(a) Site Design Guidelines Purpose and Application. The purpose of these site design guidelines is to define the criteria for the design of multi-family residential dwelling lots and developments that will achieve long term quality in site layout contributing to stable community property values while providing a cohesive residential character and appeal. These site design guidelines shall apply to both individual property development and multiple lot development via a subdivision plat review or the development plan review process, as applicable, in the RMF zoning districts.
(b) Open Space Requirements.
(1) For multifamily dwellings, a minimum of three hundred square feet per dwelling unit shall be provided for a combination of active and passive open space purposes and available or use and enjoyment by the residents.
A. Examples of passive open space features include conservation areas for natural resources such as landscape buffer mounding, wetlands, steep slopes, floodplains, and woodlands, storm water facilities and similar passive uses.
B. No less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the total required open space area shall contain active uses. Examples of active open space uses include child playground areas, recreation areas, seating areas, community gardens, walking path, fitness trail and similar active uses.
C. Active recreational facilities shall be screened from view from adjacent streets and properties by: Landscaping which shall include substantial, dense, all-season plantings at least four feet high; or a substantially solid wall or fence erected to a height of not less than four feet nor more than six feet with appropriate landscaping provided.
(2) If a multifamily development is adjacent to a public park or open space, City Council may reduce the required active open space area if and to the extent it determines that such adjacent open space will assist in satisfying the requirement of this section without material impairment in public utilization of such public park or open space.
(3) In multifamily residential developments, common open space areas should be readily accessible from all buildings with the maximum number of units possible sited adjacent to the common open space areas.
(4) In addition to the common open space areas, projects should be encouraged to provide each unit with usable private open space. These private spaces should be directly accessible from the unit and large enough to permit outdoor living activities.
(c) Fences, Walls and Hedges. All fences, walls and hedges located in the RMF zoning district shall comply with the applicable fence, wall and hedge standards set forth in Section 1157.05
of this Zoning Code.
(d) Garbage Container and Waste Processing Area Standards.
(1) In any multifamily zoning district or upon any lot used as a multifamily residential dwelling, no garbage, rubbish, waste matter, empty waste containers of any size or waste processing equipment shall be permitted outside of any multifamily building or structure unless a specific outside storage area is approved by the Planning Commission.
(2) If an outside garbage storage area is approved by the Planning Commission, such storage shall be in containers approved by the Director of Public Service, and the waste container area shall be fully screened from public view consistent with the applicable screening requirements set forth in Chapter 1151.
(3) Any multi-family building undergoing an exterior remodel project shall be subject to these garbage area standards set for in this Section. For the purpose of this section, “exterior remodel” includes any substantial change to the aesthetic treatment or materials to a building including, but not limited to, new exterior paint, new or replacement exterior materials or other architectural elements and a building expansion project.
(e) Driveways and Walkways.
(1) All driveways and walkways shall be constructed of concrete, decorative stamped concrete or brick pavers. No top coatings shall be applied to any approved pavement material for a driveway or a walkway.
(2) No driveway shall be wider than twenty feet.
(3) Driveways accessing garages or parking areas on lots where the minimum front footage is seventy-five feet or more, shall be set back at least five feet from any adjacent lot line.
(4) No driveway or other hard-surfaced vehicular area shall cover more than thirty-five percent (35%) of the front yard area or thirty-five percent (35%) of the rear yard area.
(5) In all cases with front load garages, the front door and porch shall be connected to the driveway with a minimum three foot wide walkway.
(f) Paved Patios. Paved patios must be set back the same distance from the side lot line as the main structure or the required set back and twenty feet from the rear property line in the RMF zoning district and shall not cover more than thirty-five percent (35%) of a required rear yard.
(g) Landscaping and Lighting.
(1) The entire lot shall be landscaped with a combination of trees, shrubs and grass as set forth in Chapter 1151. All lot area landscaping must be fully completed within 120 days of the any dwelling unit being occupied.
(2) Ground mounted mechanical equipment is also subject to landscaping and screening requirements found in Chapter 1151.
(h) Location of Utilities.
(1) Public utility uses and distributing equipment for a public utility, if deemed essential, shall be permitted in any zoning district. However, if such public utility uses are proposed to be located across or on unplatted lands, such uses shall be subject to the issuance of conditional use permits in accordance with Chapter 1143.
(2) Regulations governing lot size shall not apply to any lot designed or intended for a public utility and public service use when the area involved is deemed appropriate for such use by City Council.
(i) Removal of Soil Protection of Drainage Courses.
(1) No soil, sand or gravel shall be stripped or removed in a multifamily residential district, except excess soil, sand or gravel resulting from excavations or grading operations in connection with the construction or alteration of a building for which a permit has been issued.
(2) No building or structure shall be erected within any area described by the City Engineer as a drainage course. For the purpose of this Zoning Code, a drainage course includes a drainageway, channel, stream or creek area designated as such on geodetic or City topographic maps, and further includes any area designed or intended for use in drainage purposes as shown on a recorded subdivision.
(3) No filling or excavation of land shall be permitted within a drainage course, or on any land within one hundred feet, or more than one hundred feet when so designated on the Zoning Map, of the centerline of such drainage course, except upon issuance of a certificate by the City Engineer that such filling will not obstruct the flow of water or otherwise reduce the water-carrying capacity or impair the design and character of such drainage course.
(j) Repair or Replacement of Permitted Yard Features. Any fence, including any fencing along any single lot line, any qualifying wall under this chapter and other permitted yard structure or landscape feature that is in need of repair or replacement, or which is repaired or replaced, to an extent of fifty percent (50%) or more shall conform to the provisions of this section.
(k) Parking Standards.
(1) All applicable off-street parking requirements for the RMF zoning district shall be in accordance with Chapter 1149.
(2) Whenever possible, parking lots should be located behind residential structures, rather than along the primary frontage, to minimize visual impact to the street. Parking areas must be recessed behind the front wall of the building.
(3) Where individual garages are incorporated into projects, common driveways, private streets or alley-loaded access is encouraged. The design of these structures should relate to the primary building.
(4) Within the site, access drives should provide sufficient length to permit vehicle stacking during hours of peak use, without impacting circulation within the parking lot or on the fronting public street.
(5) Flat roofed carports are prohibited.
(Ord. 2022-24.Passed 5-24-22; Ord. 2023-6. Passed 6-27-23.)