(a)

Cluster housing development. It is the intent of this section of the ordinance to encourage the erection of cluster housing in those areas appropriate to such use, subject to the conditions and safeguards which will promote the purpose of zoning and the comprehensive plan. In addition to, or in modification of, other applicable provisions and requirements shall apply in the case of cluster housing developments.

(b)

Detached cluster houses. A single-family dwelling unit which has no common wall with any building other than an accessory structure or structures.

(c)

Attached cluster houses. A single-family dwelling unit in a building that has not less than three nor more than eight single-family housekeeping units intended for owner occupancy which are erected as a single building, on adjoining lots, each being separated from the adjoining unit or units by an approved two-hour firewall, and each such building being separated from any other building by a space of not less than 30 feet on all sides.

(d)

Detached cluster housing development. A minimum or four detached cluster houses.

(e)

Attached cluster housing development. A minimum of two units of attached cluster houses.

(a)

Cluster housing developments containing only single-family detached dwelling units are allowed in zoning districts A, R-1A, R-2, P-1, B-1, B-2/B-3, M-1, and M-2 as permitted principal uses following approval by the planning commission.

(b)

Cluster housing developments containing single-family attached dwelling units are allowed in zoning districts A, R-2, P-1, B-1, B-2/B-3, M-1, and M-2 as permitted principal uses after approval by the planning commission.

All applicants for cluster housing developments shall submit architectural plans drawn by a licensed architect or engineer, including such details as number, location, and orientation of dwelling units; plat plans, landscaping plans, plans for off-street parking and service areas; ingress and egress arrangements; elevations of proposed structures, drainage, water and sewer lines, and, where applicable, lift stations for sewage; and elevations of all portions of proposed structures and any other adjoining proposed cluster housing development. Also a copy of the legal documentation for land in common ownership and the identification of land area in private ownership, common ownership, and public ownership must accompany the application for planning commission review. The planning commission may require additional information if the members feel there is a need.

The building official shall issue no building permit for the erection of attached or detached cluster housing, or any alteration to any cluster housing which: (a) increases its height or coverage of land; (b) increases the total number of residential units in the approved cluster housing development; (c) alters the parking requirements or reduces the number of off-street parking spaces; or (d) infringes on the common ownership property or the designated buffer areas along the fringe of the identified cluster housing development until the planning commission shall have reviewed the application and documents required to be submitted, therewith, and reported concerning the conformity with the provisions, intent, and purposes of this ordinance.

Where cluster housing developments are allowed as permitted uses, the site plan must be approved by the planning commission prior to the issuance of a building permit. The planning commission, as a condition of approval, may require screening or modifications to the landscaping, parking, and circulation plans.

If dedicated public streets are utilized in a cluster housing development, the land area within the public right-of-way shall be subtracted from the lot size to determine the site size. If private streets are utilized in a cluster housing development, the land under the paved roadway shall be subtracted from the lot size to determine the site size. The minimum site size shall be 60,000 square feet in any zone where cluster housing is authorized.

(Ord. No. 1044, art. VI(A), § 5, 3-8-1994)

a.

From exterior property lines. The minimum setback from the exterior property lines for a cluster housing development shall be 35 feet from the front, 35 feet from the side, and 15 feet from the back, except that an attached cluster house shall be no closer than 15 feet to the side line.

b.

From the side property line for accessory buildings. The minimum setback from the side property line for accessory buildings on the rear of the property in a cluster housing development shall not be less than three feet. Only one accessory building shall be allowed per lot.

(Ord. No. 2080, 6-8-2004)

The minimum spacing between principal buildings in an attached cluster housing development shall not be less than 30 feet. The minimum spacing between principal buildings in a detached cluster housing development shall not be less than ten feet.

(Ord. No. 4446, 1-10-2023)

The planning commission may require service alleys in cluster housing developments where, in the opinion of the commission, such alleys are desirable.

Open space for the purpose of cluster housing developments is defined as follows: that land in common ownership of the homeowners, exclusive of parking areas and roadways, which is designed to meet the primary objective of supplying passive or active recreation needs, or preserving an important natural or historic resource.

For attached cluster housing developments, a minimum of 30 percent common ownership open space shall be required, exclusive of parking areas and roadways.

For detached cluster housing, a minimum of 20 percent common ownership open space shall be required, exclusive of parking areas and roadways.

Where a cluster housing development is completely dependent on off-street parking grouped in concentrations of greater than four spaces and under common ownership, two off-street parking spaces per unit; or

Two off-street parking spaces per dwelling unit on an individual, privately owned driveway and appropriate visitor parking as determined by the planning commission.

The developer is required to pay for the paving of streets whether public or private. The paving of streets, whether public or intended to be owned by the homeowners' association, must meet the requirements of the subdivision regulations and be approved by the city engineer.

The paving standards for off-street parking areas containing more than four parking spaces must meet the City of Hartsville standards established by the planning commission.

Approval of plans for any cluster housing development shall expire after six months from the date of approval by the planning commission, unless an extension of time is granted by the commission. Requests for an extension of time shall be made at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the six-month period. The length of any extension time shall be determined by the planning commission.

Notwithstanding other provisions of this ordinance, lots within a cluster housing development are not subject to minimum lot area, lot width, lot frontage, or requirements concerning access to a public or private street.