DAVIDSON PLANNING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS AFTER SEPTEMBER 2009 SECTION 9

Transcription

1 AMENDMENT ADOPTED 6/12/2012 Section Wall Murals Entire Section Added: Wall Murals DAVIDSON PLANNING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS AFTER SEPTEMBER 2009 SECTION 9 Exterior wall murals are only allowed on commercial buildings in the local Davidson Historic District, as shown on the Local Historic District Overlay Map. The size of a wall mural must be proportional to the wall on which it is painted and the existing structures nearby. Only one mural on one facade is allowed per structure. Content of a wall mural must reflect the values of the community, as set out in one or more instruments containing statements of Town policy adopted by the Board of Commissioners and may not contain advertising for an extant business or product. Materials used to produce the mural shall be appropriate for outdoor use, long-lasting, and graffitiresistant to the greatest extent possible. Colors should be harmonious with the exterior colors of the building. Neon, fluorescent, or reflective colors or materials are not permitted. AMENDMENT ADOPTED -- 4/10/ Special Conditions for Storefront, Workplace, and Live/Work Buildings Window and Door Proportions and Design Existing: 65% of the lineal footage of street-facing, ground level facades shall be windows or fixed glass in storefront or workplace buildings and a minimum 50% in live/work buildings. The glass areas shall be designed to make uses inside easily discernible to passers-by. Reflective or highly tinted glass, faux windows, or casement display windows are prohibited. Proposed: 65% of the area of the façade that is between 3-0 and 8-0 above finish first floor of street-facing, ground level facades shall be windows or fixed glass in storefront or workplace buildings and a minimum 50% in live/work buildings. The glass areas shall be designed to make uses inside easily discernible to passers-by. Reflective or highly tinted glass, faux windows, or casement display windows are prohibited Special Conditions for Flex age Type Buildings Mass, Scale, and Proportion Existing: Blank lengths of walls exceeding 35 linear feet are prohibited on the front façade. If provided, awnings must project a minimum of five feet. Proposed: Blank lengths of walls exceeding 35 linear feet are prohibited on the front façade. The use of texture, bays, wall offsets such as projections and recesses, and changes in floor level shall be used to subdivide the wall into human-scale proportions.

2 Window and Door Proportions and Design Existing: 30% of the lineal footage of street-facing, ground level facades, or the average percent (whichever is greater) of lineal footage of street-facing, ground level facades of approved or constructed buildings on the same side of the street and within the same block, shall be windows or fixed glass in flex frontage type buildings. Proposed: 25% of the area of the façade that is between 3-0 and 8-0 above finish first floor of street-facing, ground level facades shall be windows or fixed glass in flex frontage type buildings. Existing: Where applicable, street-facing upper floor facades shall be transparent as well, but need only maintain a minimum 20% lineal footage of window or fixed glass. Proposed: Where applicable, street-facing upper floor facades shall be transparent as well, but need only maintain a minimum 20% of the area of the façade that is between 3-0 and 8-0 above finish floor at all upper floors of windows or fixed glass. Existing: Garage doors are not permitted in the street facing façade. Proposed: Loading dock and service doors are not permitted in the street-facing façade. AMENDMENT ADOPTED 9/13/2011 [No changes to caption under photos or illustrations] Section 9.0 Design Regulations Section 9.1 General Principles Section Neighborhood Section Site Section Site Design and the Environmental Inventory Section Relationship of Building to Site [No changes to original text or text amendment adopted on 12/14/2010] Section Relationship of Building to Street [Text added to paragraph 6] Campus workplace and flex frontage buildings may have additional main entrances from areas. [Text added to paragraph 10]

