Chapter 18.68
LIVE/WORK UNITS
Sections:
18.68.030 Live/work development standards.
18.68.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to encourage the integration of residential and work uses (vertically and horizontally) and to establish flexibility in the strict zoning regulations as they apply. (Ord. 738 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2013).
18.68.020 Applicability.
The requirements of this chapter are applicable to all zones where live/work units are permitted (or conditionally permitted). (Ord. 738 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2013).
18.68.030 Live/work development standards.
A. Existing Structures.
1. A pre-existing structure that is converted to a live/work unit may deviate from the development standards included in this section through the administrative review (AR) process.
2. Deviations shall be the minimum needed and only permitted when full implementation of the development standard is not feasible, as determined by the planning director.
B. Ground-Floor Street Frontage.
1. Retail, service, restaurant, office, and/or cottage industry are required on ground-floor primary building frontage, with residential on upper levels or behind the frontage use.
2. The work space directly adjacent to the sidewalk/street shall contain an active use and not be used exclusively for storage or warehousing.
3. The work space on the ground floor should be oriented toward the street to allow pedestrian exposure and direct access to the work space.
4. The work space on the ground floor should have a minimum of fifty percent transparency, measured along the length of the primary building frontage. Transparency refers to an open view into the building, such as a window.
C. Access. Live/work buildings shall have one of two methods of primary pedestrian access:
1. The main entrance to the ground-floor work space shall be accessed directly from and face the street, and the residential occupancy area shall be accessed by a separate entrance and internal stairs that are also accessed from and face the street. There may also be a small shared lobby that provides separate access to the work space and residential areas.
2. Access to the residential area may be taken through the work space that is accessed directly from and faces the street.
D. Parking and Services.
1. Parking and services shall be located to the rear of the property or internal to the block and access shall be provided through alleys or driveways.
2. Services, aboveground equipment, and trash container areas shall be located on the alley, or to the rear of the building accessed by a driveway.
E. Open Space.
1. Front yards are defined by the front yard setback and frontage type requirements of the applicable zoning district.
2. One usable at-grade, outdoor space shall be provided behind the live/work building at no less than fifteen percent of the lot area.
F. Landscape.
1. Landscape should not obscure sightlines to the ground-floor work space. (Ord. 738 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2013).