The regulations set forth in this chapter shall govern the urban and civic design aesthetics and building form in all zoning district.

(Ord. dated 6/30/08 (part))

The following regulations shall apply to all new buildings in any CR, TCR, NM, CM or TCM district. They shall also apply to renovation or any existing building where the square footage of the existing building is expanded by twenty-five (25) percent or more or the renovation includes extending or relocating portions of two or more exterior walls. In the case of renovations, these regulations shall only apply to those elements of the building being renovated, replaced or constructed (i.e. a front facade material requirement would not be mandated if an expansion is only to the rear of a building).

A.

Building Materials and Design.

1.

No exterior wall or facade of any metal building visible from any public street shall have the appearance of a metal building. Such exterior walls and facades shall brick, glass, wood, stucco, stone or cement-based siding.

2.

Building materials for facades of buildings oriented to public streets shall be constructed of brick, stone, or textured concrete masonry units, stucco, or glass. Up to fifty (50) percent of facades of residential buildings also may be constructed with wood siding or similar material approved by the planning and zoning director.

B.

Relationship of Building to Street.

1.

Delineation of building floors at the third story above sidewalk level and lower shall be executed through windows, belt courses, cornice lines or similar architectural detailing.

2.

All buildings shall have their primary facade directly fronting and facing a public or private street.

3.

The primary pedestrian access to all sidewalk level uses and business establishments with public or private street frontage shall be directly accessible and visible from the sidewalk adjacent to such street.

4.

No barbed wire, razor wire, chain link fence or similar elements shall be visible from any public plaza, ground level or sidewalk level outdoor dining area or public right-of-way.

5.

Drive-through service windows, drive-in facilities, drives and surface parking facilities shall not be located between a building and the adjacent public street. Provided, however, that the foregoing prohibition shall not apply to a location at which any building situated thereon fronts on an adjacent street the posted speed limit for which is forty-five (45) miles per hour or greater.

C.

Building Scale.

1.

Discontinuous Building Massing. Every building shall reduce its perceived height and bulk by dividing the building mass into smaller scale components. Building walls exceeding one hundred (100) continuous horizontal linear feet shall utilize offsets, such as projections, recesses, and changes in floor level, to add architectural interest and variety, and to relieve the negative visual effect of a simple long wall.

2.

Variation in Building Silhouettes. Variation in the roofline of buildings and offsets in pitched roofs and gables shall be required. Parapets in building masses exceeding one hundred (100) continuous linear feet shall be varied in height and projection and shall use decorative elements such as crown moldings, dental, brick soldier courses, or similar detail.

3.

Building Step Backs. Buildings in excess of fifty (50) feet in height shall be required to step back that portion of the building greater than fifty (50) feet in height a minimum linear distance of ten (10) feet away from the building facade located below the fifty (50) foot height plane.

D.

Storefront Requirements.

1.

Ground-floor nonresidential uses shall provide said uses for a minimum depth of twenty (20) feet from any building facade along the public sidewalk.

2.

The length of facade without intervening fenestration, architectural detailing or entryway shall not exceed twenty (20) feet.

3.

Fenestration treatment shall be provided for a minimum of sixty-five (65) percent of the length of all street frontages. A maximum of fifteen (15) percent of said fenestration treatment shall be permitted to utilize architectural detailing in place of glass materials to meet the fenestration treatment requirements. All fenestration treatments shall be visually and architecturally consistent and compatible with each other.

4.

Fenestration shall not utilize painted glass, reflective glass or other similarly treated or opaque windows. Entrances may be counted towards fenestration requirements.

E.

Two-family (Duplex) Dwelling, Townhome, and Multifamily Dwellings.

1.

Under no circumstances shall any mechanical equipment or related elements such as air conditioning units, banks of meter boxes and utility conduits, HVAC mechanical equipment systems, satellite dishes or any other similar mechanical equipment or related elements be attached or mounted to any exterior building elevation that is visible from a required sidewalk along an adjacent street, or sidewalk abutting a required open space. Any mechanical equipment or related elements located at finished grade, shall be completely screened from view with dense evergreen hedges, or with an opaque wall that is veneered in brick or stone with an appearance that is complimentary to the architecture of the structure.

