In accordance with the Regional Comprehensive Plan and the work
of the Multiple Dwelling Code Committee (MDCC), the Transit North
Multiple Dwelling Overlay (TNMDO) is established to allow for a variety
of types of multiple dwellings in the Transit Road North area as defined
below. This area is located along the busy Transit Road corridor in
the mixed-use area denoted in the Town's Comprehensive Plan.
The boundaries of the Transit North Multiple Dwelling Overlay
are in general as follows (see Town Zoning Map for specific location):
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All parcels, to a maximum depth of 800 feet, fronting Transit
Road from Bullis Road north to the Lancaster Town line (as of the
date of enactment of this law).
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The standards of the Transit North Multiple Dwelling Overlay shall be superimposed over, and supplement, the underlying zoning standards. Each multiple-dwelling use must conform to the applicable design standards of the underlying zoning district, as well as the standards of this overlay district and Article
XVI (Multiple Dwellings), and, if there is a conflict, the more stringent standards shall apply.
The standards contained herein, which govern multiple-dwelling
development and redevelopment within the boundaries of the Transit
North Multiple Dwelling Overlay (TNMDO), are founded upon the following
objectives:
A. Establish standards to ensure that new multiple-dwelling development
or redevelopment is in character in terms of scale, design, and layout
with the rural character envisioned for this area of the Town.
B. Reduce signage clutter by controlling the number and size of signs,
the placement of signs, and the appearance of signage.
C. Landscaping and other amenities should be incorporated into site
development to enhance the site and screen parking areas.
D. Design should take into consideration the objectives of this rural
agrarian area. Incorporation of elements such as community gardens,
picket fences, and other rural atmosphere amenities is strongly encouraged.
The uses that are permitted within the Transit North Multiple
Dwelling Overlay shall be determined by the underlying zoning district
and supplemented as follows:
A. The following principal uses are allowed in addition to those allowed
in the underlying zoning:
(1)
All multiple-dwelling-type units as defined by this Zoning Code and as described in Article
XVI (Multiple Dwellings), as well as a mixture of these types of uses on one lot.
(Refer to Article
XVI for process and other requirements for multiple dwellings).
A. The applicant shall meet all submission requirements of site plan
review.
B. The applicant shall submit building plans and elevations indicating
the facade treatments and construction materials and colors of all
structures in compliance with the standards of the underlying zoning
district and the TNMDO.
C. The applicant shall submit a minimum of two different renderings
of the proposed structure(s) to be developed on the site to allow
the Planning Board to choose the alternative or recommend other alternatives
that they feel will best comply with the overlay.
D. The applicant shall submit a site plan that identifies all components
of the development and indicates compliance with all the requirements
of the Zoning Law and this overlay.
E. The applicant shall submit a landscape plan identifying the location,
type, size, and planting specifications of all landscaping proposed
for the site. The landscape plan shall also identify, in general,
existing vegetation on the site.
F. The applicant shall submit a signage plan that shows the size, type,
color, placement, lighting, design, and construction materials of
each sign proposed for the site. Each proposed sign for the site must
comply with all the requirements of the Zoning Law and this overlay.
All multiple-dwelling developments within the Transit North
Multiple Dwelling Overlay shall conform to the following requirements
and standards:
A. Minimum lot size: two acres, with a minimum of 100 feet of frontage
and a minimum of 300 feet of depth (these uses can be placed on existing
commercial property and contain both commercial and multifamily uses).
B. Density: 15 units per acre and must meet all other zoning requirements.
C. Height: three stories (maximum height of 36 feet).
D. Maximum lot coverage. The maximum coverage of the proposed buildings,
accessory buildings, driveways, parking areas, and other impervious
surfaces is limited to 75% of the entire lot.
E. Building setbacks. The following setbacks shall supersede the setbacks
of the underlying zoning and apply to all multiple-dwelling developments
within the TNMDO to promote the rural atmosphere. Where a setback
is not established, the underlying setback shall be applied.
(1)
Front building setbacks shall be no less than 50 feet from Transit
Road as measured from the street right-of-way. Awnings, balconies,
porches, and other architectural amenities shall be permitted to encroach
upon the front setback by a maximum of five feet.
(2)
This overlay allows residential units to be placed behind commercial
uses.
