The R-20 residential district is established as a district in which the principal use of land is for low density residential and agricultural purposes. The regulations of this district are intended to protect the agricultural sections of the community from an influx of uses likely to render it undesirable for farms and future development, and to insure that residential development not having access to public water supplies and dependent upon septic tanks and outdoor privies for sewage disposal will occur at sufficiently low densities for a healthful environment.

Sec. 301.1. District requirements R-20.

The R-15 residential district is established as a district in which the principal use of land is for single-family residence. The regulations of this district are intended to discourage any use which because of its character, would substantially interfere with the development of single-family residences in the district and which would be detrimental to the quiet residential nature of the areas included within this district.

Sec. 302.1. District requirements R-15.

The R-10 residential district is established as a district in which the principal use of land is for single-family and two-family residences. The regulations of this district are intended to provide areas of the community for those persons desiring small residences and two-family (duplex) structures in medium density neighborhoods. The regulations are intended to discourage any use which because of its character would interfere with the residential nature of this district.

Sec. 303.1. District requirements R-10.

The R-6 residential district is established as a district in which the principal use of land is for single-family, two-family, and multifamily residences. The regulations of this district are intended to provide areas of the community for those persons desiring small residences and multifamily structures in relatively high density neighborhoods. The regulations are intended to discourage any use which because of its character would interfere with the residential nature of this district.

Sec. 304.1. District requirements R-6.

The O-I office and institutional district is established as a district primarily for institutional uses, office uses, and commercial activities having only limited contact with the general public, not involving the sale of merchandise at retail except incidentally. The regulations of this district are intended to encourage structures surrounded with amply open spaces including that for yards and for off-street parking and loading of vehicles.

Sec. 306.1. District requirements O-I.

A.

District requirements for residential uses are as follows:

B.

District requirements for office and institutional uses are as follows:

The regulations for this district are designed to permit a concentrated development of permitted facilities within the central portion of Ahoskie with emphasis upon large scale and specialized shops serving a regional retail trading area and restricted residential development for revitalization of the central business district.

(Ord. No. 2004-2005-25, § 1(A), 4-12-2005; Ord. No. 2020-2021-3, 9-8-2020)

Sec. 307.1. District requirements B-1.

A.

No yards are required except that if the rear of the lot abuts a residential district or O&I (O-I) district there shall be a 20-foot rear yard and if side yards are provided they must be at least three feet in width. Where there is no yard, a noncombustible mutual wall between buildings shall be provided by the developer. Any property rezoned to B-1 on or after the effective date of this amendment (July 12, 1994), shall be required to provide a minimum setback of 20 feet on all sides.

B.

Residential development requirements.

1.

Minimum lot area: 750 square feet per unit

2.

Minimum lot width: none

3.

Minimum front, side and rear yard setbacks: 0 feet

4.

Minimum parking: .5 spaces per bedroom, one space minimum.

5.

All parking and loading must be in compliance with section 402.4, provided that public on-street and off-street parking spaces may be counted to meet the number of spaces required so long as such spaces are located within 800 feet, via pedestrian routing, from the entrance of the property to be served. Public parking spaces may be used to meet the requirements of more than one use at the same time. All satellite parking shall be in accordance [with] section 402.4 of the Ahoskie Zoning Ordinance.

6.

Street frontage use requirements: All ground floor street and mall frontage shall be developed for nonresidential uses & common areas to serve upstairs Lofts and Apartments as permitted in the central business district zone.

7.

Preservation design: Because the commercial district is a focal point of commerce in Ahoskie and is subject to public view, which is a matter of important concern to the whole community, the planning board may at times refer proposed projects to the Ahoskie Historical Preservation Committee for comments and input. However, all projects seeking to use the Historical Rehabilitation Tax Credit as approved by the North Carolina Division of Archives and History and the United States Department of Interior must submit proposals to the Ahoskie Historical Preservation Committee for approval. In order to protect the architectural integrity of existing buildings within the CB zone, and in so doing preserve the continuity of scale and design within those areas, the following requirements shall be met:

a.

All slipcovers previously applied to the facade of existing buildings shall be removed.

b.

