Chapter 12 — Commercial and Office Districts, Article 5 — HEAVY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT (HC)

These districts are intended to provide areas for the operation of heavy commercial uses such as contractor’s establishments, open storage yards, and pre-fabricated metal shop and pole buildings. These districts are not suitable for location adjacent to single family residential subdivisions unless extensively buffered, screened, and separated from residential neighborhoods. Heavy commercial uses are generally not compatible with retail shopping and service uses, because they are not frequented by the traveling public but instead cater to a limited clientele. HC districts do not create pedestrian friendly environments. These areas do not necessarily require highway frontage but have access to major roads either directly or through other commercially zoned properties. Due to their infrequent or low volume use, heavy equipment storage and use areas are not necessary required to be paved with asphalt or concrete but must be appropriately surfaced with at least gravel and drained. Uses that require frequent visitations should provide for paved parking areas. Equipment and storage yards are typically required to be secured with chain link fencing, including barbed wire top strands. Lighting of yards is required for security purposes but not at a level needed for nighttime human activity. Activity is dormant outside of regular business hours, except for occasional starting, exiting, and entering of service vehicles and trucks.