2.

Design elements like gables, dormers, cornices, chimneys, and other features shall be provided to enhance the visual character of the overall building design and create more intricate massings.

3.

Exterior corridors and stairways that provide access to multiple units and multiple floors are prohibited.

4.

No facade shall exceed thirty (30) horizontal feet without containing fenestration treatment per story.

5.

Security bars on door and or windows shall be prohibited.

6.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) siding is prohibited.

7.

Balconies and decks shall consist of concrete or composite board decking materials and shall be supported by metal or wood brackets having an appropriate size and strength or with architectural columns or pillars also having an appropriate size and strength. The required brackets or architectural columns or pillars shall have an appearance that is complementary to the architecture of the overall structure.

8.

For multifamily or townhouse dwellings, garages shall be integrated into the overall design of the site and shall be prohibited in the front and side yards. Garages shall be designed in a manner consistent with the architectural design of residential buildings. Driveways shall be a minimum of twenty (20) feet long so that vehicles parked in the driveway do not block the sidewalk.

9.

Primary building entrances shall be visibly emphasized and accessible from a street or sidewalk. Entrances that do not face a street shall face a pedestrian path that connects directly to a street, sidewalk, courtyard or plaza. The primary building entrance shall not overlook a designated parking lot. Multifamily buildings constructed as part of a larger mixed use development may front towards designated community courtyards and improved common areas.

10.

Soffits, eaves, trim and window frames may be finished in PVC or aluminum clad materials. Natural wood shall not be used for these applications unless specified within a historic district.

11.

Where multiple exterior materials are used on a single building, they shall only be combined on each face horizontally, with the heavier material below the lighter. For example, brick below fiber cement siding.

12.

The rear and side facades shall be of the same construction quality and the same exterior finish and exterior color as the front facade.

13.

Doors and windows shall be rectangular in orientation and proportion, with the height of the door or window opening greater than its width.

14.

If visible from the exterior of the building all gutters, scuppers, and down spouts, shall be of compatible architectural material and complimentary in scale and color to the facades. Downspouts shall be tied into the stormwater management system or collected for irrigation purposes. Stormwater shall not be discharged from the down spouts over the surface of the ground.

(Ord. dated 6/30/08 (part))

(Ord. dated 2/4/13(2), § 1; Ord. dated 7/15/14, § 1; Ord. dated 11/2/20, § 10; Ord. dated 6/6/22, § 1; Ord. dated 6/6/22, § 19)

The following regulations shall apply to buildings in any CR, TCR, NM, CM or TCM district, as well as to buildings containing three or more units in any NR-3 district.

A.

Building Typology.

1.

Building types are applied to help reinforce the existing character and scale of the city. For building types permitted in the zoning districts are delineated in the chart found in subsection 16.16.020(F).

2.

Unless otherwise stated within this section, the space dimensions of Section 16.16.030 shall apply.

B.

Cottage Court.

1.

Density.

a.

Maximum gross density. Cottage court developments shall be limited to twelve (12) single-family detached dwelling units per development.

b.

Minimum floor area of individual single-family detached dwelling units shall be seven hundred fifty (750) square feet.

2.

Design Standards.

a.

Cottage court development shall be designed to orient the units around a shared internal courtyard, where each unit shall have direct entrance from the courtyard.

b.

The minimum courtyard size shall be the sum of the number of individual dwellings within the development multiplied by four hundred (400) square feet. A minimum of seventy (70) percent of the courtyard shall consist of pervious material, of which a minimum of fifty (50) percent shall be landscaped. Courtyards shall not be parked or driven upon except for emergency access and permitted temporary events.

c.

Roof pitch for the primary roof structure shall be a minimum of 6:12. Roof materials shall be asphalt, slate, or wood shingles.

d.

Garages must enter from the rear or side yard when feasible. When deemed necessary to access garages from front of the structure, the garage must be equipped with a garage door. Front yard facing garage doors shall not exceed a width equal to two thirds of the width of the primary facade.

