§ 9.3.5. Design Requirements in Designated Areas.  


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  • a.

    The provisions regarding design standards of the applicable underlying zoning district shall apply to all development within the boundary of the Overlay District; however, if regulations conflict, the applicable Overlay District regulations shall prevail.

    b.

    The following general standards shall apply to all redevelopment areas within the Overlay District:

    (1)

    Requests for rezoning of property within the South Rome Overlay District shall be accompanied by a site plan showing the development proposed for the site. The site plan shall meet the requirements of Article 2.2.2, and include elevations for all primary structures.

    (2)

    In addition to site plans and building plans that meet the requirements of Article 2.8.2, building permit applications shall include elevations for all primary structures. Permits for renovation, repair, or remodeling where the cost of the work does not exceed 50 percent of the structural value, as determined by the Chief Building Official, shall be exempt from this requirement.

    The determination by the Chief Building Official as to whether or not the total cost of renovations is at least 50 percent of the structural value may be appealed to the Board of Appeals and Adjustments.

    For commercial, industrial, and multi-family residential developments a Uniform Sign Plan that meets the requirements of Article 5.4.3 shall also be submitted.

    (3)

    Infill on vacant lots shall be compatible in use, scale, height, exterior material, roof pitch, landscaping, orientation, setbacks, and design with existing development of a similar use on surrounding lots within 100 feet or on the same or opposite block.

    (4)

    Existing structures within the Overlay District should be preserved and adaptively reused. Demolition shall be undertaken only in response to health and safety issues as determined by the Building Official, or if specific redevelopment projects have special merit in terms of providing benefit to the community.

    (5)

    Sidewalks shall be placed along all street frontages when development occurs. Sidewalks that meet the requirements of this code; the standards for streetscaping, as defined in the South Rome Redevelopment Master Plan; and the designs, patterns, and materials used on adjacent and opposite properties are required on all streets adjacent to new non-residential and multi-family residential construction or renovation of non-residential and multi-family residential property in which the total cost of renovations are at least 50 percent of the total property value.

    (6)

    Unless otherwise specified, streets and sidewalks shall be constructed in conformance with the standards listed in Article 6.6 and 6.7.

    (7)

    Parking requirements shall be those associated with the underlying zoning district and use. However, requests for Special Exceptions to reduce the parking requirements for commercial and mixed use developments shall be considered favorably if adequate and feasible alternatives are proposed, such as available on-street or public parking, centralized shared parking, pedestrian/bike accessibility, and/or location on transit routes. The number of off-street parking spaces shall not exceed the minimum requirement by more than five percent unless the spaces will be shared. Shared parking arrangements shall be approved by the Building Official.

    All parking for Multi-family and non-residential development shall meet the standards for required parking found in Article 6 of this Code, including but not limited to surfacing, landscaping, and dimensions. These regulations shall apply to new parking areas, redeveloped parking areas, and to any enlargement of parking areas by ten percent or more. The enlargement of any existing parking area by ten percent or more shall require that existing and new parking areas conform to the standards for required parking found in Article 6. Multi-level parking structures are exempt from the interior planting requirements.

    (8)

    New construction, demolition, and renovation (in which the total cost of renovations are at least 50 percent of the structural value, as determined by the Chief Building Official) require review and approval by a panel consisting of the South Rome Redevelopment Agency Director or their designee, plus at least three of the following staff members; Director of Planning, Historic Preservation Planner, Director of Community Development, or the Chief Building Official; or their designee as required.

    The determination by the Chief Building Official as to whether or not the total cost of renovations is at least 50 percent of the structural value may be appealed to the Board of Appeals and Adjustments.

    The Chief Building Official shall notify the panel when a complete application for a permit has been submitted. The applicant may, at their request or at the request of the Chief Building Official, meet with the panel to discuss the project.

    Failure of the panel to approve or deny an application within 14 days of submittal of a completed application shall constitute approval.

    c.

    Variations in development standards (from the standards listed in this Code for each zoning district) are shown in Table 9-2.

    TABLE 9-2
    VARIATIONS IN DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

