[Amended 8-12-1998; 12-12-2006]
A.
Statement of intent. The R-1 District is generally composed of quiet low-density residential areas, plus undeveloped areas where similar residential construction appears likely to occur. The standards set forth for this district are designed to stabilize and protect the essential character of the Town, to promote and encourage a suitable environment for residential growth and allow for the optional development and redevelopment of land consistent with the design principles of traditional neighborhoods where deemed appropriate by the Planning Commission and Town Council. Development should be compact and designed for the human scale while providing a mix of housing styles, types and sizes to accommodate households of all ages, sizes and incomes. A mix of uses may be provided for, including single-family detached dwellings, secondary dwelling units, attached single-family dwellings, including duplexes and townhouses, selected commercial uses, and open space uses such as squares, greens, neighborhood parks and linear environmental corridors owned and maintained by a homeowners' association that serve the residents of the development. When new development and redevelopment are planned within or adjacent to a previously developed area, existing buildings with historic or architectural features that enhance the visual character of the Town shall be retained.
B.
Uses permitted by right. With the exception of an approved secondary dwelling unit, only one use and its accessory buildings and/or uses may be erected on any lot or parcel of land within the Residential District R-1.
(1)
Single-family detached dwellings, including short-term rentals subject to the provisions of § 175-20L.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
(3)
Secondary dwelling units.
(4)
Open space, including but not limited to squares, greens, neighborhood parks, and linear environmental corridors.
(6)
Accessory buildings as defined; however, garages, carports, porches and stoops attached to the main building shall be considered part of the main building. Accessory buildings may be no closer than three feet to any property line or to any other structure, unless otherwise stated in this section.
(8)
Temporary auto trailers and campers stored only in the rear yard, provided that parking in the rear yard is possible, and shall be prohibited from occupancy.
(9)
A maximum of one commercial vehicle, single rear axle trucks less than 16,000 pounds GVW. Such vehicles shall not be located within the minimum yard or setback requirements and shall be prohibited from occupancy. However, such vehicles owned by the property owner or lessee may be located in the setback area on driveways or parking areas with all weather surfaces within said lot.
C.
Uses permitted by special use permit shall be as follows:
(1)
Schools.
(2)
Churches.
(3)
Home occupations, including bed-and-breakfasts in single-family dwellings.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
(4)
Commercial uses listed as permitted by right as stated in § 175-10, provided development, redevelopment or infill development contains five or more acres.
(5)
Special needs housing, such as community living arrangements and assisted living facilities.
D.
Area regulations.
(1)
Minimum lot sizes with public water and sewer are:
(a)
For single-family detached dwelling: 15,000 square feet for lots outside of the Historic District and 10,000 square feet within or directly adjacent to the Designated Historic District.
(b)
Single-family attached duplexes: 7,500 square feet, 3,750 square feet per unit.
(c)
Townhouses: 15,000 square feet, 3,750 square feet per unit.
(d)
Approved commercial uses: There are no minimum lot size requirements.
(e)
Secondary dwelling units: When a secondary dwelling unit is planned, 2,000 square feet shall be required in addition to the minimum for a single-family detached dwelling.
(2)
Number of dwelling types in a mixed use development: The maximum number of duplex and/or townhouse dwellings shall not exceed 50% with the remainder of the development being single-family detached dwellings.
[Amended 2-11-2014]
(3)
All dwelling units constructed above approved commercial uses shall be permissible. These shall be considered the same as duplexes and townhouses and shall not increase the 50% maximum number of these types of dwellings.
[Amended 2-11-2014]
(4)
The total nonresidential development uses, including off street parking, shall not exceed 10% of the total development.
E.
Setback and frontage regulations.
(1)
Areas of mixed residential uses. Single-family detached and attached units, including townhouses, shall be located six feet or more from any public right-of-way unless otherwise required by the Town. No building need be more than the average setbacks of adjacent structures within the Designated Historic District unless otherwise required by the Town. Approved commercial uses have no minimum setback requirement.
(2)
Frontage regulations. The minimum lot width at the setback line for a single-family detached unit shall be 75 feet. The minimum lot width at the setback line for single-family attached duplex unit shall be 50 feet. The minimum lot width for townhouses shall be as set forth in § 175-19. Lot widths should create a relatively symmetrical street cross section that reinforces the public space of the street as a simple, unified public space.
F.
Yard regulations.
(1)
Side. Side yards for single-family detached units shall be a total of 20 feet with a minimum of six feet for one side. Side yards for attached duplex units shall be a minimum of 10 feet each side. Side yards for townhouse units shall be as set forth in § 175-19. Side yards for approved commercial uses shall be as set forth in § 175-10. Side yards for single-family dwelling units within or directly adjacent to the Designated Historic District shall be permitted at between zero and six feet, provided that a reciprocal access easement is recorded for both lots, townhouses or other attached dwellings and provided that all dwellings have pedestrian access to the rear yard through means other than the principal structure.
