Chapter 20.43
MED MEDICAL ZONE
Sections:
20.43.005 Description and purpose.
20.43.010 Permitted uses – MED zone.
20.43.015 Conditionally permitted uses – MED zone.
20.43.020 Property development standards – MED zone.
20.43.030 Design review standards.
20.43.045 Performance standards – MED zone.
20.43.000 MED zone.
The MED medical zone is hereby established. Properties so designated shall be subject to the provisions contained in this chapter. (Ord. 2765 § 1, 2003; Ord. 2745 § 2, 2003; Ord. 2147 Exh. A, 1987).
20.43.005 Description and purpose.
The MED zone is intended to apply to areas of the community desirable and suitable for the development of a regional medical center and associated uses. Such areas must be designated “medical facilities” in the Puyallup comprehensive plan. The MED zone is intended to facilitate the development of a regional medical center through a master plan approval process that defines the overall scope and nature of development to occur within the master plan area over a period of years. Other uses supportive of a regional medical center are also allowed within the MED zone, outside the boundaries of an approved master plan. (Ord. 2765 § 1, 2003; Ord. 2745 § 2, 2003; Ord. 2147 Exh. A, 1987).
20.43.010 Permitted uses – MED zone.
The MED zone requires the development and approval of a master plan pursuant to Chapter 20.88 PMC for any hospital or hospital-affiliated uses. Any master plan proposed within the MED zone must include a hospital as the primary use. Other uses as defined are allowed within the MED zone, but do not require master plan approval if located outside the boundaries of an approved master plan.
(1) The following uses are permitted only when included within an approved master plan:
(a) Hospitals and any addition to an existing hospital, including accessory uses such as facility support offices and buildings, off-street parking areas and structures, dining halls and food preparation facilities, gift shops, pharmacies, newsstands, and other similar uses typical and clearly incidental to the primary hospital use;
(b) Hospital-related facilities such as out-patient surgery centers, out-patient therapy/treatment centers, etc.;
(c) Heliport facilities;
(d) Public or private educational institutions;
(e) Any use conditionally permitted in the MED zone per PMC 20.43.015;
(f) Any other use determined to be related to the primary use at the time of master plan approval or amendment.
(2) The following uses are permitted either as part of an approved master plan or outright within the MED zone:
(a) Clinical laboratories providing medical testing and research services;
(b) Offices and clinics providing medical services to persons including, but not necessarily limited to, general practice, dentistry, psychiatry, counseling, radiology, and medical specialties;
(c) Pharmacies;
(d) Multiple-family dwellings, including apartments, condominiums, townhouses, retirement apartments, or other groups of dwellings;
(e) Adult family homes;
(f) Boardinghomes;
(g) Congregate living facilities, nursing homes;
(h) Day care centers;
(i) Medical hazardous waste treatment and storage facility, on-site;
(j) Accessory buildings and uses customarily incidental to a permitted use;
(k) Wireless communication facilities as a primary use, subject to the provisions of Chapter 20.59 PMC;
(l) Electric vehicle infrastructure subject to the provisions of Chapter 20.56 PMC;
(m) Transitional housing and permanent supportive housing, subject to the standards of Chapter 20.74 PMC;
(n) Scattered site emergency housing and scattered site emergency shelter units, subject to the standards of Chapter 20.72 PMC;
(o) Other uses related to a regional medical center, as determined by the community development director. (Ord. 3275 § 6, 2023; Ord. 2980 § 16, 2011; Ord. 2765 § 1, 2003; Ord. 2745 § 2, 2003; Ord. 2615 § 1, 1999; Ord. 2165 § 5, 1988; Ord. 2147 Exh. A, 1987).
20.43.015 Conditionally permitted uses – MED zone.
The following uses are conditionally permitted in the MED zone if not included as part of an approved master plan. A conditional use permit pursuant to Chapter 20.80 PMC, or administrative conditional use permit pursuant to Chapter 20.81 PMC, where specified, shall be required and in full force and effect in order to establish said uses unless otherwise authorized through an approved master plan:
(1) Churches;
(2) Residential care facilities;
(3) Residential treatment facilities;
(4) Restaurants (no drive-through facilities allowed);
(5) Hotel or motel;
(6) Professional offices and services (no drive-through facilities allowed);
(7) Florists;
(8) Public service uses;
(9) Wireless communication facilities as a conditional use, subject to the provisions of Chapter 20.59 PMC;
(10) Methadone clinics are conditionally permitted and are subject to all applicable standards of this title, as well as the following standards:
(a) The methadone clinic conditional use permit application shall be subject to the preapplication vicinity meeting requirement of PMC 20.26.009. In addition, a 1,000-foot radius shall be used for the conditional use permit public hearing mailed notice.
(b) A finding shall be made that any property containing a methadone clinic shall have adequate on-site lighting and clear visibility from public rights-of-way, including the absence of substantive sight-obscuring vegetation and related obstructions. A finding shall also be made that the proposed clinic structure has an adequate internal waiting area to accommodate expected patient levels without requiring exterior queuing.
