) residential district, the lower density shall apply, except that a property owner may request of the Planning Commission to apply the greater residential density. Example: 21,780 Gross site area (Ord. 2144, 12/9/03) 18.31.060 Landscaped Areas: X 4/43,560 R-1 zone allowed density (4 units/acre) =2 Maximum allowed dwelling units A. Landscaping shall be in compliance with MLMC 18.57, except along common property lines that abut residential districts or districts designated for less intensive uses. In that case, a five foot (5') wide buffer shall be required that includes a six foot (6') high site obscuring fence, made of wood or masonry block, and either a dense evergreen hedge or a combination of trees, shrubs, and groundcover along the inside of the fence to create a living screen at least six feet (6') in height within three (3) years. The height requirement shall be reduced in the front yard setback area to comply with the maximum height requirements. B. Landscaping may incorporate the use of earthberming into the design to achieve a six foot (6') barrier. If the earthberming alternative is chosen, fencing and landscaping materials may be chosen so the 6'-high vertical separation is achieved. C. Full screen landscaping that includes a combination of trees, shrubs, and groundcover shall meet the following requirements at the time of planting: 1. Evergreen trees shall be at least six feet (6') high. 2. Deciduous trees shall have a caliper of at least two inches (2"). 3. The number of trees shall be determined by dividing the length of the landscape perimeter by ten feet (10'). 48
18.31.070 Service Areas: 4. Evergreen shrubs shall be chosen to achieve a mature height of at least four feet (4'), shall be at least twenty-one inches (21") in height at the time of planting, and spaced no more than three feet (3') on center. 5. The number of shrubs shall be determined by dividing the length of the landscape perimeter by four feet (4'). 6. Living ground cover shall be planted and spaced to achieve total coverage within three (3) years. (Ord. 2144, 12/9/03) A. Intent: 1. To reduce the visibility of service areas, mechanical equipment, trash and recycling containers, and other similar uses, while maintaining accessibility for service providers and users. 2. To mitigate the off-site visual impacts of service and mechanical equipment areas when siting alone does not adequately mitigate impacts. B. Design Criteria: 1. Locate service areas, utility vaults, mechanical equipment, and waste receptacles (trash containers, compactors, and mechanical equipment) behind buildings, in the back of the property, or away from highly visible areas to minimize visual, noise, and physical impacts on the site, street environment, and adjacent properties. 2. Locate waste receptacles in areas convenient for on-site use and accessible for collection. Waste receptacles may not be placed within thirty feet (30') of a residential property line, except that the Planning Commission may approve a location within thirty feet (30') if it can be shown that the receptacle will not emit odors or otherwise create a nuisance to the adjacent residential property. 3. Where service elements (refuse and recycling collection areas) are visible from the sidewalk or adjacent properties, the elements shall be screened on all sides with materials similar to or consistent with the design of the primary structure(s) on the site. 4. Roof top mechanical equipment shall be screened from view by such methods as roof wells or parapets. 5. Design and select landscaping and structural materials of sufficient size, quantity, and height to effectively screen service elements and to make them compatible with the associated buildings. 6. Screening should incorporate landscaping. 7. For all types of service area screening, use materials and colors that are consistent and compatible with those used for the building. (Ord. 2144, 12/9/03) 18.31.080 Exterior Light Regulations: A. Purpose and Policies: All exterior illumination shall be designed so as to minimize excessive glare and light trespass on neighboring properties, especially residential neighborhoods, as well as to reduce the impacts of lighting on night skies. Lighting shall not be used to market or advertise products or services, although it may be used to enhance building, landscaping, or site elements. 49
B. Design Criteria: 1. Lighting shall be provided at consistent levels with gradual transitions to unlit areas. Avoid creating highly contrasting pools of light and dark areas which can be temporarily blinding. 2. Use pedestrian-scale lighting in areas designed for pedestrian activity. 3. Parking lot light fixtures shall be non-glare and mounted no more than twenty-five feet (25') above the ground to minimize the impact on adjacent properties. All fixtures over fifteen feet (15') in height shall be fitted with a full cut-off shield. 4. All building lights shall be directed onto the building itself or the ground immediately adjacent to it. The light emissions should not be visible above the roof line of the building. C. Plan: An exterior lighting plan shall be submitted with all development proposals showing lighting type, intensity, spacing, height of light fixtures, and provisions to minimize glare and light trespass onto nearby properties. Luminaire shields or cutoffs shall be used where lighting impacts may result on surrounding properties. (Ord. 2144, 12/9/03) 18.31.090 Sign Design Standards: These standards are in addition to those found in MLMC 18.58. A. Purpose: The purpose of this section is to establish criteria for the purpose of identification or conveying recognition of a particular development. B. Intent: 1. Signs should be used primarily for the purpose of identification or conveying recognition of a particular development. 