    UNDERLYING
    ZONING
    DISTRICT
    DEVELOPMENT STANDARD VARIATIONS
    H-TR, L-TR Front setback requirements of this code for residential structures shall not apply to any lot where the front setbacks on already built-upon lots within 100' of such lot or on the same or opposite block, within the same zoning district, and developed with similar uses, is less than the required setback. In such a case, the setback shall match the setback established by such already built-upon lots, or the average setback established by such already built-upon lots; provided that the minimum front setback shall be 10'.
    Attached garages and carports shall be located no closer to the right-of-way line of any street than the principal structure on the property.
    New residential structures shall be constructed with front doors and usable, covered porches that are oriented toward the street.
    Subdivisions - newly created lots shall match the average lot width provided by adjacent lots, or blocks of lots, with similar uses, provided that the minimum lot width shall be 50'.
    Minor subdivisions (four or fewer lots) for attached or detached single family residential units that meet the size, width, and frontage requirements of this Code; and that are adequately served by existing streets, water and sewer shall not be required to provide curb and gutter on adjacent streets.
    New streets shall follow a linear or curvilinear grid pattern to ensure interconnectivity and walkability. New streets shall align with existing, adjacent streets. Street segments ending in culs-de-sac shall serve no more than eight building lots.
    S-R Front setback requirements of this Code for residential structures shall not apply to any lot where the front setbacks on already built-upon lots within 100' of such lot or on the same or opposite block, within the same zoning district, and developed with similar uses, is less than the required setback. In such a case, the setback shall match the setback established by such already built-upon lots, or the average setback established by such already built-upon lots; provided that the minimum front setback shall be 10'.
    Minor subdivisions (four or fewer lots) for attached or detached single family residential units that meet the size, width, and frontage requirements of this Code; and that are adequately served by existing streets, water and sewer shall not be required to provide curb and gutter on adjacent streets.
    New streets shall follow a linear or curvilinear grid pattern to ensure interconnectivity and walkability. New streets shall align with existing, adjacent streets. Street segments ending in culs-de-sac shall serve no more than eight building lots.
    D-R Front setback requirements of this code for residential structures shall not apply to any lot where the front setbacks on already built-upon lots within 100' of such lot or on the same or opposite block, within the same zoning district, and developed with similar uses, is less than the required setback. In such a case, the setback shall match the setback established by such already built-upon lots, or the average setback established by such already built-upon lots; provided that the minimum front setback shall be 10'.
    New residential structures shall be constructed with front doors and usable, covered porches that are oriented toward the street.
    Attached garages and carports shall be located no closer to the right-of-way line of any street than the principal structure on the property.
    Subdivisions - newly created lots shall match the average lot width provided by adjacent lots, or blocks of lots, with similar uses, provided that the minimum lot width shall be 50'.
    Minor subdivisions (four or fewer lots) for attached or detached single family residential units that meet the size, width, and frontage requirements of this Code; and that are adequately served by existing streets, water and sewer shall not be required to provide curb and gutter on adjacent streets.
    New streets shall follow a linear or curvilinear grid pattern to ensure interconnectivity and walkability. New streets shall align with existing, adjacent streets. Street segments ending in culs-de-sac shall serve no more than eight building lots.
    M-R Each dwelling unit shall be provided with safe and convenient access to public sidewalks.
    Where trails are adjacent multi-family residential development sites, each dwelling unit shall be provided with safe and convenient access to them.
    Dwelling units shall be constructed with usable porches or balconies. Multifamily residential projects shall utilize creative designs that make multi-family residential development compatible with surrounding single-family structures.
    Multi-family residential development projects shall be designed and constructed in such a way that owner occupancy is possible (townhouses, attached single-family units, duplexes on individual lots, condominiums) whenever it is feasible to do so.
    All security lighting shall be designed to cast light downward. Light posts on private property shall not exceed 20′ in height. Light poles and fixtures shall be compatible with the architecture of buildings on the property, and with the streetscaping elements on adjacent property.
    N-O-C Safe and convenient pedestrian access to front entrances shall be provided across parking lots and driving lanes.
    Where trails are adjacent, safe and convenient pedestrian access to main entrances shall be provided across parking lots and driving lanes.
    All security lighting shall be designed to cast light downward. Light posts on private property shall not exceed 20′ in height. Light poles and fixtures shall be compatible with the architecture of buildings on the property, and with the streetscaping elements on adjacent property.
    Front setback requirements of this code for residential structures shall not apply to any lot where the front setbacks on already built-upon lots within 100′ of such lot or on the same or opposite block, within the same zoning district, and developed with similar uses, is less than the required setback. In such a case, the setback shall match the setback established by such already built-upon lots, or the average setback established by such already built-upon lots; provided that the minimum front setback shall be 10′.
    New residential structures shall be constructed with front doors and usable, covered porches that are oriented toward the street.
    Attached garages and carports shall be located no closer to the right-of-way line of any street than the principal structure on the property.
    Subdivisions—Newly created lots shall match the average lot width provided by adjacent lots, or adjacent blocks of lots, with similar uses, provided that the minimum lot width shall be 50′.
    New streets shall follow a linear or curvilinear grid pattern to ensure interconnectivity and walkability. New streets shall align with existing, adjacent streets. Street segments ending in culs-de-sac shall serve no more than eight building lots.
    Minor subdivisions (four or fewer lots) for attached or detached single family residential units that meet the size, width, and frontage requirements of this Code; and that are adequately served by existing streets, water and sewer shall not be required to provide curb and gutter on adjacent streets.
    O-I Safe and convenient pedestrian access to front entrances shall be provided across parking lots and driving lanes.
    Where trails are adjacent, safe and convenient pedestrian access to main entrances shall be provided across parking lots and driving lanes.
    Front building setbacks shall be 20′ and shall be landscaped to the standards required by Article 6 of this Code. Along South Broad Street, East Main Street, East 12th Street, and Blacks Bluff Road a six-foot front building setback may be provided if the setback area is streetscaped to meet the requirements of this code; the standards for streetscaping, as defined in the South Rome Redevelopment Master Plan; and the designs, patterns, and materials used on adjacent and opposite properties.
    No parking lots or areas shall be located closer to the right-of-way line of any street than the primary structure.
    All security lighting shall be designed to cast light downward. Light posts on private property shall not exceed 20′ in height. Light poles and fixtures shall be compatible with the architecture of buildings on the property, and with the streetscaping elements on adjacent property.
    New streets shall follow a linear or curvilinear grid pattern to ensure interconnectivity and walkability. New streets shall align with existing, adjacent streets. Street segments ending in culs-de-sac shall serve no more than eight building lots.
    C-C Front building setbacks shall be 20′ and shall be landscaped to the standards required by Article 6 of this Code. Along South Broad Street, East Main Street, East 12th Street, and Blacks Bluff Road a six-foot front building setback may be provided if the setback area is streetscaped to meet the requirements of this code; the standards for streetscaping, as defined in the South Rome Redevelopment Master Plan; and the designs, patterns, and materials used on adjacent and opposite properties.
    No parking lots or areas shall be located closer to the right-of-way line of any street than the primary structure.
    Safe and convenient pedestrian access to main entrances shall be provided across parking lots and driving lanes.
    Where trails are adjacent, safe and convenient pedestrian access to main entrances shall be provided across parking lots and driving lanes.
    All security lighting shall be designed to cast light downward. Light posts on private property shall not exceed 20′ in height. Light poles and fixtures shall be compatible with the architecture of buildings on the property, and with the streetscaping elements on adjacent property.
    New streets shall follow a linear or curvilinear grid pattern to ensure interconnectivity and walkability. New streets shall align with existing, adjacent streets. Street segments ending in culs-de-sac shall serve no more than eight building lots.
    L-I All security lighting shall be designed to cast light downward. Light posts on private property shall not exceed 20′ in height.
    H-I All security lighting shall be designed to cast light downward. Light posts on private property shall not exceed 20′ in height.