(c) Any parcel containing a methadone clinic shall not directly abut nor be across the street from a residentially used or residentially zoned parcel nor be located within 1,000 feet of a parcel containing any of the following sensitive uses:
(i) Public or private school, including Pierce College;
(ii) Public park, including public trails;
(iii) Public library;
(iv) Licensed day care center or licensed preschool facility;
(v) Public or nonprofit community recreational facility;
(vi) Special needs senior housing facility (e.g., assisted living, rehabilitation center, retirement apartments);
(11) Other uses related to a regional medical center, as determined by the community development director;
(12) Congregate emergency shelters and congregate emergency housing, subject to the standards and criteria of Chapter 20.72 PMC. (Ord. 3275 § 7, 2023; Ord. 3118 § 3, 2016; Ord. 2765 § 1, 2003; Ord. 2745 § 2, 2003; Ord. 2615 § 1, 1999; Ord. 2147 Exh. A, 1987).
20.43.020 Property development standards – MED zone.
(1) The following table (Table 20.43.020-1) sets forth the required development standards applicable for properties located in the MED zone when not included within an approved master plan.
|
(a) |
Minimum lot width |
50 ft. |
|
(b) |
Minimum lot depth |
70 ft. |
|
(c) |
Minimum front yard setback |
See PMC 20.26.300(3) – site plan design principles |
|
(d) |
Minimum rear yard setback |
20 ft. |
|
(e) |
Minimum interior side yard setback |
5 ft. |
|
(f) |
Minimum landscaped setback along common boundary with any RS, RM or PDR zone |
15 ft. |
|
(g) |
Minimum street side yard setback |
See PMC 20.26.300(3) – site plan design principles |
|
(h) |
Maximum building height |
36 ft. |
|
(i) |
Maximum lot coverage |
50% |
|
|
For residential uses, the following additional standards shall apply: |
|
|
(j) |
Minimum lot area |
4,000 sq. ft. |
|
(k) |
Minimum distance between buildings |
10 ft. |
|
(l) |
Minimum landscaped percentage of site |
20% |
|
(m) |
Common open space |
30% |
|
(n) |
Private open space per ground floor unit |
100 sq. ft. |
|
|
Private open space per upper story dwelling unit |
10 ft. x 6 ft. |
(2) The following development standards shall apply to properties included within an approved master plan:
|
(a) |
Minimum lot area |
NA |
|
(b) |
Minimum setback from street rights-of-way |
None for streets on the interior of the master plan; 10 ft. for all others |
|
(c) |
Minimum setback from master plan boundary |
20 ft. if abutting an R zone; 10 ft. for all other zones; provided, that below-grade structures may project into a required yard if the entire yard area is landscaped |
|
(d) |
Maximum building height |
70 ft.; or no greater than 246 ft. elevation north of 15th Ave. SE and 230 ft. elevation south of 15th Ave. SE, whichever is less. Alternately, buildings may be constructed to a 165 ft. height level, subject to express authorization in an approved master plan. All rooftop equipment above the allowable building height shall be constructed in a manner consistent with standards established in an approved master plan. |
|
(e) |
Maximum lot coverage |
None; provided, that no more than 70% overall lot coverage is allowed within boundaries of the master plan (excluding public streets) |
|
(f) |
Minimum landscaped area per site |
None; provided, that 20% of the overall total area within the master plan shall be landscaped |
(3) Exceptions to Building Setback Requirements. Buildings, skybridges/skywalks or other structures may span a public street per an approved master plan, provided a minimum clearance of 14 feet is maintained. Above-grade structures associated with vehicular and/or pedestrian tunnels passing under public streets may be located within required setbacks, provided they do not exceed a height of 10 feet nor obstruct any clear-view triangle. (Ord. 3119 § 39, 2016; Ord. 2883 § 1, 2007; Ord. 2765 § 1, 2003; Ord. 2745 § 2, 2003).
20.43.025 Residential uses.
(1) Maximum Density for Residential Uses.
(a) For sites not included within an approved master plan, the base density shall be 18 dwelling units per acre without utilization of density bonus allowed through PMC 20.25.0235. With utilization of density bonus, the maximum density shall be 22 units per acre.
(b) For sites within an approved master plan, the maximum density shall be as defined in the master plan.
(2) Performance Standards for Residential Uses.
(a) For sites not included within an approved master plan, compliance with the performance and design standards contained within Chapters 20.25 and 20.26 PMC is required.
(b) For sites within an approved master plan, performance and design standards shall be as specified in the master plan.
(3) Residential Uses.
(a) Existing single-family residences and duplexes are subject to those development standards of the RS-04 zone district and may be expanded and/or maintained in accordance with those standards.
(b) New single-family residences, duplex or triplex units are not allowed within the MED zone. (Ord. 2765 § 1, 2003; Ord. 2745 § 2, 2003).
20.43.030 Design review standards.
(1) All development proposed within an approved master plan shall comply with the design standards specified within the master plan.
(2) For sites not included within an approved master plan, compliance with the standards contained within the following sections is required:
(a) Chapter 20.26 PMC, Design Review Standards and Procedures;
(b) Chapter 20.58 PMC, Landscaping Requirements. (Ord. 2765 § 1, 2003; Ord. 2745 § 2, 2003).