3 Campus workplace building types are permitted to utilize flag lots for driveway access as long as minimum 60 of street frontage is provided. Section Relationship of Building to Surrounding Built Environment No loading facilities, loading docks, service doors or other service areas shall directly face a street. Section Building Section Architectural Style Section Roof Form and Pitch Section Façade Articulation and Detailing [Text added to paragraph 3] Campus workplace building type is exempt. Section Street Rhythm Section Building Materials [No changes to original text except for the following deleted text in paragraph 9] Metal buildings shall be prohibited except as specifically allowed in the planning area regulations Adopted text: Metal buildings shall be prohibited. Section Window and Door Proportions and Design Section Mechanical Screening Project elements like mechanical equipment, utility meters, storage areas, solid waste containers, including dumpsters, compactors, recycling containers, and solid waste and recycling handling areas, transformers, generators and similar features or other utility hardware on the building, roof, or ground shall be screened from public view with materials similar to the structure or they shall be so located as not to be visible from any public view or from potential buildings nearby. Rooftop mechanical equipment shall not be visible from the street. Unused equipment should be removed. Adopted text: [Text added.] Project elements like mechanical equipment, utility meters, storage areas, solid waste containers, including dumpsters, compactors, recycling containers, and solid waste and recycling handling areas, transformers, generators and similar features or other utility hardware on the building, roof, or ground shall be concealed and contained or screened from public view with materials similar to the structure or they shall be so located as not to be visible from any public view or from potential buildings nearby.

4 These elements must be integrated with the site and building plan, be designed so as not to attract attention and be easily serviceable. Rooftop mechanical equipment shall not be visible from the street. Unused equipment should be removed. Mechanical equipment, garbage and refuse containers and outdoor storage areas are not required to be screened on campus workplace building type as long as perimeter and right of way screening is adequate per Section 12 of the Davidson Planning Ordinance. Section Building Height Regulations [No changes to original text except added text to paragraph 1] Original text in paragraph 1: This ordinance requires buildings (excluding detached housing) of at least two stories. Adopted text in paragraph 1: This ordinance requires buildings (excluding detached housing, campus workplace, and flex frontage) of at least two stories. Section General Principles Public Spaces Section Pedestrian Passageways Section Close Section Playgrounds Section Parks Section Squares Section Greenways Section Plazas Section Greenbelt Section 9.2 Building Type Regulations Section Special Conditions for Storefront, Workplace, and Live/Work Buildings [This section and subsections incorporated into building types][text renumbered to reflect change] Section Workplace Building Type

5 Section Workplace - Site Design Lakeshore/NC 73 College Campus Village Center Rural Min. Max. Min. Max Min. Max. Min. Max. w/* w/out N/A N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Equal to Height of bldg N/A Height 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories *Governed by landscaping and regulations.

6 Adopted text: Lakeshore College Campus Village Center Flex Campus Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. w/* w/out N/A 0 N/A N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A Height 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories w/* w/out Employment Campus Neighborhood Center Central Business District Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Height 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories 3 stories 6 stories *Governed by landscaping and regulations. Section Storefront Building Type Section Storefront - Site Design Lakeshore/NC 73 College Campus Village Center Rural Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. w/* w/out N/A N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A Equal to height of bldg N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Equal to Height of bldg N/A Height 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories *Governed by landscaping and regulations.

7 Adopted text: Lakeshore College Campus Village Center Village Infill Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. w/* w/out N/A 0 0 N/A N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A N/A Equal to height of building N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Height 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories N/A N/A Neighborhood General Neighborhood Center Central Business District Flex Campus Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. w/* w/out N/A N/A N/A 0 N/A N/A 0 0 N/A Height 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories *Governed by landscaping and regulations. Section Civic Building Type Section Civic - Site Design Lakeshore/NC 73 College Campus Village Center Village Infill Rural Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. w/* N/A 0 0 * * N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A N/A w/out Equal to Height of bldg N/A Height 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 2 stories 2 stories 4 stories *Governed by landscaping and regulations.

8 Adopted text: Lakeshore College Campus Village Center Village Infill Rural Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. w/* w/out N/A 0 0 * * N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A N/A Equal to Height of bldg N/A Height 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 2 stories 2 stories 4 stories w/* w/out Neighborhood Edge Neighborhood General Central Business District Flex Campus Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max N/A N/A 0 N/A Equal to Height of bldg N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Height 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories *Governed by landscaping and regulations. Section Live/Work Building Type [No changes to original text except for an asterisk at the end of the paragraph]] Section Live/Work - Site Design Lakeshore/NC 73 College Campus Village Center Rural Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. w/offsite or under building * w/out N/A N/A N/A 10 N/A 10 N/A 10 N/A 25 N/A 25 N/A 25 N/A 25 N/A Height 2 stories 3 stories 2 stories 3 stories 2 stories 3 stories 2 stories 3 stories * Commercial space may be a home-based business or may be leased independently; however, different NC State Building Code regulations apply.