C.

Two-Family (Duplex) Dwelling.

1.

Design Standards.

a.

Roof pitch for the primary roof structure shall be a minimum of 6:12. Roof materials shall be asphalt, slate, or wood shingles.

b.

Garages must enter from the rear or side yard when feasible. When deemed necessary to access garages from front of the structure, the garage must be equipped with a garage door. Front yard facing garage doors shall not exceed a width equal to two thirds of the width of the primary facade.

D.

Attached House.

1.

Design Standards.

a.

Roof pitch for the primary roof structure shall be a minimum of 6:12.

b.

Garages must enter from the rear or side yard when feasible. When deemed necessary to access garages from front of the structure, the garage must be equipped with a garage door. Front yard facing garage doors shall not exceed a width equal to two thirds of the width of the primary facade.

E.

Townhouse.

1.

To prevent the undesirable effects of incompatible densities, townhouses shall be located within walking distance from areas of commerce that provides convenient goods and services to satisfy the daily and common needs of the nearby residents. Walking distance is defined as no more than one-fourth of a mile to absolute center of an area of commerce via safe, pedestrian designated walkways such as improved sidewalks and identified multi-use paths.

2.

Density.

a.

Minimum heated floor area of individual townhouses shall be one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet.

b.

Maximum gross density is six units per acre.

3.

Design Standards.

a.

The maximum setback of a townhouse development from the street it fronts shall be twenty (20) feet.

b.

The minimum side yard at the end of a townhouse row shall be ten (10) feet.

c.

The minimum lot width of an individual townhome lot shall be twenty (20) feet.

d.

Each dwelling unit shall contain a minimum of two stories.

e.

A minimum of twenty-five (25) feet of common area shall separate unattached townhouse buildings from one another. Private drives, alleys, courtyards, gardens and other such amenities may occupy these common areas.

f.

Each dwelling unit shall have separate and individual front and rear entrances.

g.

The front facade of each townhouse dwelling shall front on a dedicated public street.

h.

Townhouse dwellings constructed as part of a larger mixed use development may front towards designated community courtyards and improved common areas.

i.

Each townhouse shall have a minimum of two hundred (200) square feet of private yard space in either the front or rear, not including driveways or alleys.

j.

All townhouse dwellings shall include a continuous sidewalk five feet in width connecting front entrance of all dwellings to each other.

k.

To reduce the perceived height and bulk, front and rear facade walls that exceed eighty (80) continuous horizontal linear feet shall utilize offset such as full height projections or recesses a minimum of twenty (20) inches in depth. This adds architectural interest and variety, creates the appearance of separate buildings and shall vary in appearance with different finish colors, architectural features, building materials, etc.

l.

Slab on grade construction shall be prohibited. The finished floor of a townhouse dwelling shall be raised a minimum of two feet above the finished ground elevation.

m.

A minimum of two and a maximum of four of the following exterior finished materials may be used on a townhouse dwelling and no more than three of the following exterior finished materials may be used on an individual dwelling unit composing a townhouse:

i.

Clay masonry brick.

ii.

Natural stone, i.e. granite, marble, limestone, sandstone or field stone.

iii.

Manufactured stone, i.e. imitation limestone, imitation sandstone or imitation field stone.

iv.

Wood siding.

v.

Fiber-cement siding.

vi.

Traditional stucco.

vii.

Other exterior finished materials may be approved by the planning and zoning director when requested in writing by the applicant.

n.

At least two and no more than four of the following elements shall be used on the front facade of an individual dwelling unit composing a townhouse:

i.

Hip returns.

ii.

Operable window shutters.

iii.

Casement windows.

iv.

Transoms.

v.

Wrought iron railings.

vi.

Gas lights.

vii.

Brick molding.

viii.

Upper floor balconies.

ix.

Standing seam metal roofing.

x.

Other elements may be approved by the planning and zoning director when requested in writing by the applicant.

o.

