GENERAL

Where the University Avenue Zoning and Development Overlay District, hereinafter referred to as the University Avenue Overlay District, and the underlying or base-zoning district have different standards or regulations, the University Avenue Overlay District regulations apply. Where not explicitly addressed, the underlying or base-zoning district regulations apply.

PURPOSE AND INTENT

The University Avenue Overlay District is intended to promote innovative, attractive and efficient use of land; to implement the University Corridor Study; to establish developer confidence, to encourage planned development; and to permit flexibility and creativity in the design of such planned development. The purpose of this ordinance shall include but not be limited to the following:

1.

To encourage and promote the public health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the City of Lafayette, through the development and coordination of growth and services.

2.

To encourage originality, flexibility, and innovation in site planning and development.

3.

To discourage monotonous, unsightly, and inharmonious development.

4.

To preserve, protect and enhance areas of high visibility.

5.

To enhance the appearance and economic viability of the University Avenue Corridor, especially as it relates to adjacent established neighborhoods.

6.

To promote the vision of the University Avenue Corridor Revitalization Project for potential redevelopment and renewed investment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISTRICT AREA

The area hereby designated, as the University Avenue Overlay District is located generally east and west of University Avenue, from south of Cameron Street at Jeanne Street to north of Interstate 10 at Renaud Drive. The full area is shown on a map prepared by the Lafayette Consolidated Government Development and Planning Department titled "Appendix A: University Avenue Administrative Rezoning and Overlay District" (adopted September 16, 2019), a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part hereof.

APPLICABILITY

The University Avenue Overlay District regulations shall apply to all buildings or structures redeveloped or established after the effective date of this ordinance with the exception of nonconformities (as defined in Article 6 of the LDC).

An overlay district is comprised of both Zoning and Development considerations which cannot be separated, and, consequently, the Zoning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment will address Zoning matters within the overlay district, and the Planning Commission will address Development matters within the overlay district.

PROHIBITED USES

The following uses are expressly prohibited in the University Avenue Overlay District:

1.

Pawnshops

2.

Bail bond services

3.

Auto and truck repair

4.

Manufactured home dealers

5.

Cemeteries/mausoleums

6.

Adult businesses

The following are uses expressly prohibited in the areas zoned CM-1 within the University Avenue Overlay District:

1.

Convenience stores with fuel sales

2.

Gasoline or diesel fuel sales

The following are conditional uses in the areas zoned CH within the University Avenue Overlay District:

1.

Self-service storage facilities

ACCESSORY STORAGE AREAS INCLUDING TRASH HOLDING RECEPTACLES

1.

Storage and accessory facilities must be constructed with materials compatible with or comparable to the building.

2.

Refuse must be kept in a dumpster. An enclosure around the dumpster(s) shall be constructed of materials compatible with or comparable to the building it serves. Dumpsters may not be located within building setback areas, landscape strips or buffer areas or servitudes.

ARCHITECTURE

1.

All buildings on the same site shall be architecturally unified, meaning that each building on the site shall relate in architectural style, massing, color scheme and/or building materials.

2.

Vinyl siding is prohibited.

3.

Prefabricated metal outbuildings are prohibited.

4.

Darkly tinted windows and mirrored windows that block two-way visibility are prohibited as ground floor windows on street frontages.

5.

Primary building siting shall face University Avenue.

PARKING

1.

Developments with frontage at designated transit stops must provide a pedestrian connection from the transit stop to the primary building within the development.

2.

Parcels with a designated bus stop shall provide designated space of up to 12 feet by 7 feet, depending on the right-of-way availability for a covered bus shelter, as provided by LCG.

LANDSCAPING STANDARDS

Open Space:

1.

A minimum of 20% of all required green space shall be planted with ornamental vegetation i.e. trees, shrubs, and ground cover. Turf grass is not to be considered as ornamental vegetation.

2.

Plant material shall be of appropriate scale and growth habit as it relates to the project.

3.

Ornamental vegetation in parking lots shall be concentrated at entrance drives, and islands closest to the building entrances and shall be of appropriate heights as to not obscure a vehicle operator's view of pedestrians or other automobiles.

Frontage along University Avenue:

Properties fronting University Avenue will require a 10' wide landscape strip the entire length of the lot being developed.

Buffer Specifications:

Adjacent zoning district buffer requirements are the only buffers required within the University Avenue Overlay District. See LDC Landscape standards section 89-36(g) City of Lafayette Buffers, Tables 89-36-6c and 89-36-6d for buffer requirements.

