ARTICLE 20. "TC" TOWN CENTER DISTRICT REGULATIONS (draft as of April 21, 2003)

 

Section 9-160. Purpose.

To provide land use regulations to control development in areas designated TC; to provide environmental aesthetic control of the spaces; to provide standards for development of these spaces. The development standards and guidelines contained herein shall be used by any applicant in preparing a development plan and by the Planning and Zoning Commission in reviewing the same. In the exercise of its powers of review, the commission may approve, deny, conditionally approve, or request modifications to a development plan that is deemed to be inconsistent with the development standards and guidelines or the purposes of this article.

 

Section 9-161. Use Regulations.

In the Town Center District, no land shall be used and no building shall be used, erected, or converted to any use other than those authorized in the City of Lucas Zoning Use Table.

 

Section 9-162. Building Regulations.

A. Not less than 50 percent of the gross area of the Town Center shall be allocated to and shall remain in common open space in perpetuity. Common open space shall be deed restricted to prohibit future subdivision or development, except for agricultural, recreational, or equestrian uses that may be permitted by the commission. Common open space shall be used for social, recreational and/or environmental preservation purposes.

 

B. A peripheral open space of a minimum of 200 feet in width shall be provided where the tract abuts any roadway listed as arterial or highway.

 

C. The street system for the Town Center shall be designed to create blocks that are generally rectilinear in shape. Right of ways for all streets within the Town Center shall be 75 feet. To the greatest extent possible, blocks shall be designed to have a maximum length of 300 feet. A minimum of two interconnections with the existing public street system rated as an arterial or collector shall be provided where possible.

 

D. Commercial components of the Town Center shall front on the interior streets of the Town Center area. The greatest concentration of commercial development should be around a community green and/or along a main street commercial area. Commercial uses shall be contained in multi-story, mixed- use structures with commercial/retail uses on the ground level and residential dwellings, commercial/retail use or offices on the upper levels. The maximum ground level footprint of a commercial/retail use shall be 5000 square feet.

 

E. Restaurants shall be permitted to operate outdoor cafes on sidewalks, including areas within the public right of way and in courtyards, provided that pedestrian circulation and access to store entrances shall not be impaired.

 

F. Sites for public and semi-public uses and community facilities shall be located around the community green or within a main street commercial area and shall occupy prominent buildings.

 

G. Parking for public and semi-public uses shall utilize on-street parking to the extent possible. If additional off-street parking is required, it shall be located at the rear of the building or structure and screened from the viewshed of the street.

 

H. A sidewalk network shall be provided throughout the development that connects all development and open spaces. Sidewalks shall be a minimum of 5 feet in width.

 

I. The Town Center shall be linked to adjacent development and neighborhoods with pedestrian, equestrian, and bicycle paths where possible and appropriate.

 

J. A minimum of 75% of all building exteriors shall be constructed of stone, brick and/or tile. Uses of other materials shall be on an exception basis and must be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council by way of an architectural rendering showing all four ( 4) elevations of the proposed building. Upon approval, the rendering shall become part of the zoning for that site. All buildings shall be designed and constructed to be architecturally compatible.

 

K. All building mechanical, electrical and communication equipment shall be screened from public view either by landscaping materials or materials that blend with the building.

 

L. Refuse collection areas shall be screened from public roadways or residential districts and shall be secured from public access.

 

M. Parking and drives shall be weather impervious surface developed in accordance with City standards.

 

N. Storefronts in excess of forty feet (40’) are required to have a minimum five-foot (5’) setback at no greater intervals than forty feet (40’).

 

0. Loading docks shall be located at rear or side of the building and shall be screened from public roadways or residential districts.

 

P. All development in the Town Center District shall be subject to the lighting ordinance, the fence ordinance, the fire ordinance, and other appropriate ordinances as applicable.

 

Section 9-163. Height Regulations.

The maximum allowable plate height is to be determined by a ratio of ten feet (10’) in height per fifty feet (50’) setback from residential districts. This plate height shall not exceed the lesser of thirty-five feet (35’) or 2-1/2 stories in height measured from the ground elevation of the street side of the structure.

 

Section 9-164. Area Regulations.

A. Building Area: The total building area, including accessory buildings, shall not exceed a floor-area- to-land ratio of 0.60 to 1.

 

B. Lot Area: Minimum one half (1/2) acre net, exclusive of all street rights-of-way and the 100-year flood plain as determined by a registered survey.

 

C. Setbacks: A minimum of twenty (20') from property line to the front face of a building.

 

Section 9-165. Site Plan Approval.

