Certain uses are conditional uses instead of being allowed outright, although they may have beneficial effects and serve important public interests. They are subject to the conditional use regulations because they may, but not necessarily do, have significant adverse effects on the environment, overburden public services, change the desired character of an area, or create major nuisances. A review of these proposed uses is necessary due to the potential individual or cumulative impacts they may have on the surrounding area or neighborhood. The conditional use process provides an opportunity to allow the use when there are minimal impacts, to allow the use but impose conditions to address identified concerns, or to deny the use if the concerns cannot be resolved.

Uses identified in Sections 200 and 300 as requiring Conditional Use approvals may be permitted, enlarged or altered in accordance with the provisions of this Section. In addition, where a use is not authorized in any district or where ambiguity exists concerning the appropriate classification of a particular use or type of development within the intent of this Code, the use or type of development may be established by Conditional Use approval in accordance with this Section.