Two-family and multiple family dwellings in the MFR Residential District shall comply with the following standards.
(A) General standards.
(1) Single-family conversions to multi-family dwellings shall be encouraged to promote the intent of the MFR Residential District while preserving the existing character and housing stock to the greatest extent possible. For the purposes of this section, SINGLE-FAMILY CONVERSIONS are defined as the repurposing of a single-family home to accommodate up to four dwelling units. All other development shall be considered new construction.
(2) All developments in the MFR District shall conform to the standards in Table 5.30.
Lot Size (square feet) | Single-Family Conversion | New Construction |
Minimum unit size (square feet) | Studio: 300 1 bedroom: 450 2 bedroom: 650 3 bedroom: 850 | Studio: 350 1 bedroom: 550 2 bedroom: 800 3 bedroom: 1,000 |
Minimum lot area per unit (s.ft. per unit) | Duplex: 2,000 3 - 4 units: 1,660 | Duplex: 2,500 3+ units: 2,100 |
(3) Wherever two or more different building materials are used on a building façade, the heavier material in weight or appearance shall be placed below the lighter material.
(4) In the case of multiple family buildings where the dwelling units are accessed from a common hallway or gathering area, the main entrance to the building shall face a public street and be directly accessible from the sidewalk adjoining the front yard.
(5) Rooftop terraces or patios atop a flat roof structure shall subject to the following.
(a) No part of the rooftop terrace or patio, including the floor or base level, shall exceed the maximum allowable building height except as provided in § 5.59 of the zoning ordinance.
(b) Rooftop terraces shall maintain the following setbacks:
i. Minimum 20 feet from the front lot line;
ii. Minimum 25 feet from the rear lot line; and
iii. Minimum ten feet from each side lot line, but in no case less than five feet from the side exterior building walls.
(c) Lighting for a rooftop terrace or patio shall not exceed three foot height from the terrace surface and shall comply with § 5.69 of the zoning ordinance.
(6) A minimum of 40 square feet of enclosed storage space, excluding closets, shall be provided for each dwelling unit. The required enclosed storage space may be located within a basement, garage, or other structure approved by the Director of Public Works.
(B) Standards for single-family conversions.
(1) No more than four dwelling units shall be developed in a single-family conversion.
(2) Single-family conversions may increase their existing livable floor area, provided that such expansion does not exceed 25% of the existing livable floor area of the home, and that no more than a combined 25% of the existing exterior wall and roof area of the home is removed or demolished.
(3) Existing porches in the front of the building shall be retained or replaced with porches of comparable or greater size and character.
(4) Surface parking for single-family conversions shall be located in the rear or side yard only. However, in no case shall any portion of a parking structure, parking lot, or attached garage be located closer to the front lot line than the main entry of the building.
(C) Standards for new construction.
(1) For new two family and multiple family structures, windows shall be incorporated into all façades, covering at least 25% of the front wall and 10% of all other walls. For the purposes of calculating the required area, only wall areas that cover habitable floors or stories may be used. Walls less than five feet in width shall be exempt from this requirement.
(2) To promote compatibility with the existing character of the MFR Residential Districts, all new two family and multiple family structures shall incorporate a minimum of four of the following architectural or design elements:
(a) Porches, patios, or balconies for each dwelling unit. Porches shall be a minimum six feet deep and 10 feet wide;
(b) Gable, hip, or gambrel roof;
(c) Brick, stone, or similar masonry materials, covering at least 50% of the exterior façades;
(d) Horizontal siding, excluding vinyl siding;
(e) Decorative columns and dormers;
(f) Windows featuring shutters, muntins, grills, or transoms;
(g) Windows covering at least 25% of each exterior wall, not including walls less than five feet in width. For the purposes of calculating this area, only wall areas that cover habitable floors or stories may be used;
(h) Bay, bow, or similarly articulated windows;
(i) Decorative pediments over front and side entries; or
(j) Foundation plantings along the front façade, minimum four foot depth.
(3) No uninterrupted building façade that faces a public street shall exceed 30 feet in length. Building wall offsets of at least one foot (projection or recesses), cornices, pilasters, and plinths shall be acceptable means to break up the building mass.
(4) Surface parking or detached parking structures for new construction shall not be located in the front or side yards. In addition, such parking areas or structures shall be screened from public view from adjoining streets and adjacent properties to the extent practical. Where attached parking garages are provided, garage doors and entries shall be located behind the frontmost façade of the principal building and shall be oriented toward the side or rear of the lot only.
(5) For multiple family developments with five or more dwelling units, access to parking areas shall be provided by a driveway with a minimum 24 foot width. Such driveway shall have a minimum five foot setback from side lot lines.
(Ord. effective 5-13-2022)