9 Adopted text: Lakeshore College Campus Village Center Village Infill Rural Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. w/ w/out N/A 0 0 * * N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A N/A Equal to Height of bldg N/A Height 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 2 stories 2 stories 4 stories Neighborhood General Neighborhood Center Central Business District Flex Campus Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. w/ w/out N/A N/A 10 0 N/A Height 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories * Commercial space may be a home-based business or may be leased independently; however, different NC State Building Code regulations apply. Section Special Conditions for Storefront, Workplace, and Live/Work Buildings Section Mass, Scale, and Proportion Text added: Maximum floor height of the buildings may not exceed 75 feet measured from the point of fire department vehicle access. Total building heights to be approved by the Design Review Board. Section Window and Door Proportions and Design Section Flex age Building Type [This section and subsections are added text] The flex frontage building type accommodates commercial and light industrial uses such as research and development, light manufacturing, and repair or workshops. These buildings are built to the fronting sidewalk. Exterior work areas are confined to work courts and the rear area. This building type may be used only in the Employment Campus and Flex Campus Planning Areas. It is intended to regulate development adjacent to and visible from the public right of way (ROW). Section Flex age Site Design Employment Campus Flex Campus Min. Max. Min. Max.

10 w/ w/out N/A 20 N/A 20 N/A 20 N/A 20 N/A 20 N/A Height* 1 story 6 stories 1 stories 4 stories * The minimum height is 22 feet. The maximum height for flex frontage buildings is 75 feet. Section Special Conditions for Flex age Type Buildings Section Mass, Scale, and Proportion Entrances should be differentiated architecturally to create a sense of human scale. The average ground story finished floor elevation must be between zero and 24 inches maximum above the exterior sidewalk elevation in front of the building. The ground story must have at least 12 feet of interior height contiguous to the approved setback for a minimum depth of 30 feet. Blank lengths of walls exceeding 35 linear feet are prohibited on front façade. If provided, awnings must project a minimum of five feet. Section Window and Door Proportions and Design 30% of the lineal footage of street-facing, ground level facades, or the average percent (whichever is greater) of lineal footage of street-facing, ground level facades of approved or constructed buildings on the same side of the street and within the same block, shall be windows or fixed glass in flex frontage type buildings. The glass areas shall be designed to make uses inside easily discernible topassers-by. Reflective or highly tinted glass, faux windows, or casement display windows are prohibited where visible from a public street. At least one functional pedestrian entry door shall be provided and designed as a main entrance along each street facing façade. Where applicable, street-facing upper floor facades shall be transparent as well, but need only maintain a minimum 20% lineal footage of window or fixed glass. Major building entrances that provide access to the primary use of the building shall be distinguished from the entrances used for secondary uses, such as ground floor retail. The principal entrance to a building, and any ground floor tenant space entrance, both functionally and architecturally, shall front the primary public street or a side area. Secondary entrances may be located off a side or rear area. Civic art and artistic crafting of building materials may help distinguish building entrances. Large buildings fronting multiple streets should provide multiple entrances. Garage doors are not permitted in the street facing façade. Section Campus Workplace Building Type [This section and subsections are added text] The campus workplace building type accommodates commercial and light industrial uses such as research and development, manufacturing, and repair or workshops. Retail and civic may be included as an accessory use up to maximum of 25 % of the first floor area. This building type may be used