(2)
Rear yards. Each rear yard for a single-family detached unit shall be a minimum of 40 feet. Each rear yard for an attached duplex unit shall be a minimum of 25 feet. Each rear yard for townhouse units shall be as set forth in § 175-19. Rear yards for approved commercial uses shall be as set forth in § 175-10.
G.
Height regulations.
(1)
Buildings may be erected up to three stories including the basement but shall not exceed 35 feet in height measured from the average finished grade to the eave. The height limit shall not apply to attics or chimneys.
(3)
Church spires, belfries, cupolas, municipal water towers, telecommunication towers, chimney flues, flagpoles, parapet walls, television receptors and radio aerials are exempt from these height regulations.
(4)
All accessory buildings or secondary dwelling units shall be less than the main building in height.
H.
Special provisions for corner lot. Each corner lot shall have a minimum width at the setback line of 100 feet along one side fronting either public street.
I.
Open space. At least 25% of the gross acreage of a development shall be open space. Open space may include areas such as steep slopes, wetlands and stormwater detention and retention basins, but these shall not exceed 10% of the total open space requirement. A nonprofit association, corporation, trust or foundation for all individuals or corporations owning property within the development shall be established to ensure the maintenance, management and/or operation of open spaces and/or recreational parks. The nonprofit association, corporation, trust or foundation shall be established prior to the sale of any property within the development. A copy of the recorded establishing document shall be provided to Town office.
J.
Stormwater management. The design and development of the Residential R-1 development should minimize off-site stormwater runoff, promote on-site filtration, and minimize the discharge of pollutants to ground and surface water. Natural topography and existing land cover should be maintained and protected to the maximum extent practicable. New development and redevelopment shall meet the following requirements:
(1)
Applicant shall coordinate review and approval with Shenandoah County Erosion and Sediment Control of the stormwater management design and shall meet all requirements as set forth in Chapter 87, Erosion and Sediment Control, Code of Shenandoah County, as amended. Shenandoah County Erosion and Sediment Control shall act as the review, approval and enforcement agency for the Town.
(2)
Applicant shall provide the Town with proof of meeting all such County requirements before any land disturbing activity takes place on the site, including but not limited to clearing, grading, excavating, transporting and filling of land.
(3)
Applicant shall provide the Town with at least two copies of all drawings and documents submitted to the County, including a certified as-built plan as set forth in Chapter 87, Erosion and Sediment Control, Code of Shenandoah County, as amended.
K.
Circulation standards. The circulation system shall allow for different modes of transportation. The circulation system shall provide functional and visual links within the residential areas, mixed use areas, and open space of the development and shall be connected to existing and proposed external development. The circulation system shall provide adequate traffic capacity, provide connected pedestrian and bicycle routes (especially off street bicycle or multi-use paths or bicycle lanes on the streets), control through traffic, limit lot access to streets with lower traffic volumes, and promote safe and efficient movement through the development.
(1)
Pedestrian circulation. Convenient pedestrian systems that minimize conflict with motor vehicles shall be provided continuously throughout the development. Where feasible, any existing pedestrian routes through the site shall be preserved and enhanced. All streets, except for alleys, shall be bordered by sidewalks on both sides built to Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) standards. The following provisions shall also apply:
(a)
Clear and well-lighted sidewalks of adequate width shall connect all dwelling entrances to the adjacent public sidewalk.
(b)
Clear and well-lighted walkways in mixed use areas shall connect building entrances to the adjacent public sidewalk and to associated parking areas. Such walkways shall be a minimum of four feet in width.
(c)
Sidewalk materials shall be designated and approved as part of plan review.
(e)
Intersections of sidewalks with streets shall be designed with clearly defined edges. Crosswalk shall be well-lit and clearly marked with contrasting paving materials at the edges or with striping.
(f)
All streetlighting within the development shall be provided by the developer using the historic style streetlight and pole common to the Town.
L.
Bicycle circulation. Accommodations for bicycles shall be provided on streets and/or dedicated bicycle paths. Where feasible, any existing bicycle routes through the site shall be preserved and enhanced. Facilities for bicycle travel may include off-street bicycle paths, generally shared with pedestrians and other nonmotorized users, and separate striped four-foot bicycle lanes on streets. If a bicycle lane is combined with a lane for parking, the combined width should be 14 feet.
M.
Motor vehicle circulation. Streets shall be designed to minimize motor vehicle conflicts with pedestrians and bicycles. Traffic calming features such as "queuing streets," curb extensions, traffic circles, and medians may be used to encourage slow traffic speeds. All streets shall be built to appropriate VDOT standards and shall be classified according to the following:
(1)
Arterial streets that carry a large volume of traffic and are normally controlled by traffic signs and signals. Having an arterial street bisect a development should be avoided.
