A. Project Area: This overlay is designed to accommodate larger multi-family projects, such as townhomes and apartment complexes, or communities with a mix of housing types. Therefore, any parcel seeking application of the RMF Overlay shall contain no less than five (5) acres.
B. Density: The RMF Overlay accommodates a variety of densities for multi-family dwellings. In granting overlay approval, the City Council shall designate the maximum density permitted, at a density of either 10 or 15 residential units per acre. This density is calculated as the net density rounded to the nearest whole number for the area dedicated to multi-family dwellings. This shall be designated on the Overlay approval as RMF-10, RMF-15, respectively. In making a determination for the maximum density, the Council shall consider the following:
1. The design standards of the proposed project
2. The nature of the surrounding neighborhood and potential impact on the neighborhood
3. Steps taken by the development to reduce any negative impact on the surrounding neighborhood, such as, but not limited to, onsite parking, new streets and other vehicular access, open space, pedestrian and/or bike trails, and landscaping.
4. Other desired uses, such as religious buildings, parks and open space, education facilities, and maintenance facilities, shall be reviewed as part of the overlay application and shall present a lot area, design, traffic circulation, parking, and other design elements that are to the satisfaction of the City Council. These uses shall only be permitted within the overlay when they are part of a much larger project and are there to support housing within the overlay.
C. Width: Each project in the RMF Overlay shall have a minimum width and frontage of one hundred and twenty (120) feet for all of the area within the required front setback of the zone. Projects with more than four (4) units shall have more than this amount, however the exact amount of frontage on a public street will be determined by City Council based on the configuration of the project.
D. Single-Family Detached Dwellings: If the RMF Overlay is used to accommodate single-family dwellings, each lot for a single-family dwelling shall have a minimum lot width and frontage of seventy-five (75) feet and lot area of 7,500 square feet. Flag lots shall not be permitted.
E. Setback: When a proposed project in the RMF Overlay is adjacent to a non-multi-family dwelling outside the RMF Overlay, the setback requirements of the adjacent residential zone shall be implemented along the perimeter of the development. Otherwise, the following minimum setback and build-to-line requirements shall apply for each building or structure and is measured from the respective property line of the lot or parcel:
1. Front Setback: Twenty- five (25) feet.
2. Side Setback: Eight (8), unless otherwise noted herein.
a. Side Setback For Corner Lot: Eight (8) along the public street on the side of the lot not being used as the front setback.
b. Side Setback For Accessory Building: Three (3) feet
3. Rear Setback: Twenty (20) feet.
4. Rear setback for accessory building: Three (3) feet
5. The land use authority may impose a build-to-line that represents the distance from the property line that a structure will be constructed. The build-to-line may be imposed on any side of the structure. Reasons to impost a build-to-line may include: reducing parking adjacent to the street, aesthetic improvements, and enhanced circulation.
F. Projections Into Setbacks: The following structures may project into a required setback, but not beyond the property line, except as noted herein:
1. Fences and walls in conformance with all applicable City ordinances and resolutions.
2. Landscaping and irrigation systems that shall be extended to the sidewalk or back of the curb.
3. Necessary appurtenances for utility service.
4. Cornices, eaves, sills, buttresses, awnings, planter boxes, or other similar architectural features may project up to four (4) feet into any required front or rear setback or up to two (2) feet into a side setback.
G. Building Height: Each structure shall satisfy the regulations of the adopted fire code. The Fire Chief may reduce the maximum building height and/or roof slope to ensure the ability to protect the structure on a case-by-case basis, as necessary based on the abilities of the local Fire Department. The maximum height for single family and multi-family residential unit are as follows:
1. Two (2) stories and thirty-five (35) feet total height.
2. An accessory structure may not exceed eighteen (18) feet in total height.
H. Distance Between Buildings: The minimum distance between buildings is determined by building height, and shall be whichever is greater, as follows:
1. Any two-story building, except for attached multi-family units: Sixteen (16) feet.
2. Accessory building and any residential building: ten (10) feet.
I. Lot Coverage: The sum total of all buildings and structures shall not be greater than forty (40) percent of the total area.
J. Open Space: Each project shall contain at least thirty (30) percent permanently maintained outdoor open space exclusive of buildings (except a clubhouse, gazebo, or other usable amenities, as agreed at the time of the overlay approval), parking, and roadways. That thirty (30) percent shall be broken down as follows:
1. Twenty-five (25) percent minimum: Sited and designed as usable open space for the residents of the project. At least approximately half of this, or twelve (12) percent shall be a non-impervious surface.
