Chapter 20.20
DT DOWNTOWN DISTRICT
Sections:
20.20.030 Similar or related uses.
20.20.050 Lot, yard, and open space requirements.
20.20.010 Intent.
The downtown designation is to provide for commercial structures that are compatible with a traditional pedestrian-oriented scale and contain residences as secondary uses. This district is intended to foster relatively dense, urban development which will support pedestrian and transit use and contribute to a thriving core area of Shelton. It is further intended to promote development in this district in such a manner as to provide for the safety and convenience of residents, shoppers, and visitors. (Ord. 1462-1296 § 2 (part), 1996)
20.20.020 Permitted uses.
Permitted uses in the DT district are as listed in the land use matrix, Section 20.06.030 of this title, and as follows:
A. Gas stations (retail sale of gasoline and related convenience items only, no service available), subject to site plan review and design requirements of Section 20.64.060 of this title, within two hundred seventy feet of a commercial industrial or industrial (CI or I) zone.
B. Residential uses on the second and/or third floors of a commercial building; provided, that commercial uses shall occupy the ground floor or floors below and separate from the residential uses in order to preserve a residential atmosphere for upper floors.
C. Drive-thru restaurants, subject to site plan review and design requirements of Section 20.64.060 of this title, and within two hundred seventy feet of a commercial industrial or industrial (CI or I) zone. (Ord. 1462-1296 § 2 (part), 1996)
20.20.025 Accessory uses.
A. Light manufacture of consumer goods that is incidental to an on-premises retail use, provided that:
1. There shall be no unusual fire, explosion or safety hazards;
2. Applicant shall demonstrate to the site plan review committee that there shall be no production of noise at any boundary of the property in excess of the average intensity of street noise at this point;
3. There shall be no emission of smoke in excess of any density prescribed by the air pollution control authority;
4. There shall be no emission of dust, dirt, or toxic or offensive gases or fumes;
5. There shall be no production of heat, glare or vibration perceptible from any property line of the premises upon which such heat, glare or vibration is being generated.
B. Storage, processing, or use of hazardous substances incidental to a permitted use in compliance with applicable city and state regulations.
C. Hazardous waste treatment and storage facilities incidental to a permitted use in compliance with applicable city and state regulations. (Ord. 1462-1296 § 2 (part), 1996)
20.20.030 Similar or related uses.
Similar or related uses permitted and the criteria for determination of similarity or relatedness are as follows:
A. Uses similar to, or related to, those listed in Section 20.20.020A are permitted upon a finding of the site plan review committee that a particular unlisted use does not conflict with the intent of this chapter or the policies of the comprehensive plan.
B. The criteria for such finding of similarity shall include but not be limited to the following:
1. The proposed use is appropriate in this zone given the emphasis on pedestrian orientation and mass transit;
2. The design requirements for permitted uses can be met by the proposed use;
3. The proposed use will be compatible with and complementary to adjacent uses and uses within the corridor in general;
4. The public need is served by the proposed use. (Ord. 1462-1296 § 2 (part), 1996)
20.20.040 Conditional uses.
Conditional uses as listed in the land use matrix require a conditional use permit as provided in Chapter 20.44 of this title, and are subject to applicable conditions as found in that chapter. (Ord. 1462-1296 § 2 (part), 1996)
20.20.050 Lot, yard, and open space requirements.
A. Minimum lot size: none required.
B. Front yard: minimum, zero feet; maximum, ten feet, unless property adjoins (shares a common property line with) a more restrictive district, when setbacks shall be the same as required of that more restrictive district.
C. Rear and side yard: none, unless property adjoins (shares a common property line with) a more restrictive district, when setbacks shall be the same as required of that more restrictive district.
D. Lot width: none required. (Ord. 1462-1296 § 2 (part), 1996)
20.20.060 Building height.
Building height requirements shall be as provided in Table 20.06.030(A). (Ord. 2021-0824 § 9, 2024; Ord. 1593-0503 § 1, 2003: Ord. 1462-1296 § 2 (part), 1996)
20.20.070 Design review.
All uses in this designation shall comply with the applicable subsections of Section 20.64.080 of this title, design standards. (Ord. 1462-1296 § 2 (part), 1996)
20.20.080 Sign requirements.
Signs shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with Chapter 20.38 of this title. (Ord. 1462-1296 § 2 (part), 1996)
20.20.090 Parking.
Parking shall be exempted from the requirements of Chapter 20.40 of this title, except for the following:
A. Re-use or Conversion of an Existing Structure. No additional parking shall be required for the use of existing structures, excepting that:
1. Existing parking shall be brought into compliance with the grading, paving, painting, and drainage requirements of Chapter 20.40 of this title.
B. Parking Lot Design. All new parking areas shall comply with the following conditions. In the case of conversion or re-use of an existing structure, existing parking shall be brought into compliance with the following conditions to the extent possible:
1. Location. All on-site parking shall be located to the side or the rear of the buildings primary facade or entrance;
2. Parking Abutting Sidewalk. Where parking abuts the sidewalk, it shall be screened in the form of landscaping, or a low, wide wall or planter that separates the parking use from the pedestrian use and provides continuity to the building wall;
3. Landscaping. In addition to subsections (B)(1) and (2) of this section, the landscaping requirements of Chapter 20.40 of this title shall apply for lots with eleven or more spaces. (Ord. 1462-1296 § 2 (part), 1996)