06-18-2001 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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O' Additional Staff Comments re: #01-2676 Baynind B-4 Proposal Questioof/Answers Q. Historically, vhy were churches allowed in all of our residential /ones but not in any commercial? A. We don't know for sure; the zoning may Iuinc reflected what existed at the time; the first Orono zoning code reference to "churches" as a use appears in the 1%7 cinle. which makes churches a CUP in residential zones and not allowed in ctmimercial or industrial. Q. Wljere do other cities allow churches? A. The two t> pical scenarios are; 1. In Sinji'e l amily Residential districts as a conditional use. such as occurs in Orono; 2. In an Institutional District tlut would include churches, schin^ls. museutns. libraries, clinics, nursing homes, rest homes, and municipal facilities such as administrative ofTices. essential ser\ ices such as public works police and fire, and parks'plas grounds, etc.; .According to Consulting Planner John Shardlow. churches are not commonly allowed .as a peniiitted or conditional use in commercial zones. Some cities do allow churches in neighborhood-oriented business districts, or even in light industrial districts, given the propensitN for some churches to become extremelv massive operations...in other words, it's all over the board... Compare contrast the standards for a church use in "R" districts as. if allowed m tlte B-4. .mpu/ed to the standards A. A church in the"R" districts is inherently subject to the same standards as a residence; the onlv special CUP standards in elTect are listed as follows: "Churches including those related structures located on the same site which arc an integral part of the church proper, convents or homes for persons related to a religious function on the same site provided no building other than a residence shall be located within 50 feet of any lot line of an abutting lot in an R District". The B-4 standards relate primarily to the intent and location of the B-4 district: "...intended to provide a district which is related to and may adjoin residential districts or other business districts for the location of administrative otTicc buildings and related ofllces. The office uses allowed in this di.strict are those in which there is limited contact with the public and no exterior display or selling of merch.indise to the general public...". The B-4 standards provide for screening from adjacent residential uses, as well as slightly greater setbacks where adjacent to residential properties (example; 35 ’ rather than 30 ’ to rear lot line), and standards for exterior wall finishes