Chapter 20.60 NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL CENTER (NC) DISTRICT

The purpose of the Neighborhood Commercial District is to provide for small, concentrated land areas intended for retail sales of convenience goods and services to persons residing within a neighborhood trade or service area. An additional purpose of the district is to provide developmental standards aimed at achieving cohesive, coordinated development within this district and achieving compatibility between commercial and surrounding residential uses. The appropriate location of the Neighborhood Commercial District is addressed in the policies of the respective subarea Comprehensive Plan. (Ord. 98-083 Exh. A § 66, 1998).

20.60.050 Permitted uses.

The following permitted uses shall be allowed subject to an evaluation by the zoning administrator pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and Chapter 20.80 WCC. In addition, each permitted use shall be administered pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Whatcom County SEPA Ordinance, the Whatcom County Subdivision Ordinance and the Whatcom County Shoreline Management Program.

.051 Barber and beauty shops.

.052 Baker shops.

.053 Drug stores.

.054 Food markets.

.055 Hardware stores.

.056 Stationery stores.

.057 Other convenience retail shops not greater than 2,500 square feet per shop.

.058 Professional offices not greater than 2,500 square feet per business.

.059 Adult care centers, and child care facilities; provided, that a child care facility in a family dwelling shall conform to the definition of home occupation, WCC 20.97.180.

.060 Public and community facilities including police and fire stations, libraries, community centers, recreation facilities, and other similar noncommercial uses, excluding correction facilities.

.061 One one-story detached accessory storage building per lot; provided, that the floor area shall not exceed 200 square feet and shall only be used for personal storage and not for habitation or business; and provided further, that the storage building shall contain no indoor plumbing but may be served with electrical power for lighting.

.062 Public parks and recreation facilities included in an adopted city or county Comprehensive Plan or Park Plan.

.063 Trails, trailheads, restroom facilities and associated parking areas for no more than 30 vehicles.

.088 Adult family homes as defined in Chapter 70.128 RCW.

.089 Boarding homes that are similar in size, facilities and occupancy to other residential structures permitted in the zoning district.

.090 Mental health facilities that provide residential treatment and are similar in size, facilities and occupancy to other residential structures permitted in the zoning district.

.091 Substance abuse facilities that provide residential treatment and are similar in size, facilities and occupancy to other residential structures permitted in the zoning district. (Ord. 2005-079 § 1, 2005; Ord. 2004-026 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2004-014 § 2, 2004; Ord. 99-068, 1999; Ord. 99-062, 1999; Ord. 88-13, 1988; Ord. 87-12, 1987; Ord. 87-11, 1987).

20.60.100 Accessory uses.

.101 One residential unit for owner-manager or caretaker when part of a building in which the primary use is located.

.102 Uses incidental to the primary permitted uses.

.103 On-site treatment and storage facilities for hazardous wastes associated with outright permitted uses or approved conditional uses subject to the most current siting criteria under Chapter 173-303 WAC. (Ord. 89-10, 1989; Ord. 88-29, 1988).

20.60.150 Conditional uses.

Unless otherwise provided herein, conditional uses shall be administered pursuant to the applicable provisions of Chapter 20.84 WCC (Variances, Conditional Uses and Appeals), the Whatcom County SEPA Ordinance, the Official Whatcom County Subdivision Ordinance and the Whatcom County Shoreline Management Program.

.151 Service stations.

.152 Laundry and dry cleaning establishments.

.153 Eating and drinking establishments.

.154 Commercial storage of personal recreational boats and trailers, recreational-type vehicles and accompanying mini-storage; provided, that:

(1) Security for the site shall be provided by the applicant;

(2) No engine repairs or oil changes shall be made on the subject site;

(3) Adequate water supply and wastewater disposal for washdown facilities shall be demonstrated by the applicant.

.155 Activity centers.

.156 Public or private parks that are not included in an adopted city or county Comprehensive Plan or Park Plan.

.157 Trailheads with parking areas for more than 30 vehicles.

.158 Athletic fields.

.183 State education facilities.

.185 Type I solid waste handling facilities.

.186 Mitigation banks as a form of compensatory mitigation for wetland and habitat conservation area impacts when permitted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 16.16 WCC; provided, applications for mitigation banks shall be processed as a major development project pursuant to Chapter 20.88 WCC. (Ord. 2005-068 § 2, 2005; Ord. 2004-026 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2004-014 § 2, 2004; Ord. 98-020 § 1, 1998).

20.60.200 Prohibited uses.

.201 All other uses.

.202 Adult businesses. (Ord. 99-070 § 2, 1999).

20.60.250 Minimum lot size.

The minimum lot size shall be consistent with the area required to meet the building setback, lot coverage and development standards of this district.

20.60.255 Minimum lot frontage.

For the purpose of dividing property, minimum lot frontage shall be sufficient to provide adequate access and utility development, and meet applicable building setback, buffer, open space and development standards of the district. In no case shall the frontage be less than 30 feet. (Ord. 99-045 § 1, 1999).

