City of Mendota, IL Article IV Conservation-Recreation District

§ 340-21 Purpose.

The regulations of the Conservation-Recreation District are designed to regulate the use of land, buildings and structures within the areas of the City where soil and topographic conditions, excessive high water tables, and other natural and physical characteristics are best adapted to conservation purposes, recreation-oriented uses, and for the preservation of public open space. The CR District is established to conserve the natural and scenic areas of the City; to protect the rivers, streams and woodlands; and to encourage the efficient use and orderly development of these lands.

§ 340-22 Use and bulk regulations.

A. Permitted uses. The following uses are permitted in the Conservation-Recreation District:

(1) Agriculture, on a lot not less than 20 acres in area.

(2) Cemeteries, including crematories and mausoleums, provided that no buildings shall be located less than 350 feet from a lot line.

(3) Churches, temples, synagogues and their associated clerical residences.

(4) Clubs, lodges, and fraternities.

(5) Conservation: soil and water conservation, nature and wildlife preserves, fishing, and the preservation of scenic and historic areas.

(6) Dog kennels, provided no buildings or structures are located less than 100 feet from a lot line.

(7) Golf courses, regulation size, but not including "par 3" golf courses, commercially operated driving ranges or miniature golf courses; and provided that no clubhouse or accessory building shall be located less than 200 feet from a lot line.

(8) Greenhouses, wholesale or retail.

(9) Home occupations.

(10) Hospitals, on a lot not less than 10 acres in area.

(11) Lakes (artificial).

(12) Milk depots.

(13) Parks, forest preserves, and recreational areas, when publicly owned and operated.

(14) Private recreational areas or camps, when not operated for profit.

(15) Railroad rights-of-way.

(16) Rest homes, nursing homes, sanitariums, and institutions for children and the aged.

(17) Riding academies, provided that buildings for shelter of horses are located not less than 200 feet from a lot line.

(18) Schools, public or private, day or nursery, elementary, junior high and high.

(19) Seminaries, convents, monasteries, and similar religious institutions.

(20) Single-family detached dwellings on a lot not less than five acres in area and 350 feet in width.

(21) Temporary buildings for construction purposes for a period not to exceed such construction and when located on the same lot where such construction is being undertaken or a contiguous lot thereto.

(22) Accessory uses: uses, buildings, and structures accessory to agricultural uses.

(a) Those customarily accessory to the pursuit of agriculture, provided that buildings and structures for the shelter of farm animals are set back no less than 100 feet from a property line.

(b) Roadside stands for the sale of farm products grown and raised on the farmer's land, but not including live animals, and provided that such stand shall contain not more than 600 square feet of floor area. The stand, and items on sale, shall not be located nearer than 50 feet to a street or highway right-of-way line, except a temporary roadside stand may be within 10 feet of a street or highway right-of-way line, provided the stand shall be at such location only during the selling period. There shall be provided with each roadside stand facilities approved by the Building Inspector for vehicular ingress and egress and adequate off-street parking facilities for customers.

B. Conditional uses. The following conditional uses are permitted in the Conservation-Recreation District:[1]

(1) Airports, public or private, in conformance with Federal Aviation Administration standards.

(2) Animal feed, storage, preparation, grinding, and mixing, and fertilizer and seed sales, including bulk storage and mixing, provided no building or structures are located nearer than 1,320 feet (80 rods) to an existing dwelling or a residence district boundary line.

(3) Camping, when operated for profit, on a lot not less than 10 acres in area.

(4) Community centers and fairgrounds for such uses as agricultural fairs, exhibits conducted by rural and agricultural organizations and other public or semipublic voluntary organizations, provided that no commercial race tracks shall be erected or operated. The operation of all uses shall conform with performance standards set forth herein in the M Manufacturing District. The setback areas bordering the property lines shall be landscaped and so maintained as permanent open areas but may contain driveways, walks, fences, and buildings or structures at entrances for admission controls.