2. Five (5) percent maximum: Landscaped areas between the structures. These are areas where the actual distance between the buildings is within ten (10) feet of the minimum required distance between those buildings.
3. Stormwater Facilities: The acreage set aside for stormwater facilities shall not be used toward the open space requirement unless the City Council has determined that the area is designed as functional usable open space. The presumption shall be that storm drainage areas are not suitable as usable open space due to their purpose of retaining water runoff. The City Council is not obliged to grant this waiver but may consider proposals where ample steps have been taken to make the ground usable. The Council shall, at a minimum, consider the following:
a. The location, size, design, access, and usability of the stormwater facility;
b. That the facility is placed in a centralized location within the project or reasonably connected to other project amenities;
c. The slope of the basin is no steeper than 5:1;
d. The size of the basin and adjacent landscaped area is no more than ten (10) percent of the required open space requirement;
e. The landscaping treatments are suitable for use by the residents of the project and include amenities as deemed appropriate.
K. Landscaping: All open areas not covered by residential buildings or structures, parking, or permitted accessory structures shall be attractively landscaped and maintained. Each project shall include a landscaping plan, prepared by a licensed landscape architect or other qualified landscape professional, for review and approval. At a minimum, the landscaping plan shall include the following:
1. General landscape principles:
a. Visual variety and interest to site and buildings;
b. Landscape features that highlight primary entry to a building and complex, for both vehicular and pedestrian access;
c. Placement of shade trees over gathering areas and near buildings;
d. Landscape screening of parking areas and undesirable views;
e. Use of landscaping to provide a visual and noise buffer and shelter from wind.
2. Incorporation of layered landscaping and a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees. As a guideline, the landscaping plan will need to indicate one (1) tree for every two (2) dwelling units, with the trees being a mixture of coniferous evergreen and deciduous trees. The coniferous trees shall be at least eight (8) feet in height and the deciduous trees shall be at least two (2) inches in caliper. Shrubs and other plantings shall be included in the landscaping plan.
3. Landscaped areas shall contain grass or other acceptable ground cover. Xeriscaping with native and water-wise vegetation is encouraged and the City may prohibit any vegetation that is deemed to be invasive.
4. All landscaped areas shall be irrigated by an underground automatic sprinkling system.
5. Plant materials shall be selected and located to avoid conflicts with underground or above-ground utilities.
L. Fencing Standards: Multi-family projects shall be fenced on at least three sides by a six (6) foot sight-obscuring fence unless it can be demonstrated that the fence is unnecessary to make the proposed project compatible with the surrounding area.
1. All fencing in multi-family projects shall have decorative features and shall be constructed primarily of masonry materials. The use of chain link, vinyl, and wood products will be limited to internal areas that are not visible from the exterior of the project and located in low-traffic areas.
2. The Council may require certain areas to be free of fencing or have reduced fence height to increase visibility and connectivity to the surrounding neighborhood.
M. Lighting: Safety and security in the project and its immediate surroundings shall be enhanced through lighting design. A photometric plan shall be included showing how the project will meet the lighting standards. Lighting fixtures shall:
1. Be compatible with the architectural style, materials, color, and scale of the project.
2. Be located to avoid light spillage and glare on adjacent properties and in private spaces.
3. Include full cutoff light fixture that shield light away from bedroom windows, adjacent properties, and the sky.
4. Have a maximum correlated color temperature of 3,000 K (Kelvins).
5. Be mounted no higher than sixteen (16) feet.
6. Not be visible from the property line or beyond.
7. Have a maximum lumens amount of 2,500 lumens per light with a maximum of 100,000 lumens per net acre. (Ord. 23-17, 11-21-2023)
10-7D-4: PERFORMANCE STANDARDS: A. Amenities: Each development approved in the RMF Overlay shall include amenities for the residents of the project and shall include a plan for the amenities to be properly maintained. Because each project is different in nature, the amenities may vary but shall be tailored to accommodate the expected demographic of the residents. As a general rule, active recreation areas will include amenities such as sports courts (designed for basketball, pickleball, tennis, skate park, or another sport), horseshoe pits, swimming pools, volleyball courts, putting greens, splash pads, playgrounds, and clubhouses, etc. Passive recreation areas, which include open lawn space, community gardens, or dog parks are required for all projects. Any sports court shall meet an industry minimum standard for usability for the intended use. The minimum amount of amenities in addition to passive recreation areas that are required is determined by the proposed number of units in the development, as follows:
1. Fewer than fifty (50) units:
a. Picnic areas with tables and barbecue areas; and
b. An active recreation area.
