Data Centers

The city's zoning code defines data centers and outlines where they are permitted along with use-specific standards. The zoning code allows data centers in light and general industrial districts and the mixed-use education district, given they obtain a use permit and meet use-specific standards (§3-429.A). Data centers must be located at least 500 feet from a residential property line, generators must be enclosed to mitigate noise, an economic impact study must be conducted and reviewed, and any data center that is defined as extreme-water use must submit a water use plan (§3-429).

Rethinking Off-Street Parking Requirements

The city’s zoning and development code includes multiple types of policy-driven off-street parking requirements. It exempts the first 5,000 ft² of commercial uses in downtown districts from minimum off-street parking requirements (§4-607). It establishes maximum parking requirements for all uses (§4-603.C). And it authorizes parking reductions for shared parking facilities (§4-604).

Solar Energy

In the city's zoning and development code, the Transportation Overlay District development standards require buildings to submit a solar study identifying shade patterns throughout the day if building exceeds height of adjacent building or is adjacent to any building in a residential district, hotel, or mixed-use development with photovoltaic equipment (Tables 5-610A; 5-611A; 5-611B). Site design standards protect adjacent residential facades from shading (§5-612.I.2).

Food Systems | Urban Agriculture

The city’s zoning and development code addresses urban agriculture. It permits community gardens in the agricultural district and with a use permit in all other residential districts and commercial, mixed use, and industrial districts (§3-427). The code lists additional approval criteria for gardens, and provides operation requirements that address structure setbacks and locations, equipment storage, equipment use, signage, fencing, and outdoor retailing of products produced on-site.

The fee for a community garden/animal permit is $69 (Appendix H).

The code defines community garden (§7-104).