Chapter 20.63 TOURIST COMMERCIAL (TC) DISTRICT

The purpose of the Tourist Commercial District is to supply sufficient areas arranged in a concentrated form that would allow land use activities which serve the traveling public. The district shall be located and implemented consistent with the goals, objectives and policies of the Comprehensive Plan. The district should be located near major transportation corridors in such a fashion as to provide safe and convenient access that would not impact adjacent noncommercial activities. Further, the district should be in areas where adequate public services such as roads, sewer, water and drainage are available. The district should provide for uses which normally serve the traveling public and encourage a type of development which occurs in a well-designed pattern considering aesthetics and safety. (Ord. 98-083 Exh. A § 51, 1998).

20.63.050 Permitted uses.

The following permitted and accessory uses shall be allowed subject to an evaluation by the zoning administrator pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and Chapter 20.80 WCC. Further, each permitted and accessory 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 Restaurants.

.052 Retail shops no greater than 2,500 square feet in size per shop.

.053 Tourist information centers.

.054 Barber and beauty shops.

.055 Post offices.

.056 Professional offices no greater than 2,500 square feet in size per shop.

.057 Service stations and towing services when based at a service station.

.058 Laundromats.

.059 Banks and/or bank machines.

.060 Churches.

.061 Indoor commercial recreation facilities.

.062 Hotels and motels.

.063 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.

.065 Child care facilities; provided, that child care facilities in a family dwelling shall conform to the definition of home occupation, WCC 20.97.180.

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

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

.068 Activity centers.

.080 Major passenger intermodal terminals.

.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. 88-28, 1988; Ord. 87-51, 1987; Ord. 87-12, 1987; Ord. 87-11, 1987).

20.63.100 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).

20.63.150 Conditional uses.

Unless otherwise provided herein, conditional uses shall be administered pursuant to the applicable provisions of this chapter, Chapter 20.80 WCC (Supplementary Requirements) and 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 Automobile repair garages.

.152 Dry cleaners.

.153 Campgrounds and recreational vehicle parks.

.154 Public uses, which because of locational requirements, are necessary in the Tourist Commercial District; provided, the uses are consistent with Tourist Commercial policies, the purpose of the district and its attendant provisions.

.155 Outdoor commercial recreation facilities, athletic fields and public or private parks not included in an adopted city or county Comprehensive Plan or Park Plan.

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

.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. 88-28, 1988; Ord. 87-51, 1987; Ord. 85-13, 1985).

20.63.200 Prohibited uses.

.201 All other uses.

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

20.63.250 Minimum lot size.

.251 Hotels and motels shall have a minimum net parcel size of 20,000 square feet.

.252 Other uses shall have a minimum lot size consistent with the area required to meet the building setback, lot coverage and development standards of this district. (Ord. 88-28, 1988).

20.63.255 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).

20.63.300 Maximum density.

.301 Hotels and motels shall not exceed a floor area ratio (FAR) of .60.

.302 Recreational vehicle parks shall not exceed a density of 15 units per acre.

.303 All other uses shall not exceed a floor area ratio (FAR) of .70.

20.63.350 Building setbacks.

Building setbacks shall be administered pursuant to WCC 20.63.550 and 20.80.200. (Ord. 96-056 Att. A § N1, 1996).

20.63.400 Height limitations.

Maximum building height shall not exceed 40 feet. Height of structures shall also conform to, where applicable, the general requirements of WCC 20.80.675.

20.63.450 Lot coverage.

Maximum building or structural coverage shall not exceed 50 percent of the lot size.

20.63.500 Open space.

.501 Recreational vehicle parks shall keep 35 percent of the site free of buildings, structures, hard surfacing, parking areas and other impervious surfaces.

.502 All other uses shall keep 10 percent of the site free of buildings, structures, hard surfacing, parking areas and impervious surfaces.

20.63.550 Buffer area.

When parcels situated within this district adjoin an Urban Residential, Urban Residential Medium Density, Rural or Residential Rural District, side and rear yard setbacks shall be increased to 25 feet along the property line(s) adjacent to the named districts. Said area shall be landscaped consistent with the requirements of WCC 20.80.345. (Ord. 96-056 Att. A § N1, 1996; Ord. 89-117, 1989; Ord. 87-12, 1987; Ord. 87-11, 1987).

20.63.600 Sign regulations.

Sign regulations shall be administered pursuant to WCC 20.80.400.

20.63.650 Development criteria.

(Ord. 96-056 Att. A § A1, 1996).

20.63.651 Facility design.

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

20.63.652 Landscaping.

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

20.63.653 Off-street parking and loading.

Off-street parking and loading shall be administered pursuant to WCC 20.80.500.

20.63.654 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).

20.63.655 Driveways.

Consistent with WCC 20.80.640, driveway plans shall be reviewed by the county engineer or State Department of Highways.

20.63.656 Access.

Access shall conform to the provisions of WCC 20.80.565.

20.63.657 Lighting.

Lighting shall be designed to avoid excessive glare onto neighboring properties, and to not create safety hazards or unreasonable interference with adjacent uses.

20.63.658 Binding site plan.

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

20.63.700 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. (Ord. 84-38, 1984).