20.43.035 Required parking.
(1) Off-street parking shall be required as specified in the approved master plan. Sufficient parking shall be provided to minimize the potential of on-street parking both within and adjacent to the master plan area.
(2) For properties located outside of an approved master plan, parking shall be provided as specified in Chapter 20.55 PMC. (Ord. 2765 § 1, 2003; Ord. 2745 § 2, 2003).
20.43.040 Signs.
(1) Signs shall be allowed as specified in the approved master plan.
(2) For properties located outside of an approved master plan, signs shall be provided as specified in Chapter 20.60 PMC. (Ord. 2765 § 1, 2003; Ord. 2745 § 2, 2003; Ord. 2147 Exh. A, 1987. Formerly 20.43.035).
20.43.045 Performance standards – MED zone.
The following special requirements and performance standards shall apply to properties located in the MED zone:
(1) Exterior Mechanical Devices. Large mechanical equipment shall be screened from surrounding residentially zoned properties and public rights-of-way. Minor utility equipment, such as small generators, utility meters, air conditioners, or junction boxes, which are less than three and one-half feet in height, shall be exempt from screening requirements. Alternative methods for screening may include the use of building or parapet walls, sight-obscuring fencing and/or landscaping, equipment enclosures, consolidation and orientation of devices towards the center of the rooftop, and/or the use of neutral color surfaces.
(2) Required Landscaping. Whenever landscaping is required by this title and/or by conditions of approval of discretionary applications, such landscaping shall be designed, approved, installed and maintained in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 20.58 PMC and this title. Landscape plans shall also incorporate sufficient and compatible landscape treatment adjacent to all structures and within the interior and around the perimeter of all parking facilities, regardless of size. In no event shall such landscaped areas be used for storage of materials or parking of vehicles.
(3) Outdoor Lighting. Within 100 feet of any RS, RM and/or PDR zone, outdoor lighting and aerial-mounted floodlighting shall be shielded from above in such a manner that the bottom edge of the shield shall be below the light source. Said lighting shall also be shielded so that the direct illumination shall be confined to the property boundaries of the light source. Ground-mounted floodlighting or light projection above the horizontal plane is prohibited between midnight and sunrise. All outdoor lighting shall be directed away from surrounding residential zones and public rights-of-way.
(4) Fences and Walls. Except as regulated in subsection (5) of this section and PMC 20.58.005, fences and walls constructed in the MED zone shall not exceed a maximum height above adjacent grade as set forth in this subsection:
(a) Fences and walls located within a required front yard shall not exceed a height of three and one-half feet;
(b) Fences and walls located within a rear or interior side yard shall not exceed a total height of six feet;
(c) Fences and walls located within a required street side yard shall not exceed a total height of three and one-half feet; and
(d) Fences and walls constructed within the buildable area of a lot may be as high as the building existing within said area.
(5) MED-Zoned Properties Abutting Residential-Zoned Properties or Alleys. Whenever MED-zoned property abuts any RS, RM or PDR zone, the following shall be required:
(a) A landscape buffer pursuant to the provisions of PMC 20.26.500(1) and (2);
(b) A six-foot-high masonry wall or wood opaque fence established and maintained along the common property line that abuts said residential zone, except that fences and walls located within the required front or street side yard setback shall not exceed a height of three and one-half feet;
(c) When an alley separates an MED-zoned property from a residential-zoned property, creating a separation between the two zones, the zone transition standards defined in PMC 20.26.500 shall apply, except that the on-site buffer required under PMC 20.26.500(1) may be reduced to 12 feet.
(6) Sight Distance Requirements. At all street, alley and driveway intersections there shall be a triangular yard area within which no tree, sight-obscuring fence, shrub, wall or other visual obstruction shall be permitted higher than 30 inches above the adjacent grade of the street, alley or driveway. The triangular area shall be measured as follows:
(a) At any intersection of two street rights-of-way, two sides of the triangle shall extend 20 feet along both property lines abutting the street right-of-way, measured from their point of intersection;
(b) At any intersection of a driveway with a street or alley, the sides of the triangle shall extend 10 feet along the street or alley right-of-way and 15 feet along the edge of the driveway, measured from their point of intersection; and
(c) The provisions of this subsection shall be in addition to any other sight distance protection requirements of the city, and in the event of a conflict between requirements, the more restrictive shall apply.
(7) Trash and Recycling Receptacles. Trash and recycling receptacles shall be screened from adjacent properties and public rights-of-way by an opaque visual barrier no lower than the highest point of the receptacles.
(8) Building Height Exceptions. Chimneys and vents may exceed the maximum height requirement set forth in Table 20.28.030 in PMC 20.28.030.
(9) Any nonresidential structures constructed, or subject to major expansion and/or extensive remodeling, shall be subject to the design review standards outlined in PMC 20.26.300 and administered in accordance with the provisions set forth in Chapter 20.26 PMC. (Ord. 3119 § 40, 2016).