The R-T, Transitional Residential District (replacing the formerly P-1, P-2 or RP-1 Districts) is intended to serve as a transition between less intensively developed residential zoning districts and more intensively developed areas of the city, including commercial zoning districts. The district recognizes that certain appropriately located residential and non-residential uses may be compatible. If properly designed, managed, and maintained, they can offer a creative opportunity to enhance older, substantially developed neighborhoods with a workable and attractive mix of uses.

Properties zoned for the R-T, Neighborhood Transitional District are primarily located at the edges of the uptown business district, and in areas where established residential neighborhoods interface with major streets and entrance corridors.

The R-T District allows certain residential uses in combination with non-residential uses including personal service uses, health care uses, and professional office uses that can complement established residential neighborhoods and serve neighborhood residents in a convenient and attractive way. Large scale retail uses are not permitted in the district, but neighborhood restaurants and coffee shops are encouraged. Individual projects are limited to a floor area ratio (FAR) equal to 0.25 with individual non-residential establishments limited to five thousand (5,000) square feet gross floor area.

The intent of the district is also to encourage attractive redevelopment and revitalization of the existing uses, allow for creative infill development, preserve existing natural features and vegetation, promote high quality site planning and architectural design, facilitate the efficient layout and orientation of utilities and community infrastructure.

Regulated by Table 12.1; see following page.

Permitted uses shall be those in the following land use categories which do not exceed a non-residential floor area ratio (FAR) of 0.25 and five thousand (5,000) SFGFA per individual establishment:

1.

Accessory uses and structures.

2.

Artisan craft production.

3.

Artist studio.

4.

Attached dwellings.

5.

Bakery or specialty food store.

6.

Banks and financial services.

7.

Bed and breakfast inn, including bed and breakfast home stay.

8.

Catering establishment.

9.

Churches and places of worship.

10.

Coffee shop, limited to five thousand (5,000) square feet gross floor area and five hundred (500) square feet outdoor seating area.

11.

Community gardens.

12.

Day care, for children or adults.

13.

Duplex dwellings (subject to residential lot development plan approval).

14.

Funeral home or mortuary.

15.

Group homes (eight (8) or fewer residents).

16.

Gym or health club.

17.

Home occupations.

18.

Library.

19.

Live-work residence.

20.

Medical or dental office or laboratory.

21.

Micro-brewery or tap room, limited to five thousand (5,000) square feet gross floor area and five hundred (500) square feet outdoor seating area.

22.

Museum or historic site.

23.

Multifamily dwellings.

24.

Personal services establishment.

25.

Professional office space.

26.

Public parks, playgrounds, and open space.

27.

Restaurant, limited to five thousand (5,000) square feet gross floor area and five hundred (500) square feet outdoor seating area.

28.

Retail sales establishment.

29.

Single family detached dwellings.

30.

Tailoring, alterations or shoe repair.

1.

Accessory residential dwelling unit. A maximum of one unit per lot, with location restricted to:

a.

A portion of the primary dwelling;

b.

A free standing cottage; or

c.

The upper level of a free standing or attached garage serving the primary dwelling.

See additional regulations for supplemental lot and building standards.

2.

Alcoholic beverage retail sales.

3.

Assisted living facilities.

4.

Automobile parking (as a stand-alone use).

5.

Cemetery or mausoleum.

6.

Commercial indoor entertainment.

7.

Commercial indoor sports and recreation.

8.

Commercial pool, tennis, or recreation facility.

9.

Community recreation uses for subdivision residents.

10.

Conference center or performance venue.

11.

Convenience store.

12.

Dry cleaning or laundromat.

13.

Golf course.

14.

Group home (nine (9) or more residents).

15.

Hospital.

16.

Nursing home.

17.

Outside storage.

18.

Plant nursery or landscape sales.

19.

Private club, lodge, or fraternal organization.

20.

Public buildings, infrastructure, and other facilities.

21.

Repair services establishment.

22.

Residential uses in accord with Table 12.1.

23.

Schools, colleges and academic institutions.

24.

Telecommunications equipment and towers.

