§ 21.45.380. Hospitals and nursing facilities, large residential care facilities, adult care facilities with nine or more persons.

A.

Intent. The standards in this section shall apply to health care facilities and related institutions, large residential care facilities, and adult care facilities where the facility serves, or is designed or proposed to serve, nine or more persons.

B.

Traffic access. The site shall provide for direct access from a street constructed to urban standards.

C.

Minimum lot size.

1.

Minimum lot size for a hospital or psychiatric institution. Unless otherwise authorized by the planning and zoning commission, the minimum lot size for a hospital or psychiatric institution shall be as follows:

a.

Six to ten beds: One-half acre (21,780 square feet).

b.

11 to 20 beds: One acre (43,560 square feet).

c.

For each additional ten beds or fraction thereof: One-half acre.

2.

Minimum lot size for nursing home, convalescent center, rest home, rehabilitation center or sanitarium. Unless otherwise authorized by the planning and zoning commission, the minimum lot size for a nursing home, convalescent center, rest home, rehabilitation center or sanitarium shall be as follows:

a.

Six to ten beds: 15,000 square feet.

b.

11 or more beds: 20,000 square feet.

3.

Minimum lot size for adult care facility or large residential care facility:

a.

17 or more persons in care at any give time: 20,000 square feet.

D.

Maximum lot coverage. The maximum lot coverage by all structures shall be in accordance with the zoning district in which the institution is established. However, regardless of the maximum underlying lot coverage, a minimum of 15 percent of the lot shall remain as a planted open area, landscaped area, natural vegetation area or useable yard, to exclude buildings, driveways, parking areas, sidewalks, etc., unless the Planning Director determines that retention of less than 15 percent of the lot as open area, etc., allows for sufficient buffering of adjacent uses.

E.

Maximum height of structures. The maximum height of structures shall be the same as permitted in the district in which the site is located.

F.

Yard requirements. The minimum yard requirements shall be those permitted in the district in which the site is located or as otherwise authorized by the planning and zoning commission so long as a use within a nonresidential district adjacent to a residential use or district shall provide a 15-foot yard between the two, planted with buffer landscaping as described in section 21.45.125, or as prescribed in section 21.45.200.

G.

Illumination. Illumination shall be provided in the manner prescribed in section 21.45.080W.4.e. Fixtures and lighting levels shall avoid trespass light, skyglow, or glare. Lighting fixtures with a mounting height greater than 15 feet shall incorporate full cut-off fixtures as defined by the Illumination Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), with flat lens fixtures. Exterior building lighting shall be designed and located to direct the light toward the ground.

H.

Landscaping. Landscaping shall be provided as follows:

1.

All areas not occupied by buildings, structures, storage yards, drives, walks, off-street parking installations, or other authorized installations shall be planted with visual enhancement landscaping, as described in section 21.45.125;

2.

Buffer landscaping, as described in section 21.45.125C.2., shall be planted along the length of each lot line which abuts a lot within a residential district;

3.

Arterial landscaping, as described in section 21.45.125C.4., shall be planted along the length of each lot line which abuts a collector or arterial street, as designated in the official streets and highways plan; and

4.

The property owner shall maintain all landscaping in good condition.

I.

Screening or buffering. The planning and zoning commission may require:

1.

Screening or buffering landscaping as described in section 21.45.125C.2. or C.3. along the length of a lot line.

2.

A bond for the installation of landscaping at the time of implementation of the Commission approval. This landscape bond, payable to the Municipality of Anchorage, shall be in the amount of a 120 percent itemized cost estimate prepared by a professional landscape architect of the planting material, topsoil, plus labor for installation. Further, the bond shall remain in effect for a two-year growing period to assure survivability of all trees and shrubs and replacement of dead or stunted landscape materials.

J.

Loading areas. Loading and unloading areas shall be provided on the site in accordance with section 21.45.090. Ambulance and delivery areas shall be screened from adjacent residential areas by a buffer landscaping, or a fence no less than six feet high.

K.

Drainage facilities. A site drainage plan and storm drainage facilities shall be constructed in accordance with the requirements of section 21.45.230.

L.

Refuse collection. Refuse containers and facilities shall be provided within the primary structure or within a freestanding enclosure on the site. Refuse containers and facilities located outside the primary structure must be enclosed by a fence on three sides in the manner provided by section 21.45.080W.4. Enclosures shall be durably constructed and use architectural design and screening materials to be consistent with the primary structure(s) on the property. The placement of refuse storage areas in the front yard setback is prohibited.

M.

Parking. Parking shall be provided on the lot in accordance with the requirements of section 21.45.080.

N.

Snow management. Snow storage space adjacent to surface parking lots and pathways must be identified on the site plan. To facilitate snow removal, in residential districts snow storage areas equal to at least 15 percent of the total area of the site used for parking, access drives, walkways and other surfaces that need to be kept clear of snow, shall be designated on the site plan. Such areas designated for snow storage shall be landscaped only with grasses and flowers and shall have flat or concave ground surface with positive drainage away from structures and pavements. Storage of snow is not allowed in front setbacks for sites where adult care is being provided in structures other than a single-family dwelling or duplex structures. Storage of snow may be allowed in 50 percent of the side and rear setbacks, if trees and other vegetation designated for preservation will not be damaged. If snow is to be hauled off-site, it shall be to an approved snow storage site, and temporary snow storage areas shall be shown on the site plan.

O.

Pedestrian circulation. Paved walkways for residents must be provided from parking areas, and from abutting public street and trail frontages, to individual units or to common building entries.

P.

This section shall not apply to any use continuing as a lawful conditional use at the time of adoption of this section.

Q.

The use shall meet the requirements of title 23 for construction and life safety issues.

(AO No. 2005-124(S-1A), § 31, 4-18-06)