Where evidence exists of original windows and door openings subsequently enclosed, such windows and doors shall be reopened in an operable manner and a style in keeping with the building. Where other unique architectural features remain, including cornices, mid-cornices and window surrounds, they shall be repaired and/or replaced with elements of like design.

c.

Nothing in this subsection shall supersede applicable North Carolina State Building Code requirements.

d.

Heating and air-conditioning units shall be restricted to central units located in inconspicuous locations.

e.

Satellite dishes shall be restricted to mini dishes and located in nonconspicuous locations as well as in compliance with section 401.G and S of the Ahoskie Zoning Ordinance.

8.

Signage: All signs shall be erected in accordance with section 403 of the Ahoskie Zoning Ordinance.

(Ord. No. 1994-9, § 307.1, 7-12-1994; Ord. No. 2004-2005-25, § 1(B), 4-12-2005; Ord. No. 2020-2021-3, 9-8-2020)

These commercial districts are generally located on the major radial highways into the town and provide offices, personal services, and retailing of durable and convenience goods for the community. Because these commercial uses are subject to the public view, which is a matter of important concern to the whole community, they should provide an appropriate appearance, ample parking, controlled traffic movement and suitable landscaping, including adequate buffers on sides adjacent to residential uses.

Sec. 308.1. District requirements B-2.

The shopping center district is established as a district in which the principal use of land is to provide for the retailing of goods and services to the adjacent residential neighborhoods. The regulations of this district are intended to provide for retail trades and services in designated shopping areas, where the nature of the development occurring is limited by standards, including buffering, designed to protect the abutting residential areas.

Sec. 309.1. District requirements B-3.

The I-L industrial district is established as a district in which the principal use of land is for industries which can be operated in a relatively clean and quiet manner and which will not be obnoxious to adjacent residential or business districts, warehousing and wholesaling activities with limited contact with the general public and for certain outdoor amusement facilities which generate large volumes of automobile traffic. The regulations are designed to prohibit the use of land for heavy industry which should be properly segregated and to prohibit any other use which would substantially interfere with the development of industrial establishments in the district.

Sec. 310.1. District requirements I-L. No building shall be less than 40 feet from the street right-of-way line. No other yards are required, except where the rear of a lot abuts a residential or O-I district, there shall be a 25-foot rear yard and where a lot abuts upon the side of a lot zoned residential, there shall be a side yard of not less than the minimum required in the district on which it abuts. In cases where a side yard, not required, is provided, it shall be at least five feet in width.

The I-H industrial district is established as a district in which the principal use of land is for heavy industries that by their nature may create some nuisance and which are not properly associated with nor compatible with residential, commercial, and service establishments.

Sec. 311.1. District requirements I-H. No building shall be less than 40 feet from the street right-of-way. No other yards are required except where the rear of a lot abuts a residential or O-I district, there shall be a 25-foot rear yard and where a lot abuts upon the side of a lot zoned residential there shall be a side yard at least 15 feet in width. In cases where a side yard, not required, is provided, it shall be at least five feet in width.

The purpose of the planned unit development overlay district is:

A.

To allow flexibility that will encourage a more creative approach in the development of land, and will result in a more efficient, aesthetic and desirable use of open area, while substantially maintaining the same population density and area coverage permitted in the district in which the project is located.

B.

To allow flexibility in design, placement of buildings, use of open spaces, circulation facilities, off-street parking areas, and to best utilize the potentials of sites characterized by special features of geography, topography, size and shape.

C.

To allow a mixture of densities between zoning districts and plan designations when more than one district or designation is included in the development.

Sec. 312.1. Development requirements. In considering a proposed planned unit development project, the approval thereof may involve modifications in the regulations, requirements, and standards of the zoning district in which the project is located. The following regulations, requirements, and standards shall apply:

A.

Site adaptation. To the maximum extent possible, the plan and design of the development shall assure that natural or unique features of the land and environment are preserved.

B.

Lot arrangement. All lots within the development shall be designed and arranged to have direct access to or frontage on open space or recreation areas.

C.

Density of development. Residential density shall be the same required for the subject zoning district.

D.

Amount of open space. The required amount of open space or outdoor recreational area shall be at least 20 percent of the gross area. Such open space should include school access routes, bicycle trails, natural or landscaped buffer areas, and the like whenever practical or appropriate.