(5) Colleges, junior colleges, and universities, including fraternity and sorority houses, dormitories, and other accessory structures and facilities necessary to the operation of a college or university, on a lot not less than 10 acres in area and provided no buildings, structures, or use of land, including off-street parking and loading spaces, shall be located nearer than 100 feet to a lot line.

(6) General uses. Each of the conditional uses hereunder shall be on a lot which is located not nearer than 500 feet to a residence district boundary line. On such lots, no building, structure, or use of land, including off-street parking and loading spaces, but not including growing of farm crops, floriculture, or horticulture, shall be located nearer than 100 feet to a lot line except as hereinafter set forth for excavations.

(a) Landfills, public or private, including sanitary landfills and dry waste dumps. Application for a conditional use permit shall also include an agreement between the City and the operator of the landfill, in the form approved by the City Attorney, binding the operator and his or their successors to comply with scope and method of operation in accordance with standards and specifications set forth therein. A bond, other security or guarantee in the form approved by the City Attorney and as required by the City Council shall be filed with the City in the amount established by the City Council to cover the estimated cost of improvements to the landfill area upon completion of filling operations. The above-mentioned bond shall not apply to a public body.

(b) Mining, loading and hauling of coal, clay, sand, gravel, topsoil or other aggregate or minerals, and oil or gas well drilling, including equipment, buildings, or structures for screening, crushing, mixing, washing, or storage, provided that:

[1] No excavation shall take place within 40 feet of any property line fronting upon a public road or a greater distance if required by Illinois Statute.

[2] The entire property is fenced in by a statutory fence.

[3] A plan of development for the reclamation of the land is provided as part of the application for a conditional use permit.

[4] Buildings, structures, equipment and operations for processing on the premises of material secured by such uses shall be allowed only when authorized by the City Council for a specified period of time, and provided the operations shall conform with performance standards set forth in the M Manufacturing District measured at the lot line.[2]

[2] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

(7) Grain storage when not accessory to the pursuit of agriculture.

(8) Heliports, public or private, on a lot not less than one acre in area.

(9) Marinas, including boat storage and incidental service facilities and clubhouses or recreation buildings, on a lot not less than one acre in area.

(10) Outdoor recreational areas, public or private, used for one or more of the following uses: equestrian sports, horse shows and hunter trials; dog shows and field trials; hunt clubs and gun clubs; conservation clubs; archery ranges; fishing ponds; swimming clubs and tennis clubs; picnic and camping grounds; and accessory buildings, structures or uses such as off-street parking and loading spaces, administration, maintenance and clubhouse buildings, including sale of food and beverages, provided that such accessory buildings and uses are located not less than 200 feet from a lot line.

(11) Resorts, privately owned and operated, containing dwelling units and lodging rooms for guests and employees of the resort; indoor recreation facilities for use only by guests of the resort and when located in the principal building or a detached recreation building or clubhouse; and outdoor recreation facilities, on a lot not less than 20 acres in area and provided no buildings or structures are located less than 200 feet from a lot line.

(12) Public service uses, on a lot having an area of not less than that which is recommended by the Planning Commission and approved by the City Council:

(a) Filtration plant, pumping station, well, and water reservoir.

(b) Sewage treatment plant.

(c) Police and fire stations.

(d) Other governmental uses.

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

C. Lot area: not less than five acres, except as otherwise regulated herein for a specific permitted or conditional use.

D. Lot width: not less than 330 feet (20 rods) except as otherwise regulated herein for a specific permitted or conditional use.

E. Floor area ratio: not to exceed 0.1.

F. Yards. Except as may be herein otherwise required, yards shall be in accordance with the following regulations:

(1) Front yard: not less than 50 feet.

(2) Side yards: not less than 30 feet for an interior side yard and not less than 50 feet for a side yard adjoining a street.

(3) Rear yard: not less than 100 feet.[3]

[3] Editor's Note: Original Subsection 7, Signs, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I). See now § 340-17, Signs.