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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRMC 4-2-020_PURPOSE AND INTENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS_COMPLETE4-2-020 PURPOSE AND INTENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS: A. GENERAL: Approval of projects in the zones is contingent upon the determination that the proposed developments are consistent with the purpose of the zone and the purpose and intent of the land use designations and guiding policies of the Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan Land Use Element policies for each corresponding zone classification and all the Elements of the Comprehensive Plan shall be used together with the purpose statements for each zone and land use map designation set forth in the following sections to guide interpretation and application of land use regulations within the zones and designations and any changes to the range of permitted uses within each zone through amendments to the code. B. RESOURCE CONSERVATION ZONE (RC): The Resource Conservation (RC) Zone (RC) is established to provide aapplies to lands with significant environmental constraints which are not appropriate for urban development, lands suitable for environmental conservation or restorations, and allows for continued production of food and agricultural products, and natural resource extraction for resource conservation. RC zoning implements the Residential Low Density and Employment Area land use designations.very low-density residential zone that endeavors to provide some residential use of lands characterized by extensive critical areas or lands with agricultural uses. It is intended to implement the Low Density Residential Comprehensive Plan designation. This zone promotes uses that are compatible with the functions and values of designated critical areas and allows for continued production of food and agricultural products. No minimum density is required. The Resource ConservationRC Zone is also intended to provide separation between areas of more intense urban uses and critical lands or agricultural uses; encourage or preserve very low-density residential uses; reduce the intensity of uses in accordance with the extent of environmentally sensitive areas such as floodplains, wetlands and streams, aquifers, wildlife habitat, steep slopes, and other geologically hazardous areas; allow for small-scale farming to commence or continue; and provide viable uses within urban separators. The RC Zone implements the Residential Low Density land use designation. C. RESIDENTIAL-1 (R-1): The Residential-1 (R-1) Zone (R-1) applies to lands with significant environmental constraints, which may have the potential for development at a level of intensity that is established to provide and protect suitable environments for residential development of lands characterized by pervasive critical areas where limited residential development will not compromise critical areas. It is intended to implement the Low Density Residential Comprehensive Plan designation. The zone provides for suburban estate single family and clustered single family residential dwellings, at a maximum density of one (1) dwelling unit per net acre, and allows for small scale farming associated with residential use. Density bonus provisions, of up to eighteen (18) dwelling units per acre, are intended to allow assisted living to develop with higher densities within the zone. It is further intended to protect critical areas, provide separation between neighboring jurisdictions through designation of urban separators as adopted by the Countywide Policies, and prohibit the development of incompatible uses that may be detrimental to the residential or natural environment. The R-1 Zone implements the Residential Low Density land use designation. D. RESIDENTIAL-4 (R-4): The Residential-4 (R-4) Zone (R-4) applies to lands suitable for low-density residential uses and provides transition between rural designation zones and higher intensity residential zones. To expand the variety of housing options, the R-4 Zone allows for both single-family development and middle housing. The R-4 Zone implements the Residential Low Density land use designation. is established to promote urban single family residential neighborhoods serviceable by urban utilities and containing open space amenities. It is intended to implement the Residential Low Density Comprehensive Plan designation. The Residential-4 (R-4) allows a maximum density of four (4) dwelling units per net acre. The R-4 designation serves as a transition between rural designation zones and higher density residential zones. It is intended as an intermediate lower density residential zone. E. RESIDENTIAL-6 (R-6): The Residential-6 (R-6) Zone (R-6) is established for single family dwellings and allows middle housing where there is land suitable for infill and larger lot development at a moderate density. The R-6 Zone is intended to implements the Residential Medium Density Comprehensive Plan land use designation. The R-6 zone allows a range of three (3) to six (6) dwelling units per net acre. Development in the R-6 zone is intended to be single family residential at moderate density. F. RESIDENTIAL-8 (R-8): The Residential-8 (R-8) Zone (R-8) applies to lands suitable for moderate-density residential uses, including single-family and middle housing, where there is opportunity to reinvest in existing single- family residential neighborhoods through infill development or the development of new residential plats. is established for single family residential dwellings allowing a range of four (4) to eight (8) dwelling units per net acre. It is intended to implements the Residential Medium Density Comprehensive Plan land use designation. Development in