11 throughout the Employment Campus Planning Area. It is intended to regulate development adjacent to and visible from the public right of way (ROW). Section Campus Workplace Site Design * w/ w/out w/ Employment Campus Flex Campus Min. Max. Min. Max. 100 N/A N/A 20 N/A 50 N/A 20 N/A 50 N/A 20 N/A 100 N/A N/A N/A Height** 1 story 6 stories 1 stories 4 stories *In Employment Campus Planning Area, Parking is permitted in front of building as long as it is behind the 100 foot setback. ** The minimum height is 22 feet. The maximum height for campus workplace is 75 feet. Section Special Conditions for Flex age Type Buildings Section Mass, Scale, and Proportion Main entrances should be differentiated architecturally to create a sense of human scale. Section Window and Door Proportions and Design Ground level façade areas near main entrances and visitor shall be architecturally distinguished from the remainder of the building. Major building entrances that provide access to the primary use of the building shall be distinguished from the entrances used for secondary uses. Civic art and artistic crafting of building materials may help distinguish building entrances. Design approved by Planning Director. Section Attached House Building Type [Text moved from Section and renumbered to reflect change] [No changes to original text.] Section Attached House Site Design Lakeshore College Campus Village Center Village Infill Rural ** w/ below grade Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max * * N/A N/A 10 N/A 10 N/A 10 N/A 10 N/A

12 w/ off alley*** N/A 25 N/A 25 N/A 25 N/A 25 N/A Height**** 2 stories 3 stories 2 stories 3 stories 2 stories 3 stories 2 stories 37 feet 2 stories 3 stories *In the Village Infill Planning Area, front setbacks for attached dwelling-unit structures shall be within the minimum and maximum front setbacks for buildings within 500 feet along both sides of the same street in either direction AND within ten feet of the front setback for the closest adjoining dwelling. See Figure Balconies, stoops, stairs, open porches, bay windows, and awnings are permitted to encroach up to 5-0 into the front setback area when this procedure is used to determine the setback. ** setbacks within the property shall be determined by the builder/developer. Generally, on corner lots, the side setback shall equal the front setback. Minor variations may occur based on environmental conditions of the site. The Planning Director shall approve all variances. On corner lots in the Village Infill Planning Area, the side setback facing a street shall be within the maximum and minimum of front setbacks for houses within 500 feet on both sides of the same street in either direction AND within ten feet of the front setback for the nearest adjoining house as the street-facing side facade. See Figure ***Garages shall be 5 feet off the alley right-of-way. -load townhouse garages shall not be placed side by side and shall be recessed behind the streetside facade. See Section 5. **** The maximum height of an attached unit-structure in the Village Infill Planning Area shall not exceed 37 feet or 2 1/2 stories (whichever is less) measured from the finished floor elevation of the facade facing the street to the ridgeline or the highest point of the roof. (where there is no ridgeline), excluding chimneys and basements (see Figure and definitions). Accessory structures, such as garages and sheds, shall be no more than 2 stories or 30 feet tall (measured from finished floor to ridgeline), whichever is less. Adopted text: ** w/ below grade w/ off alley*** Lakeshore College Campus Village Center Village Infill Rural Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max * * N/A N/A 10 N/A 10 N/A 10 N/A 10 N/A N/A 25 N/A 25 N/A 25 N/A 25 N/A Height**** 2 stories 3 stories 2 stories 3 stories 2 stories 3 stories 2 stories 37 feet 2 stories 3 stories

13 ** w/ below grade w/ off alley*** Neighborhood General Neighborhood Center Central Business District Flex Campus Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max N/A N/A N/A N/A 10 N/A 10 N/A 5 5 N/A N/A N/A 25 N/A 25 N/A 25 N/A Height 2 stories 3 stories 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories 2 stories 4 stories *In the Village Infill Planning Area, front setbacks for attached dwelling-unit structures shall be within the minimum and maximum front setbacks for buildings within 500 feet along both sides of the same street in either direction AND within ten feet of the front setback for the closest adjoining dwelling. See Figure Balconies, stoops, stairs, open porches, bay windows, and awnings are permitted to encroach up to 5-0 into the front setback area when this procedure is used to determine the setback. ** setbacks within the property shall be determined by the builder/developer. Generally, on corner lots, the side setback shall equal the front setback. Minor variations may occur based on environmental conditions of the site. The Planning Director shall approve all variances. On corner lots in the Village Infill Planning Area, the side setback facing a street shall be within the maximum and minimum of front setbacks for houses within 500 feet on both sides of the same street in either direction AND within ten feet of the front setback for the nearest adjoining house as the street-facing side facade. See Figure ***Garages shall be 5 feet off the alley right-of-way. -load townhouse garages shall not be placed side by side and shall be recessed behind the streetside facade. See Section 5. **** The maximum height of an attached unit-structure in the Village Infill Planning Area shall not exceed 37 feet or 2 1/2 stories (whichever is less) measured from the finished floor elevation of the facade facing the street to the ridgeline or the highest point of the roof. (where there is no ridgeline), excluding chimneys and basements (see Figure and definitions). Accessory structures, such as garages and sheds, shall be no more than 2 stories or 30 feet tall (measured from finished floor to ridgeline), whichever is less. [Illustrations Figure and Yard s renumbered to and Figure Building Height renumbered to ] [No changes to the original illustrations] Section Detached House Building Type [Text moved from Section 9.2.7] [No changes to original text.]