F. Architecture. The architecture and design of any structure within
the TNMDO shall comply with the standards of the underlying zoning
and shall conform to the following general guidelines:
(1)
General design. The architecture and design of any multiple-dwelling
structure shall:
(a)
Comply with the character envisioned for this area, enhance
the visual quality of the area;
(b)
Be harmonious with adjacent uses;
(c)
Multiple-dwelling structures can take on the appearance of more
commercially styled buildings to fit into the character of this commercial
area;
(d)
Comply with any additional Town Design Guidelines, where applicable.
(2)
Building materials.
(a)
Any side of a building that faces a street or public right-of-way
shall incorporate a facade constructed of any of the following materials:
stone, brick, masonry, marble, wood or vinyl siding, or other material
approved by the Planning Board.
(b)
The use of cast concrete, cinder blocks, or metal paneling shall
not be used on sides of a building that faces a street or public right-of-way.
G. Site layout. The site layout for a multiple dwelling within the TNMDO
shall comply with the general standards of the underlying zoning and
conform to the following overlay guidelines. In the case of conflicting
standards, the regulations of the overlay district shall prevail.
(1)
The layout of sites with the TNMDO can include the creative
mixture of commercial and residential uses in a harmonious manner.
H. Parking and loading areas. Off-street parking shall comply with the standards of the underlying zoning and Article
IV of the Zoning Code, and shall conform to the following additional standards:
(1)
Parking and loading areas must be set back from the street right-of-way
a minimum of 100 feet.
(2)
A minimum of 10% of the interior of a parking area shall be
devoted to landscaping used to break up the parking stalls where the
parking area is visible from the public right-of-way.
(3)
Parking areas shall not contain a continuous single row of parking
stalls of greater than five parking spaces without interruption by
a landscaped island where the parking area is visible from the public
right-of-way.
(4)
In addition to the screening of a parking area required in §
144-44E(3), the use of decorative ornamental features, masonry walls, fencing, or a mix of each is encouraged to additionally screen parking and loading areas and to create a more visually appealing streetscape.
I. Landscaping/screening. Landscaping and screening shall comply with
the standards of the underlying zoning and shall conform to the following
additional standards:
(1)
For every 25 feet of road frontage, a street tree shall be planted
in conformance with county and Town standards, where applicable.
(2)
Additional shade trees shall be planted throughout the site
at a ratio of one tree per 2,000 square feet of lot area.
(3)
The required front yard shall consist of vegetative ground cover,
perennial and annual landscaped areas, and/or other amenities that
enhance the visual appearance of the streetscape.
(4)
All landscaped areas shall be maintained and any vegetation
that dies shall be replaced during the following planting season.
(New code: two-year warranty.)
J. Signage. Signage shall comply with the standards of the underlying zoning and §
144-102.1, Signs, and shall conform to the following additional standards:
(1)
Proposed signage shall be designed to complement the architecture
of the building.
(2)
Each building shall be permitted only one building sign.
(3)
Individual building signs shall not be larger than 20 square
feet.
(4)
Building signs shall be completely affixed to a building and
shall not protrude from the building more than six inches. An exception
may be granted by the Planning Board for a building sign that protrudes
from a building by a supporting arm or other ornamental feature of
no more than five feet so long as the sign is perpendicular to the
building facade and sidewalk and does not obstruct views, cause a
safety hazard, or negatively impact the character envisioned for this
area.
(5)
Freestanding signs are permitted and can be incorporated with
other commercial signage on the site. New freestanding signage shall
be ground mounted.
(6)
The use of digital signage or flashing signs is not permitted.
(7)
Overall signage may not be lit from internal lights, only the
use of individually internally lit characters on a sign, back-lit
signage, or directional lighting shall be used to light signage. The
use of flashing or neon lights is not permitted.
(8)
The appearance and placement of signage shall be subject to
Planning Board discretion as part of the site plan review process.
K. Other.
(1)
The use of decorative lighting structures is encouraged to comply
with the character envisioned for this area.
(2)
The maximum height of any lighting structures shall be 16 feet.
(3)
Fencing placed in the front yard shall be no higher than three
feet and shall consist of wood or faux wood picket or ornamental iron
construction. A mix of stone, brick, or other masonry wall and fencing
may be permitted. The use of stockade, metal, woven wire, or barb
wire fences is not permitted in the front yard.