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HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD NO 5153ORDINANCE NO.� ORDINANCE AMENDING AND REPEALING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF TITLE 17, CHAPTER 17.08 OF THE BAKERSFIELD MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO ZONING. BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Bakersfield as follows: SECTION 1. Title 17, Chapter 17.08 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows: Title 17 - Zoning Chapter 17.08 - General Regulations Including Site Plan Review Sections: 17.08.070 Exemptions from site plan review. 17.08.090 Overlooks into residential rear yards. 17.08.120 Reserved. 17.08.140 Design standards for retail developments. 17.08.170 Yard encroachments. 17.08.180 Fence, walls and hedges —Regulations. SECTION 2. Title 17, Chapter 17.08, Sections 17.08.070 and 17.08.090 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code are hereby amended to read as follows: 17.08.070 Exemptions from site plan review. The following are specifically exempt from and do not require site plan approval: A. Uses allowed as permitted uses in the R-1, R-S, RH, A, A-20A, FP-P and FP-S zones; B. Normal maintenance and repair of improvements and exterior remodeling not requiring a building permit; C. Interior improvements which do not involve changes to the exterior of a building or a change of use or intensity of use; Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.08 Relating to Zoning Page 1 of 17 o�eAKF9d' � m r v o ORIGINAL D. Subdivision of land; E. Change of use of an existing building from a permitted use of one class or type to a permitted use of a different class or type not associated with the enlargement of space or modification of development standards, zoning regulations or policies; F. Parking lot restriping/redesign; G. Outdoor advertising signs; H. Wireless telecommunication facilities in accordance with Chapter 17.59 of this code; I. Metal storage containers; J. Utility buildings and structures (unoccupied); K. Carports; L. Paint booth additions; M. Classroom additions to religious institutions; N. Farmers market; O. Used car sales where lot is already improved; P. New surface parking lot; Q. Additions of accessory buildings on a developed commercial or industrial site; R. Equipment/contractor storage yards where there are no buildings or employees; S. Fallout shelter. 17.08.090 Overlooks into residential rear yards. A. The intent of this section is to provide a reasonable degree of privacy to and screening of residential rear yards adjacent to multistory office, commercial, industrial, apartment or condominium structures. Screening shall only apply to the rear yard of the impacted residential property, being defined as a three- dimensional area measured horizontally between the rear property line and the residential structure, and measured vertically between the grade of the Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.08 Relating to Zoning oAKF9� Page 2 of 17 T ORIGINAL residential structure's foundation and a plane five feet above such grade. This section does not intend to provide a total screening of the affected yard area, or the affected residence's building walls and windows. B. Screening shall apply to overlooks from all windows, balconies, and decks from the second floor and above, in office, commercial, industrial, apartment or condominium structures containing three or more units that are within one hundred fifty feet of property zoned for R-1, R-S, MH, PUD projects and condominium projects of a single -unit character with private rear yards. This section shall not apply to overlooks from buildings to yards within the same planned unit development projects. C. If a building subject to this section begins construction and the property within one hundred fifty feet of it in the above cited residential zones is vacant, then it shall not be required to screen that vacant property from its view. D. Where a project has a severe overlook problem because of topography, height of structure or other unusual conditions, the building and planning directors may require a landscape plan to provide a long term screening solution (effective within five years) within three hundred feet of property zoned R-1, R-S, MH, PUD projects and condominium projects of a single- unit character with private rear yards. E. Where a project falls under the provisions of this section, a conceptual screening plan shall be submitted with the site plan review application. Where possible, the screening plan shall incorporate the use of landscaping. F. The decision as to what is a reasonable degree of privacy and a reasonable plan to accomplish such privacy shall be determined by the building and planning directors. In making such decision, the directors shall consider the following factors: 1. Topography and zoning of neighboring properties; 2. Design alternatives; 3. Cost; 4. Timing of development; 5. Building code and fire safety regulations; 6. Other factors determined to be significant by the directors. Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.08 Relating to Zoning Page 3 of 17 m r c� O ORIGINAL G. Methods which may be used to accomplish screening include, but are not limited to: 1. No windows, balconies or decks facing the affected residential property; 2. Windows with sills a minimum of five feet above the floor; 3. Translucent glass; 4. Wing walls; 5. Louvers appropriately directed; 6. Landscaping; 7. Awnings when used as an interim screening in connection with a permanent landscaping plan; 8. Other design solutions which accomplish essentially the same results as determined by the directors; 9. Separation of the multistory building from the closest portion of the yard being protected by a minimum distance of one hundred fifty feet measured horizontally. SECTION 3. Title 17, Chapter 17.08, Section 17.08.120 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code is hereby repealed in its entirety: 17.08.120 Reserved. SECTION 4. Title 17, Chapter 17.08, Sections 17.08.140, 17.08.170 and 17.08.180 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code are hereby amended to read as follows: 17.08.140 Design standards for retail developments. A. Purpose. Bakersfield is concerned with the future design of its commercial areas, specifically with the growth of retail developments. At the same time, it is important to encourage economic development. These standards help mitigate unwanted design, while encouraging developers to incorporate good community architecture that enhances the city's character and quality of life. In Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.08 Relating to Zoning Page 4 of 17 a``�AKF91P T ORIGINAL addition to the requirements herein, all landscaping projects shall adhere to that certain Model Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance (MWELO) as adopted in California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Chapter 2.7 of this code as adopted by the state. B. Applicability. 1. These standards shall apply to all retail developments throughout the city within all commercial zone districts, and all nonresidential zones where the development contains retail commercial components, including but not limited to planned unit development zones, industrial zones, and recreation/open space zones. These standards also apply to all specific plan areas unless the plan has standards that are more restrictive. In Northeast Bakersfield, the building design standards in subsection D of this section shall apply to all commercial and industrial projects, regardless of size, which are subject to site plan review. 2. These standards are in addition to any other development requirements as required by this title, including but not limited to zone district regulations, signs, parking, landscaping, and accessory uses. C. Expansion to Existing Retail Developments. a. An addition to an existing retail development that was initially subject to these standards shall be required to comply with the requirements of this section. b. An addition to an existing retail development that was not previously subject to the requirements of this section is required to comply with this section if the gross floor area of such establishment as a single expansion or cumulatively is increased by fifty percent or more, or exceeds fifty thousand square feet. 4. Reference may be made in this subsection to specific geographic areas, which are defined as follows: a. Northeast Bakersfield includes all lands east of Fairfax Road (and any northern extension thereof) and north of the Union Pacific Railroad that parallels Edison Highway. D. Building Design Standards. 1. Exterior building walls and facades over one hundred feet in length shall incorporate wall plane projections or recesses with a depth of at least three Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.08 Relating to Zoning Page 5 of 17 o``�AKe ORIGINAL percent of the length of the facade and extending along at least twenty percent of the length of the facade. No facade shall have an uninterrupted length of flat wall that exceeds one hundred horizontal feet. Facades that face public streets shall include arcades, display windows, entry areas, or other such permanent features along no less than sixty percent of their horizontal length. principal buildin rat ` 4 , 1 ram• 4 �mnnu, d E"'ae Projections/recesses shall comprise at least 20% of fagade length with a minimum depth of 3% of fagade length WINDOWS AWNINGS ENTRY AREAS ARCADES Animating features such as these must total 60% of the total facade length for any fagade abutting a public street Building Fagades 2. All building facades must include no less than three of the following elements. At least one of the elements (subsection (D) (2) (a), (D) (2) (b) or (D) (2) (c) of this section), shall occur horizontally. All elements shall occur at intervals of no more than thirty feet, either horizontally or vertically. a. Color change; b. Texture change; c. Material change; Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.08 Relating to Zoning Page 6 of 17 T noit'-IKIAI d. An expression of architectural or structural bays through a change in plane no less than twelve inches in width, such as an offset, reveal or projecting rib, or other architecturally appropriate feature. Expression of ArchOctural or Structural Bay 3. In multiple building developments, each individual building shall include prominent architectural characteristics shared by all buildings in the center so that the development forms a cohesive sense of place. 4. Rooflines shall be varied with a change in height every one hundred linear feet of the building length. Parapets, mansard roofs, gable roofs, hip roofs, or dormers shall be used to conceal flat roofs and roof top equipment from public view. Alternating lengths and designs of the roofline are acceptable. If parapets are used, they shall not at any point exceed one-third of the height of the supporting wall. All parapets shall feature three-dimensional cornice treatment. Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.08 Relating to Zoning Page 7 of 17 ORIGINAL Parapet Standards 5. Exterior building materials shall be high quality materials, including, but not limited to, brick, sandstone, and other native stone, manufactured stone (realistic), wood, glass, decorative metal elements, and tinted/textured concrete masonry units, including stucco and synthetic stucco -type materials. a. For projects in Northeast Bakersfield, building materials consisting of river rock, native stone, cobblestone, ledge stone, rough -sawn timbers, and logs, either as a single element or combination thereof, shall be used as the predominant theme throughout the project area. 6. Primary facade colors shall be low reflectance, subtle colors over primary, bold or dramatic colors. The use of reflective metallic or fluorescent colors is discouraged. However, building trim and accent areas may feature brighter colors, including primary colors. Paint applied over brick, stone and concrete is prohibited. a. For projects in Northeast Bakersfield, the predominant color palette shall consist of earth- and natural -toned colors that blend with the Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.08 Relating to Zoning Page 8 of 17 apK4 C` 9J, T c� O ORIGINAL surrounding area. A variety of these colors is encouraged to allow individuality but maintain a cohesive sense of place for the entire center. 7. Finished exterior building materials shall not include smooth -faced concrete block, tilt -up concrete panels or prefabricated steel panels as a major component (more than fifty percent) of each fagade or exterior wall. E. Entryways. a. For projects exceeding fifty thousand square feet of gross floor area, and/or five acres of net buildable area, at least two sides of the retail development shall feature customer entrances. The two required sides shall be those planned to have the highest level of public pedestrian activity. One of the sides shall be that which most directly faces a primary public or private street with pedestrian access. The other may face a second street with pedestrian access or the main parking lot area if there is no second street. All entrances shall be architecturally prominent and clearly visible from the abutting public street. b. Public entrances must include architectural elements that emphasize the entry. Each retail development on a site shall have clearly defined, highly visible customer entrances featuring no less than three of the following: i. Canopies or porticos; ii. Overhangs; iii. Recesses/projections; iv. Arcades; v. Raised corniced parapets over the door; vi. Peaked roof forms or towers; vii. Arches; viii. Plazas or outdoor patios; ix. Display windows; x. Fountains or other water features; Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.08 Relating to Zoning Page 9 of 17 aaKe � m r v o ORIGINAL xi. Architectural details such as file work and moldings that are integrated into the building structure and design; xii. Integral planters or wing walls that incorporate landscaped areas and/or places for sitting. c. Weather protection elements shall be provided at all public entrances. RIM STORB "�. lR err—•_...�„, .. y, COMW 17 4,3, ♦ ri Fisilc S_RIcT Building Entrances (example of a development with customer entrances on all sides that face a public street) F. Parking Lot Design. 1. Where minimum parking requirements are fifty or more spaces, no more than sixty percent of the off-street parking area for the entire area of land devoted to the retail development shall be located between the front facade of the retail development and the abutting streets unless the parking lots are screened from view by other freestanding pad buildings, or landscaping with trees and incorporating berms, retaining walls, hedges, or combination Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.08 Relating to Zoning Page 10 of 17 3hKty � r c.