2. Fifty-one (51) to seventy-five (75) units:
a. A picnic area with tables and barbecue area with a shade structure;
b. A sports court with at least one thousand (1,000) square feet;
ci. An active recreation area, or an additional one thousand (1,000) square feet of sports court.
3. Seventy-six (76) to one hundred (100) units:
a. Two (2) picnic areas with tables and barbecue areas with shade structures;
b. A sports court with at least one thousand (1,000) square feet;
c. An active recreation area, or an additional one thousand (1,000) square feet of sports court;
d. A clubhouse used for gatherings of residents not less than one thousand (1000) square feet in size complete with restrooms. The clubhouse may be substituted for an outside social function area, no less than two thousand (2000) square feet in size, with approval by the City Council.
4. One hundred (100) or more units:
a. Two (2) picnic areas with tables and barbecue areas with shade structures;
b. A sports court with at least one thousand (1,000) square feet;
c. Two (2) active recreation areas with amenities appropriate for the targeted population, one of these areas could be an additional one thousand (1,000) square feet of sports court;
d. A clubhouse used for gatherings of residents not less than two thousand (2,000) square feet in size complete with restrooms and indoor amenities and services.
5. The City Council will be the final authority in determining if the amenity package is appropriate for the project size, location, and target population. The type and quality of amenities will be taken into consideration in determining an acceptable amenity package and whether to grant the application of the Overlay.
B. Design Standards: Building design should enhance the appearance of the buildings from streets and other public viewpoints. All sides of structures shall receive equal design consideration, particularly where they may be readily viewed by pedestrians and motorists, or from adjacent properties.
1. Exterior Materials: All buildings shall include brick, stucco, stone, or other decorative masonry products, including fiber-cement siding, as approved by the City Council upon recommendation by the Planning Commission. At least two different building materials shall be used on all sides of the building with at least forty (40) percent of the vertical surface containing brick or stone. Garage doors, windows, and doors are not included in the vertical surface calculation. Vinyl and wood siding are not permitted; however, shake shingles may be permitted as an accent material as approved. The types of material will be complementary to the architectural design and heavier materials used lower on the building elevation to form the building base.
2. Colors: Varied building colors are essential to a quality project. The use of different colors and materials helps to break up the massing of the building. A minimum of two colors per elevation, plus trim and roof color shall be provided. Contrasting but complementary colors should be used for trim, windows, doors, and ornamental features.
3. Wall Plane: There shall be a variation in wall plane on all facades visible from a public street or public view. It is expected that the highest level of articulation will occur on the front façade. However, some architectural detailing should be incorporated into all building elevations, as well as courtyards, play areas, and similar common areas.
4. Architectural Design: Architectural elements, such as balconies, porches, overhangs, trellises, projections, awnings, insets, materials, and textures shall be used to create shadow patterns that contribute to a building’s character and visual interest. Deep roof overhangs are encouraged to create shadows and add depth to façades, also helping to shade openings and windows.
5. Massing: Tall or large structures should emphasize horizontal planes through the use of trim, awnings, eaves, or a combination of complementary colors. The upper story of a multi-story building shall be stepped to reduce the scale of façades facing streets or courtyards unless the building height contributes to the sense of place.
6. Roofing Design: Roof forms typical of residential buildings such as gable or hip roofs are encouraged. For row-type townhouses, each unit shall be varied in height and setback.
7. Development Entrance Features: Pedestrian and vehicular pavement designs shall include material and/or color changes at entrances, walkways, crosswalks, and other significant areas.
8. If an applicant can clearly demonstrate that one or more unique conditions affecting the land make the literal application of one or more of the design standards impracticable or unduly burdensome, the City Council may modify the standard as may be reasonable. The modification shall not be contrary to the general intent and purposes of this Chapter and the health, safety, general welfare, and aesthetics of the neighborhood. The City Council is not obligated to grant any modification and the site may ultimately not be suitable for application of this overlay.
9. If the applicant and staff disagree on the architectural design, types of amenities, or determining adequate amenities for the proposed project, the City Council shall render the decision. (Ord. 23-17, 11-21-2023)