A. District Character. The Residential Watershed (R1) district is established in accordance with Section 143-214.5 of the North Carolina General Statutes for the purposes of protecting water quality within the Little River Water Supply Watershed. The R1 district has a rural character comprised of single-family detached dwellings at very low densities, farms, agricultural uses, and vacant lands generally located at the edges of the Town's planning jurisdiction. Residential densities are very low at one unit an acre or less, and impervious surfaces are limited in order to minimize stormwater runoff and degraded drinking water quality. Conservation subdivisions that result in large portions of land remaining undeveloped or under agricultural use are encouraged, provided they do not negatively impact the rural aesthetics of the district. Land uses or site features that degrade water quality such as improperly functioning on-site wastewater disposal systems, inadequate erosion control measures, or the deposition of waste are prohibited.
B. Example of Pattern.
C. Dimensional Standards.
Standard | Requirements [1] | ||
Within Critical Areas | Within Balance Areas | Conservation Subdivision | |
Standard | Requirements [1] | ||
Within Critical Areas | Within Balance Areas | Conservation Subdivision | |
Minimum Development Size (acres) | None | None | 10 |
Maximum Residential Density (units/acre) [2] | 0.5 | 1 | As allowed within critical or balance areas |
Minimum Lot Area (square feet) | 80,000 | 40,000 | 6,500 |
Minimum Lot Width (linear feet) | 70 | 70 | 70 |
Maximum Built-Upon Area (% of lot area) | 6 | 12 [3] [4] | As allowed within critical or balance areas [3] [4] |
Minimum Open Space Set- Aside (% of development size) | 10 | 10 | 50 [5] |
Minimum Street Setback (feet) | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Minimum Side Setback (feet) | 15 | 15 | 5 |
Minimum Rear Setback (feet) | 25 | 25 | 5 |
Maximum Building Height (feet) | 35 | 35 | 35 |
NOTES: [1] Land area within the R1 district shall be classified as Critical Area or Balance Area in accordance with the Little River Water Supply Watershed regulations established by the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission. [2] Maximum residential density may not be increased through compliance with residential design guidelines or incorporation of sustainable development features. [3] Built-upon area may be configured so that a maximum of 10% of the development's total acreage is 70% built upon. Built-upon area shall include the total footprint of all proposed principal and accessory structures as a percentage of the total acreage of the tract being developed, excluding the footprint associated with lawfully established development in place prior to May 4, 2009. [4] Development using the "10/70" option described in Note [2] shall include stormwater control measures to minimize concentrated stormwater flow and to minimize impact to receiving waters. Stormwater control measures shall be reviewed and approved by the Town and Wake County. [5] Development using the "10/70" option described in Note [2] shall set aside all land not used for building lots or streets as open space. Nothing shall prohibit farming or the placement of potable water or septic facilities within open space set-aside areas. | |||
D. Development Examples.
E. District-Specific Standards. The following standards shall apply to all lands within the Residential Watershed (R1) district:
1. Compliance with Little River Reservoir Water Supply Watershed Interlocal Agreement. Land within the R1 district shall comply with the provisions in the Little River Reservoir Water Supply Watershed Interlocal Agreement.
2. Exemption of Existing Development.
a. Lawfully established development in existence prior to May 4, 2009 shall be exempted from these standards, and shall not be included within calculations of built-upon area.
b. Additions to existing development exempted from these standards taking place after May 4, 2009 shall be subject to these provisions, and shall be included within calculations of built-upon area.
3. Zoning Map Amendment Prohibited.
a. Land located within the Little River Water Supply Watershed, as designated by the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission, shall not be rezoned to a different general zoning district designation.
b. Nothing shall limit the establishment of a Residential Watershed Conditional (R1-C) district, provided that all conditions place greater restrictions on proposed development then those applied to the general Residential Watershed (R1) district.
4. Prohibited Land Uses. The following uses shall be prohibited within the land area occupied by the R1 zoning district:
a. Sites for land application of residuals or petroleum-contaminated soils;
b. Landfills, incinerators, or waste processing facilities; or
c. Solid waste management facilities.
5. Watershed Buffer Required.
a. All development within the R1 district shall maintain a 50-foot- wide vegetated buffer along all sides of any perennial waters indicated on the most recent USGS 1:24,000 (7.5 minute) scale topographic maps, or in other Town-adopted studies.
b. Development shall be generally prohibited within watershed buffers, but street crossings and greenways trails may be permitted where no alternative exists. In cases where street crossings or greenway trails are located within the buffer, they shall direct stormwater runoff away from receiving waters and shall include stormwater control measures to minimize concentrated stormwater flow and minimize impacts to receiving waters.
6. Streets.
a. Streets shall be located outside of watershed critical areas and required watershed buffers, to the maximum extent practicable.
b. In cases where streets must be located within a watershed critical area or watershed buffer, streets shall be designed and constructed to direct stormwater runoff away from receiving waters and shall include stormwater control measures to minimize concentrated stormwater flow and minimize impacts to receiving waters.
7. Public Water and Sewer. Development within the R1 district shall not be served by public water or sanitary sewer systems.
8. Stormwater Control Measures. Development required to provide stormwater control measures shall ensure they are configured to divert stormwater runoff away from surface waters and incorporate best management practices to minimize water quality impacts.
9. Erosion and Sedimentation Control. Development disturbing more than one acre of land area shall be subject to an approved erosion and sedimentation control plan (see Section 6.9, Soil Erosion & Sedimentation).
10. Enforcement. Development that violates these standards shall be subject to the provisions in Article 8: Enforcement.
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)