A. Prior to issuance of any building permit, an application in writing, for the approval of the site plan, together with twenty (20) copies, shall be filed with the City Secretary. The plans are to be submitted at least ten (10) consecutive calendar days before the meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission, if the site plan is to be considered at such meeting. No site plan will be considered by the City until the prescribed filing fees have been paid. Applicant shall submit proof of written notification set forth in Chapter 6, Article 4, Section 6-11, of the Lucas Code of Ordinances. The site plan shall contain those items as designated by approved City procedure, but not be limited to the following information:

 

1. The boundaries and dimensions of the proposed development, including total area.

2. The description, owners, and zoning classification of adjoining properties.

3. Contour lines at five-foot (5') intervals.

4. Location map indicating the location within the city of Lucas.

5. Existing or platted streets; public rights of way; easements or railroads within or adjacent to the tract.

6. Existing and proposed utility lines showing sizes of water and sewer lines.

7. Existing and proposed fire hydrants and fire lanes.

8. Location of all easements.

9. Building setback lines.

10. Location and dimensions of buildings.

11. Means of ingress and egress to both property and buildings.

12. Engineering for drainage.

13. Areas designated for landscaping.

14. Parking area locations and specifications.

15. Must be drawn to an acceptable scale. (no less than I inch =50 feet)

16. Must provide signature lines for Chairman of Planning & Zoning Commission, City Engineer, and Mayor to signify approval.

17. Tree management plan for all existing trees in excess of 2" caliper.

18. Signage and lighting plan.

19. Locations of exterior mechanical, electrical, and communication equipment

20. Locations of refuse containers, loading docks and screening.

 

B. For the purpose of assisting in-process planning, a properly designated "preliminary" or "concept" site plan shall be submitted for consideration. Approval of a "preliminary" or "concept" site plan will not imply approval of all elements of a site plan.

 

C. Final plans shall be approved by City Council as provided in Chapter 9, Article 17.

 

Section 9-166. Landscape Plan Approval.

A Prior to issuance of any building permit, there shall be seven (7) copies of a landscape plan submitted to the City. The plans are to be submitted at least ten (10) days prior to the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting at which they are to be considered. The landscape plan shall be approved or disapproved based on its compliance with the following requirements and any other deemed necessary to promote the character and value of the surrounding neighborhoods:

 

1. Plans shall be to same scale as approved site plan.

2. A minimum of 25% of the gross area must be landscaped.

3. The area between the property line and the street shall be included in the landscape plan and shall be maintained by the abutting property owner .

4. Heights of landscaping materials shall be such that they do not create safety hazards for vehicular traffic by blocking sight lines at ingress and egress points.

5. The specifications shall state the common names and scientific names (genus species), sizes, and quantity of all materials to be utilized.

6. Shade trees shall be provided along each side of all streets, public or private, existing or proposed. Shade trees shall a have a minimum caliper of three inches and/or a minimum height of twelve feet at the time of planting, and a maximum spacing of thirty feet (30') on center .

 

B. It shall be the property owner's responsibility to permanently maintain the approved landscaping in a neat and orderly manner .

 

C. Landscaping shall mean plant materials (other than turf grasses) and other approved landscape materials arranged in an approved fashion. All plant

materials shall be selected from any plant list or landscape ordinance adopted by the City.

 

D. Final plans shall be approved by City Council as provided in this Chapter.

 

Section 9-167. Architectural Plan Approval.

A. Prior to the issuance of a building permit, there shall be seven (7) copies of a proposed architectural elevation of the building or buildings submitted to the City. The plans are to be submitted at least ten (10) days prior to the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at which they are to be considered. The proposed architectural rendering, including use of site and/or building signage, shall be approved or disapproved based on its ability to create a village setting with a rural country style as a retail and neighborhood services area. This effort shall entail several design fixtures such as the use of clustered buildings as opposed to strip-type development.

 

B. Final architectural plans shall be approved by City Council as provided in this Chapter.

 

C. Buildings shall generally relate in scale and design features to the surrounding buildings, showing respect for the local context.

 

D. Buildings on corner lots shall be considered significant structures, since they have at least two front facades visibly exposed to the street. If deemed appropriate by the commission, such buildings may be designed with additional height and architectural embellishments, such as corner towers, to emphasize their location.

 

E. Buildings shall avoid long, monotonous, uninterrupted walls or roof planes.

 

F. All visibly exposed sides of a building shall have an articulated base course and cornice.

 

G. On Gabled roofs, a minimum pitch of 9/12 should be used. On hipped roofs, it is recommended that the minimum pitch be 6/12. Overhanging eaves shall be provided on all sides not abutting another structure for all sloped roofs. Internal gutters shall be provided. Low sloped roofs shall include a parapet wall to conceal any roof top structures or appurtenances.

 

H. All entrances to a building shall be defined and articulated by architectural elements such as lintels, pediments, pilasters, columns, porticos, overhangs, railings, balustrades, and others where appropriate.

 

I. All air conditioning units, HVAC systems, exhaust pipes or stacks, elevator housing, satellite dishes and other communication devices shall be thoroughly screened from view from the public right of way and from adjacent properties.

 

Section 9-168. Off-Street Loading and Parking.

See Article 23.

 

Section 9-169 Reserved