Chapter 3 - Land Use
GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
ISSUE TWO: USES, DENSITY, AND CHARACTER



GENERAL COMMERCIAL AREAS

Definition
The land use definition "General Commercial" applies to a diversity of retail sales and services, office, and auto-oriented uses comparable to those currently allowed in the "C2" zone (including residential). They are located outside of districts, centers, and mixed-use boulevards and occur at the intersections of major and secondary streets, or as low rise, low-density linear "strip" development along major and secondary streets.

GOAL 3H
Lower-intensity highway-oriented and local commercial nodes that accommodate commercial needs outside centers and districts.

Objective 3.12

Generally, maintain the uses, density, and character of existing low-intensity commercial districts whose functions serve surrounding neighborhoods and/or are precluded from intensification due to their physical characteristics.

Policies
Uses and Density
3.12.1

Accommodate the development of uses in areas designated as "General Commercial" in the community plans in accordance with Tables 3-1 and 3-7. The range and densities/intensities of uses permitted in any area shall be identified in the community plans. (P1, P19)

Table 3-7

Land Use Designation

Corresponding Zones

General Commercial

C2, [Q]C2

Typical shopping center

3.12.2

Consider adjusting permitted densities of areas designated for General Commercial, where existing buildings are developed at densities substantially below the maximum permitted by amendments to the community plans, where appropriate, based on consideration of the following:

a. Where commercial parcels of less than 150 feet in depth abut areas designated for single-family residential;

b. Where the total area and/or configuration of the commercial parcel precludes the development of adequate on-site parking, unless adjacent to a transit station or code-required parking is provided in a common parking facility in proximity to the site;

c. Where site driveways may adversely impact traffic flows along principal streets or in adjacent residential neighborhoods; and/or

d. Where there are local community objectives for the preservation of the prevailing scale and character of development. (P1, P18)

3.12.3 Permit the re-construction of existing commercial structures destroyed by fire, earthquakes, flooding, or other natural catastrophes to their pre-existing intensity. (P18)

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