Kilgore City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VII
OVERLAY DISTRICTS
Sec. 0 Purpose.
The Main Street Overlay District (MS-O), described on the following pages, focuses on the preservation and rehabilitation of historic structures and their elements where feasible and enables new development in an appropriate manner. The goal for alterations to non-contributing (non-historic) buildings and new construction in the MS-O is to ensure compatibility with existing and new development.
The purpose of the Main Street Overlay Zoning District is to foster a strong viable downtown as a commercial, business, civic, residential, and cultural art center with its own unique identity and provide a mechanism to establish special land use regulations, standards, or procedures in a defined area with unique land use, site planning, or building design. Specifically:
(a)
Implement the city's Downtown Master Plan to achieve specific land use and design objectives.
(b)
Encourage development that exhibits the physical design characteristics that promotes pedestrian oriented storefront-style shopping.
(c)
Encourage rehabilitation and re-use of both existing buildings and historic buildings.
(d)
Promote new infill residential and non-residential development in a planned format.
(e)
Accommodate mixed-use buildings and parcels with neighborhood-serving retail, service and other uses on the ground floor and residential units above the non-residential space.
(Ordinance 1924 adopted 9/16/2025)
Sec. 1 Establishment and Designation.
The Main Street Overlay Zoning District is established in conjunction with the base "DC" Downtown Core Zoning District. Except as modified by the overlay zoning district, the provisions of the "DC" Downtown Core Zoning District shall apply to all development within the boundary of the designated area. In the event the regulations conflict, the applicable overlay zoning regulations shall prevail.
(Ordinance 1924 adopted 9/16/2025)
Sec. 2 Notification.
Overlay Districts have been previously established, but any adoption of additional Overlay Districts or changes to existing Overlay Districts shall follow all requirements of City ordinances and state law.
(Ordinance 1924 adopted 9/16/2025)
Sec. 3 Applicability.
The extent and limits of the Main Street Overlay Zoning District shall be defined and modified by the following legal description and is hereby subject to the Main Street Overlay District regulations and requirements contained in this section. The district boundaries shall also be shown on the City of Kilgore Official Zoning Map and are depicted to the centerline of the street.
Legal Description: NCB 121B, 121A, 120, 119, 118, 139, 137, 136 in the Mary Van Winkle Survey A-208 Section 5.
(Ordinance 1924 adopted 9/16/2025)
Sec. 4 Facade Design.
(a)
Building facade new construction and improvements that face a public street shall conform to the following design criteria:
(b)
On all new construction at least 30% of the facade shall consist of windows. On all facade improvements, no original windows shall be covered.
(i)
On all building facade new construction and improvements, the use of bare metal, aluminum and metal siding, metal panels, plastic, and mirrored glass shall be prohibited.
(ii)
The covering of original building materials is not allowed. Synthetic stucco, panelized brick, and aluminum and vinyl siding materials are prohibited.
(c)
Side or rear facade Design: Wherever a side or rear facade is visible from a public street, the facade new construction and improvements shall be in accordance with the following design criteria:
(i)
On all new construction at least 30% of the facade shall consist of windows. On all facade improvements, no original windows shall be covered.
(ii)
On all building facade new construction and improvements, the use of bare metal, aluminum and metal siding, metal panels, plastic, and mirrored glass shall be prohibited.
(iii)
The covering of original building materials is not allowed. Synthetic stucco, panelized brick, and aluminum and vinyl siding materials are prohibited.
(d)
Non-conforming Facades: A nonconforming facade is any facade within the district on the effective date of this article which is prohibited by, or does not conform to the requirements of these regulations. Qualifying nonconforming facades may continue provided:
(Ordinance 1924 adopted 9/16/2025)
Sec. 5 Signage.
Signage shall comply with the standards below, in addition to the provision of Division 6 "Sign Regulations."
(a)
Purpose.
Signs shall be for the purpose of identifying businesses only. No permanent signs displaying advertising or promotions are permitted (exempting historic wall paintings), other than those relating to the primary use of the property. Lettering, signage, and displays describing a business's general goods or services may be permitted in store front windows only.
