(a) Purpose. The purpose of this district is to preserve and encourage a mix of single-family, two-family, and three-family dwellings in an urban environment while maintaining the urban form of development within the Mile-Square District. Furthermore, it is the intent of this district to be located in areas that are in close proximity to commercial services, public institutions, and adequate infrastructure to serve the residents within this district.
(b) Uses.
(1) Permitted uses.
A. Single-family dwellings
B. Two-family dwellings
C. Three-family dwellings
E. Day Care Home Type B family.
(2) Conditional uses. The following Conditional Uses are subject to review and regulation in accordance with Chapter 1141.
A. Community-Oriented Residential Social Service Facilities (CORSSF's).
B. Shared Housing and Congregate Housing for the elderly.
C. Government owned and/or operated parks and recreation facilities.
D. Bed and Breakfasts.
E. Publicly owned and operated neighborhood recreation centers.
F. Day care facilities, including Child Day Care, Child Day Care Center, and Day Care Home Type A family.
G. Schools: primary, intermediate, and secondary, both public and private.
H. Fraternity and sorority houses.
I. Places of worship.
J. Parking lots.
K. Accessory dwelling units
(c) Site Development Regulations. (Unless superseded by Conditional Use Requirements) Any parcel, property or structure that is within the Historic District Overlay shall also consult the current design guidelines of the Historical Architectural Preservation Commission and Chapter 1331 of the Oxford Codified Ordinances and shall follow the procedures for approval contained therein.
Single-Family Dwellings | Two-Family Dwellings | Three-Family Dwellings | |
Lot Requirements | |||
Minimum Lot Area (Square Feet) | 4,000 | 6,000 | 8,000 |
Minimum Lot Width (Feet) | 40 | 50 | 60 |
Minimum Lot Frontage (Feet) | 40 | 50 | 60 |
Yard Requirements | |||
Minimum Front Yard | 15 feet | ||
Maximum Front Yard Depth | 25 feet | ||
Minimum Rear Yard Depth | 35 feet | ||
Minimum Side Yard Width | 5 feet | ||
Structural Requirements | |||
Maximum Building Height | 35 feet | ||
Lot Coverage for Lots with Vehicular Access from a Public Street | |||
Lot Total | 45 percent of lot | ||
Front Yard | 35 percent of front yard | ||
Lot Coverage for Lots with Vehicular Access from a Rear or Side Alley with No Access from a Public Street | |
Lot Total Maximum | 45 percent of lot |
Front Yard Maximum | 15 percent of front yard |
(d) Mile Square Design Standards.
(1) Purpose and Applicability.
A. The purpose of the Mile Square Design Standards is to establish design standards for all new, expanded, or renovated buildings so they are part of the urban form and character of the Mile Square District. These standards are not intended to dictate any specific architectural style or design but rather are intended to allow imaginative design that is respectful to surrounding properties and the overall district. The Mile Square Design Standards are intended to provide predictable requirements while also allowing for flexibility in design.
B. The design of all new construction and exterior alteration or renovation in the R3-MS District shall conform to the following requirements.
(2) Front Façade.
A. All development shall be located parallel to the associated public street with the main entry door designed to face onto the associated public street unless an alternative orientation is consistent with the majority of homes along the same block face.
(3) Foundations.
A. Any new construction, including expansions, shall not include exposed concrete block or poured concrete foundations of more than two (2) feet in height, unless parged or covered by a historically appropriate facing treatment (e.g. stucco).
(4) Siding.
A. Brick, stone, authentic stucco, or material replicating stone Veneer are permitted building materials in all residential districts.
B. Decorative, wood shingles are an acceptable treatment for the residential structures in the Mile Square Residential Districts.
C. The use of cementitious siding materials (e.g., Hardiplank) or engineered wood that resembles traditional wood siding treatments is permitted.
D. The use of aluminum or vinyl siding for residential structures within the Mile Square is strongly discouraged.
E. Plank siding treatments shall be horizontally oriented. Vertical planking may be allowed in a ninety (90) degree board and batten treatment.
F. Brick or masonry that has not previously been painted shall not be painted unless the painting of brick or masonry is consistent with the architectural style or era of the building.
G. All wood siding materials shall be painted.
H. Any additions or expansions of an existing building shall also comply with Section 1141.03(h) (Residential Building Additions).
(5) Roofs.
A. Flat roofs are prohibited for residential buildings except for small areas on a rear roof that are used and sized for the placement of roof-mounted mechanical systems.
B. Roof pitches for residential structures must be steep. A minimum pitch ratio of 6 to 12 is required with the exception of porch roofs that should have a minimum pitch ratio of 4 to 12.
C. Decorative cornices and parapets are encouraged.
D. The addition of antennae, satellite dishes, and skylights should be placed on the rear of the building, roof, or on a non-visible accessory building to the maximum extent feasible
(6) Doors.
A. Doors shall be made of wood or "wood appearing" types of material (e.g. a steel door with panels).
B. All doors shall be constructed to be exterior doors. The use of an indoor door on the exterior of the building is prohibited.
(7) Windows.
