RUMXZ Code_final3.3.4 RIVERFRONT URBAN MIXED-USE ZONING (UMXZ)
A. Purpose
The Riverfront Urban Mixed-Use Zoning (RUMXZ) District is established to meet the following
seven primary objectives in the areas of New Hanover County fronting the Cape Fear River or
Cape Fear River Northeast extension in the proximity of the City of Wilmington and those intended
for urban or community scale mixed use development:
• Enhance and preserve environmentally sensitive areas along the river; to encourage the efficient
mixed use development pattern envisioned in the Comprehensive Plan fronting the Cape Fear or
Cape Fear Northeast Extension. The zone shall require that all river frontage be of a “living
shoreline” as defined by the USACE, exception will only be allowed when approved for portage for
a “river taxi/ferry” service.
• Protect public access to the river through the creation of quality public spaces.
• Preserve cultural and natural resources.
• Ensure quality design and a variety of built forms that result in a pedestrian scale that allows
vistas to the east, City of Wilmington, and west from developed pedestrian walkways, bicycle
paths, and Riverwalk. The zone must provide as a compelling skyline.
• Promote and enhance transit options, particularly pedestrian and water-oriented
transportation options.
• Provide an opportunity for intensive development consistent with the urban form;
• Encourage a mix of uses that fosters a sense of community and create a
destination for residents and visitors alike.
The district regulations include design elements intended to enhance the urban form, increase
neighborhood safety, through the adaptation ncpc recommendations, and add flexibility for small lot
development. Integrated mix of uses on development sites and within individual buildings is
encouraged along the riverfront of the Cape Fear and Cape Fear Northeast Extension Rivers.
RUMXZ zoning is intended to promote mixed-use developments on sites large enough to create a
mix of uses in the current Industrial Zoned areas along the Riverfront of the Cape Fear and Cape
Fear Northeast Rivers in accordance with the NHC Future Use Master Plan. Typically, these
developments will include creative development and redevelopment solutions.
B. Concepts
C. Use Standards
Allowed uses and use-specific standards for principal, accessory, and temporary uses are established
in Article 4, Uses and Use Specific Standards. All RUMXZ projects shall include a mix of both
residential and nonresidential uses.
D. District Dimensional Standards
Standard All Uses
Minimum district size (acres)
Maximum district size(acres)
5
10
Setbacks
Minimum distance from single family
residential zoning districts
35 feet for buildings ≤ 35 feet in height
45 feet for buildings > 35 feet in height
1 Maximum distance from any street
(feet) 10*
Maximum height along arterial streets 240 feet by-right
Maximum height along residential &
collector streets 240 feet
Maximum height along arterial &
collector streets 240 feet
Maximum Hospitality dwelling density
(dwelling units/acre) 50
Minimum multi-family residential
density (dwelling units/acre) 50
Maximum vertically integrated mixed-
use building density (dwelling/
hospitality units/acre)
100
*Front setbacks are not required along alleyways; TRC may waive strict adherence to requirement
where an existing easement or significant natural feature exists.
New Diagrams to be added here.
E. Reference to Other Standards
1. Utility and Equipment Screening
a. HVAC equipment, air conditioning window units, and other electrical
equipment, and fire escapes shall not be located on facades with
street frontage. All such equipment shall be placed in the interior
yards or inset into the roof pitch, or behind a parapet wall in the case
of a flat roof, of the building and screened from the right-of-way.
b. Utility meters, transformers, and fixed trash disposal receptacles that
cannot be located out of sign shall be screened from the public right-
of-way by plantings or opaque fencing.
c. The TRC may approve alterations to these standards in cases where
they cannot be met due to design consideration of the structure and
the intent of visual minimization of the feature is otherwise addressed.
2. Site Lighting
All site lighting shall be located, angled, shielded, and/or limited in
intensity to cast no direct light upon adjacent properties, shall minimize
off-site backlighting glare, and up-lighting. Light posts shall be no taller
than 20 feet. The TRC may approve alterations to these standards in
cases where they cannot be met due to design consideration.
3. Parking and Driveway Requirements
a. Parking shall be provided in accordance with the requirements of
Section 5.1: Parking and Loading, though shared parking may be
allowed upon submittal of a parking study showing how parking as
provided will be sufficient for permitted uses.
b. Surface parking shall be located to the side, rear or below buildings or
in the interior of a block and shall be prohibited in front of buildings.
Surface parking shall not be located along rights-of-way, except for
alleys. The TRC may approve alterations to this standard in cases
where locating parking to the side or rear is limited by existing site
features, such as trees, or when this requirement is not consistent
with the existing frontage pattern along the roadway.
c. Surface parking lots visible from the public right-of-way shall be
screened by permanent walks, shrubbery, or hedges at least 3 feet in
height. If hedges or shrubbery are used, they shall be at 3 feet in
height at the time of planting and shall be maintained at 3-5 feet in
height at all times.
d. Parking shall be accessed via alleyways wherever possible.
e. The design of all above-grade parking structures shall relate to the
context of the area. Exterior walls of parking structures shall be
designed with materials, colors, and architectural articulation in a
manner that provides a visual compatibility with adjacent buildings
and environment. All above-grade parking structures shall be
screened by shrubbery or hedges at 4’ to 6’ in height.
f. Pervious pavement materials, vegetated bio-infiltration parking lot
islands, or infiltration systems shall be used to minimize pollutant run-
off from surface parking areas to the extent that soil permeability,
depth to groundwater, or site constraints allow.
