This Section sets forth the standards applicable to the development of each building type. These standards supplement the standards for each zone that the building types are allowed within. These standards are intended to ensure development that reinforces the highly-valued existing character and scale of Brownsville's historic neighborhoods and downtown.

A.

The requirements of this Section shall apply to all proposed development with Traditional and Form-based Zoning Districts in Section 4.3.3, and shall be considered in combination with the standards for the applicable zones.

B.

Civic Buildings shall meet the standards in Section 4.3.3 for setbacks, height, facade buildout, and parking location.

A.

This Subsection provides an overview of the allowed building types. The names of the building types are not intended to limit uses within a building type. For example, a detached house may have nonresidential uses within it, such as a restaurant or office.

B.

The lot size standards for each building type is set in the Zoning District Standards in Section 4.3.3. The lot size established in Section 4.3.3 by Zoning District allows a range of lot sizes that the given building type. If the lot is smaller than the allowed lot size, a different building type shall be selected.

C.

Each lot shall only have one building type, except as follows:

1.

Where allowed by the zoning district standards, one Accessory Building is also allowed; and/or

2.

More than one building type is allowed on a lot if the submitted building permit application includes a plan to subdivide the parcel meeting all the requirements of this Ordinance.

D.

Secondary wings and accessory structures shall have a smaller footprint, a narrower width, and a depth not greater than the main building.

E.

Table 4.5-1. Building Types (General) provides an overview of building types.

F.

Table 4.5-2. Building Features provides for circumstances in which certain features may partially encroach within the designated front and side yard setbacks.

G.

Sections beginning with 4.5.4 Building Types Established provides detailed design criteria for each Building Type.

A.

The following building types are hereby established in Table 4.5-1. Building Types (General), further described in the subsections below:

Table 4.5-1. Building Types (General)

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ILLUSTRATION	BUILDING TYPE DESCRIPTION
	Accessory Building A small self-contained structure located on the same lot as a detached house but physically separated. It may be used as a complete, independent living facility, with provisions for cooking, sanitation and sleeping or for a residential garage or for both.
	House A medium to large detached single-family structure typically located within a primarily single-family residential neighborhood. If located within a walkable neighborhood, this building type may vary in size within the neighborhood. Larger houses may be located on proportionally larger lots.
	Cottage Row A series (at least 3 and no more than 6) small, detached structures located on one lot or divided into individual lots, arranged in a row on blocks adjacent to the Downtown Edge, Traditional Neighborhood Mixed Use or Traditional Neighborhood Corridor zones. This type is appropriately scaled to fit within primarily single-family neighborhoods and is important for providing affordability and a broad choice of housing types that promote walkability
	Cottage Court A series of small, detached structures located on one lot or divided into individual lots, arranged to define a shared court that is typically perpendicular to the street. The shared court takes the place of a private open space and becomes an important community-enhancing element. This type is appropriately scaled to fit within primarily single-family neighborhoods and is important for providing affordability and a broad choice of housing types that promote walkability
	Townhouse A collection of narrow to medium sized attached buildings that consists of side-by-side units on individual lots with individual entries facing the street. This type is typically located within medium density neighborhoods or in a location that transitions from a primarily single-family neighborhood into a neighborhood main street. This type enables appropriately-scaled, well-designed higher densities and is important for providing a broad choice of housing types that promote walkability. Also called a rowhouse or brownstone.
	Live/Work A small to medium-sized attached or detached structure that consists of a flexible space used for artisan, studio, service, or retail uses, and a residential unit above and/or behind (similar to a Townhouse). This type is appropriate for providing affordable and flexible mixed-use space for incubating neighborhood-serving retail and service uses, artists and other craftspeople. It is especially appropriate for incubating neighborhood serving commercial uses and allowing neighborhood main streets to expand as the market demands.
	Courtyard Building Multi-family residential units or commercial uses or a combination of uses arranged around a central courtyard open to the facing street. Commercial and residential units may be in stacked units, townhouses, or both. This type enables appropriately-scaled, well-designed higher densities and is important for providing affordability and a broad choice of housing and development types that promote walkability.
	Apartment A multi-family residential only structure consisting of a number of dwelling units arranged side by side and stacked on multiple floors. Unit types may be either single level (flats) or multi-floor (townhouse).
	Flex-Use Building A building type that typically may accommodate any use on any floor including retail, office or commercial, or residential uses at a scale that complements the existing residential character of the area.
	Mixed-Use Building A building type that typically accommodates ground floor retail, office or commercial uses with upper-story residential or office uses. Also called general mixed-use, attached storefronts and perimeter shopfronts.
	Corner Commercial Building A building type that is typically a neighborhood commercial building located at street intersections and accommodating a range of neighborhood serving retail, restaurant, office, or service uses. Also known as a corner bakery or bodega building.
	General Commercial Building A larger commercial building type that typically accommodates retail, restaurant, office or other commercial uses serving the surrounding community or region.
	Civic A medium to large sized attached or detached building designed to stand apart from its surroundings due to the specialized nature of its public or quasi-public function for public assembly and activity. Examples include libraries, churches, courthouses, schools, centers of government, performing arts, and museums which are often the most prominently sited and architecturally significant structures in a community.

 

B.

Accessory structure.

C.

Detached residential building (House).

D.

Cottage row.

E.

Cottage Court.

F.

Townhouse.

G.

Live-work townhouse.

H.

Courtyard building.

I.

Small apartment building.

J.

Flex-use building.

K.

Mixed-use building.

L.

Corner commercial building.

M.

General commercial building.

N.

Civic building.

Refer to Table 4.5-2. Building Features for permitted Building Features for each Building Type.

Table 4.5-2. Building Features

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BUILDING FEATURE	METRICS
	A	2' min.
	B	9' max.
	C	6' min.
	D	50% of facade width (min.)
	Additional Requirements
	1. A front porch must be roofed and may be screened but cannot be fully enclosed
	A	2' min.
	B	8' max.
	C	4' min.; 6' max.
	D	6' max.
	Additional Requirements
	1. Steps going up to the stoop may be located on either side of the stoop.

 

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	A	2' max.
	Additional Requirements
	1. Balconies cannot encroach over any travel lane or on-street parking lane.
	2. Additional encroachment agreements may be required for encroachment over public ROWs.
	1/3rd of the width of the building up to a max. of 30'
	Additional Requirements
	1. The depth of the forecourt may not be more than its width
	2. A forecourt meeting these standards shall be counted towards the requirement for Facade Buildout along primary streets

 

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	A	2' min.
	B	9' max.
	C	6' min.; 8' max.
	D	9' min.
	Additional Requirements
	1. Galleries cannot encroach over any travel lane or on-street parking lane.
	2. Additional encroachment agreements may be required for encroachment over public ROWs.
	A	2' min.
	B	6' max.
	C	4' min.; 6' max.
	D	9' min.
	Additional Requirements
	1. Awnings/Canopies cannot encroach over any travel lane or on-street parking lane.
	2. Additional encroachment agreements may be required for encroachment over public ROWs.
	Additional Requirements
	1. Ground floor transparency shall be a minimum of 50% (doors and windows)
	2. Entrances to the storefronts may be setback into the front building facade
	3. Storefront windows shall maintain a minimum 60% visible light transmittance