the R-8 Zone is intended to create opportunities for new single family residential neighborhoods and to facilitate high-quality infill development that promotes reinvestment in existing single family neighborhoods. It is intended to accommodate uses that are compatible with and support a high-quality residential environment and add to a sense of community. G. RESIDENTIAL MANUFACTURED HOME PARK (RMH): The Residential Manufactured Home Park (RMH) Zone (RMH) is established to promote development that ismaintains a single family in character, expands the variety of housing options, and protects established manufactured home parks. and developed to offer a choice in land tenancy. Standards provide for safe and high-quality manufactured home neighborhoods. It is intended to implement the Residential Low Density Comprehensive Plan designation. The RMH Zone is intended to protect established manufactured home parks and to expand the variety of affordable housing types available within the City. The RMH Zone implements the Residential Low Density, Residential Medium Density, and the Residential High Density land use designations. H. RESIDENTIAL-10 (R-10): The Residential-10 (R-10) Zone (R-10) is established for high-density residential development that will provide a mix of residential styles including small lot detached dwellings or attached dwellings such as townhouses and small-scale flats. Development promoted in the zone is intended to increase opportunities for detached dwellings as a percent of the housing stock, as well as allow some small-scale attached housing choices and to create high-quality infill development that increases density while maintaining the single- family character of the existing neighborhood. Allowable base densities range from five (5) to ten (10) dwelling units per net acre. The zone serves as a transition to higher density multi-family zones. The R-10 Zone implements the Residential High Density land use designation. I. RESIDENTIAL-14 (R-14): The purpose of the Residential-14 (R-14) Zone (R-14) is to encourage development, and redevelopment, of residential neighborhoods that provide a mix of detached and attached dwelling structures organized and designed to combine characteristics of both typical single family and small-scale multi-family developments. Densities range from seven (7) to fourteen (14) units per net acre with opportunities for bonuses up to eighteen (18) dwelling units per net acre. Structure size is intended to be limited in terms of bulk and scale so that the various unit types allowed in the zone are compatible with one another and can be integrated together into a quality neighborhood. Project features are encouraged, such as yards for private use, common open spaces, and landscaped areas that enhance a neighborhood and foster a sense of community. Civic and limited commercial uses may be allowed when they support the purpose of the designation. The R-14 Zone implements the Residential High Density land use designation. J. RESIDENTIAL MULTI-FAMILY (RMF): The Residential Multi-Family (RMF) Zone provides suitable environments for multi-family dwellings. It is further intended to conditionally allow uses that are compatible with and support a multi- family environment. The RMF allows for the development of both infill parcels in existing multi- family districts with compatible projects and other multi-family development. Densities range from ten (10) to twenty (20) du/acre with opportunities for bonuses up to twenty-five (25) dwelling units per net acre. K. RESIDENTIAL MULTI-FAMILY 2 (RMF-2): The Residential Multi-Family 2 (RMF-2) Zone provides suitable environments for multi-family dwellings. It is further intended to conditionally allow uses that are compatible with and support a multi-family environment. The RMF-2 allows for the development of infill parcels in existing multi- family developments with compatible projects and areas, as well as with other multi-family development. Densities range from twenty (20) to forty (40) dwelling units per net acre. L. COMMERCIAL NEIGHBORHOOD ZONE (CN): The purpose of the Commercial Neighborhood Zone (CN) is to provide for small-scale convenience retail/commercial areas offering incidental retail and service needs for the surrounding area. Uses serving a larger area may be appropriate if they also serve the residents of the immediate area and are compatible with the scale and character of the neighborhood. This designation is the smallest and least intensive of the City’s commercial zones. M. CENTER VILLAGE ZONE (CV): 1. Purpose: The purpose of the Center Village Zone (CV) is to provide an opportunity for concentrated mixed-use residential and commercial redevelopment designed to urban rather than suburban development standards that supports transit-oriented development and pedestrian activity. Use allowances promote commercial and retail development opportunities for residents to shop locally. Uses and standards allow complementary, high-density residential development, and discourage garden-style, multi-family development. 