§ A21-5 MINIMUM AREA REQUIREMENTS.
   (A)   The following requirements and minimum area standards shall be met. No improvements shall be placed on such lands unless the lands to be so used or improved shall meet the following minimum area and dimensional requirements. Densities are predicated upon the availability of public water, storm sewer, and sanitary sewer service; without the service, densities shall be limited to one dwelling unit or structure per ten acres. The following table shall be used to compute the minimum lot area exclusive of street rights-of-way, in square feet, and such computation shall be subject to the following; ponding area or similar unbuildable areas shall not comprise more than 10% of the total site area.
      (1)   Table of minimum area requirements and standards. The dimensions shall be measured in feet unless otherwise specified.
Requirements
Zone 1
Zone 2
Requirements
Zone 1
Zone 2
Minimum Lot Areas for Multi-Family Dwelling Unit Density
Minimum units per acre
4
One- or two-story
Minimum square footage of land per unit, (plus bonus)
10,980 (7,260)
Maximum units per acre, (plus bonus)
4 (6)
Minimum Lot Dimensions
Minimum lot area (square feet)
6,000*
Minimum lot width
50
Minimum Building Setback**
Along principal or minor arterial streets
50
50
Along community or neighborhood collector streets
40
40
Along all other streets
30
30
Corner side lot
20
20
Along side lot line
Lot line
15
10
Dwelling unit
10
Garage
5
Along rear lot line
15
30
From multiple-residential building on the same lot
***
Minimum Parking Setbacks
Along public streets
15
Side or rear lot line
5
From a multiple-residential building on the same lot
20
Maximum Lot Coverage
 
 
Building coverage (percentage)
30
 
Impervious surface coverage
 
See § 155.350
Maximum Building Coverage
Coverage of lot (percentage)
30
30
Maximum Building Height
Maximum number of stories
2
2
Maximum height
30
30
NOTES TO TABLE
  * - Average area of all lots must equal or exceed 7,260 square feet.
 
** - See § 155.333 for permitted setback encroachments for accessory structures and decks.
*** - See § A21-5(A)(2).
 
      (2)   Setback between multiple-residential buildings.
         (a)   For the purposes of this section, the term “side” shall refer to the short sides of a structure and the terms “front” or “rear” shall refer to the long sides of the structure.
         (b)   Minimum setbacks between sides of multiple-residential buildings shall be 15 feet or a distance equal to one-half the combined height of the adjacent building faces, whichever is greater.
         (c)   Minimum setbacks between the front or rear of multiple-residential buildings shall be 50 feet or a distance equal to the combined height of the adjacent building faces, whichever is greater. This requirement also applies to situations where a front or rear faces a side.
      (3)   Maximum impervious surface, see § 155.350.
      (4)   Screening, see § 155.348.
      (5)   Landscaping, see § 155.349.
      (6)   Parking, see §§ 155.370 through 155.379.
      (7)   Building materials, see § 155.346.
      (8)   Off-street loading areas, see § 155.354.
      (9)   Balconies. Where private balconies for individual dwelling units in multiple-residential buildings are included, they shall be incorporated into the overall building design so as to provide architectural relief through the use of privacy walls beneath protruding dormers, or some similar treatment.
      (10)   Rooflines. Roofs in multiple-residential buildings shall have a minimum pitch of 1:3.
   (B)   Additional area standards and requirements. The following requirements are in addition to those in § A21-5(A). Where there may be a conflict, those requirements under this paragraph shall prevail.
      (1)   Front setbacks prevailing. Where adjoining structures existing at the time of adoption of this article have a greater setback than that required by this article, the front setback of a new structure shall conform to the prevailing setback in the immediate vicinity. The Building Inspector shall determine the necessary front yard setback in such cases. In no case shall a building be required to be set back more than 50 feet.
      (2)   Side or rear setbacks, party walls. Buildings may be excluded from side and rear setback requirements if party walls are used and if the adjacent buildings are constructed as an integral structure. This shall not permit structures closer to residential districts, however, than required under § A21-5(A).
      (3)   Density bonus. Certain design and construction features serve to reduce the real and perceived impacts of crowding, prevalent in multiple- residential dwelling units and building complexes. These feature enhance individual unit privacy, offer an improved outdoor environment, and foster a sense of pride and commitment to its residents. These traits contribute to neighborhood stability and positive social relationships which are found to be beneficial to the community as a whole. To the extent that these features are incorporated, the maximum density permitted in zoning subdistrict number 1 shall be increased in accordance with the following, except that the increased density shall not exceed that listed under “with bonus” as stipulated in subsection (A)(1) above. Where only a portion of the dwellings or buildings are provided with these features, the increase in density shall be prorated.
         (a)   Common open space: 1.0 units/acre. This bonus shall be granted when multiple-residential buildings in a complex are arranged in a manner which creates significant open space between them. In order to be eligible, the open space so created must have a minimum area of two times the lot coverage of the buildings which face the space, be configured in a regular shape, be recognizable as a defined common or sheltered area, and be designed or contain features which encourage social interaction among the residents of the complex.
         (b)   Private outdoor space: 0.50 units/acre. This bonus shall be granted when multiple-residential buildings are designed so that each dwelling unit is provided with a contiguous private outdoor space. In order to be eligible, the private spaces must be designed to be screened or sheltered such that its occupants are not visible from any other dwelling unit, other private open space, or any passer- by on adjacent private or public property.
         (c)   Sound suppression: 1.50 units/acre. This bonus shall be granted when multiple-residential buildings are constructed with upgraded sound suppression materials in the walls, ceilings and floors which separate individual dwelling units. In order to be eligible, the STC rating must be increased by ten from that specified as the minimum in the Minnesota State Building Code.
         (d)   Basements: 0.25 units/acre. This bonus shall be granted when multiple-residential buildings are constructed with a full basement under each dwelling unit rather than a crawl space or slab- on-grade. In order to be eligible, the basement must exist under the entire ground floor area, excepting therefrom any garage area.
         (e)   Oversize garages: 0.50 units/acre. This bonus shall be granted when multiple-residential buildings are constructed with oversize garage areas for storage purposes. In order to be eligible, townhouse garages must each be a minimum of 550 square feet. Apartment garages must each be a minimum of 250 square feet or, in the alternative, each apartment dwelling unit must be provided with a locking storage locker of a least 50 square feet.
         (f)   Private amenities: 1.0 units/acre. This bonus shall be granted when multiple-residential buildings are constructed with upgraded living amenities within each dwelling unit. In order to be eligible, each dwelling unit must be provided with a functional fireplace (0.50 units/acre) or 1¾ bathrooms (0.50 units/acre).
(Ord. 580, passed 7-14-94; Am. Ord. 638, passed 11-25-97 ; Am. Ord. 1050, passed 10-11-18)