The same exterior finished materials shall be used for the front and rear facades of the same dwelling unit. Dwelling units on the ends of the townhouse dwelling shall have the same exterior finish material on the side facade as that on the front and rear facade. No side facade shall exceed thirty (30) linear feet without containing fenestration treatment per story.

p.

To avoid repetition and to promote aesthetic variation, the same front elevation of a townhouse building shall not be duplicated on more than one-third of the buildings throughout a townhouse development located on more than two acres.

q.

Individual dwelling units shall incorporate a covered front door, the manner of which shall be the same for all units within the same townhouse. This may be accomplished with a recessed entry, a portico, a door canopy or a covered front porch. Covered porches shall extend the width of the individual dwelling unit and shall be a minimum of six feet in depth. For those units designed with a stoop, the top platform shall be a minimum of three feet in depth.

r.

Townhouses shall either incorporate a flat roof design utilizing a decorative parapet wall or have a minimum 6:12 roof pitch. For pitched roofs the use of gables, dormers, cornices, chimneys and other design features shall be used to enhance the overall appearance of the individual dwelling units. Variation in the roofline of buildings and offsets in pitched roofs and gables shall be required. Parapets in building masses exceeding eighty (80) continuous horizontal linear feet shall be varied in height and projection and shall use decorative elements such as crown moldings, dentil, brick soldier course or similar detail.

s.

On-site parking shall not be located between the front facade and the public street. All driveways, parking pads and enclosed residential garages shall be rear entry from either a private alley or an adjacent street. Enclosed residential garages shall have single bay doors to avoid overemphasizing the horizontal nature of the garage and shall be setback a minimum of ten linear feet from the alley edge of pavement.

t.

HVAC units, trash and recycling receptacles shall not be visible from the public right-of-way. Trash and recycling receptacles shall not be placed at the point of pick up more than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the scheduled servicing.

u.

Townhouse developments shall establish a homeowners association to manage and maintain all common areas, alleys and structural elements as well as ensure that the requirements governing such associations and their developments as provided by this section are met in full.

F.

Stacked Flat.

1.

Density.

a.

The minimum floor area per unit shall be six hundred (600) square feet for one bedroom units; nine hundred (900) square feet for two bedroom units; and one thousand (1,000) square feet for three bedroom units.

b.

The maximum gross density shall not exceed eight units per acre.

2.

Design Standards.

a.

When located in the CM or TCM zoning districts, stacked flat developments shall be required to be developed with non-residential uses facing the primary frontage. All parcels are required to contain non-residential uses even when frontage is limited or does not exist. A minimum amount of commercial tenant space must be housed on-site per the chart below. All non-residential uses must be publicly accessible. Non-residential uses shall be constructed prior to or in conjunction with the completion of the residential uses.

b.

When located in NM or CR zoning districts, no building shall exceed two hundred (200) feet in length.

c.

An interior lobby containing a minimum of three hundred (300) square feet in size shall be provided at the ground level of each building.

d.

Multifamily buildings with pitched roofs shall meet the following standards:

i.

Pitched roofs shall be sloped no less than 6:12, except that pitched roof structures for attached sheds, porches, patios and balconies may be sheds, with pitches no less than 2:12.

ii.

Pitched roofs shall be clad in at least a 50-year architectural asphalt shingles, natural slate, or wood shingles, except that standing seam metal may be used provided that it complements an architectural style while minimizing glare.

iii.

The eaves of pitched roofs shall overhang exterior walls a minimum of eighteen (18) inches.

e.

Common recreational activity areas shall be provided and equipped in scale with the recreational needs for the residents of the development. A minimum of fifty (50) square feet of developed recreation space shall be provided for each dwelling unit, provided that no required recreational space shall be less than four hundred (400) square feet in area. Recreational activity areas shall be aggregated, located in readily accessible sites and shall be any recreational/leisure activity area (indoor and outdoor) and may include, but are not limited to, at least two of the following:

i.

Active recreation courts and lawns.

ii.

Clubhouse.

iii.

Swimming pool and associated areas.

iv.

Dog parks.

v.

