The following regulations shall apply to the R-2 Medium Density Residential District.
(A) Intent.
(1) The R-2 District is intended to encourage the development of moderate density residential neighborhoods, with a mix of permanent and short-term seasonal residents, and to serve as a transition zone between the low-density area and more intensely developed areas.
(2) The maximum density shall not exceed 6 dwelling units per acre.
(B) Permitted uses. The following uses shall be permitted by right:
(1) Detached single-family dwellings;
(2) Duplexes, with each unit subject to the dimensional requirements for single-family dwellings in the district, except for the side yards required at any common walls;
(3) Customary accessory buildings, including private swimming pools;
(4) Mobile homes, Class A;
(5) Town owned or leased facilities;
(6) Minor home occupations;
(7) Plant nurseries and greenhouses;
(8) Fine craft and folk art production; and
(9) Accessory dwelling units, subject to the provisions of § 156.140.
(C) Special uses. The following special uses are permitted, subject to the requirements of this district and additional regulations and requirements imposed by the Town Council as provided in §§ 156.150 et seq.:
(1) Churches and cemeteries;
(2) Fire stations, schools and other public buildings;
(3) Major home occupations;
(4) Private clubs, including boat launching areas, golf courses, tennis courts, community centers, libraries, picnic areas, beach clubs and concessions integral thereto; provided, that there is no open commercial activity;
(5) Public and private utility facilities;
(6) Townhouse developments, under the provisions of §§ 156.054 with a maximum density of 6 dwelling units per acre;
(7) Public or private parks and playgrounds;
(9) Small, medium and large child care centers as defined in § 156.002 above, only as an accessory use of an existing or proposed church, school or other public building;
(10) Public and private utility facilities must provide a vegetated buffer strip at least 10 feet in width that provides year round screening to adjacent properties where the facility abuts a residential lot or use;
(11) Pole-mounted yard and area lighting; provided, that the yard or area lighting must be shielded to prevent the direct rays of the light from extending beyond the property lines of the lot on which it is located. Installation of low-voltage ground-mounted lights less than 24 inches in height above the ground are exempt from this special use permit requirement;
(12) Transit stops;
(13) Agricultural buildings;
(14) Commercial animal production;
(15) Commercial crop production (indoor or outdoor); and
(16) Livestock shelters and stables.
(D) Dimensional requirements.
(1) Minimum lot size:
(a) Single-family lots served by a private well and an on-site septic tank/drain field system: 20,000 square feet of area;
(b) Single-family lots served by a central water supply and an on-site septic tank/drain field system: 15,000 square feet of area;
(c) Single-family lots served by a central water supply and a central wastewater disposal system: 15,000 square feet of area; and
(d) Duplex: 25,000 square feet; except, that if served by an approved public or community sewage disposal system, lot size may be reduced to 15,000 square feet.
(2) Minimum lot width: 75 feet, measured at the building setback line.
(3) Minimum front yard: 25 feet.
(4) Minimum side yard: 10 feet. An additional 10-foot side yard adjacent to the street is required for a corner lot.
(5) Minimum rear yard: 20% of lot depth, but the yard need not exceed 20 feet.
(6) Maximum allowable lot coverage by principal use and all accessory structures: 30%. Lot coverage may be increased to 35% provided that stormwater management improvements meeting the following criteria are provided on the development site:
(a) Stormwater runoff from the built-upon area of the site must be directed into an approved stormwater management system designed to accommodate the volume of runoff generated by 1.5 inches of rainfall over a 2 hour period (1.5 inch design storm).
(b) The stormwater management system shall be designed in accordance with the standards, methodology, and procedures prescribed in the state Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual (NCDENR BMP Manual).
(c) Storage capacity (interstitial storage) within existing soils and/or fill material shall not be counted towards the volume requirement for the stormwater management design.
(d) The designed stormwater management system may include any of the following low-impact development principles and best management practices as the primary method for the treatment of stormwater:
1. Landscaped swales;
2. Infiltration basins;
3. Bioretention or rain gardens;
4. Rainwater harvesting to include cisterns and/or rain barrels;
5. Subsurface drainage systems;
6. Other methods approved by the Zoning Administrator.
(e) The bottoms of stormwater swales and basins should maintain 12 inches above the seasonal high-water table to avoid long periods of standing water due to elevated water tables. The seasonal high water table elevation must be verified by a soil inspection by a licensed soil scientist or may be verified by a County Health Department wastewater site evaluation.
(f) The stormwater management systems shall adhere to all setbacks, separations, and standards required by the state on-site wastewater regulations and building code. In no instance shall open drainage systems be located beneath a building.
(g) Rainwater harvesting, rain barrels or cisterns must include plans for the ultimate disposal of the collected rainwater (pump to irrigation, slow release through drip tubing etc.). Open systems must include plans to prevent mosquito breeding.
(h) The stormwater management plan must clearly delineate water sheds or drainage areas within the subject property. This should include a roof plan depicting roof runoff and the method to collect or direct the volume from each portion of the roof area towards the stormwater management system. In some situations, the plan may require a detailed topographic survey and a detailed grading plan.
(i) Stormwater plans must be prepared by a state licensed professional engineer or surveyor and shall include volumetric calculations. Prior to the issuance of a certificate of completion for the project, a state licensed professional engineer or surveyor shall certify that the proposed improvements have been constructed in accordance with the project design.
(j) If permeable surfaces, such as pervious pavement or artificial turf, are used as part of the lot coverage calculation, then the property owner must provide written certification that the surface material was installed and will be maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
(7) Height limitation: 35 feet.
(Ord. 04-22, passed 11-3-2004, § 19; Am. Ord. 14-02, passed 6-4-2014; Am. Ord. 16-04, passed 7-6-2016; Am. Ord. 16-07, passed 11-2-2016; Am. Ord. 16-08, passed 2-1-2017; Am. Ord. 17-04, passed 6-7-2017; Am. Ord. 21-01, passed 6-2-2021; Am. Ord. 22-07, passed 9-7-2022; Am. Ord. 23-02, passed 5-3-2023)