This zoning district classification is established to provide development standards for particular roadway corridor areas which are in addition to those provided by the other zoning districts established by this chapter. The purpose for establishing this entry corridor overlay district is first, to recognize the importance that different roadway corridors play in defining the town’s character as entryways and, second, to protect and preserve both the aesthetics of these important roadways and their traffic-handling capabilities, thereby contributing to the general welfare of the Town of Franklin.
(A) Dimensional requirements. Same as for the underlying district(s).
(B) Permitted uses. Same as for the underlying district(s).
(C) Special uses. Same as for the underlying district(s).
(D) Prohibited uses. Same as for the underlying district(s).
(E) Development standards. Dimensional requirements and all other development standards shall be the same as for underlying zoning district(s) except as modified herein.
(1) Setbacks. Setbacks shall be the same as for the underlying zoning district; provided, however, one or more principal structures may be authorized within the setback under the following circumstances:
(a) Such principal structure(s) is not situated within 10 feet of the projected right-of-way line of an entry corridor roadway;
(b) Parking for the site is placed to the side or rear of such structure(s) so that it is screened from view from the entry corridor by means of such structure(s) and landscaping, as necessary.
(c) When siting principal structures within the setback, the developer is encouraged to design the site, including any proposed structures, in such a way as to protect and preserve the aesthetics of the entry corridor, thereby furthering the purpose of this section.
(2) Thoroughfare protection. No improvements other than driveways, sidewalks, parking and landscaping shall be permitted within the limits of projected rights-of-way as specified in the Official Thoroughfare Plan.
(3) Driveways. Driveways serving a development parcel shall be permitted in accordance with the standards of the NCDOT; provided, however, a development parcel shall be limited to no more than two driveways on any road and no more than three driveways total. Additional driveways may be permitted when they are necessary to improve traffic movement, increase sight distances or for other safety reasons. Developers are encouraged to share parking areas and driveways with adjoining developments. No landscaping or structures of any kind shall be required or allowed to be placed near the intersections of driveways and streets that would impede safe vision of traffic.
(4) Outdoor storage. Outdoor storage shall be screened from view so that it is not visible from a roadway or adjacent properties. Provided, however, this section shall not apply to the outdoor display of goods for sale.
(5) Lighting. Lighting for the site shall be designed and installed so that it is directed away from the roadway and any adjacent properties and does not interfere with the safe use of public rights-of-way.
(6) Signs. Signs shall be governed by the regulations contained in the sign regulations of the town except as modified below:
(a) Outdoor advertising signs. Outdoor advertising signs, commonly known as billboards, are prohibited.
(b) Freestanding signs. Each development parcel may include no more than one freestanding sign, which shall not exceed 70 square feet in size and 18 feet in height, measured from street grade, for each thoroughfare on which the site has driveway access. For purposes of this subsection, a development parcel shall include all out parcels associated with shopping centers and other multiple-business development sites.
(c) Business identification signs. Each business on a development parcel shall be entitled to install one or more business identification signs on the premises where the business is located so long as the total amount of such signage does not exceed one square foot for each linear foot of the front facade for that business, or 250 square feet, whichever is less. Such signs may be placed on the front wall of the business or on awnings, canopies or marquees attached to or closely associated with such facade. Any additional facade which has a door designed and used for public access may contain a business identification sign so long as the total amount of such signage does not exceed one square foot for each three linear feet of such facade frontage for that business, or 250 square feet, whichever is less. Also, in shopping centers, one suspended sign may be incorporated per business, which sign shall not exceed three square feet per face per sign.
(7) Parking. In consideration of the goals of this section and the increased landscaping requirements contained herein, the off-street parking requirements contained in § 152.093(E) may be reduced, at the discretion of the developer, by up to 20%.
(8) Street trees.
(a) Street trees shall be required at the rate of one large-maturing tree (35 feet in height) for every 50 linear feet of property abutting a street, or one small-maturing tree (25 feet in height) for every 40 linear feet of property abutting a street if overhead utility lines are present. Trees do not need to be spaced evenly. They may be clustered with a minimum spacing of 15 feet and a maximum spacing of 75 feet. Street trees shall be placed in a planting strip on private property and not within the street right-of-way.
(b) No street tree can be planted farther than 35 feet from the edge of the right-of-way to count as a street tree. The width of the planting strip may vary, but the minimum width cannot be less than seven feet and the average width shall be at least ten feet. The planting area must be covered with living material, including ground cover and/or shrubs, except for mulched areas directly around trees and shrubs, so that no soil is exposed. When a sidewalk is proposed to be constructed on a development site and right-of-way configuration requires that it be constructed on the developer’s property, the width of the planting strip may be reduced to an average of seven feet. During the development review process, the approving authority for the town may permit minor deviations in the placement of trees in order to avoid conflict with utility structures and utility lines.
(c) Existing vegetation on a development parcel may count toward meeting the requirements of this section when such is in good condition and helps to further the purpose of the district.
(9) Exceptions.
(a) Single-family and two-family residential dwellings shall be required to comply with the provisions of (E)(1) through (E)(4), above, but they shall not be required to comply with the remaining regulations of the EC Entry Corridor Overlay Zoning Classification.
(b) Small lots, defined as lots with less than 100 feet of frontage on an entry corridor roadway or with less than 100 feet of depth, may have site constraints which make strict compliance with the regulations contained in this section a hardship. In such cases, the approving authority for the town may approve deviations from such regulations so long as the plans of development are consistent with the goals and objectives stated herein.
(Ord. passed 10-1-07)