E.

Structure setback provisions. Yard setbacks for lots on the perimeter of the project shall be the same as that required for the subject zoning district. All detached structures shall maintain a minimum side yard setback of three feet or meet the Uniform Building Code requirement for fire walls. A minimum front yard setback of 20 feet shall be required for any garage structure whose opening faces onto a public road.

F.

Individual lot street frontage. No individual lot street frontage is required when such lots are shown to have adequate access in a manner which is consistent with the purposes and objectives of this section.

G.

Circulation.

1.

Access. Planned unit developments shall be appropriately located with respect to major streets and highways or other transportation facilities so as to provide direct access, without creating traffic along minor streets in residential areas. Entrances and exits for automotive vehicles shall be designed to encourage smooth traffic flow with controlled turning movement and minimum hazards to pedestrians, passing traffic, or to traffic entering and leaving the development. In no case shall streets within a planned unit development connect to streets outside the planned unit development in such a way as to encourage use of minor streets for through traffic.

2.

Internal. Roads, pedestrian and bicycle trails shall be an integrated system to provide efficient and safe circulation to all uses. Developments should be designed to minimize the length of roadway.

3.

Siting of roadway and parking areas. Siting of roadways and parking areas shall be consistent with the character of the site, avoiding excessive cuts and fills, etc.

4.

Planned unit development parking standards. The following shall be the minimum off-street parking requirements for dwelling units and permitted commercial uses in a residential planned unit development.

(a)

Parking requirements for residential and commercial use shall be the same as required under section 402 of this ordinance.

(b)

Off-street parking may be provided on each lot or clustered in parking pods in proximity to the dwelling units they serve.

H.

Utilities. In addition to other requirements set forth herein, the following shall apply:

1.

All utilities shall be approved by the appropriate agencies.

2.

All sewer and water provisions shall be approved by the appropriate agencies before the plans are approved by the board.

3.

All utility services shall be placed underground.

4.

Provisions shall be made for fire prevention, including service waterlines, non-freeze hydrants, and fire emergency access for firefighting equipment around buildings.

5.

Provision shall be made for control of site storm drainage.

I.

Homeowners' association. A nonprofit incorporated homeowners' association or an alternative acceptable to the town shall be required if other satisfactory arrangements have not been made for improving, operating and maintaining common facilities, including open space, streets, drives, service and parking areas, recreation areas, and storage. The following principles shall be observed in the formation of any homeowners' association and shall be reviewed by the town council:

1.

A homeowners' association shall be set up before approval of the final plat, or any portion thereof.

2.

Membership shall be mandatory for each home buyer and any successive buyer.

3.

The open space restrictions shall be in perpetuity.

4.

The homeowners' association shall be responsible for liability insurance, local taxes, and the maintenance of recreational and other facilities.

5.

Homeowners shall pay their pro rata share of the cost, or the assessment levied by the association shall become a lien on the property.

6.

The association shall be able to adjust the assessment to meet changes needed.

7.

No change in open space use or dissolution of homeowners' association shall occur without a legislative public hearing before the town council.

J.

[Alternatives.] An alternative to a homeowners' association may deed restrictions or conservation easements, when the town determines such will protect the intent and purpose of this chapter and be in the public's interest.

Sec. 312.2. Procedure for approval of a planned unit development.

A.

Planned unit development proposing only residential dwelling units:

1.

Shall follow the procedure and submission of plans as required by the town subdivision regulations.

2.

Planning board shall review all preliminary planned unit development subdivisions for compliance with these standards and may give preliminary approval with conditions, or denial to the preliminary plat.

B.

Planned unit developments proposing commercial uses shall be processed as a special use.

C.

The upon review by the planning board, the town council may modify the requirements in this section through the conditional district zoning process.

Sec. 312.3. Form and content of applications.

The following information, plans, and maps shall be submitted as part of the application for a planned unit development:

A.

Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the owners and developers as well as project engineers or surveyors.

B.

A list of any adjacent lands to the development owned by the developer.

C.

Name of development, date, north arrow, and scale of drawing (not less than one inch = 20 feet, nor more than one inch = 200 feet).

