(A)

Scope of regulations. These regulations shall apply to all multi-family developments constructed within the City of Florence and its extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction.

The following general regulations and design standards shall apply to all multi-family developments. However, where this section may conflict with design elements required for a conditional overlay district or a planned unit development district, the more strict provisions shall apply.

(B)

General regulations.

(1)

Building site area. All districts other than the B-3 (central business) district permitting multi-family development shall have a minimum building site area of:

8,000 square feet for the first two units

2,500 square feet per unit for any additional dwelling unit

(2)

Structure orientation. Multi-family developments abutting a public right-of-way shall be required to orient the building front toward subject right-of-way. The building official may grant exceptions if the site is found to have irregular configurations, or the proposed building orientation is found to be more conducive aesthetically to the surrounding properties.

Exceptions to structural orientation will not be considered for the sole purpose of gaining additional dwelling units for a proposed project.

(C)

Design standards. A multi-family development shall provide the following:

(1)

Parking and circulation. Parking of two (2) spaces per unit, plus one (1) additional space for any unit with more than two (2) bedrooms, improved to City of Florence standards and facilities for safe and convenient circulation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, including walks, driveways and landscaped separation spaces between pedestrian and vehicular ways. Multi-family developments shall have adequate and safely located play areas for children.

(2)

Stormwater detention. Shall be required as outlined in Article II, City of Florence Subdivision Regulations.

(3)

Building setbacks. The following are mandatory setbacks for multi-family developments. Should there be any section in conflict with these requirements the more stringent shall apply.

Multi-family construction, with the exception of the B-3 (central business) district, shall require the following setbacks:

(a)

Multi-family developments shall require a front yard setback of twenty-five (25) feet.

(b)

A single-story, multi-family development abutting property located within an R-1, R-2 or SD district shall have a minimum side and rear yard setback of thirty (30) feet.

(c)

A two-story development abutting property located within an R-1, R-2 or SD district shall have a minimum side and rear yard setback of forty (40) feet.

(d)

With the exception of the above requirements, all other multi-family developments shall have a minimum side yard of fifteen (15) feet, and a minimum rear yard of twenty (20) feet for single-story or two-story construction.

(4)

Screening and landscaping. All multi-family development with the exception of developments located in the B-3 (central business) district, shall require a ten-foot buffer planting strip, eight (8) feet high within two (2) years, along the side and rear yards, planted in sufficient density to afford protection to the adjoining properties in terms of visual encroachment, noise, litter, lights, etc.

With the exception of the above requirements, landscaped areas for multi-family developments shall be planted and maintained in accordance with this ordinance, Should there be any section in conflict with these requirements, the more stringent shall apply.

(5)

Building, spacing and access. The following building spacing and access shall be provided. Distances shall be measured between exterior walls. Minimum spacing dimensions shall not apply to corner-to-corner placement of buildings where walls do not overlap.

(a)

Spacing of buildings. A building wall shall be located no closer to another building than a distance equal to the height of the taller building of the two (2); provided, however, that for a two-story building containing dwelling units such distance shall be not less than fifty (50) feet in the case of two (2) walls having windows and entrances, not less than thirty (30) feet in the case of two (2) walls having windows but no entrances, not less than twenty (20) feet in the case of one (2) wall having windows and the other no windows, and not less than twelve (12) feet in the case of two (2) walls having no windows; provided, further, that for buildings of more than two (2) stories, spacing shall be increased appropriately. Variations from these spacing requirements may be approved by the building official upon a showing that the arrangement of buildings is such that the orientation insures adequate light and air, avoids undue exposure to traffic ways and the parking and service areas of commercial establishments, and preserves reasonable visual and audible privacy between buildings.

(b)

Access by emergency vehicles. Buildings in a multi-family development shall be so arranged that every building is accessible by emergency vehicles.