14 Section Detached House Site Design Lakeshore/NC 73 College Campus Village Center Village Infill Rural/NC 73/RR Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. ** N/A 0 20 * * 10 N/A 3 N/A 3 N/A 3 N/A 5 N/A 3 N/A 20 N/A 20 N/A 20 N/A 20 N/A 20 N/A Height 1 story 3 stories 1 story 3 stories 1 story 3 stories 1 story 37 ft*** 1 story 3 stories *In the Village Infill Planning Area, front setbacks for detached structures shall be within the minimum and maximum front setbacks for buildings within 500 feet along both sides of the same street in either direction AND within ten feet of the front setback for the closest adjoining house. See Figure Balconies, stoops, stairs, open porches, bay window, and awnings are permitted to encroach up to 5-0 into the front setback area when this procedure is used to determine the setback. **Each side setback for a detached unit-structure shall be a minimum of 5 feet. The Charleston side-yard house type may be used only in new developments. All accessory structures must be a minimum of ten feet behind the front facade of the primary structure. On a corner lot, accessory structures shall be located 10 feet behind all street-facing facades of the principle structure. See Section 5 for more information on accessory structures. Generally, on corner lots, the side setbacks shall equal the front setback. Minor variations may occur based on environmental conditions of the site. The Planning Director shall approve all variances. On corner lots in the Village Infill Planning Area the side setback facing a street shall be within the minimum and maximum of front setbacks for houses within 500 feet on both sides of the same street AND within ten feet of the front setback for the nearest adjoining house as the street-facing side facade. See Figure ***The maximum height of a detached or attached house in the Village Infill Planning Area shall not exceed 37 feet or 2 1/2 stories to the ridgeline or the highest point of the roof (where there is no ridgeline), excluding chimneys and basements (see Figure and definitions). Accessory structures, such as garages and sheds shall be no more than 2 stories or 30 feet tall (measured from finished floor to ridgeline), whichever is less. Adopted text: Lakeshore College Campus Village Center Village Infill Rural Rural Reserve Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. ** w/ N/A 0 20 * * 10 N/A 10 N/A 3 N/A 3 N/A 3 N/A 5 N/A 3 N/A 3 N/A 20 N/A 20 N/A 20 N/A 20 N/A 20 N/A 20 N/A Height 1 story 3 stories 1 story 3 stories 1 story 3 stories 1 story 37 ft*** 1 story 3 stories 1 story 3 stories Neighborhood Edge Neighborhood General Min. Max. Min. Max. ** w/ 10 N/A 10 N/A 3 N/A 3 N/A 20 N/A 20 N/A Height 1 story 3 stories 1 story 3 stories *In the Village Infill Planning Area, front setbacks for detached structures shall be within the minimum and maximum front setbacks for buildings within 500 feet along both sides of the same street in either direction AND within ten feet of the front setback for the closest

