HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022 Maintenance Amendment -Clarifications Summary Packet Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Maintenance Amendment –
Clarifications
Code Sections Affected
Section 3.1.3,
Superseding
Dimensional
Standards
Section 3.3.3,
Planned
Development (PD)
District
Section 3.3.4,
Urban Mixed Use
Zoning (UMXZ)
Section 3.9.6,
Office and
Institutional (O&I)
District
Section 3.9.9,
Airport Commerce
(AC) District
Section 4.2.3,
Residential Uses
Article 5.3.4,
Tree Retention
Standards
Table 5.6.2.J.4.a,
Freestanding Sign
Standards
Section 10.3.11,
Variance – Zoning
and Subdivision
Key Intent
Clarify existing ordinance standards and requirements so ordinance users
understand the provisions the same way
Changes
• Include the freestanding sign standards for the Office & Institutional (O&I)
district in the same place and format as the provisions for other zoning
districts. (See Section 3.9.6, Office and Institutional (O&I) District and
Table 5.6.2.J.4.a: Freestanding Sign Standards)
• Clarify the applicability of specimen tree standards on existing residential
lots. While generally exempt from tree retention standards, dimensional
waivers to allow specimen trees to be retained still apply. (See Section
5.3.4, Tree Retention Standards)
• Add language specifying that zoning district height maximums are not
intended to apply to utility structures, such as power poles and water
towers. (See Section 3.1.3, Superseding Dimensional Standards)
• Outline provisions for Senior Living: Independent Living Retirement
Communities requiring developments comply with the standards required
for the type of dwelling unit included, e.g., multi-family standards apply for
multi-family independent living projects, single family standards apply for
single family independent living projects. (See Section 4.2.3, Residential
Uses)
• Specify that development standards are eligible for variances regardless of
where they are located within the ordinance. (See Section 10.3.11,
Variance – Zoning and Subdivision)
• Clarify that buildings may be taller than 35 ft. in the Airport Commerce Zone
if allowed in the Airport Height Restrictions Standards and approved by the
Federal Aviation Agency (FAA). (See Section 3.9.9, Airport Commerce
(AC) District)
• Add language to make it clear that the minimum acreage required for
Planned Development and Urban Mixed Use Zoning Districts must be
contiguous. (See Section 3.3.3, Planned Development (PD) District and
Section 3.3.4, Urban Mixed Use Zoning (UMXZ))
• Refine building separation requirements for performance residential
projects to clarify that attached dwelling units, such as townhomes and
duplexes, have the standards as for single family dwellings. (See Section
3.1.3, Superseding Dimensional Standards and Section 3.3.3.,
Planned Development (PD) District)
Provisions updated per September 1, 2022 Planning Board public hearing recommendations are shown
in bold blue text or crossed out red, italics.
2022-09 - Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Maintenance Amendment – Planning Board Public
Hearing Draft – Clarifications
Article 3: Zoning Districts
Section 3.1. General
3.1.3. SUPERSEDING DIMENSIONAL STANDARDS
Dimensional standards for each zoning district are in tabular format in this article. Notes within
each table provide additional details where necessary, and rules for measuring dimensional
standards are in Section 2.1: Measurements. The dimensional standards in this article apply
generally, but may be superseded by other standards in this Ordinance, including but not limited
to the standards identified in this section.
A. Use-Specific Standards
Superseding dimensional standards are set forth for some uses in Article 4: Uses
and Use-Specific Standards.
B. Structural Appurtenances or Utility Structures
The height limitations contained in the table of dimensional standards for each
zoning district do not apply to antennas, water tanks, ventilators, chimneys, or other
appurtenances, which are required to be placed above the roof level and not
intended for human occupancy, or utility structures such as utility poles and water
towers.
C. Additional Standards in Certain Districts When Adjacent to Residential
Properties
[11-16-2020][11-01-2021]
D. Performance Residential
Performance Residential Developments are not subject to the minimum lot size,
minimum lot width, and front, rear, and side setback requirements in the zoning
district where they are located. Performance Residential Developments shall comply
with the standards in this section and with all other applicable standards in this
Ordinance.
1. Setbacks and Spacing
Buildings on the periphery of a Performance Residential Development
shall setback a minimum of 20 feet from the adjoining property line.