Tot lots and playgrounds.

vi.

Exercise and weight training equipment rooms.

vii.

Picnic and pavilion areas with trails and walking paths.

viii.

Other similar type of active or passive recreation areas.

f.

A minimum of two and a maximum of four of the following exterior finished materials may be used on a multi-family dwelling:

i.

Clay masonry brick.

ii.

Natural stone.

iii.

Manufactured stone.

iv.

Traditional stucco.

g.

A maximum of twenty (20) percent of the total building wall area, with each facade being calculated independently, may contain the following materials:

i.

Fiber cement siding, at least ⅜-inch thick.

ii.

Natural wood siding.

iii.

Natural wood shake.

(Ord. dated 11/2/20, § 11; Ord. dated 6/6/22, §§ 20, 21; Ord. dated 1/17/23, § 1; Ord. dated 2/19/24, §§ 3—6)

A.

Private lanes, drives or streets used to meet any of the street requirements of this title shall meet the dimensional requirements set forth in the Street Type Dimensions Table.

B.

Streets designated as freeways shall not be regulated by the Street Type Dimensions Table.

C.

All public streets within the city shall be officially designated on the city of Covington street plan map by street type. All streets, and development and landscaping thereon, shall meet dimensional requirements set forth in the following Street Type Dimensions Table.

D.

See the Space Dimensions Table in Section 16.16.030 for dimension requirements for densities, maximum heights, side and rear yards and other lot calculations as regulated by zoning districts.

(Ord. dated 6/30/08 (part); Ord. dated 6/6/22, § 22)

A.

The lengths, widths, and shapes of blocks shall be determined with due regard to:

1.

Provision of adequate building sites suitable to the special needs of the types of use contemplated.

2.

Zoning requirements as to lot sizes and dimensions.

3.

Needs for convenient access, circulation, control, and safety of street traffic.

4.

Limitations and opportunities of topography.

B.

Blocks in NR2 or NR3 districts shall not be greater than six hundred (600) feet in length or less than one hundred fifty (150) feet in length except where topographic conditions and/or unique lot configurations offer no practical alternative. Such blocks shall be approved by the planning and zoning director prior to final approval.

C.

Reserve strips and non-access easements adjoining street rights-of-way for the purpose of preventing access to or from adjacent property shall not be permitted.

D.

Streets within a new development shall provide external connections to existing streets and/or adjacent properties including adjacent future phases at the rate of at least one connection/stub street per six hundred (600) feet of property boundary. In addition, the following connections/stub streets shall be required:

1.

Any connection to an existing stub street on an adjacent property;

2.

Any connection/street stub, including water crossings, represented on a town-accepted transportation or land use plan;

3.

Street stub to an adjacent developable parcel of twenty (20) acres or greater; and

4.

Street stub to an adjacent parcel that abuts or is traversed by an existing or proposed street.

E.

All dead-end streets and stub streets that have the potential to connect to adjacent property or with nearby streets must be signed with the following language: "The street will be extended when the adjacent property develops."

F.

Blocks in NR1, NR2 or NR3 districts shall be wide enough to provide two tiers of lots, except where fronting on major thoroughfares or prevented by topographical conditions or size of the property, in which case the planning commission may require and/or approve a single tier of lots of minimum depth.

G.

Development in NR1, NR2 or NR3 districts that abuts undeveloped NR1, NR2 or NR3 property shall provide one local street connection to the adjacent property for each six hundred (600) feet of shared property line.

H.

Development in CR, TCR, NM, CM or TCM districts, with more than six hundred (600) feet of frontage along a single street shall be divided by streets into blocks having a maximum length of six hundred (600) feet, as measured from street curb to street curb.

I.

Streets used to divide properties into blocks shall meet all of the street and sidewalk designations of this zoning ordinance.

J.

Opportunities for inter-parcel vehicle access points between all contiguous tracts in any CR, TCR, NM, CM, TCM, M1 or M2 district shall be provided.

K.