(2)
Collector streets provide access to commercial or mixed use buildings and are considered part of the Town's major street network. On-street parking, whether diagonal or parallel, should be used to help slow traffic. Additional parking shall be provided in lots to the side or rear of buildings.
(3)
Subcollector streets provide primary access to individual residential properties and serve to connect streets of lower and higher functions. Design speed is 25 mph.
(4)
Local streets provide primary access to individual residential properties. Traffic volumes are relatively low, with a design speed of 20 mph.
(5)
Alleys may be used to provide secondary access to residential properties where street frontages are narrow, where the street is designed with a narrow width to provide limited on street parking, or where alley access development is desired to increase residential densities. Alleys may also provide delivery access or alternate parking access to approved commercial and mixed uses. Alleys are encouraged in all residential development.
N.
Architectural standards. A variety of architectural features and building materials is encouraged to give each approved structure or group of structures a distinct character.
(1)
Existing structures, if determined by the Edinburg Town Council to be historic or architecturally significant, shall be encouraged to be preserved.
(2)
The front facade of new structures serving as the principal building shall face onto a public street or open space.
(3)
The front facade shall not be oriented to face directly toward a parking lot. Parking shall be provided to the side or in the rear of all structures.
(4)
The architectural features, materials, and the articulation of a facade of a building shall be continued on all sides visible from a public street.
(5)
Porches, pent roofs, roof overhangs, hooded front doors or other similar architectural elements shall define the front entrance to all residences.
(6)
For approved commercial buildings, a minimum of 35% of the front facade on the ground floor shall be transparent, consisting of window or door openings allowing views into and out of the interior. The front entrances shall be defined with architectural elements such as those required on all residences.
(7)
Garages and secondary dwelling units may be placed on a single-family detached residential lot within the principal building or an accessory building, provided that the secondary dwelling unit shall not exceed 800 square feet. Secondary dwelling units shall be a minimum of 10 feet from any property line.
O.
Landscaping and screening standards. Overall composition and location of landscaping shall complement the scale of the development and its surroundings. In general, larger well-placed contiguous planting areas shall be preferred to smaller disconnected areas. Where screening is required, it shall be at least three feet in height at time of planting, unless otherwise specified by the Town. Required screening shall be at least 50% opaque throughout the year.
(1)
Street trees shall be required at a minimum of one deciduous canopy tree per 40 feet of street frontage, or fraction thereof. Trees can be clustered and do not need to be evenly spaced. Trees should preferably be located between the sidewalk and the curb, within the landscaped area of a boulevard, or in tree wells installed in the pavement or concrete. If placement of street trees within the right-of-way will interfere with utility lines, trees may be planted within the front yard setback adjacent to the sidewalk.
(2)
All parking and loading areas fronting public streets or sidewalks or abutting residential districts or uses shall have a landscaped area at least five feet wide along the public street or sidewalk. This area shall contain the following:
(3)
The corners of parking lots, islands, and all other areas not used for parking or vehicular circulation shall be landscaped. Vegetation may include turf grass, native grasses, perennial flowering plants, vines, shrubs, or trees. Such spaces may include architectural features such as benches, kiosks or bicycle parking.
(4)
All landscape materials shall be installed to current industry standards. All plant materials must meet the minimum standards set by the American National Standards Institute in ANSI Z60.1 American Standard Nursery Stock.
(5)
Maintenance and replacement of landscaping shall be the responsibility of the homeowners' association. Landscape maintenance should incorporate environmentally sound management practices, including the use of water and energy efficient irrigation systems such as drip irrigation, and pruning primarily for plant health and public safety, replacing dead materials annually and removing invasive species.
(6)
Minimum plant size shall be as specified as follows:
(a)
Evergreen trees shall be a minimum of six feet in height.
(b)
Deciduous canopy trees shall be a minimum of 2.2 inches caliper (diameter at breast height).
(c)
Small deciduous trees shall be a minimum of 1.2 inches caliper (diameter at breast height).
(d)
Evergreen or deciduous shrubs shall be a minimum of 18 to 24 inches in height.
(7)
Landscape materials shall be tolerant of specific site conditions, including but not limited to heat, drought and salt.
(8)
Existing healthy plant material may be utilized to satisfy landscaping requirements, provided it meets the minimum plant size specified above.
(9)
Landscape materials that are used for screening shall be of a size that allows growth to the desired height and opacity within two years. Landscape species shall be indigenous or proven adaptable to the area's environment and climate.
(10)
Landscaping design and materials shall be reviewed and approved during the site plan review process.