2. Signs should be consistent with building design and surrounding structures, and be appropriate to the type of activity to which they pertain. Design elements, such as the size, shape, materials, lighting, color, lettering style, and the number and arrangement of signs should present a professional appearance and quality of permanence. 3. The shape of a sign should strive for simplicity with all elements constituting an integrated design with the building and landscaping. 4. A sign must be legible. 5. The scale of a sign should be in proportion with the building or site to which it pertains. 6. The number of signs should be minimized in order to avoid visual clutter. 7. Sign programs should be adhered to unless special circumstances can be substantiated for an individual tenant to deviate from the standard requirement. 8. A sign should be an understatement in relation to the building and site the sign is identifying. A sign should not overshadow its building or surroundings. C. Subject to the approval of the Planning Commission, signage shall be allowed if it conforms with this section, unless specifically excluded or prohibited in MLMC 18.58, Signs. In no case shall signage exceed the amounts allowed in MLMC 18.58. D. Design Criteria: 1. Sign message: 50
a. Signs should be used primarily for the purpose of identification, conveying recognition of a particular enterprise, group of enterprises, or franchise. The sign message shall be the name identification of the business. Project or service information may only be integrated into the primary signs as smaller, secondary copy. b. The sign message, if oriented toward automobile traffic, should reflect the speed of traffic and the distance at which the sign is seen. c. Use of easily recognized symbols, such as logos, is encouraged. d. Signs may not advertise products or services in areas zoned for residential uses or in office or business parks. e. Signs should provide for good aesthetic presentation of the sign message through careful consideration of color combinations, illustration, sign placement, letter height, proportion, and spacing; and by avoiding use of small and/or excessive lettering. f. The shape of a sign should strive for simplicity with all elements constituting an integrated design. g. The use of third party advertising signs is prohibited unless the product or service advertised reflects a franchise or dealership identity. h. The advertising content of signs should be simplified so that it does not detract from the identification purpose and the legibility of the sign. 2. Color: a. Colors used should be complementary and restrained. Bright and brilliant colors should be avoided except for use as accent color. No specific color or combination of colors is prohibited. b. Sign colors should be visible without being garish, and consideration should be given to the contrast between sign letters and their background. 3. Signs should be oriented to the roadway and not toward adjacent residential, recreational, or open space uses. 4. Franchises are subject to the same signage standards as other commercial uses, and are strongly encouraged to use the minimum amount of signage and building features to convey corporate identity. 5. Illumination: a. Surface brightness or intensity of lighting should not be beyond that necessary for visibility from the public right-of-way. b. Illumination should be appropriate to sign design. c. Illumination should be energy efficient and should be arranged so the light source is shielded from view. d. Signs should not produce a harsh, uncomfortably bright light either through the level of illumination or a combination of illumination levels and design of the sign face. e. Signs shall not be overly bright so as to overshadow signs in the immediate vicinity, cause glare, or create an island of light. 51
f. Internally-lit fascia, soffits, or other building elements should be avoided. Such internally-lit building elements incorporating corporate or franchise color schemes may be considered as part of the building s sign program and therefore subject to the applicable sign standards. E. Wall Signs: 1. The size and location of wall signs shall be reviewed in terms of their relationship to the building entry, height of sign fascia, or size of wall where the sign is to be installed and the relationship to other signs on a building, as well as visibility from the street, sidewalk, or parking lot. 2. On multi-tenant buildings, wall signs should be evaluated for compatibility as part of a sign program with the building fascia and neighboring signs in terms of size, color, lighting materials, sign style, and quality. 3. The depth of wall signs on multi-tenant buildings should be consistent. F. Free-Standing Signs: 1. Free-standing signs shall be of a style, material, and design compatible with the associated building. 2. Berming shall not be used to exceed the maximum allowable height of signs. 3. The base or support elements of free-standing signs should be integrated with the surrounding environment. Landscaping may be required to buffer such signs. 4. Free-standing signs should be sited so that they integrate with the location of street trees and other site landscaping, and to avoid obscuring the view of adjacent free-standing signs. (Ord. 2144, 12/9/03) 52