A cul-de-sac street that ends within one hundred (100) feet of an adjacent major thoroughfare street shall provide a five-feet wide sidewalk in a ten (10) feet wide easement connecting the sidewalk on the cul-de-sac to the sidewalk on the adjacent major thoroughfare street.

L.

Gates and security arms shall be prohibited from crossing any public street or sidewalk.

(Ord. dated 6/30/08 (part); Ord. dated 6/6/22, § 23)

Except as set forth hereinbelow, the following regulations shall apply to all new buildings, and to renovation of any existing building where the square footage of the existing building is expanded by twenty-five (25) percent or more; or the renovation includes extending or relocating portions of two or more exterior walls in any CR, TCR, NM, CM or TCM district. The following regulations shall not apply to the construction or renovation of any single family residence upon a lot of record unless the final subdivision plat which created such lot of record requires construction of a public sidewalk or unless such lot is adjoined by a public sidewalk.

A.

Sidewalks.

1.

Public sidewalks shall be located along both sides of all streets and shall have minimum widths as specified in the Street Type Dimensions Table. Sidewalks shall consist of two zones: a landscape zone and a sidewalk clear zone.

2.

Landscape zones shall be located immediately adjacent to the curb and shall be continuous. This zone may be used for street trees, street lights, benches, planters, trash receptacles, bicycle parking racks and other street furniture, pedestrian lights, landscaping, or sod. Additional pavement or other similar elements shall be permitted only as approved by the planning and zoning director.

3.

Sidewalk clear zones shall be located immediately contiguous to the landscape zone and shall be continuous. Said zone shall be hardscape, and shall be unobstructed for a minimum height of eight feet. Special paving within the sidewalk clear zone shall be permitted only as approved by the planning and zoning director.

4.

For specific street tree planting requirements, see Title 14: Chapter 14.28 Tree Preservation.

5.

Required tree plantings may be planted in the adjacent front yard when extreme conditions prevent the planting of street trees within the landscape zone and only as approved by the planning and zoning director.

6.

Outdoor Dining. Outdoor dining may encroach into the sidewalk clear zone when the following criteria are met:

a.

Shall provide a minimum of six feet wide of unobstructed sidewalk clear zone area;

b.

No permanent structure or ornamentation shall be located within the area where encroachment is permitted and no element shall be attached to the sidewalk in any way;

c.

At such time as the outdoor dining use is discontinued, sidewalks shall comply with all requirements of this chapter; and

d.

Outdoor dining may be separated from the sidewalk only with movable planters, fencing or similar nonfixed barriers provided they do not exceed a height of thirty-six (36) inches including any plant material.

(Ord. dated 6/30/08 (part); Ord. dated 6/6/22, § 2; Ord. dated 2/6/23, § 1)

A.

Front yards shall have the minimum dimensions specified in the Section 16.28.030 Streetscape Dimensions Table.

B.

The square footage contained within the front yard which meets open space criteria may be counted towards the open space requirements.

C.

Landscape zones and sidewalk clear zones shall be permitted within the front yard.

D.

Front yards for buildings in which the predominant use is nonresidential shall ensure pedestrian access from the adjacent sidewalk clear zone to the required primary pedestrian entrance of the building and may also include fountains, pedestrian furniture, public art, plazas and similar elements.

E.

Front yards for buildings in which the predominant use is residential shall be landscaped with the exception of terraces, porches, stoops and walkways, which may occupy a maximum of one-half of the front yard area. Said elements may be required to be set back from the edge of the adjacent sidewalk for the safe and convenient location of public utilities.

(Ord. dated 6/30/08 (part); Ord. dated 6/6/22, § 24)

A.

Purpose and Definitions. The city is a growing community with limited space, an existing fabric and community assets that should be preserved. Focusing growth and intensity is important to preserve current standards, utilize existing infrastructure, renovate parcels and grow thoughtfully. Corridors that can best handle development should be incentivized and guided in order to maintain the balance of land. When determining the allowed density for any given lot in the city, the net buildable land area of the site is used. For the purpose of determining the allowed dwelling units for a site, net buildable land area shall be calculated by subtracting areas where building is prohibited or subject to significant restrictions from the gross lot area. For purposes of this section, net buildable area shall mean that area remaining after exclusion from the gross lot area sensitive areas including: type I, II, III and IV wetlands; state waters; ravine sidewalls; bluffs; and all required buffers associated with those sensitive areas.