A. Windows must be proportionally vertical where practical. Examples of instances where windows are not required to be vertical include kitchens and basements. For purposes of applying this provision, the vertical proportion is required only for each individual window frame; a horizontal row of vertical windows is acceptable.
B. Reflective glass (such as blue or gold tinted glass) is prohibited.
C. Skylights can be added to increase the availability of natural light. These must generally be flat and unobtrusive (especially from any public ways). They shall not be located on the front side of the roof slope facing the street.
(8) Porches, Stoops, and Decks.
A. New residential structures are encouraged to include porches and stoops as design elements, which serve to enhance the physical and social components of the neighborhood.
C. Porches and stoops are permitted in any yard, however stoops may not exceed twenty five (25) square feet in front yards.
D. Decks shall only be permitted rear yards, with the exception of corner lots having frontage on two public streets, in which case a deck may be installed in the side yard so long as it is set back at least 10 feet from the front façade of the building.
E. The use of treated or untreated lumber that is not painted shall be prohibited for use on the front and side facades.
F. The table below outlines the standards defining the differences and distinctions between porches, stoops and decks consistent with definitions as provided in Chapter 1159. The standards in this table shall not preclude any other applicable provisions of this Zoning Code which are more restrictive in terms of location, size, material, etc.
Standards | Porch | Stoop | Deck |
Allowable Yards | Any | Any | Only Rear Yards, except per (D) above |
Maximum Size | No max | No max, except in front yards max is 25 sq ft | No max |
Roof | Roof required | Roof allowed | Roof not allowed |
Material | Any | Any, though typically concrete or masonry | Any, though typically wood |
(9) Garages and Accessory buildings.
A. Street facing garages shall not comprise more than fifty percent (50%) of the ground floor building frontage. Any garage with more than two (2) car parking capacity should not directly face onto any street. The garage with more than two parking bays should have the side wall facing the street (i.e., side loading garage). All garage doors shall be compatible with the dwelling style and colors.
B. The front façade of any garage facing on to the street shall be set back a distance equal to or more than the front façade of the remainder of the principal building.
C. To the maximum extent feasible, a detached garage shall be accessed from the alley if alleys are available for vehicular traffic.
D. The architectural style and materials of any accessory building generally shall be compatible with the principal building as should the roof type and roof slope. Roofs for any accessory building shall be subject to the same standards as for principal structures pursuant to subsection (d)(5) above.
(10) Fences and Gates.
A. Chain link fences are prohibited.
B. When fencing is to be used, traditional fence forms, such as picket fences and plain board fences, shall be utilized and shall comply with the fencing height restrictions of Section 1141.01.
C. Fencing shall only be constructed of wood, wrought iron, decorative metal fencing, or fencing material that resembles wood materials
(11) Chimneys.
A. Where a building is designed with chimneys or where a chimney is to be added to an existing structure, brick or stone are the preferred materials. Other siding may be allowed if the entire building is sided in similar materials.
(12) Shutters.
A. Shutters do not have to be operable. However, when present they must appear to be functional and they must be proportionally equal to the adjacent window opening.
The shutters on the left window are appropriately shaped and sized for the related window even if they are not operable. The replacement shutters on the right are not appropriate due to the length and shape that do not correlate to the related window.
(13) Driveways and Parking Lots.
A. Individual curb cuts for driveways are strongly discouraged. No curb cuts are allowed if an alley is present. Alleys must be utilized as much as possible to provide automobile access.
(14) Landscaping.
(15) Architectural Features for Three-Family Dwellings.
A. At least three (3) of the following design features shall be provided on the front façade of each dwelling unit with frontage on a public street.
1. One or more dormer windows or cupolas;
2. A recessed entrance;
3. A covered porch or balcony;
4. Pillars, posts, or pilasters;
5. One or more bay windows with a minimum of twelve (12) inch projection from the façade plane;
6. A parapet wall with an articulated design, which entails design variation rather than a simple rectilinear form; or
7. Multiple windows with a minimum of four (4) inch wide trim.
B. To the maximum extent practicable, all roof vents, pipes, antennas, satellite dishes, and other roof penetrations and equipment (except chimneys) shall be located on the rear elevations or configured to have a minimal visual impact as seen from the street.
Illustrative example of acceptable architectural design for multi-family dwellings
Illustrative example of unacceptable architectural design for multi-family dwellings
(16) Accessory Dwelling Units. In addition to the standards applicable to all conditional use reviews, any new accessory dwelling unit shall be subject to the following standards:
A. An accessory dwelling unit may be in a stand-alone structure or may be located above a garage.
B. In no case shall there be more than three dwelling units on any single lot, including any approved accessory dwelling unit.
C. Accessory dwelling units shall only be allowed on lots with a area of 5,000 square feet.
D. The maximum square footage of an accessory dwelling unit shall not exceed 1000 square feet or fifty percent (50%) of the footprint of the principal structure whichever is smaller, unless approved by the Planning Commission and City Council.
E. The accessory dwelling unit shall be located in the rear yard.
F. The accessory dwelling unit shall be designed to be smaller in mass, height, and square footage than the principal dwelling.
G. The accessory dwelling unit structure shall be subject to the accessory building design guidelines of this section.
(Ord. 3611. Passed 1-19-21.)