§ 17.37.010. Purpose.

The purpose of the Mixed Commercial Overlay Zone is to allow for a concentration of uses that, through a campus setting, offer a wider range of services and result in a higher quality development. The overlay zone is intended to provide alternative zoning regulations that permit and encourage design flexibility through the implementation of smart growth practices to promote redevelopment, infill, and functional innovation in mixed commercial developments that involve multiple associated structures and larger areas of land than lot by lot development. Such development needs to be both transit and pedestrian oriented and easily enhance and blend into the character of the surrounding neighborhood. It is intended that a Mixed Commercial Overlay (MCO) will result in a higher quality development than traditional lot-by-lot development. Such projects will use urban design components relative to walkability, access to transit, public amenities, and a variety of services and building types with attractive cohesive landscaping in a manner consonant with the public health, safety and welfare. Specific development components are required to be through a pre-approved site design.

MCOs smart growth practices provide for infill development that complements surrounding neighborhoods without following a standard system of public streets and lot design and provides opportunities for commercial neighborhood developments not usually permitted in standard commercial zones.

An MCO may combine a number of land use decisions such as conditional use permits, rezones, or subdivision into a single project review process to encourage a timely and coordinated public review process. The consolidation of permit review does not exempt an applicant(s) from meeting the regulations and submitting the fees and applications required for the underlying permit process(es). Legislative actions such as street vacations will require a separate process.

(Ord. 3508 § 1, 6/3/2014)