03-12-12 Regular Meeting of La Porte City Council

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Group Care Facilities Zoning Ordinance Amendment Page 5of 11 Sec. 106-334. Special use performance standards; residential. (j)Group care facilities that provide food and shelter to 3 or fewer persons (aka community homes, residential personal care homes, living centers, assisted living centers and similar uses as identified in SIC Industry Group #836 (Residential Care), Industry #8361. 1.Location: Facilitiesshall be permitted as a use-by-right in R-1 Low Density Residential, R-2 Mid Density Residential, R-3 High Density Residential, MH Manufactured Housing and LL Large Lot Districts. 2.Distance Requirement: Group care facilities shall not be closer than 1,000 feet to a similar use (SIC Industry Group #836). Measurement shall be from the nearest boundary of the sites on which they are located. 3.Signage:Group care facilities located within a residential neighborhood shall be allowed to have one (1) sign not exceeding two (2) square feet in area, non-illuminated and mounted flat against the wall of the principal building. 4.Visual Compatibility: Thereshall be no change in the outside appearance of the building or premises. No structural alterations shall be permitted that will cause the group care facility to be substantially distinguishable from other surrounding residential properties. 5.Registration Requirement: Facilities providing food and shelter to three (3) or fewerpersons, who are unrelated to the proprietor of the dwelling and/or establishment, shall comply with all city regulations and register their facility with the City annually by obtaining a Group Care Facility Certificate. The certificatecost shall be at the rate st established in Appendix A, fees, of this Code, shall expire on December 31of each year. th Such fee shall be payable to the City on or before December 15for the next succeeding calendar year. The fee provided for in this article shall not be subject to proration or reduction for payment for a period of less than twelve (12) calendar months. Operation of a facility without first having obtained the required certificate shall be deemed a violation this article. 6.Payment of Taxes: All ad valorem taxes on any and all property, personal or real, necessary to the operation of the facility must be paid prior to the issuance or renewal of the certificate. 7.Display of Registration Certificate. Every facility so registered shall display an active registration certificate in a conspicuous place, within the facility common area, so as to be easily seen by the public. 8.Access to the Facility: City personnel shall haveright-of-entry to ensure safe habitability and public safety. City personnel shall advise on-site facility personnel of the purpose of their visit. 9.Annual Inspection:The Fire Marshal’s Office shall perform a minimum of one (1) annual inspection for each group care facility.Facilities shall comply with all applicable city codes, ordinances, policies and regulations.