B.

Location of Corridors. If the criteria in the appropriate subsection below are met, parcels adjacent to the following corridors shall qualify for the bonus density hereinafter set forth.

1.

Thoroughfare.

a.

U.S. Hwy 278 from Capes Drive to GA Hwy 36/GA Hwy 142/Covington Bypass Road/Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

b.

GA Hwy 142 from U.S. Hwy 278 to I-20.

c.

Pace Street from U.S. Hwy 278 to Cricket Frog Trail.

2.

Neighborhood.

a.

Washington Street from Midway Drive to Emory Street.

3.

Green.

a.

Cricket Frog Trail.

b.

Eastside Trail.

C.

Thoroughfare Corridor.

1.

Max bonus density of thirty-six (36) units/net buildable acre for projects under three acres.

2.

To qualify for the density bonus, the project must contain the following:

a.

Commercial Areas. Commercial uses along the ground level fronting on the corridor and side street(s).

i.

Commercial areas must have a minimum size equal to the length of street frontage times thirty (30) feet of depth (i.e. two hundred (200) feet of frontage times thirty (30) = six thousand (6,000) square feet of commercial).

ii.

Any site with less than one hundred (100) feet of street frontage or any site with more than two hundred (200) percent more depth than frontage shall require five hundred (500) square feet of commercial areas per acre; not to exceed a requirement of twenty thousand (20,000) square feet.

iii.

Commercial areas may exceed the minimum square footage set forth above at subsections i. and ii. above.

iv.

All sites shall contain a minimum of three thousand (3,000) square feet of commercial areas.

b.

Amenity Space. Developments shall have a minimum of fifty (50) square feet/unit of amenity space for residents in active or passive recreation. No more than half of the required space can be comprised of passive open space.

c.

Additional Amenities. All developments must include one of the following:

i.

Public Plaza/Open Space.

(1)

Five square feet of plaza or public space shall be required for every residential unit.

(2)

Plazas shall be designed to encourage pedestrian use and activity, shall serve as a link between a development and the public right-of-way, and shall meet the following standards. The plaza shall not have a dimension of less ten feet in either length or width, and the plaza shall provide no less than one sitting space for each one hundred (100) square feet of plaza area, and plaza seating shall not be used for, nor count towards, restaurant seating, and the plaza shall provide shading relief by either incorporating trees or a permanent overhead structural element, such that the shaded area is equivalent to fifteen (15) percent of the provided plaza area, and in addition to the required seating, the plaza shall incorporate at least one of the following elements: dining table, water feature and planters.

ii.

Public Art. An art installation commissioned by an outside artist. The value of the contract must exceed one quarter of the market rate of the sale of one unit. Work must be completed or installed at time of certificate of occupancy.

iii.

On-site Daycare. The occupancy capacity of the daycare must meet or exceed one child for every five units. The service may be run by a third-party vendor. If the operation ceases to exist, the space may be utilized for a community purpose or be turned into a commercial tenant space. It shall not be used for any operational or storage space for building management.

iv.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations. A development may opt to install a minimum of two electric vehicle charging stations, one of which must be a level 3 or higher station and available to the public.

v.

Green Roof System. Must cover a minimum of fifty (50) percent of the roof space and be approved by city engineering and building inspection staff.

vi.

Solar Panels. Installation must account for a minimum of two kilowatts/unit to extent practicable that the array fits on the roof.

3.

Developments shall receive an additional three units/net buildable acre by including one of the following:

a.

Affordable Housing. A minimum of five percent of units being leased for sixty (60) percent AMI; or ten percent of units being leased for eighty (80) percent AMI (using statistics for the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell GA HUD Metro FMR Area); or a combination thereof. An agreement filed with the director with a third party for certification, use and follow-up shall be required in a form satisfactory to the director to ensure compliance. Affordable units must be constructed to the same standards as market rate units and shall spread throughout the development. Affordable units must stay in the affordable program for a minimum of fifteen (15) years.

b.