     

    d.

    Variations in sign regulations (from the standards listed in this code for each zoning district) are shown in Table 9-3.

    TABLE 9-3
    PERMITTED SIGNS-BY ZONING DISTRICT OR SPECIAL USE

    Principal Freestanding Sign — One Use or Two or More Uses on Property

    S-R, LT-R, HT-R M-R, D-R N-O-C O-I, C-C L-I, H-I
    Max. Number 1 per lot 1 per lot 1 per lot 1 per 200' of street frontage, max 3 1 per 200' of street frontage, max 3
    Maximum height 3 feet 4 feet 4 feet 20 feet 20 feet
    Maximum width 4 feet 5 feet 5 feet 8 feet 8 feet
    Maximum face area 12 sf 20 sf 20 sf 80 sf 80 sf
    Max. structure area 12 sf 20 sf 20 sf 120 sf 120 sf
    Illumination None Indirect Only Indirect Only OK OK

     

    NOTE: Height of sign means, in the case of freestanding signs, the distance in vertical feet measured from the level of an adjacent street centerline to the highest point of the sign structure. The sign measured at its base shall not extend over 40 ft. in height above the centerline of any adjacent road.

    Building Sign: Wall Signs and Awning, Canopy, Projecting, Incidental, Roof and Window Signs, etc.

    S-R, LT-R, HT-R M-R, D-R N-O-C O-I, C-C L-I, H-I
    Total sign face area of all signs per wall 1 square foot 2 square feet 6 square feet 2 sf for each lineal foot of wall length 1 sf for each lineal foot of wall length
    Maximum sign face area of largest sign per wall 1 square foot 2 square feet 6 square feet 2 sf for each lineal foot of wall length 1 sf for each lineal foot of wall length
    Projecting Sign Not Allowed Not Allowed 6 sf 12 sf Not Allowed
    Hanging Sign Not Allowed Not Allowed 6 sf 6 sf Not Allowed
    Illumination Indirect Only Indirect Only Indirect Only OK - awning signs shall not be backlighted OK

     

    Note: Street frontage is defined in this Code as being a street "from which access may be directly gained."