Screening of Parking Lots in areas zoned CH:

Edges of parking lots in areas zoned CH that are adjacent to streets must be planted along the perimeter with 10 shrubs per 30' of exposed perimeter. These shrubs must grow to an average height of 3' to 4' tall along a road.

Alternative Compliance:

The landscape requirements are intended to encourage development which is economically viable and environmentally sensitive. The standards are not intended to be so specific as to inhibit creative development. Project conditions associated with individual sites may justify approval of alternative methods of compliance. Conditions may arise where normal compliance is impractical or impossible, or where maximum achievement of purpose and intent of this ordinance can only be obtained through alternative compliance. See LDC section 89-36(i) Alternative Compliance for additional information.

SIGN STANDARDS

Definitions:

Pole sign: A freestanding sign that is attached to a pole or poles erected directly into the ground.

Monument Sign: An independent sign affixed to the ground and supported from grade to the bottom of the sign with the appearance of having a solid base. A monument sign is not a pole sign. The width of any portion of the base of a monument sign is a least 80% of the width of the sign.

Integrated Business Center: A development with two or more attached or detached businesses, on one or more lots, designed as a unit with identifiable boundaries, and served by common features such as shared access and/or parking facilities and signs. Configuration and design shall include such features as: identification by a single name or consistent architectural style, and the appearance or public impression that the center acts as a single facility. When separated by public or private streets, the Administrator may declare a group of lots to be an integrated business center.

General:

i.

A readerboard is allowed. The readerboard may not exceed 32 square feet in area.

ii.

Internal illuminated signs are allowed.

iii.

Signs must be architecturally related to the buildings they serve.

iv.

Signs shall not flash, blink or fluctuate, or be animated.

v.

Temporary product specific signs are expressly prohibited.

vi.

Windblown Devices — Use of windblown or inflatable devices of any type is prohibited, including the production of smoke, bubbles, sound or other substances.

vii.

Building signs shall not project higher than top of the building or wall on which it is located.

Signs in CM-1 (Commercial Mixed) zoning district:

1.

Individual business site or out parcel of integrated business center:

a.

Freestanding sign. One freestanding business sign is allowed per street frontage on an individual business site or out parcel of an integrated business center.

i.

Height and type. The sign shall not exceed 8 feet in height from the foundation and shall be a monument sign.

ii.

Size. The surface area of the sign shall not exceed 1 square foot for each linear foot of lot frontage of the business site. The maximum allowed surface area of the sign shall be calculated using the lot dimension fronting the street on which the sign is located.

iii.

Setback. The sign shall be set back a minimum of 1 foot from each property line and not in a utility easement unless approved in accordance with 89-38(e).

b.

Building, wall or projecting sign. An individual business site or out parcel of an integrated business center may include one attached sign per store frontage. The surface area of the sign shall not exceed 1 square foot for each linear foot of store frontage of the business. The maximum allowed surface area of the sign shall be calculated using the store dimension along the wall on which the sign is located.

2.

Integrated business center:

a.

Freestanding sign. One freestanding business sign is allowed per street frontage of an integrated business center. A business that advertises on a multi-tenant sign may not construct an individual freestanding sign. The type of sign allowed depends on its height and setback from the right-of-way. Only one of the following two options may be used.

i.

Option 1.

1.

Height and type. The sign shall not exceed 16 feet in height from the foundation and shall be a monument sign.

2.

Size. The surface area of the sign shall not exceed 1 square foot for each linear foot of lot frontage of the business site. The maximum allowed surface area of the sign shall be calculated using the lot dimension along the street on which the sign is located.

3.

Setback. The sign shall be setback a minimum of 10 feet from each property line along a public or private street, and a minimum of 1 foot from each other property line.

ii.

Option 2.

1.

Height and type. The sign shall not exceed 10 feet in height from the foundation and shall be a monument sign.

2.

Size. The surface area of the sign shall not exceed 1 square foot for each linear foot of lot frontage of the business site. The maximum allowed surface area of the sign shall be calculated using the lot dimension along the street on which the sign is located.

3.

Setback. The sign shall be set back a minimum of 1 foot from each property line and not in a utility easement unless approved in accordance with 89.38(e).

b.

Building, wall or projecting sign. In addition to the freestanding sign above, each business or use within the integrated business center may be identified by one (1) wall or projecting sign per store frontage subject to the following:

i.