� O ORIGINAL thereof at least four feet high, plazas, water elements, or other such features that diminish the visual impression of a mass parking lot from the public rights - of -way. Option 2 shall include the planting of shrubs between the wall and the sidewalk. 2. Where minimum parking requirements are fifty or more spaces, parking lots shall be divided into sections of two hundred spaces or less with internal pedestrian walkways, buildings or landscaped open areas. Pedestrian ways shall be subject to the provisions of subsection E of this section. 3. Areas for bicycle parking shall be provided throughout the center and shall not interfere with pedestrian walkways when required by building code. 4. If shopping carts are to be provided, cart corrals shall be installed and generally distributed across parking area. G. Pedestrian Circulation. 1. For projects exceeding fifty thousand square feet of gross floor area, and/or five acres of net buildable area, meandering sidewalks at least six feet in width shall be provided along all sides of the retail development that abuts a local public street, and meandering sidewalks at least eight feet in width shall be provided along all sides of the retail development that abuts a collector or arterial public street. 2. For projects exceeding fifty thousand square feet of gross floor area, and/or five acres of net buildable area, continuous internal pedestrian walkways, no less than six feet in width, shall be provided from a public sidewalk or right-of-way to the principal customer entrances of all retail developments on the site, including all freestanding pad buildings. Pedestrian walkways shall link all buildings in the development. At a minimum, walkways shall connect focal points of pedestrian activity such as, but not limited to, transit stops, street crossings, building and store entry points, and shall feature adjoining landscaped areas that include trees, shrubs, benches, flower beds, ground covers or other such materials for no less than fifty percent of the length of the walkway. Use of decorative arbors, freestanding arcades or other weather protection structures is permitted. 3. Sidewalks, no less than six feet in width, shall be provided along the full length of the building along any facade featuring a customer entrance, and along any facade abutting public parking areas. Such sidewalks shall be located at least six feet from the facade of the building to provide planting beds for foundation landscaping, except where features such as arcades or entryways are part of the facade. Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.08 Relating to Zoning Page 1 1 of 17 o�` 3AkF T s Fes- r J O ORIGINAL 4. All internal pedestrian walkways shall be clearly distinguished from driving surfaces using durable, low maintenance surface materials such as pavers, bricks or scored concrete to enhance pedestrian safety and comfort, as well as the attractiveness of the walkways. 5. Parked vehicles shall not overhang into any pedestrian walkways. 6. Pedestrian access to adjacent residential neighborhoods shall be provided where local streets abut the project. This access shall connect directly to focal points in the project such as, but not limited to, community/public spaces, main building or store entries, or transit stops without traversing through loading areas, buildings rears, etc. These pedestrian walkways shall be clearly distinguished from driving surfaces using durable, low maintenance surface materials such as pavers, bricks or scored concrete to enhance pedestrian safety and comfort, as well as the attractiveness of the walkways. H. Central Features and Community Space. For projects exceeding twenty thousand square feet of gross floor area, and/or two and one-half acres of net buildable area, each retail establishment subject to the standards in this section shall contribute to the establishment or enhancement of community and public spaces by providing at least two of the following: 1. Pedestrian plaza or patio with seating; 2. Transportation/transit center; 3. Covered window shopping walkway along at least seventy-five percent of primary building; 4. Outdoor playground area; 5. Water feature; 6. Clock tower; 7. Any other such deliberately shaped area and/or focal feature or amenity that enhances the community and public spaces of the center. Any such areas shall have direct access to the public sidewalk network and such features shall not be constructed of materials that are inferior to the principal materials of the building and landscape. Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.08 Relating to Zoning Page 12 of 17 of aAKF9� m r J p ORIGINAL Center With Community Features I. Delivery/Loading and Solid Waste Operations. For Projects Exceeding Fifty Thousand Square Feet of Gross Floor Area and/or Five Acres of Buildable Area. 1. No delivery, loading, trash removal or compaction, or other such operations shall be within thirty feet of any properties zoned or developed with residential uses. 2. In addition to compliance with the noise level performance standards table in the noise element of the Metropolitan General Plan for exterior daytime/nighttime exterior noise levels, other than trash removal by the city or its contractors, all loading, unloading, delivery, private refuse collection and related operations shall not be permitted between the hours of ten p.m. and seven a.m. adjacent to any land zoned or developed with residential uses. These activities may occur if the developer submits evidence to the city that sound mitigation will reduce the noise generated by such operations to less than three dBA above the measured background noise level at the same period for any three continuous minutes in any hour during the operation as measured at the property line adjacent to said residential lands. Evidence of compliance must include background data (without the subject equipment operating) at said property line for the subject period, modeling results or test data from the proposed equipment, or noise data gathered from a similar location if approved by the city. Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.08 Relating to Zoning Page 13 of 17 O� a AKF9�' F. m r U p ORIGINAI 3. Loading docks shall include separate walls for noise attenuation adjacent to residential areas and be screened with landscaping (evergreen trees twenty feet on center) so the loading docks are not visible from residential areas or public streets. 4. Trash pickup areas shall not be visible from public streets unless the enclosure areas are architecturally designed matching the design of the center. J. Storage, Seasonal Sales, Miscellaneous. 1. Storage of materials and merchandise is prohibited unless screened in accordance with this title, including use of landscaping. Vending equipment and shopping cart storage areas must be screened from public view and not impede pedestrian ways. 2. Seasonal sales of merchandise shall not be permitted in any required parking area but shall be within a screened area dedicated for such use. 3. Truck trailers shall not remain on the site for more than forty-eight hours (loading and unloading only). Truck or trailer storage, or use of trailers for product storage is prohibited. 4. Metal storage containers as defined in Section 17.04.464 and any other portable storage containers for permanent or temporary use, except for construction and/or remodeling purposes, are prohibited. 17.08.170 Yard encroachments. Where yards are required in this title, they shall be not less in depth or width than the minimum dimension specified for any part, and they shall be at every point open and unobstructed from the ground upward, except as follows: A. Cornices, canopies, carports, eaves, patio or porch covers, or other similar architectural features not providing additional floor or interior space within the building may extend into a required side yard not to exceed two feet or rear yard not to exceed three feet. This encroachment may include structural supports to the ground, however, the open area of the longest wall and one additional wall of a carport, patio, porch or similar enclosure shall be equal to at least sixty-five percent of the area of each wall. Openings may only be enclosed with insect screening or similar material that allows unrestricted outside air circulation. B. Open unenclosed, uncovered porches, platforms or landing places which do not extend above the level of the first floor of the building, with the exception of Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.08 Relating to Zoning Page 14 of 17 a A Ke F- n U r C ORIGINAL guard rails as may be required by the building director, may extend into any front, side or rear yard not more than six feet. C. Detached accessory buildings may occupy side and rear yards as provided in Section 17.08.130. D. Carports, patios, porches, or similar enclosures that provide covered space constructed before January 1, 1988 shall be deemed legal nonconforming structures subject to the provisions of Chapter 17.68 of this code. The building director shall make the final determination as to the age of said structures. 