(b)
Design.
The overall design of all signage shall adopt the decorative features of the building, utilizing complimentary materials and colors. No signs shall be painted on the building (exempting historic wall paintings).
(c)
Permit required.
A permit for the placement, erection or installation of all banners shall be required before placement, erection or installation. Banners are allowed for special events only. Only one banner per facade is allowed.
(e)
Mounting and Placement.
(i)
Signs shall be mounted or erected so they do not obscure the architectural features or openings of the building.
(ii)
Sandwich board signs shall be allowed in the district but shall not exceed twenty square feet in size per sign face.
(iii)
No sign or portion of sign shall extend above the principal roof line at the top of the building face.
(g)
Non-conforming Signs.
A nonconforming sign is any sign permanently affixed to the ground or a building within the district on the effective date of this article which is prohibited by, or does not conform to the requirements of these regulations. Temporary or portable signs shall not be afforded nonconforming status. Qualifying nonconforming signs may continue provided:
(Ordinance 1924 adopted 9/16/2025)
Sec. 6 Recommended standards.
(a)
Structure Rehabilitation.
The City of Kilgore and Main Street Board recognize the importance of historic preservation and the role architectural details play in defining the character of an historic structure. When rehabilitating historic structures the City encourages adherence with "The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation" established by the U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service. A copy of the guidelines may be obtained at the Main Street Office located at the City of Kilgore. Additionally, the Main Street Program may offer free design assistance ranging from paint color consultation to full-scale renderings.
(b)
Streetscape Design and Landscaping.
The City of Kilgore and Main Street Board recognize the importance of streetscape design and landscaping on the overall appearance of a downtown. The City encourages the addition of various types of streetscape and landscaping in front of downtown buildings. Some recommendations include:
(i)
Planting of street trees at appropriate intervals in the parkway abutting a public street. All trees shall be a minimum of 3" caliper and installed with tree grates. All planting of trees shall require approval by the City of Kilgore. A recommended tree list is available at the Main Street office located at the City of Kilgore.
(Ordinance 1924 adopted 9/16/2025)
Sec. 1 Corridor Overlay District.
The extent of the Corridor Overlay District shall be defined and modified by the following legal description and is hereby subject to the Corridor Overlay District regulations and requirements contained in this section. The district boundaries shall be included on the City of Kilgore Official Zoning Map.
(a)
The first two-hundred and fifty feet (250') beginning at the end of the right-of-way line on each side of the following major corridors within the City Limits of Kilgore.
(b)
Regulations specific to the Corridor Overlay District:
(i)
The Corridor Overlay applies to the first two hundred and fifty feet (250') beginning at the end of the right-of-way line on each side of the major corridors in the City of Kilgore as described in [subsection (a)].
(ii)
Manufactured Homes are a prohibited use in the designated corridor overlay.
(iii)
A minimum of 5% of the lot to be developed for commercial or industrial use shall be landscaped.
(A)
Required vertical plantings using trees, shrubs and small plantings spaced at a maximum of 10 ft.
(B)
Landscaping shall be placed on the corridor facing side of the development.
(C)
For any lot greater than one acre, the applicant may request only one acre be considered for landscaping requirements.
(iv)
For commercial or industrial uses, any chain link fence facing the corridor must have vertical plantings placed in front with 6-foot minimum maturity height; at a maximum 10-foot spacing if a single species is used, or at a maximum 12-foot spacing for two or more species. This area may be calculated as part of the 5% landscaping requirement.
(v)
Dumpster screening is required on corridor facing side if the dumpster is visible from the corridor. Dumpsters are to be screened with wood fencing, vertical plantings, or any other material approved by the Director of Planning.
(vi)
The Corridor Overlay regulations apply to all new construction and expansion or renovation on projects valued at the lesser of 50% or more of the current appraised value as determined by the Appraisal District or the project is valued at over $100,000.
(Ordinance 1924 adopted 9/16/2025)