25.

Temporary marketing offices for new residential development.

26.

Urgent care center.

27.

Drug store or pharmacy.

28.

Pet grooming or boarding.

(Ord. No. 2019-Z-1, 1-22-2019)

1.

An environmental impact statement may be required for any permitted or special permit use. All uses shall conform to federal, state and city environmental regulations and performance standards and design criteria as related to:

a.

Air pollution.

b.

Fire and explosion hazards.

c.

Radiation hazards.

d.

Electromagnetic radiation and interference hazards.

e.

Liquid, gas and solid wastes hazards.

f.

Noise standards.

g.

Vibration standards.

h.

Illumination and glare.

i.

Water quality.

2.

In the evaluation of performance standards for any permitted or special permit use, the city council, at its sole discretion, may impose other conditions and additional restrictions to that use for the purposes of ensuring the mitigation of impacts and promulgating the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of Martinsville.

3.

All uses except single family detached dwellings shall be subject to site plan approval.

4.

All refuse stored on-site shall be contained in completely enclosed and screened facilities.

5.

A freestanding use shall have no more than two (2) curb cuts for commercial entrances on any single right-of-way, and such curb cuts shall have a minimum distance of one hundred (100) feet between them.

6.

Outdoor storage shall be subject to a special use permit. The location and use of outdoor storage, loading and display areas shall be limited to the designated area(s) on the approved site plan. The outdoor area devoted to storage, loading and display of goods shall be limited to a maximum of fifteen (15) percent of the total lot area and as otherwise designated on an approved site plan. Outdoor storage, loading and display areas in excess of fifteen (15) percent may be approved under special circumstances when the applicant can demonstrate need and provide expanded and enhanced screening, buffers and landscaping.

7.

Where a non-residential use is contiguous to property located in any R- District, a landscaped buffer yard shall be provided, with landscape materials and placement subject to site plan approval. Fencing may be required in such cases with fence material and heights subject to site plan approval.

8.

All site development activities shall comply with the state stormwater management regulations in effect at the time of site plan application. The applicant shall be responsible for obtaining and providing the city will all requisite state and federal permits.

9.

Refer to any applicable city-adopted design and construction standards for public infrastructure, transportation, stormwater management, low impact development, and other site improvements requirements.

10.

For properties located within the designated Historic Preservation Overlay (HP-O), refer to the Martinsville Historic District Design Guidelines and the HP-O, Historic Preservation Overlay District regulations for additional design standards and criteria. For properties located within the Historic District, no site plan shall be approved by the planning commission prior to the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness by the architectural review board. Conditions attached to the certificate of appropriateness shall be included with the site plan application and reflected on the site plan and building permit exhibits.

11.

For R-C zoned land that is located within the Traditional Neighborhood Development Overlay District, the guidelines and regulations of the overlay district provide more flexible development options. The applicant shall work with the zoning administrator and planning commission to prepare an alternative set of project-specific lot and building standards to substitute for the lot and building standards for the district. Refer to TND-O District, section XIX.

12.

Accessory residential dwelling unit. The ground floor area of a freestanding accessory residential unit shall not exceed one thousand (1,000) square feet of lot coverage or forty (40) percent of the lot coverage of the primary residential unit, whichever is less. Parking for the accessory residential unit shall be in addition to the parking requirement for the primary residential unit, provided that parking shall be restricted to two (2) additional vehicles on a lot. Setback requirements for an accessory residential dwelling unit shall be established by special use permit and as depicted on an approved residential lot development plan. See section III, General Provisions for additional regulations.

13.

Condominiums. Any proposed condominium development shall be established to ensure full conformity with the Virginia Condominium Act, and shall be subject to the following provisions:

a.

All setbacks, density, and other R-T District provisions shall be met.

b.

Minimum lot and yard requirements shall be met as if lot lines existed.

c.

A site plan shall be required and shall govern the location of all site structures, and improvements on final plans.

14.

Child or adult day care centers shall comply with all applicable state regulations and requirements.

15.

See section III.N. for requirements related to short-term rental occupancy.