Townhouses and stacked flats shall comply with the following:
(a) Density. The maximum density of a townhouse or stacked flat development shall be twelve dwelling units per acre, exclusive of any land area occupied by water bodies.
(b) Building Layout and Architecture. The following architectural standards shall be met for all structures:
(i) Orientation. Parking areas, garages and any other accessory structures and uses shall be located within the established rear yard, with access provided by an alley or access drive. A minimum of 75 percent of the main entrances to the individual dwellings shall be located on the front facade of the building, and all shall include a front porch or stoop that is at least six feet in width and depth, and 70 square feet in area.
(ii) Architectural Details. Walls visible from a street or other residential uses shall include windows and architectural features similar to the front facade of the building, including, but not limited to awnings, cornice work, edge detailing or other decorative finish materials. All buildings shall have pitched roofs, which may include functional dormer windows and varying lines customary with gable or hip style roofing. Standing seam metal roofing is prohibited.
(c) Circulation Design. Connections shall be provided to adjacent neighborhoods and parcels in residential districts. Alleys shall be provided where necessary for access to rear yard garages. Such alleys shall have a minimum pavement width of 20 feet and shall be located within a minimum 30 foot wide private access easement. An alley shall be designed to provide only secondary frontage and access to dwellings.
(d) Pedestrian Circulation. Minimum five foot wide concrete sidewalks shall be provided on both sides of all internal streets within a townhouse or stacked flat development, between the public sidewalk and all dwelling entrances, and within all open space areas. Sidewalks along collector roads and streets shall be at a width determined by the City.
(e) Recreation Area. Passive or active recreation areas (including but not limited to seating areas, playgrounds, swimming pools, walking paths and other recreational elements in accordance with the intended character of the neighborhood) shall be provided at a ratio of at least 15 percent of the gross total area of the development. The minimum size of each area shall be not less than 5,000 square feet, and the length to width ratio of each area, as measured along the perimeter, shall not exceed four to one. Such areas shall be centrally and conveniently located to be physically and visibly accessible to residents, and shall not be located within any required yard setbacks or building separations.
(f) Utilities. All townhouse and stacked-flat dwellings shall be connected to the public sewer and public water system.
(g) Market Support. Given the number of existing multiple-family dwellings in the City, no townhouse or stacked-flat development shall be approved without the applicant first submitting for review by the Commission a market study, using accepted study methods, which demonstrates that there exists at the time of application a documented need within the City for such development. Neither future population within the City, nor existing population outside the City, shall be considered as part of such study.
(h) Other Requirements. Parking or storage of recreational vehicles, boats, utility trailers or similar items shall be prohibited, except in areas designated on an approved final site plan.