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5.1.7.   Sight Distance Triangles
   A.   Sight Distance Triangles Established. Corner lots and lots with driveways, alleys, or other methods of ingress/egress to a street shall include sight distance triangles to ensure visibility for drivers and pedestrians moving through or in an intersection. Required sight distance triangles shall be configured in accordance with Table 5.1.7.A: Sight Distance Triangle Requirements. Land within a required sight distance triangle shall comply with the standards in Section 5.1.7.C, Limitations on Obstructions within Required Sight Distance Triangles.
 
TABLE 5.1.7.A: SIGHT DISTANCE TRIANGLE REQUIREMENTS
Type of Street, Intersection, or Driveway
Minimum Sight Distance Triangle Configuration Required [1] [2]
Intersections of streets [3]
10/70
Driveways serving parking lots
10/70
Driveways serving individual land uses without parking lots
Single-family detached, single-family attached, Duplex, Triplex, Quadriplex
None
All other uses of land
10/70, wherever possible
NOTES:
[1] The NCDOT may require an alternative sight distance triangle configuration.
[2] AASHTO requirements shall be applied to curved or curvilinear streets.
[3] Includes all streets (State-maintained and Town-maintained).
 
   B.   Measurement of Sight Distance Triangle. Sight distance triangles shall be an area between a point at the edge of a street right-of-way located 70 linear feet from the intersection and a second point at the edge of the opposing street right-of-way located ten feet from the intersection (see Figure 5.1.7.B: Sight Distance Triangles).
   C.   Limitations on Obstructions Within Required Sight Distance Triangles.
      1.   No planting, structure, fence, wall, slope, embankment, parked vehicle, or other obstruction to vision between the heights of two-and-one-half (2 ½) feet and ten feet above the centerline grades of intersecting streets or accessways may be located within a required sight distance triangle.
      2.   No structure or object, regardless of its size, which obstructs visibility within a required sight distance triangle to the detriment of vehicular or pedestrian traffic shall be permitted.
Figure 5.1.7.B: Sight Distance Triangles
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)
5.1.8.   Parking Lot Connections
   A.   Purpose and Intent. The intent of this section is to provide for parking lot connections between comparable commercial, mixed-use, and multi-family land uses that front arterial and collector streets so that vehicles leaving one lot may access the adjoining lot without having to re-enter the street system.
   B.   Applicability. The standards in this section shall apply to lots abutting arterial and collector streets that contain any of the following uses:
      1.   Uses in the commercial uses classification in Table 4.2.3, Principal Use Table;
      2.   Mixed-use development; and
      3.   Multi-family development.
   C.   Exemptions. Parking lot connections are not required when any of the following conditions are present:
      1.   Adjacent lots do not have common frontage along an arterial or collector street;
      2.   Significant topographical differences in existing or proposed conditions are present;
      3.   Significant natural features exist in the only viable location for parking lot connections;
      4.   Vehicular safety factors exist or would be created including, but not limited to, unsafe turning movements or pedestrian conflicts;
      5.   Sufficient access already exists without need for additional parking lot connections;
      6.   Residential, institutional, or other incompatible land uses are present on adjacent lots;
      7.   Existing infrastructure obstructions; or
      8.   Other safety or security factors, in the opinion of the Planning Director or Town Engineer.
   D.   Configuration.
      1.   Parking lot connections shall join parking lots on two or more different lots (see Figure 5.1.8: Parking Lot Connections) subject to these standards.
      2.   A parking lot connection shall be included on at least two sides of a lot except when conditions prevent connections in accordance with Section 5.1.8.C, Exemptions.
      3.   Parking lot connections shall be paved with asphalt, concrete, or pavers and shall maintain a minimum width of 12 feet for one-way traffic and 18 feet for two-way traffic.
      4.   All parking lot connections shall be built to the lot line, to the maximum extent practicable.
      5.   A minimum distance of 40 feet shall be required between a parking lot connection and an intersection or driveway entrance.
   E.   Impact on Required Site Features.
      1.   Where a required parking lot connection eliminates a required landscape planting area, the landscaping requirements shall be reduced to accommodate the cross-accessway and replacement landscaping shall not be required.
      2.   When a required parking lot connection eliminates required off-street parking spaces, replacement spaces shall not be required.
   F.   Easement Required. A parking lot connection easement shall be recorded on the final plat for property involving a subdivision, or recorded by separate instrument when, no plat is proposed.
   G.   Connection Required. Development on vacant land subject to these standards shall install parking lot connections to the shared property line. However, if the abutting landowner that does not already have a parking lot connection stub and is unwilling to allow the connection to be built to the shared property line due to the impact of the grading equipment or other construction activity on their property, then the Planning Director shall notify the unwilling property owner that they will be responsible for completing the entire parking lot connection when their property is developed.
