The special housing revitalization overlay district (SHROD) is intended to encourage housing and economic development activities in older residential mixed-use neighborhoods in the city. The SHROD is intended to supplement the base zoning in an area by imposing additional regulations designed to achieve a desirable, active urban environment that includes a substantial residential component. These overlay districts are also intended to enhance older areas of the city that may contain large abandoned mill buildings by providing for specific regulations designed to facilitate the continued viability, reuse and redevelopment of the buildings. The overlay districts may also serve to preserve contributing historical structures within the city while preserving the overall character of the building(s) and neighborhood.