HomeMy WebLinkAboutUMXZ District Standards - 2019Section 54.4: Urban Mixed Use Zoning (UMXZ) District
(7/1/2019)
Intent: The UMXZ district is established to meet the following five primary objectives in the areas of New
Hanover County in proximity to the City of Wilmington and those intended for urban- or community -scale
mixed use development:
1. To encourage the efficient mixed use development pattern envisioned in the comprehensive plan;
2. To result in quality design and a variety of built forms of lasting value that result in a pedestrian
scale;
3. To provide a mix of housing options;
4. To promote and enhance transportation options, particularly those that are pedestrian -oriented,
while reducing demand for automobile trips; and
5. To encourage a mix of uses to foster a sense of community.
The district regulations include design elements intended to enhance the urban form, increase
neighborhood safety, and add flexibility for small lots. Integrated mix of uses on development sites and
within individual buildings is encouraged. UMXZ zoning is intended to promote mixed -use developments
on sites large enough to create a mix of uses within the existing suburban environment. Typically, these
developments will include creative development and redevelopment solutions.
Dimensional Requirements:
Size Requirements
Minimum District Size
5 acres
Setbacks
Minimum from single-family residential
35 ft. for buildings:5 35 ft. in height
zoning districts
45 ft. for buildings > 35 ft. in height
10 ft.
Maximum from any street
(front setbacks are not required along alleyways; TRC may
waive strict adherence to requirement where an existing
easement or significant natural feature exists)
Height (maximum)
Along arterial streets
4 stories or 45 ft. by -right
75 ft. with Additional Height Allowance special use permit
Along residential & collector streets
2 stories or 35 ft.
Along arterial & collector streets
5 stories or 55 ft. if structured parking is provided within
project
Density (maximum dwelling units/acre)
Single Family Residential
15
Multi -Family Residential
25
Vertically integrated mixed -use building
36
New Hanover County Zoning Ordinance Page 120
District Specific Requirements:
(1) Review Process: Any UMXZ development shall be processed as a conditional district
rezoning subject to a conceptual site plan review. In addition, a specific site plan shall be
reviewed and approved by the technical review committee in accordance with all applicable
standards.
(A) The following shall be included in the conceptual site plan:
i. Boundary survey and vicinity map showing total acreage, general location in relation
to major streets, railroads, and/or waterways, the date and a north arrow on top.
ii. Conceptual plan showing the location of all major land uses and proposed maximum
square footage for each use —may be a bubble format showing the general location
and relative arrangement of different land uses.
iii. Maximum building heights.
iv. All external access points and conceptual internal traffic circulation plan.
v. Proposed buffer and landscaping areas.
(B) Minor modifications to approved conceptual site plans that have no material effect on
the character of the approved development and comply with all applicable standards of
this Ordinance may be approved by the Planning Director. Any other changes to
approved conceptual site plans must be authorized by the Board of Commissioners.
Changes in the following constitute minor modifications that may be approved by the
Planning Director:
i. Modifications in building placement, provided the placement does not decrease the
setbacks agreed to during the conditional rezoning process by more than 10
percent;
ii. Increases to building size and height not to exceed 10 percent;
iii. Increase to the impervious surfaces not to exceed 10 percent;
iv. Modifications to structure floor plans;
v. Modifications to the driveway locations as required by the North Carolina
Department of Transportation; and
vi. Modifications to the proportion of use type not to exceed 10 percent.
(2) Mix of Uses: All UMXZ projects shall include a mix of both residential and nonresidential
uses.
(3) 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.
New Hanover County Zoning Ordinance Page 121
(B) Through -wall mechanical units are permitted on any fagade if they are incorporated into
the design of the building, flush with the fa4ade on which they are located, concealed by
a vent cover, and have an internal drip system for condensation.
(C) Utility meters, transformers, and fixed trash disposal receptacles that cannot be located
out of sight shall be screened from the public right-of-way by plantings or opaque
fencing.
(D) The TRC may approve alterations to these standards in cases where they cannot be met
due to design considerations of the structure and the intent of visual minimization of
the feature is otherwise addressed.
(4) Site Lighting: All site lighting shall be located, angled, shielded, and/or limited in intensity so
as to cast no direct light upon adjacent properties, shall minimize off -site backlighting glare,
and up -lighting. Light posts shall be no taller than 12 feet.
(5) Parking and Driveway Requirements:
(A) Parking shall be provided in accordance with the requirements of Article VIII of this
ordinance, 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 or rear or 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
walls, 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 ft.
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.
(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.
(6) General Site Design: Each of the following components shall be included in UMXZ
developments.
(A) Multi -modal Transportation Opportunities: Public transit, walking, bicycling, and/or
water -oriented transit and the facilities necessary for such uses.
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.
New Hanover County Zoning Ordinance Page 122