18.15.080 Downtown zones.
The following zones are established within the designated downtown area to protect the public health, safety and general welfare by implementing the goals and policies adopted in the City of Covington comprehensive plan. The zone intent statements define the specific purpose of each zone. They shall serve as a guide for determining the appropriate location of uses, help determine appropriate conditions for development within the downtown area, and help the Director interpret the standards and provisions of this chapter.
(1) Town center (TC) is the pedestrian-oriented core of downtown and allows the most intensive level of development. The emphasis of this zone is on mixed-use development that includes pedestrian-oriented retail, high density residential development, and civic uses. The development of a walkable street grid and a central public gathering space are key objectives of this zone. To meet goals for a pedestrian-oriented town center, limited large-format retail uses are permitted, and such uses are subject to a conditional use permit and additional design criteria provided in CMC 18.31.040.
(2) Mixed commercial (MC) is applied to the majority of the Covington downtown area. This zone encourages a mix of commercial and multi-story residential uses, public uses, and allows for large-format and auto-oriented retail, provided they meet pedestrian-oriented design standards that are more flexible than those applied to the town center. Achieving a high level of connectivity with new and improved streets and trails is a major goal in this zone.
(3) General commercial (GC) is applied to a limited area of the downtown and is intended to allow the widest range of uses, coupled with more limited design standards than other areas of downtown. Permitted uses include commercial and light industrial uses, offices, major transportation and utility facilities, and residential uses that are appropriately buffered to ensure compatibility. Development and design standards are less prescriptive and provide greater flexibility to accommodate the intended uses.
(4) Mixed housing/office (MHO) is applied to areas where infill development and redevelopment of low intensity areas with multifamily housing and office is encouraged. Residential uses that are encouraged in this zone include townhouses, cottages, and low-rise multifamily. Office development and limited intensity neighborhood retail is also permitted. Development and design standards applied to this zone require buffers, lower height limits and building scale that is appropriate to the size of the lot. Trail connections are also emphasized in this zone. (Ord. 08-21 § 4 (Exh. C); Ord. 10-10 § 3 (Exh. C); Ord. 42-02 § 2 (21A.04.100))