17.08.180 Fence, walls and hedges —Regulations. A. In the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6, MX-1, and MX-2 zones, no fence, wall or hedge located in the rear or side yards shall exceed a height of six feet unless a greater height is required by city or state regulations for noise attenuation or sight screening. On all through lots located in these zones in which the rear lot line abuts a state highway, major highway or secondary highway and is below the grade of the roadway, at the roadway grade, or less than ten feet above the roadway grade, a masonry wall as defined by Section 17.04.462 shall be provided. B. In the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6, MX-1, and MX-2 zones, no fence, wall or hedge located in the required front yard shall exceed a height of four feet, except in the following situations, in which such fence or wall may be higher but shall not exceed a height of six feet: 1. Where, as determined by the planning commission, a side yard is adjacent to an arterial or collector street and a higher wall is necessary to finish the required subdivision wall. 2. Where, as determined by the city council, planning commission, or planning director, a higher fence or wall is necessary for purpose of noise attenuation. C. Reserved. D. In the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6, MX-1, and MX-2 zones no barbed or electrified wire shall be used or maintained in or about the construction of a fence, wall or hedge along the front, side or rear lines of any lot, or within three feet of said lines, and no sharp wire or points shall project at the top of any fence or wall less than six feet in height. E. In the C-O, C-C, C-1, C-2, M-1 and M-2 zones no barbed or electrified wire shall be erected, installed, used or maintained or caused to be erected, installed, Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.08 Relating to Zoning Page 15 of 17 `` a k o s� � r v o QRIGiINAL used or maintained on, in or about any fence, wall or hedge along the front, side or rear lines of any lot, nor shall any barbed wire be erected, installed, used or maintained or caused to be erected, installed, used or maintained, for fencing purposes, or as a barrier across or around any lot, or portion thereof, or around any building or structure upon or along any street, alley or public way, unless the lowest strand of barbed wire is installed not less than six feet three inches above the highest adjoining grade on either side of such fence; where barbed or electrified wire is erected, installed, used or maintained in accordance with this subsection, it shall not extend over or into any abutting property or public right- of-way and shall, in all cases, either extend in toward the owner's side of such fence or directly vertical, subject to approval by the building director. F. In the A zone barbed or electrified wire for agricultural fencing purposes shall be permitted to be erected, installed, used or maintained at locations at least one thousand three hundred feet from any residential area as defined in Section 17.32.020, and not otherwise, subject to approval by the building director. G. Fences constructed prior to September 1, 1983, intended to act as protective enclosures and to make canals inaccessible to small children, are exempted from the restrictions of subsections D, E and F of this section. SECTION 5. This Ordinance shall be posted in accordance with the provisions of the Bakersfield Municipal Code and shall become effective thirty (30) days from and after the date of its passage. Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.08 Relating to Zoning Page 16 of 17 a A KF,9-� s v o ORIGINAL HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Ordinance was passed and adopted, by the Council of the City of Bakersfield at a regular meeting thereof held on MAR 2 7 2024 by the following vote: YE COUNCILMEMBER: ARIAS, GONZALES,-WE4R, SMITH, FRE MAN, GRAYAA4R- NOES: COUNCILMEMBER ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBER COUNCILMEMBER k,C j J LIE DRIMAKIS, CPMC, MMC CITY CLERK and Ex Officio Clerk of the Council of the City of Bakersfield APPROVED: 7 7 2024 By KAREN GOH Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: VIRGINIA GENNARO, CITY ATTORNEY By I - VIRIDIANA GALLARDO-KING Deputy City Attorney VGK/vlg S:\COUNCIL\Orris\23-24\17.08 Gen. RegslndSitePlanReview.Fnl.docx Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.08 Relating to Zoning Page 17 of 17 s � r J O ORIGINAL AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING DOCUMENTS STATE OF CALIFORNIA) County of Kern )ss. JULIE DRIMAKIS, being duly sworn, deposes and says: That she is the duly appointed, acting and qualified City Clerk of the City of Bakersfield; and that on the 15th day of April 2024 she posted on the Bulletin Board at City Hall, a full, true and correct copy of the following: Ordinance No. 5153, passed by the Bakersfield City Council at a meeting held on the 27th day of March 2024 and entitled: ORDINANCE AMENDING AND REPEALING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF TITLE 17, CHAPTER 17.08 OF THE BAKERSFIELD MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO ZONING. JULIE DRIMAKIS, MMC City Clerk and Ex Officio of the Council of the City of Bakersfield y UT lv-N�TIY City Clerk S 1DOC UM E NT\FO RM S\AOP.ORD. wpd o� 0 F KF9`S-c� ORIGINAL