D.

Location of the development by section, township, range and lot or lots.

E.

The boundary lines and names of adjacent subdivisions or major partitions, adjacent streets, and tract lines of adjacent parcels of property.

F.

Vicinity map (at a legible scale) showing the relationship to the nearest arterial, highway, or street.

G.

Property boundaries and dimensions. Approximate dimensions and layout of lots, minimum lot size.

H.

Ground elevations shown by contour lines of not less than five-foot vertical intervals. State source of information.

I.

Gross acreage in proposed development.

J.

Existing zoning of property.

K.

Proposed uses of the property, including sites, if any, for attached dwelling units, recreational facilities, parks and playgrounds or other public or semipublic uses, with the purpose, condition and limitations of such reservations clearly indicated.

L.

Existing uses of the property, including the location and use of all existing structures and their disposition. Existing trees and/or other natural vegetation.

M.

Source of the domestic water supply and sewer disposal.

N.

Drainage statement: Watercourses on and abutting the property. Approximate location of areas subject to inundation of stormwater overflow, or all areas covered by water, and the approximate location, width, and direction of flow of all watercourses. Direction of drainage on proposed streets shall be indicated.

O.

The approximate location, and dimensions (horizontal and vertical) of all commercial, common wall, or multifamily structures proposed to be located on the site.

P.

Improvements: Statement of improvements to be made or installed including streets, sidewalks, bikeways, trails, lighting, tree planting, landscaping, and time such improvements are to be made or completed.

Q.

The proposed location, width and surface conditions of alleys and streets within the development.

R.

Easements: Approximate width, location and purpose of all existing and proposed easements.

S.

Utilities such as electrical, gas, and telephone lines on and abutting the tract.

T.

Written statement: Information which is not practical to be shown on the maps may be shown in separate statements accompanying the proposed development.

U.

In areas identified as areas of environmental concern (AEC), the developer shall submit a site analysis as described in section 104.4. If the zoning administrator determines additional information is necessary, he shall notify the developer in writing of the specific issues on which more information is needed. The developer shall provide this information in writing to the town prior to formal consideration by the board. This requirement may be waived in the event all development is transferred to more suitable land outside areas designated as AEC.

Sec. 312.4. Expiration. Planned unit developments that have special use approval for commercial uses shall obtain preliminary plat approval for the proposed development by the board within one year of the date on which the special use was granted. The aforementioned preliminary approval shall be effective for two years from the date of approval by the board during which time the final plat shall be recorded.

The town council may extend the approval period for not more than one additional year at a time. Request for extension of approval time shall be submitted in writing. Thirty days prior to the approval period elapsing, the board shall inform the developer in writing of said fact. Notice to the developer shall become a part of the permanent file. If the developer or his agent has not requested extension of the planned unit development within 45 days after the elapsed date, any and all approvals shall become void. The board may also request that the planned unit development be resubmitted at any time after the one-year period rather than extending the original approval. The board may also require modification, revision, or change within the proposed planned unit development to benefit the public interest in granting a one-year time extension.

(Ord. of 6-8-2021(2))

* See section 401.

** Refer to section 402.11 for parking.

This table does not permit use of any electronic or computerized terminals/equipment of any sort for the public to operate for gambling, sweepstakes, skilled gaming, winnings or similar business operations.

(Ord. No. 1999-2000-27, § 313, 2-8-2000; Ord. No. 2002-2002-3, 8-13-2002; Ord. No. 2004-2005-25, § 1(C), 4-12-2005; Ord. No. 2009-2010-3, 11-3-2009; Ord. No. 2009-2010-7, 3-9-2010; Amend. of 12-11-2012(2); Ord. No. 2013-2014-4, 5-13-2014; Ord. No. 2014-2015-1, 7-8-2014; Ord. of 6-8-2021(2); Ord. No. 2023-2024-28, 1-11-2024)

Note— On corner lots, the side yard requirement for the side facing one of the intersecting streets shall require an additional five-foot setback. This table is a supplement to section 300's zoning regulations and especially with respect to the I-L and I-H districts, should be read in close conjunction with the text.

(Ord. No. 90-12, 6-12-1990; Ord. of 6-8-2021(2))