20.60.300 Maximum building size.

.301 Maximum allowable floor area shall not exceed 6,000 square feet per individual use allowed in the district.

.302 The aggregate floor area of all buildings within each neighborhood commercial zone district shall not exceed 30,000 square feet.

20.60.350 Building setbacks.

Building setbacks shall be administered pursuant to WCC 20.60.550 and 20.80.200. (Ord. 96-056 Att. A § L1, 1996).

20.60.400 Height limitations.

Maximum building height shall not exceed 25 feet.

20.60.450 Lot coverage.

Buildings or structures shall not occupy more than 30 percent of a parcel.

20.60.500 Open space.

At least 15 percent of the site shall be kept free of buildings, structures, hard surfacing, parking areas and other impervious surfaces.

20.60.550 Buffer area.

.551 When parcels situated within this district adjoin an Urban Residential, Urban Residential Medium Density, Residential Rural or Rural District, side and rear yard setbacks shall be increased to 25 feet along the property line(s) adjacent to the named district. Said area shall be landscaped consistent with the requirements of WCC 20.80.345.

.552 When parcels situated within this district are between an interstate highway and a Residential Rural or Rural District, the setback on sides adjoining the Residential Rural or Rural Districts and paralleling the interstate shall be increased to 100 feet. This buffer shall not be altered from existing dense natural vegetation or, where vegetation is lacking, shall be landscaped so as to provide a dense vegetative screen. (Ord. 96-056 Att. A § L1, 1996; Ord. 89-117, 1989; Ord. 86-29, 1986).

20.60.600 Sign regulations.

Sign regulations shall be administered pursuant to WCC 20.80.400.

20.60.650 Development criteria.

(Ord. 96-056 Att. A § A1, 1996).

20.60.651 Facility design.

Individual development within a Neighborhood Commercial Zone District shall be designed to accommodate additional commercial development on adjacent property in an integrated manner. Consistent architectural treatment among structures is encouraged. Each development shall screen roof-mounted mechanical equipment so as not to be visible by surrounding uses or roads.

20.60.652 Landscaping.

Refer to WCC 20.80.300 for landscaping requirements. (Ord. 89-117, 1989).

20.60.653 Off-street parking and loading.

(1) A bicycle parking area at a rate of one space per 1,000 square feet of floor area or a minimum of one space, whichever is greater, shall be provided for each use. Each bicycle parking space shall consist of a rack or other structure designed for the lock-up of a bicycle.

(2) If two of more businesses adjoin each other or are otherwise designed and developed in a coordinated fashion as determined by the zoning administrator in order to utilize shared parking facilities, then the total number of required parking spaces for all the uses involved shall be reduced by 30 percent or not less than five spaces per retail establishment, whichever is greater.

(3) Except as provided in this section, off-street parking and loading shall be administered pursuant to WCC 20.80.500. (Ord. 89-117, 1989).

20.60.654 Sidewalks.

Sidewalks shall be installed pursuant to the requirements of the county engineer.

20.60.655 Drainage.

All development activity within Whatcom County shall be subject to the stormwater management provisions of the Whatcom County Development Standards unless specifically exempted.

No project permit shall be issued prior to meeting submittal requirements relating to stormwater management in the appropriate chapters of the Whatcom County Development Standards. (Ord. 96-056 Att. A § A2, 1996; Ord. 94-022, 1994).

20.60.656 Driveways.

Consistent with WCC 20.80.640, driveway plans shall be reviewed by the county engineer or State Department of Highways, as applicable. (Ord. 84-38, 1984).

20.60.657 Access.

Access shall conform to the provisions of WCC 20.80.565.

20.60.658 Lighting.

Lighting shall be designed to avoid excessive glare onto neighboring properties, and to create safety hazards or unreasonable interference with adjacent uses.

20.60.659 Binding site plan.

Should the commercial use be developed as part of a binding site plan, it shall be administered pursuant to Title 21 of the Whatcom County Code (Subdivision Regulations) and additional requirements, as applicable.

20.60.700 Performance standards.

The following provisions shall apply to all uses within this district:

.701 There shall be no storage or handling of hazardous, explosive, highly flammable materials which would cause fire, explosion or safety hazards, except the storage and dispensing of gasoline in service stations.

.702 There shall be no production of noise at any property line of any use in this district in excess of the average intensity of street and traffic noise found in the district.

.703 There shall be no emission of dust, dirt, odors, smoke, or toxic gases and fumes.

.704 There shall be no production of heat, glare or vibration perceptible from any property line of the premises upon which such heat, glare or vibration is being generated.

.705 There shall be no storage or merchandising outdoors, with the exception of recreational boats, trailers and vehicles in an approved recreational vehicle storage facility. (Ord. 98-020 § 1, 1998; Ord. 82-58, 1982).