Overlay zoning creates a special zoning district over a base
zone. An overlay adds to or changes the regulations, standards or
requirements of the base zone in order to protect or guide development
within a specific area or corridor to meet specific needs or objectives.
While the base zone determines the permitted land uses, the overlay
zone establishes design or other standards that meet the overlay’s
purposes.
The overlay zone for North Avenue provides direction, vision
and incentives for development in the corridor. The purpose of the
overlay is to stimulate new development, redevelopment and business
and other human activity along the corridor. The overlay supports
and implements the Comprehensive Plan goal of making the City a more
livable place. The overlay’s standards and guidelines are intended
to stimulate commercial, pedestrian and other activity in the corridor.
(Ord. 4564, 2-20-13)
The vision for the North Avenue corridor was established in
the 2007 and 2011 North Avenue Corridor Plans (“the Plans”).
The North Avenue overlay zone encourages development features considered
critical to implementing the plans by establishing guidelines, standards,
development incentives and alternative approaches for development
and redevelopment. The Plans envision buildings located near the street,
front doors that are inviting and readily accessible, signage on the
building rather than pole signs, more and safer pedestrian facilities,
and an inviting streetscape, which will create an environment of vitality
and livability.
The “streetscape” is the area between the street
curb and the building facade. The combination of the adjacent land
use and the public space of the streetscape can create a dynamic and
inviting space. Streetscape features that create a visually interesting
corridor and a safer pedestrian and transit experience create a dynamic
sense of place inviting activity. The overlay also includes development
incentives to encourage design and development of an attractive streetscape.
(Ord. 4564, 2-20-13)
Revitalize North Avenue by establishing it as a “complete
street.” Development is encouraged to be designed and built
according to the plans, which establish a “complete street”
vision for North Avenue.
The North Avenue “Complete Street” concept includes:
(a) A multi-modal corridor designed for not only the vehicle, but also
for the pedestrian, bicyclist and the transit user.
(b) Wide sidewalks detached from the roadway.
(c) Buildings located close to the street with pedestrian access to the
building at the streetscape.
(d) Safe access to businesses from the street and sidewalks and parcel
interconnectivity to minimize multiple access points to North Avenue.
(e) Safe and efficient transit stops.
(f) Adequate lighting creating a safer vehicle and pedestrian experience.
(g) Landscaping, street furniture and other hardscape features and amenities
that enhance the pedestrian and motoring public’s experience,
but still allow buildings to be near the street.
The diagram below establishes the right-of-way standards for
the overlay district.
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The following definitions apply to this overlay:
Abutting
means directly touching. For example, parcels across a public
right-of-way from one another would not be abutting, but would be
adjacent to one another.
Adjacent
to something means lying within a 100-foot radius of it.
For purposes of adjacency, public right-of-way, easements, canals,
waste ditches and waterways are not included in the 100-foot calculation.
(Ord. 4564, 2-20-13)