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M M DESCRIPTION & CONDITIONS John Schlitt, Jr., an agent for Ed Schlitt, is requesting to amend Section 25.1 (j), Regulations for Specific Land Uses, of the County's Zoning Ordinance to increase the allowable total gross floor area for department stores, furniture and appliance stores, showroom catalog stores, and variety stores, as general merchandise sales facilities, from 5,000 square feet to 40,000 square feet. Currently, the above cited general merchandise sales facilities are permitted in the CG, General Commercial District, with no size limitations and are allowed as an administrative permit use in the CL district. Administrative permit uses must be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission and approved if they meet the criteria contained in Section 25.1 of the zoning ordinance. One criterion applicable- to those above referenced general merchandise sales categories in CL districts is that the facilities not exceed 5,000 square feet. On December 11, 1986, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6 -to -0, with one abstention, to recommend approval of this request. ALTERNATIVES & ANALYSIS In reviewing this request, staff first determined the reason for allowing general merchandise sales facilities in the CG district but regulating the size of such facilities in the CL district. The purpose of the regulations appears to be to discourage general merchandise sales establishments from locating in the CL district. This is logical since the CL district is designed to provide a more limited range of commercial uses than the CG district. The purpose and intent sections of the CL and CG districts were then reviewed. The purpose and intent section of the CL district includes the following sentence: "The land use activities allowed within the CL district are intended to accommodate the convenience retail and service needs of area residents, while minimizing the impact of such activities on any nearby residential areas." The CG district contains different language in its purpose and intent section which indicates that: "The CG, General Commercial district is intended to provide areas for the development of general retail sales and selected service activities along major thoroughfares in the County consistent with the Comprehensive Plan." The definitions section of the zoning ordinance defines general retail sales and services as: "Commercial establishments that, in addition to serving day-to-day commercial needs of a community, also supply the more durable and permanent needs of a whole community, including convenience stores, supermarkets, department stores, discount stores, variety stores, hardware and garden supply stores, apparel and footwear stores, florists, gift shops, jewelry stores, book and stationary stores, specialty shops, sporting goods stores, furniture and home furnishing stores, office equipment and supplies, automotive supply stores, appliance stores and similar retail sales." 75 JAN 13 1z87 BOOK 6 6 F,;1,JE?` 3