15 adjoining house. See Figure Balconies, stoops, stairs, open porches, bay window, and awnings are permitted to encroach up to 5-0 into the front setback area when this procedure is used to determine the setback. **Each side setback for a detached unit-structure shall be a minimum of 5 feet. The Charleston side-yard house type may be used only in new developments. All accessory structures must be a minimum of ten feet behind the front facade of the primary structure. On a corner lot, accessory structures shall be located 10 feet behind all street-facing facades of the principle structure. See Section 5 for more information on accessory structures. Generally, on corner lots, the side setbacks shall equal the front setback. Minor variations may occur based on environmental conditions of the site. The Planning Director shall approve all variances. On corner lots in the Village Infill Planning Area the side setback facing a street shall be within the minimum and maximum of front setbacks for houses within 500 feet on both sides of the same street AND within ten feet of the front setback for the nearest adjoining house as the street-facing side facade. See Figure ***The maximum height of a detached or attached house in the Village Infill Planning Area shall not exceed 37 feet or 2 1/2 stories to the ridgeline or the highest point of the roof (where there is no ridgeline), excluding chimneys and basements (see Figure and definitions). Accessory structures, such as garages and sheds shall be no more than 2 stories or 30 feet tall (measured from finished floor to ridgeline), whichever is less. [Text moved from Section and renumbered to reflect change] [No changes to original text.] [No changes to original text.] [No changes to original text.] [No changes to original text.] Floor to Area Ratio (FAR) [No changes to original text.] [Illustrations Figure Floor to Area Ratio (FAR) renumbered to and Figure FAR Requirements renumbered to ]and Figure Building Height renumbered to [No changes to the original illustrations] Other Site Design Standards [No changes to original text.] 9.3 Existing Industrial Campuses [No changes to original text.] 9.4 Renovation of Existing Structures [No changes to original text.] 9.5 Historic District Regulations [No changes to original text.] 9.6 Open Space [New section and subsections added.] Required Open Space

16 Text added: Where open space dedication is required in a designated planning area, land equal to the amount specified in the table below of the gross area of the development shall be set aside as permanent open space. Text added: Required Open Space Minimum Lakeshore College Campus Village Center Village Infill Rural Rural Reserve N/A N/A N/A N/A * N/A Required Open Space Minimum Employment Campus Neighborhood Edge Neighborhood General Neighborhood Center Central Business District Flex Campus 35% 45% 20% 10% 5% 25% *Open Space Requirements for Rural Planning Area set forth in Section Incentive Reductions Text added: Open space requirements may be reduced by the applications of incentives detailed in Section and Table The ownership and conservation of the open space shall be in accordance with Section The location, nature, configuration, and use of the open space shall be determined by the following regulations and criteria: Primary conservation area: Primary conservation areas have been determined as inappropriate for development because they contain stream buffers, flood plains, or slopes greater than 20%. Developers proposing plans shall first preserve these primary conservation areas and then designate additional open space for preservation to attain the required percentage. Criteria for additional open space: The following list contains no priority order; different criteria may be deemed most important in different developments: o Parks and similar uses required as part of the development approval process o Proximity or relationship to other open space within or without the development o Significant natural features (rock outcroppings, forests, ponds, streams, etc.) o Viewsheds o Wildlife habitats o Trails o Community farms and gardens Urban Open Space Text added: Open spaces in the core of any mixed use or employment node shall be urban in nature. The design and location of urban open space on a site is perhaps the most important determinant in a successful pedestrian environment. To ensure that urban open space is wellused, it is essential to locate and design it carefully in accordance with the following general standards:

17 o o o o o o Urban open space shall be fronted by streets and buildings to encourage its use and patrol its safety. The space shall be located where it is visible and easily accessible from homes and public areas (building entrances, streets, sidewalks). The space should be located to take views and sun exposure into account. The space shall be well-buffered from moving cars so that users can enjoy and relax in the space. The space shall be visible from streets or internal drives but should not be wholly exposed to them. This space shall partially enclose the space with building walls, freestanding walls, landscaping, raised planters, or on-street to help buffer it and create a comfortable outdoor room. AMENDMENT ADOPTED -- 12/14/ Relationship of Building to Site Paragraph 2 Buildings must front on a street or alley built to Town of Davidson (or other government body) standards, maintained by the Town of Davidson or the NCDOT, or a pedestrian way. Units fronting a central courtyard, pedestrian passageway, or pedestrian close are examples of buildings fronting on a pedestrian way. The Planning Director must approve the site design of units fronting an alley or a pedestrian way. Adopted text: Buildings must front on a street built to Town of Davidson (or other government body) standards, maintained by the Town of Davidson or the NCDOT, or on a pedestrian way. Units fronting a central courtyard, pedestrian passageway, or pedestrian close are examples of buildings fronting on a pedestrian way. The Planning Director must approve the site design of units fronting a pedestrian way.