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1.1 <br />PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT <br />[DRAFT] <br />REFERENCE: ZONING ORDINANCE <br />Article 5.1.2 Schedule for Non - residential Development <br />ORIGIN OF AMENDMENT: Staff Planning Board <br />BOCC _ _ Public <br />X Other: County Manager <br />EXPECTED PUBLIC HEARING DATE: February 23, 1998 <br />Purpose of Amendment: To increase the maximum floor area ratio allowed in residential zoning <br />districts for existing non - residential uses such as schools, government buildings, and places of <br />worship. <br />ImpacMssues: Institutional uses such as schools, government buildings, and places of worship <br />are permitted in all residential zoning districts with site plan approval by the <br />Planning Department. Traditionally, such uses are located in or near residential <br />areas. <br />The architectural form that houses an institutional use historically has been <br />massive, not only because of its function, but as a symbolic focal point for the <br />local community. In many cultures worldwide, institutional structures typically <br />serve as local landmarks due to their prominent size, accessible location, and <br />use. <br />Schools and churches often have one or more accessory structures such as a <br />gymnasium and other recreational buildings, fellowship hall, or administrative/ <br />educational building. The result is sometimes a campus or complex of buildings <br />united by a similar purpose. The volume of buildings is usually balanced by <br />open space on the lot in the form of playgrounds, courtyards, athletic fields, or <br />cemeteries. <br />In Article 5 of the Zoning Ordinance, dimensional requirements are established <br />for each zoning district. Two sets of standards apply for each district to <br />residential and non - residential uses. The numbers and ratios set forth in Article 5 <br />establish site development criteria such as minimum lot size, building setbacks, <br />lot width, maximum floor area, and building height. <br />Because of larger land requirements, institutional uses frequently have difficulty <br />locating where they are needed, or expanding to meet growing community <br />demands. In 1989 the Zoning Ordinance was amended to increase the floor <br />area allowed for non - residential uses in residential districts (RB, AR, R -1, and <br />