Size. The surface area of the sign shall not exceed 1 square foot for each linear foot of store frontage of the business. The maximum allowed surface area of the sign shall be calculated using the store dimension along the wall on which the sign is located.

ii.

Installation. The sign may be painted on or attached flat against the building or may project out from the building, but such projection may not exceed 48 inches from the building and must be over private property. In the case of projecting signs, an eight-foot minimum clearance from the sidewalk or public way to the lowest extremity of the sign is required.

Signs in CH (Commercial-Heavy) zoning district:

1.

Individual business site or out parcel of integrated business center:

a.

Freestanding sign. One freestanding business sign is allowed per street frontage on an individual business site or out parcel of an integrated business center.

i.

Option 1.

1.

Height and type. A pole sign with a maximum height of 75 feet above grade is allowed on property adjacent to the right-of-way of Interstate Highway 10 if the sign is erected within 100 feet of the right-of-way.

2.

Size. The surface area of the sign shall not exceed 3 square foot for each linear foot of lot frontage of the business site. The maximum allowed surface area of the sign shall be calculated using the lot dimension fronting the street on which the sign is located.

3.

Setback. The sign shall be setback a minimum of 1 foot from the property line and not in a utility easement unless approved in accordance with 89-38(e).

ii.

Option 2.

1.

Height and type. The sign shall not exceed 10 feet in height from the foundation and shall be a monument sign.

2.

Size. The surface area of the sign shall not exceed 3 square foot for each linear foot of lot frontage of the business site. The maximum allowed surface area of the sign shall be calculated using the lot dimension fronting the street on which the sign is located.

3.

Setback. The sign shall be set back a minimum of 1 foot from each property line and not in a utility easement unless approved in accordance with 89-38(e).

b.

Building, wall or projecting sign. An individual business site or out parcel of an integrated business center may include one attached sign per store frontage. The surface area of the sign shall not exceed 2 square foot for each linear foot of store frontage of the business. The maximum allowed surface area of the sign shall be calculated using the store dimension along the wall on which the sign is located.

2.

Integrated business center:

a.

Freestanding sign. One freestanding business sign is allowed per street frontage of an integrated business center. A business that advertises on a multi-tenant sign may not construct an individual freestanding sign. The type of sign allowed depends on its height and setback from the right-of-way. Only one of the following two options may be used.

i.

Option 1.

1.

Height and type. A pole sign with a maximum height of 75 feet above grade is allowed on property adjacent to the right-of-way of Interstate Highway 10 if the sign is erected within 100 feet of the right-of-way:

2.

Size. The surface area of the sign shall not exceed 1 square foot for each linear foot of lot frontage of the business site. The maximum allowed surface area of the sign shall be calculated using the lot dimension along the street on which the sign is located.

3.

Setback. The sign shall be setback a minimum of 20 foot from each property line along a public or private street, and a minimum of 1 foot from each other property line.

ii.

Option 2.

1.

Height and type. The sign shall not exceed 14 feet in height and shall be a monument sign.

2.

Size. The surface area of the sign shall not exceed 1 square foot for each linear foot of lot frontage of the business site. The maximum allowed surface area of the sign shall be calculated using the lot dimension fronting the street on which the sign is located.

3.

Setback. The sign shall be setback a minimum of 10 feet from each property line along a public or private street, and a minimum of 1 foot from each other property line.

b.

Building, wall or projecting sign. In addition to the freestanding sign above, each business or use within the integrated business center may be identified by one (1) wall or projecting sign per store frontage subject to the following:

i.

Size. The surface area of the sign shall not exceed 2 square foot for each linear foot of store frontage of the business. The maximum allowed surface area of the sign shall be calculated using the store dimension along the wall on which the sign is located.

ii.

Installation. The sign may be painted on or attached flat against the building or may project out from the building, but such projection may not exceed 48 inches and must be over private property. In the case of projecting signs, an eight-foot minimum clearance from the sidewalk or public way to the lowest extremity of the sign is required.

The Administrator may require applicants to file applications on digital media in lieu of or in addition to filing in physical media. The Administrator will provide the format and instructions for filing an application in digital form on the application forms.

(O-061-2005, 4-27-05; O-012-2006, 3-1-06; O-194-2019, 11-5-19; JO-021-2022, 3-22-22; Ord. No. JO-067-2024, 11-18-24)