4. Multi-Modal Transportation Opportunities
a. Pedestrian circulation shall be clearly defined with paving, materials,
and/or landscaping and shall connect all uses. Sidewalks and
crosswalks shall be provided within new developments as necessary.
b. Bicycle and/or pedestrian connectivity to adjacent development or
existing or funded bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
c. Where no sidewalks currently exist, sidewalks shall be installed within
the right-of-way between the property line and the back of the curb.
Sidewalk width shall be a minimum of 6 feet along arterial streets and
5 feet along residential/collector streets and may be reduced on
internal private streets with TRC approval when context design
constraints dictate or when project intensity and/or density indicate
that 6 feet sidewalks will be sufficient to accommodate pedestrian
traffic.
d. Sidewalks may be limited to a single side of rights-of-way or private
streets or sidewalk width may be reduced when right-of-way or private
street abuts streams, ponds, or wetlands or when contextual design
constraints dictate, as determined by the TRC.
e. An internal grid street pattern is required. Block faces within the grid
pattern shall not exceed 400 feet in length. The grid pattern may be
supplemented with alleys. The TRC may waive strict adherence to
the grid pattern when sites are constrained by topography, including
wetlands, ponds, or other natural features, and where connections to
arterial streets and connections and relationships to adjacent sites
require flexibility.
f. A River Walk shall run in length a minimum of 90% of the river edge.
The specific deign and route shall be developed in conjunction with
the TRC, CAMA and USACE. The Riverwalk may combine raised and
site surface areas to provide a tasteful unique overall design impact.
River observation platforms shall be integrated throughout the walk as
available but at a minimum a river platform shall be included at the
start and end of each unconnected section of the Riverwalk.
Wherever possible Riverwalk’s of independent properties shall be
connected to provide s contiguous overall design concept.
5. Street Trees
Street tree plantings in below-grade planters or planting strips shall be
included at the rate of one tree per 30 feet of frontage in all private rights-
of-way and in public rights-of-way upon approval by NCDOT. The TRC
may waive strict adherence to this requirement if an alley is utilized along
all or portions of the street frontage.
6. Buffers and Streetyards
All development within the RUMXZ district may be exempted from
required buffers and streetyard requirements, as approved by the TRC
when contextual design constraints dictate or when other design and/or
landscaping features of the development serve to meet the needs of
buffering and/or streetyard requirements. A minimum buffer of at least 20
feet in width is required adjacent to single-family residential zoning
districts.
7. Trash Containment Screening
a. Trash containment areas shall be located within a building where
possible.
b. If trash containment, including areas for holding recycling, cannot be
accommodated within a building, it shall be placed on the rear or side
of the building and shall be completely enclosed and screened from
view of public rights-of-way with an opaque fence or wall and/or plant
materials, as approved by the TRC. The enclosure shall be at least
one foot taller than the highest point of the trash receptacle. Chain
link and exposed concrete blocks are prohibited.
8. Fences and Walls
Open wire fencing, including chain link, hurricane fencing, and barbed
wire, is prohibited. No Fencing shall be permitted in front yards, all other
fence heights may not exceed 4 feet.
9. Building Design
It is the intent that a commonality of exterior design for all sites within the
scope of the RUMXZ and its adjacent lands be complementary in design
philosophy to develop a unified vista or skyline.
a. Primary building entrances should be clearly distinctive from other
entrances. Primary building entrances shall be oriented toward
sidewalks along primary street frontages.
b. Large expanses of flat, unadorned walls are prohibited. Façades shall
incorporate architectural details, particularly at the pedestrian level.
Building façades along rights-of-way shall incorporate periodic
transitions across the façade. Building façades exceeding 30 feet in
width along rights-of-way shall be divided into distinct areas utilizing
methods including, but not limited to, façade offsets, pilasters,
changes in materials, or fenestration.
c. New buildings shall front onto sidewalks to reinforce pedestrian
activity along streets and pedestrian ways. Exterior burglar bars, fixed
“riot shutters,” or similar security devices shall not be visible from the
public right-of-way.
d. Exterior building materials for all new nonresidential or multifamily
structures shall be of quality finish materials. Structural metal panels
or unparged or non-architectural, non-decorative concrete block shall
be prohibited on façades visible from the public right-of-way. Finish
materials shall include: Smooth exterior reflective energy rated glass
rain screen systems: complementary metal cross braces or mullions,
all non-porous products shall be energy rated. All exterior finish
material must communicate the design philosophy of energy efficiency
in a clean and modern compliment to the basic main building design.
All fit and finish is to be compatible with energy star design standards.
Colors are allowed but limited to those which compliment the basic
main building skins.
F. Reference to Other Standards
Article 2: Measurements and Definitions Section 5.8 Open Space Requirements
Section 5.1 Parking and Loading Section 5.9 Fire Hydrants
Section 5.2 Traffic, Access, and Connectivity Section 5.10 Airport Height Restriction
Section 5.3 Tree Retention Article 6: Subdivision Design and Improvement
Section 5.4 Landscaping and Buffering Article 7: Stormwater Management
Section 5.5 Exterior Lighting Article 8: Erosion and Sedimentation Control
Section 5.6 Signs Article 9: Flood Damage Prevention
Section 5.7 Conservation Resources Article 11: Nonconforming Situations