Utilization of a Certified Green Building Program.

i.

Project meets LEED Silver, Gold or Platinum requirements;

ii.

Project meets Earthcraft Gold requirements;

iii.

Project meets other recognized third-party green building program standards with similar requirements acceptable to director.

D.

Neighborhood Corridor.

1.

Max bonus density of twenty-four (24) units/net buildable acre for projects under three acres.

2.

To qualify for the density bonus, the project must contain the following:

a.

Commercial uses. Developments containing over thirty (30) residential units shall contain a minimum of one thousand (1,000) square feet of commercial area per acre of the project. Commercial space may include work/office space (i.e. live/work arrangement) within a residential unit provided the work area is separated from the remainder of the residential unit by a locking door and complies with applicable codes for commercial use.

b.

Amenity space. Developments containing the lesser of two acres or thirty (30) units shall contain a minimum of fifty (50) square feet per unit of amenity space for residents in active or passive recreation. No more than half of the required space can be comprised of passive open space.

c.

Additional amenities (for developments between two and three acres). All developments must include one of the following:

i.

Shared Use Space. Area must contain a minimum of fifty (50) square feet per residential unit in enclosed space. Uses may include, but are not limited to workspace, lounging, pet cleaning/grooming, maker space, exercise, workshop, etc.

ii.

Public Art. An art installation commissioned by an outside artist. The value of the contract must exceed one tenth of the market rate of the sale of one unit. Work must be completed or installed at time of certificate of occupancy

iii.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.

iv.

Green Roof System. Must cover a minimum of fifty (50) percent of the roof space and be approved by city engineering and building inspection staff

v.

Solar Panels. Installation must account for a minimum of two kilowatts/unit to extent practicable that the array fits on the roof.

d.

Developments shall receive an additional three units/net buildable acre by including one of the following:

i.

Affordable Housing. A minimum of five percent of units being leased for sixty (60) percent AMI; or ten percent of units being leased for eighty (80) percent AMI (using statistics for the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell GA HUD Metro FMR Area); or a combination thereof. An agreement filed with the director with a third party for certification, use and follow-up shall be required in a form satisfactory to the director to ensure compliance. Affordable units must be constructed to the same standards as market rate units and shall spread throughout the development. Affordable units must stay in the affordable program for a minimum of fifteen (15) years.

ii.

Utilization of a Certified Green Building Program.

(1)

Project meets LEED Silver, Gold or Platinum requirements;

(2)

Project meets Earthcraft Gold requirements;

(3)

Project meets other recognized third-party green building program standards with similar requirements acceptable to director.

E.

Green Corridor.

1.

Max bonus density of eighteen (18) units/net buildable acre for projects under three acres.

2.

To qualify for the density bonus, the project must contain the following:

a.

Amenity Space. Developments shall have a minimum of fifty (50) square feet/unit of amenity space for residents in active or passive recreation.

b.

Trail Connection. Developments shall have a trailhead connection comprised of an improved surface of not less than two hundred (200) square feet, seating for six people and a trash can. Trailheads may also include public art, water fountain, shade structure or a bike repair station.

c.

Additional Amenities. All developments must include one of the following:

i.

Public Art. An art installation commissioned by an outside artist. The value of the contract must exceed one tenth of the market rate of the sale of one unit. Work must be completed or installed at time of certificate of occupancy.

ii.

Shared Use Space. Area must have a minimum of fifty (50) square feet/unit in enclosed space. Uses may include, but are not limited to workspace, lounging, pet cleaning/grooming, maker space, exercise, workshop, etc.

iii.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.

iv.

Green Roof System. Must cover a minimum of fifty (50) percent of the roof space and be approved by city engineering and building inspection staff.

v.

Solar Panels. Installation must account for a minimum of two kilowatts/unit to extent practicable that the array fits on the roof.

(Ord. dated 4/18/22, § 1)