Figure 5.1.8: Parking Lot Connections
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)
5.1.9.   On-Site Pedestrian Walkways
On-site pedestrian walkways that minimize conflict between pedestrians and vehicles shall be provided on all non-residential, mixed-use, and multi-family development sites, and shall be configured in accordance with the following standards.
   A.   On-site pedestrian walkways shall connect building entrances to off-street parking areas and to other building entrances on the same site (see Figure 5.1.9: Pedestrian Walkways).
   B.   Development subject to these standards shall provide at least one connection to an existing or planned public sidewalk or existing greenway via an on-site pedestrian walkway configured in accordance with these standards.
   C.   Connections shall be made to all existing or planned adjacent transit facilities, to the maximum extent practicable.
   D.   On-site pedestrian walkways shall be paved with asphalt, concrete, or other all-weather material, and shall be of contrasting color or materials when crossing drive aisles.
   E.   On-site pedestrian walkways shall be positively drained and configured to avoid areas of pooling water.
   F.   On-site pedestrian walkways shall be in compliance with applicable State and federal requirements, including ADA requirements.
   G.   Development with 200 or more off-street parking spaces shall provide fully-separated, improved on-site pedestrian walkways within planted landscape islands located a minimum of every six parking rows. On-site pedestrian walkways shall be aligned perpendicular to the buildings served and terminate at building entrances, to the maximum extent practicable.
Figure 5.1.9: Pedestrian Walkways
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)
5.1.10.   Compliance with Requirements for Sidewalks
Development subject to the standards in this section shall comply with all applicable standards in Section 6.8, Sidewalks.
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)
5.1.11.   Compliance with Requirements for Greenways
Development on lots identified in the Town's adopted policy guidance as subject to the requirements for greenways shall comply with all applicable standards in Section 6.4, Greenways.
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)
5.2.   DESIGN GUIDELINES
5.2.1.   Purpose and Intent
These residential design guidelines are proposed as suggestions for ways to ensure that new single-family detached, duplex, triplex, and quadraplex housing is high quality, aesthetically pleasing, and provides a wide variety of living options for Town residents. More specifically, these guidelines are intended to:
   A.   Ensure single-family detached, duplex, triplex, and quadraplex homes maintain consistent exterior materials and architectural treatments on the front and sides of buildings;
   B.   Establish guidance regarding changes of exterior finishes and materials on individual facades;
   C.   Avoid garage-dominated street fronts in residential neighborhoods;
   D.   Encourage duplex, triplex, and quadraplex structures to appear as single-family homes; and
   E.   Ensure an adequate level of variability in single-family home design so as to avoid monotonous streetscapes where every dwelling appears identical or very similar to its neighboring dwellings.
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019; Ord. 2025-11, passed 10-7-2024)
5.2.2.   Applicability
   A.   Single-family detached, single-family attached, duplex, triplex, and quadraplex dwellings shall comply with these guidelines in the following instances:
      1.   When proposed development is subject to a signed statement of consent in accordance with Section 5.2.3, Statement of Consent; and
      2.   When compliance with these guidelines is included as a condition of approval associated with a conditional rezoning (see Section 2.2.6, Conditional Rezoning).
   B.   Single-family detached, attached, duplex, triplex, and quadraplex dwellings not subject to a statement of consent are not required to comply with these guidelines, though conformance is strongly encouraged.
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019; Ord. 2025-11, passed 10-7-2024)
5.2.3.   Statement of Consent
   A.   Compliance with the design guidelines in this section is voluntary and at the discretion of the applicant. In cases where an applicant chooses to comply with the guidelines in this section, the applicant shall sign the following statement of consent and include it with the application for a preliminary plat, special use permit, site plan, or building permit, as appropriate.
The single-family detached, attached, duplex, triplex, and quadraplex dwellings depicted on the attached site plan, subdivision plat, or other development approval is subject to the Town of Zebulon's Single-Family Residential Design Guidelines in place at the time the application for this development was determined to be complete. I hereby voluntarily consent to the application of these design guidelines, this acceptance of which shall run with the land regardless of changes in ownership, and recognize that failure to comply with the applicable guidelines following approval is a violation of the Unified Development Ordinance.
                                                                                                     
Landowner Signature Date
   B.   The signed statement of consent and the development approval shall be recorded in the office of the Wake County Register of Deeds prior to issuance of a building permit.
   C.   Applicants seeking to establish single-family attached development may consent to complying with the multi-family design standard as an alternative to these provisions.
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019; Ord. No. 2025-11, passed 10-7-2024)
5.2.4.   Design Features
   A.   Side and Rear Facades.
      1.   Although the front facade of a principal building is expected to be the primary focal point in terms of architectural character and features, all sides of a building shall incorporate architectural detailing and windows that complement the front facade and provide visual interest.
      2.   Blank walls void of windows or architectural detailing are prohibited when adjacent to a street.
   B.   Foundation Materials.
      1.   Poured concrete foundations, concrete block foundations, or smooth-faced concrete masonry unit foundations shall be covered by decks, porches, or be clad in face brick, stone, stucco, or some other masonry material accurately imitating these materials. In no instance shall poured concrete, concrete block, or smooth-faced concrete masonry unit foundations be visible on a front or street-facing facade.