Multi-family dwelling units shall be spaced a minimum of 20 feet from any
part of another dwelling unit. All other dwelling types shall be spaced a
minimum of 10 feet from each other. [11-16-2020]
2022-09 - Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Maintenance Amendment – Planning Board Public
Hearing Draft – Clarifications
Section 3.3. Mixed Use Zoning Districts
3.3.4. URBAN MIXED USE ZONING (UMXZ)
D. District Dimensional Standards [11-01-2021]
Standard All Uses
Minimum district size (acres) 5*
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
Maximum distance from any street (feet) 10**
Maximum single family residential density
(dwelling units/acre) 15
Maximum multi-family residential density
(dwelling units/acre) 25
Maximum vertically integrated mixed-use
building density (dwelling units/acre) 36
Building height, maximum Established in MPD Master Plan in accordance with
Section 3.3.3.A, MPD Master Plan
* 5 acres shall be contiguous or separated only by an easement, right of way, or street.
** Front setbacks are not required along alleyways; TRC may waive strict adherence to requirement where
an existing easement or significant natural feature exists.
2022-09 - Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Maintenance Amendment – Planning Board Public
Hearing Draft – Clarifications
3.3.7. PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (PD) DISTRICT [09-08-2020]
D. District Dimensional and Density Standards [09-08-2020][11-01-2021]
Standard Residential Uses Commercial Uses Industrial Uses
Minimum district size, under common ownership or joint petition: 10 acres *
Building setback from PD District
boundary (feet) 20 CB Setback
Requirements
I-1 Setback
Requirements
Building setback from pedestrian
and bicycle paths (feet) 10
Front setback (feet)
Established in MPD Master Plan in accordance with Section
3.3.3.A, MPD Master Plan
Side setback, street (feet)
Side setback, interior (feet)
Rear setback (feet)
Density, maximum (du/acre) **
Intensity, maximum Established in MPD Master Plan in accordance with Section
3.3.3.A, MPD Master Plan
Building height, maximum Established in MPD Master Plan in accordance with Section
3.3.3.A, MPD Master Plan
* 10 acres shall be contiguous or separated only by an easement, right of way, or street.
** Maximum density in Urban Mixed-Use areas identified on the New Hanover County Future Land Use
Map shall be established in the MPD Master Plan. Maximum Density in areas outside of the Urban
Mixed-Use areas shall also be established in the MPD Master Plan but shall not exceed 17 dwelling
units per acre.
E. Other District Standards
4. Building Separations Standards
a. The project shall be designed so as to avoid encroachment into the
path of any proposed transportation project included in the Wilmington
MPO’s Metropolitan Transportation Plan.
b. Multi-family dwelling units shall be spaced a minimum of 20 feet from
any part of another dwelling unit. All other dwelling types shall be
spaced a minimum of 10 feet from each other. [11-16-2020]
2022-09 - Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Maintenance Amendment – Planning Board Public
Hearing Draft – Clarifications
Section 3.4. Commercial and Industrial Districts
3.4.6. OFFICE AND INSTITUTIONAL (O&I) DISTRICT
E. Other District Standards
1. Signs.
i. Properties located adjacent to minor or major arterials as identified on the most recent
officially adopted WMPO Functional Classification Map shall be limited to total signage of 75
square feet in surface area. [05-03-2021]
ii. One sign of an advertising nature depicting the name or nature of a product, service, or
business located on that premises shall be permitted on any property in the O&I District.
Such signs shall be limited to 12 square feet in surface area and shall not exceed the height
of the principal structure on the premises. Such signs, if illuminated, shall be indirectly
illuminated with the source of light concealed from the view of any public street or residential
lot.
iii Signs or a directional nature shall be permitted; however, each such sign shall not exceed 2
square feet in surface area (one side) with no lighting and shall be limited to 7 feet in height.
2. Lighting. The source of any outdoor lighting in an O&I district shall be concealed so as not to be
visible from any public street or any residential lot.
3.4.9. AIRPORT COMMERCE (AC) DISTRICT
D. District Dimensional Standards
Standard All Uses
Lot area, minimum (square feet) 43,560*
1 Lot width, minimum (feet) 150
2 Front setback (feet) 50
3 Side setback, street (feet) 50
Side setback, interior **
Rear setback **
Building height, maximum (feet) 35***
Additional height allowance, maximum (feet) 50***
* Any property subdivided and recorded prior to June 1, 1981 may be less than the minimum lot area, provided
such lots are located outside of an approach zone for Wilmington International Airport. Any such property located
within an airport approach zone may be approved pursuant to a Special Use Permit issued in accordance with
10.3.5: Special Use Permit.