2. Scale and Character: The Center Village Zone (CV) is intended to provide suitable environments for district-scaled retail and commercial development serving more than one neighborhood, but not providing City-wide services. N. COMMERCIAL ARTERIAL ZONE (CA): The purpose of the Commercial Arterial Zone (CA) is to evolve from “strip commercial” linear business districts to business areas characterized by enhanced site planning and pedestrian orientation, incorporating efficient parking lot design, coordinated access, amenities and boulevard treatment with greater densities. The CA Zone provides for a wide variety of retail sales, services, and other commercial activities along high-volume traffic corridors. Residential uses may be integrated into the zone through mixed-use buildings. The zone includes the designated Automall District. O. CENTER DOWNTOWN (CD): The purpose of the Center Downtown Zone (CD) is to provide a mixed-use urban commercial center serving a regional market as well as high-density residential development. Uses include a wide variety of retail sales, services, multi-family residential dwellings, and recreation and entertainment uses. P. COMMERCIAL OFFICE ZONE (CO): The Commercial Office Zone (CO) is established to provide areas appropriate for professional, administrative, and business offices and related uses, offering high-quality and amenity work environments. In addition, a mix of limited retail and service uses may be allowed to primarily support other uses within the zone, subject to special conditions. Limited light industrial activities, which can effectively blend in with an office environment, are allowed, as are medical institutions and related uses. Q. COMMERCIAL OFFICE RESIDENTIAL ZONE (COR): The purpose of the Commercial Office Residential Zone (COR) is to provide for a mix of intensive office, hotel, convention center, and residential activity in a high-quality, master-planned development that is integrated with the natural environment. Commercial retail and service uses that are architecturally and functionally integrated are permitted. Also, commercial uses that provide high economic value may be allowed if designed with the scale and intensity envisioned for the COR Zone. The scale and location of these sites will typically denote a gateway into the City and should be designed accordingly. R. LIGHT INDUSTRIAL ZONE (IL): The purpose of the Light Industrial Zone (IL) is to provide areas for low-intensity manufacturing, industrial services, distribution, storage, and technical schools. Uses allowed in this zone are generally contained within buildings. Material and/or equipment used in production are not stored outside. Activities in this zone do not generate external emissions such as smoke, odor, noise, vibrations, or other nuisances outside the building. Compatible uses that directly serve the needs of other uses in the zone are also allowed. S. MEDIUM INDUSTRIAL ZONE (IM): The purpose of the Medium Industrial Zone (IM) is to provide areas for medium-intensity industrial activities involving manufacturing, processing, assembly, and warehousing. Uses in this zone may require some outdoor storage and may create some external emissions of noise, odor, glare, vibration, etc., but these are largely contained on site. Compatible uses that directly serve the needs of other uses permitted within the district are also allowed zone-wide. T. HEAVY INDUSTRIAL ZONE (IH): The purpose of the Heavy Industrial Zone (IH) is to provide areas for high-intensity industrial activities involving heavy fabrication, processing of raw materials, bulk handling and storage, construction, and heavy transportation. Uses in this zone may require large outdoor areas in which to conduct operations. Environmental impacts may be produced that affect off-site areas, requiring isolation of the industrial activity from more sensitive land uses. Compatible uses that directly serve the needs of other uses permitted within the district are also allowed. U. URBAN CENTER-1 (UC-1): The Urban Center-1 Zone (UC-1) is established to provide an area for pedestrian-scale urban mixed-use development that supports the residential and employment goals of Renton’s Urban Center. The UC-1 Zone is intended to attract a wide range of office, technology, commercial, and residential uses. The overall mix and intensity of uses within both zones will develop over time. Consequently, decisions made in early phases of redevelopment will need to take into consideration the potential for further infill and intensification of uses. The overall mix and intensity of uses is intended to create an urban rather than suburban character. The form of development is expected to use urban development standards and therefore, setbacks, heights, landscaping, parking, and design standards are to be urban in scale and configured in a layout utilizing the street system to create a human-scale, pedestrian-oriented new center. Uses that support urban center development are allowed. Development is expected to include amenities such as gateways, water access, and open space. High-quality development is anticipated, encompassing a mix of residential neighborhoods, shopping, and employment districts and public facilities. V. URBAN CENTER-2 (UC-2): The Urban Center-2 Zone (UC-2) is established to provide a similar built environment as UC-1 and also supports the residential and employment goals of Renton’s Urban Center, but to a lesser degree than UC-1 due to differing characteristics of the geography, which limit the scale of commercial enterprise. The overall mix and intensity of uses is intended to create an urban rather than suburban character. The form of development is expected to use urban development standards and therefore setbacks, heights, landscaping, parking, and design standards are to be urban in scale and configured in a layout utilizing the street system to create a human-scale, pedestrian-oriented new center. Uses that support urban center development are allowed. Development is expected to include amenities such as gateways, water access, and open space. High-quality development is anticipated, encompassing a mix of residential neighborhoods, shopping, employment districts, and public facilities. The designation is also intended to allow continuation of airplane manufacturing and accessory airplane manufacturing uses, as land area formerly occupied by those uses is transformed to combinations of retail, service, office, residential, and civic uses.