      2.   In cases where a dwelling includes a finished or unfinished basement, the exterior basement walls on the rear or on sides not visible from streets are exempted from these standards.
   C.   Material Changes.
      1.   Exterior materials on the front facade shall not change at outside corners, but shall continue along side facades for a minimum distance of at least five feet. Wherever possible, materials shall continue to a logical termination point such as a change in roof line or where a separate wing meets the main body of the dwelling (see Figure 5.2.4.C: Exterior Material Changes).
      2.   Exterior material changes shall take place along a horizontal line where two forms meet, such as the wall and the foundation, the first and second stories, or the wall and roof. It is acceptable for material changes to be configured as
architectural accents in areas around windows, doors, cornices, at corners, or in a repeating pattern across a facade.
      3.   Where two or more exterior materials meet or are combined, the heavier or more massive material shall be located below the lighter element(s). For example, brick below wood siding, stone below brick, wood siding below stucco, etc.
      4.   It is acceptable for heavier materials to be used as accents around doors, windows, and corners.
Figure 5.2.4.C: Exterior Material Changes
   D.   Prohibited Materials.
      1.   The use of corrugated metal siding, unpainted plywood, or smooth-face concrete block is prohibited.
      2.   Synthetic stucco or EIFS shall be prohibited within two feet of the finished grade.
      3.   Vinyl siding is prohibited as an exterior material though vinyl trim, windows, and soffit are acceptable.
   E.   Street-Facing Garages.
      1.   Maximum Door Width. Street-facing garage doors configured in accordance with these guidelines shall not exceed a maximum width of 18 feet per garage door.
      2.   Location. The placement of the primary entrance closer to the street than a street-facing garage door is strongly encouraged, but in no instance shall a primary entrance be more than nine feet farther from the street than a street-facing garage door.
      3.   Design Features. Street-facing garages configured in accordance with these guidelines shall incorporate at least three of the following design features on the building wall containing the garage doors (see Figure 5.2.4.E.3: Garage Door Design Features):
         a.   Each garage door shall include transparent or opaque windows;
         b.   Garage doors shall incorporate decorative hinges or hardware that may be functional or aesthetic;
         c.   Garage doors shall include an overhang, eave, trellis, arbor, awning, or other similar architectural feature that projects at least 16 inches beyond the facade directly above the garage door(s);
         d.   Garage doors shall be flanked on either side by vertical design elements like columns, pilasters, posts, or similar vertical feature; or
         e.   The garage door(s) are located at least two or more feet behind a front porch or the primary entrance to the dwelling.
Figure 5.2.4.E.3: Garage Door Design Features
   F.   Side-Loaded Garages. Side-loaded garages configured in accordance with these guidelines may be closer to the street than the primary entrance to the dwelling, provided the garage facade facing the street includes compatible design features found on other building facades, including but not limited to:
      1.   Windows;
      2.   Eaves;
      3.   Overhangs;
      4.   Decorative trim;
      5.   Material changes; or
      6.   Other architectural features included for the sake of compatibility with the building's other facades.
   G.   Duplex Entrances.
      1.   A duplex structure shall be organized so as to give the appearance of being a large single-family detached home.
      2.   A single shared main entry door is strongly encouraged.
      3.   In no instance shall two entry doors be located on the same side of the house.
   H.   Architectural Variability.
      1.   A continuous row of identical buildings along a block shall be prohibited. Each building shall include "distinctly different" front facade elevations within any single phase of the development such that:
         a.   No three structures that are side-by-side may have the same front facade elevation; and
         b.   No structures directly across the street from one another shall have the same front facade elevation (see Figure 5.2.4.H.1: Distinctly Different).
Figure 5.2.4.H.1: Distinctly Different
      2.   For the purposes of this section, "distinctly different" shall mean that a dwelling must differ from other adjacent and opposing dwellings in at least six of the following ways (see Figure 5.2.4.H.2: Distinction Options):
         a.   A discernable color variation, not a slight variation of a similar hue, such as beige or pastel;
         b.   Variation in exterior materials;
         c.   Use of two or more distinct variations in roof forms (e.g. gable, hip, shed, mansard, gambrel, flat, or other);
         d.   Variations in the number of building stories of at least one story;
         e.   Variation in the amount of habitable space by 400 square feet or more;
         f.   A change in the depth of the setback from the street which gives the dwelling its street address by 15 feet or more;
         g.   Changes in the type and color of roofing material on structures with pitched roofs;
         h.   The orientation of the longest building axis to the street the dwelling faces, whether parallel, perpendicular, or at an angle; or
         i.   The orientation of primary roof ridgeline to the street the dwelling faces, whether parallel, perpendicular, or at an angle.
Figure 5.2.4.H.2: Distinction Options
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)
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