** Determined in accordance with Section 3.1.3.C, Additional Standards in Certain Districts.
*** Unless otherwise specified in Section 5.10, Airport Height Restrictions. Any proposed height above 35 ft will
require FAA approval that a 7460 be filed with the FAA and an FAA determination of “no hazard.”
2022-09 - Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Maintenance Amendment – Planning Board Public
Hearing Draft – Clarifications
Article 4: Uses and Use-Specific Standards
Section 4.3. Standard for Specific Principal Uses
4.3.2. RESIDENTIAL USES
A. Household Living
12. Senior Living: Independent Living Retirement Community
Any independent living retirement community shall comply with the dwelling
type standards applicable for the development or unit type. For example, if
a multi-family structure is included in the development, the dwelling must
comply with multi-family dwelling unit standards.
2022-09 - Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Maintenance Amendment – Planning Board Public
Hearing Draft – Clarifications
Article 5: General Development Standards
Section 5.3. Tree Retention
5.3.4. TREE RETENTION STANDARDS
B. The Planning Director may permit or require a reduction in required street yards,
landscape islands, foundation plantings, setbacks, or other dimensional, parking, or
landscaping standards for the purpose of retaining significant or specimen trees,.
including on single family lots otherwise exempt from these standards.
Section 5.6. Signs
5.6.2. GENERAL PROVISIONS
J. Signs Which Require a Permit
4. Principal Use Signs
a. Freestanding Signs
Table 5.6.2.J.4.a: Freestanding Sign Standards
Zoning
District
Number
of Lanes
Street
Frontage
(Feet) [1]
Front
Setback
(Min./Max.)
(Feet) [2][3]
Maximum
Primary
Sign
Height
(Feet)
Maximum
Aux. Sign
Height
(Feet)
Maximum
Primary
Sign Area
(Square
Feet)
Maximum
Auxiliary
Sign Area
(Square
Feet)
O&I
2 N/A 10/20 20 10 12 25
4 >100 10/20 20 N/A 75* N/A
B-1, PD,
CB [09-08-
2020]
2 N/A 10 / 20 20 10 50 25
4 < 100 10 / 20 20 N/A 50 N/A
> 100 10 / 20 20 12 65 32
B-2, CS, I-
1, I-2, AC,
SC [09-08-
2020]
2 < 100 10 / 20 20 N/A 65 N/A
> 100 10 / 25 20 18 100 50
4
< 100 10 / 25 20 N/A 100 N/A
> 100 10 / 30 25 20 150 75
> 300 10 / 30 30 20 175 90
NOTES:
[1] Number of lanes refers to the ultimate number of lanes based upon existing roadway conditions or upon construction plans
approved as part of the current NC DOT Transportation Improvement Program.
[2] Notwithstanding the minimum and maximum front setback requirements indicated above, primary freestanding signs which
do not exceed six feet in height and are less than 76 percent of the maximum sign area established above, may be located
within five feet of the front property line and shall have no maximum front setback.
[3] Front Setback refers to the setback from the front or corner side property lines.
2022-09 - Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Maintenance Amendment – Planning Board Public
Hearing Draft – Clarifications
1. Primary. One primary freestanding sign per premises, in
accordance with Table 5.6.2.J.4.a: Freestanding Sign Standards.
* Signs area for properties located adjacent to minor or major arterials as identified on the officially adopted WMPO Functional
Classification Map. Otherwise, the maximum area for 2-lane roadways shall apply.
2022-09 - Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Maintenance Amendment – Planning Board Public
Hearing Draft – Clarifications
Article 10. Administrative Procedures
Section 10.1. Advisory and Decision-Making Bodies
10.3.11. VARIANCE – ZONING AND SUBDIVISION
A. Purpose
The purpose of a variance is to allow certain deviations from specified standards of
this Ordinance when the landowner demonstrates that, owing to special conditions
beyond the landowner’s control (such as exceptional topographical conditions,
narrowness, shallowness, or the shape of a specific parcel of land), a literal
application of the standards would result in undue and unique hardship to the
landowner and the deviation would not be contrary to the public interest.
B. Applicability
1. The variance procedure in this section may be used to vary any of the
following standards:
a. General development standards and Sstandards for maximum height,
maximum lot coverage, setbacks, minimum lot area, and minimum lot
width for each zoning district in Article 3: Zoning Districts;
b. Article 5: General Development Standards; and
c. Article 6: Subdivision Design and Improvement.