§ 29-118. R-R recreational.

(a)

General description and intent. This section applies to the R-R recreational district. This district is intended for use in areas where recreational uses can exist without negatively affecting the traffic flow or involve activities that would have an undesirable impact on residential uses. The purpose of this section is to provide an innovative and alternative zoning procedure to be used to provide areas of community recreational benefit. Approval of this zone district will be based on the scale of the area, adjacent uses and area use patterns.

(b)

Requirements. In any residential district, a tract of land may be developed for recreational use, provided that approval is obtained by securing a recreational development permit in compliance with the procedures hereafter delineated. Eligible properties to be used as R-R shall not be less than fifteen (15) acres in size (gross acreage) and must have a completed master plan of proposed uses.

The planning commission, after a public hearing, may grant a R-R permit when it finds that the R-R proposal is consistent with good planning practice, consistent with good site planning, can be operated in a manner that is not detrimental to the permitted developments and uses in the district, is visually compatible with the permitted uses in the surrounding area, and is deemed desirable to promote the general welfare of the city.

The granting of a R-R permit shall be initiated by the filing of a verified application by the property owner(s) or an authorized representative of the property sought to be used for the R-R proposal. Applications shall be addressed to the zoning department and filed in its public office upon approved forms and accompanied by such data and information as may be prescribed for that purpose by the planning commission, as well as a master plan of the proposed use of the parcel so as to assure the fullest practical presentation of the facts.

The commission shall, at its earliest scheduled public hearing, review the applicants proposal as to merit and compatibility and submit its findings to the city council for consideration by that body.

The planning commission shall, in the instance of every application submitted under this regulation, especially consider architecture, landscape and other relationships which may exist between the proposed development and the character of the surrounding neighborhood and shall prescribe and require such physical treatment or other limitations as will, in its opinion, enhance the neighborhood character.

(c)

Permitted uses. The following uses are permitted in this district:

(1)

Parks and playgrounds.

(2)

Nonprofit recreational uses (e.g. playing fields).

(3)

Commercial uses providing recreational activities when consistent with the submitted master plan (e.g. concession stand) and used in conjunction with an approved recreational activity.

(d)

Uses permitted upon review and approval of the planning commission. The planning commission may impose special conditions relating to such considerations as the site plan, screening, or parking as a condition for approval of the following uses or any other uses it deems appropriate for the protection of public health, safety or welfare:

(1)

Churches (see section 29-37(b)(12)).

(2)

Other uses deemed appropriate in the opinion of the planning commission, which conform to the basic intent of this district, and which can be demonstrated to be equal to or less intense than other permitted uses in this district.

(e)

Parking requirements. Parking shall be provided in accordance with provisions of article V, division 2. Parking shall not be permitted in the front forty (40) feet of a proposed development.

(f)

Height and area requirements. The following height, area and structure regulations apply to this district:

(1)

Height requirements. A building shall have a maximum height of two (2) stories or thirty-five (35) feet. The height shall be measured from the finished floor level (FFL).

(2)

Area requirements.

a.

Front yard: A minimum of sixty (60) feet for buildings and uses.

b.

Rear yard: A minimum of forty (40) feet for building and use.

c.

Side yards: The minimum side yard shall be twenty (20) feet for each side yard.

(g)

Signage. Signage will be limited to one freestanding sign indicating the name and nature of uses within the R-R district. Manual changeable copy signs may be allowed to the extent that they do not exceed forty (40) percent of the overall sign square footage. The maximum display area shall not exceed fifteen (15) percent of the property frontage and shall not set closer to the front property line than ten (10) feet from the closest portion of the sign structure. Any light used to illuminate such signage shall be so arranged to reflect the lights away from adjacent properties or from properties located across the street.

(h)

Landscaping and screening. The area of front, rear and side setbacks shall be maintained as landscaped area. Screening may be required in areas where a R-R district abuts residential use or residential occupancy units. Any lights used to illuminate the R-R area shall be so arranged as to reflect the light away from adjacent properties or from properties located across the street.

(i)

Noise. Public address systems may be allowed. In area of close proximity to residential or residential occupancy uses, public address systems must be directed away from adjoining properties, cannot be operated after 9:00 p.m. and cannot exceed decibel levels of 70.

(Ord. No. 5556, § 1, 10-4-93)