The zoning of property to the MXD, Planned Mixed Use District, is intended to encourage a variety of land uses in closer proximity to one another than would be possible with more conventional zoning districts, to promote sustainable development with projects that achieve a high level of environmental sensitivity and energy efficiency, to encourage design and construction using Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design "LEED" principles and practices; and to encourage building configurations that create a distinctive and memorable sense of place. Developments in this district are allowed and expected to have a mixture of residential, office and retail uses in a single structure or multiple structures along with public spaces, entertainment uses, and other specialty facilities that are compatible in both character and function and incorporate a coordinated consistent theme throughout the development. Developments are also expected to utilize shared parking facilities linked to multiple buildings and uses by an attractive and logical pedestrian network that places more emphasis on the quality of the pedestrian experience than is generally found in typical suburban development. Buildings are intended to be primarily multi-story structures with differing uses organized vertically rather than the horizontal separation of uses that commonly results from conventional zoning districts.

(Ord. No. 2494, § X, 7-1-2024)

Permitted uses in this district are specified in chapter 19.27 "Zoning Districts and Uses." They are either generally allowed, allowed by conditional use permit review, or by special use permit. In addition, accessory uses may be permitted subject to chapter 19.34.

(Ord. No. 2494, § X, 7-1-2024)

Development standards in the MXD district shall be based on specific plans approved according to the Planned Zoning District process and standards in chapter 19.24. Development plans shall be based on the building types in Table 19.23.A and propose the proper arrangement and location of applicable building types based on a community design plan required by chapter 19.24. Deviations from the standards in Table 19.23.A may be justified as indicated in the Planned Zoning District standards in chapter 19.24.

* Where standards are expressed as a range (i.e. 10' to 30') it shall be interpreted as a minimum and a maximum, and the requirement shall fall within that range.

[1]

Projects with multiple buildings in a single-ownership complex may consider each building and development site as a "lot" for interpreting the development standards, provided the building and development sites are organized around a system of internal streets, lanes, and common spaces and buildings are oriented to these spaces as they would public street frontages.

[2]

Townhouses and live/work buildings may have a 0' interior side setback when built subject to party wall specifications according to the building code.

[3]

Buildings with ground level commercial uses may be located 0' to 15' from the front lot line when they front on pedestrian-oriented streets where specified in the community design plan.

(Ord. No. 2494, § X, 7-1-2024)

(a)

Design Objectives. The design objectives of the mixed-use and mixed-density design guidelines are to:

(1)

Establish or reinforce the unique character of Prairie Village in mixed-use activity centers or mixed-density neighborhoods.

(2)

Promote building and site design that enhances neighborhood streetscapes, mixed-use pedestrian streets, and active community spaces.

(3)

Maintain the existing scale and patterns of neighborhoods and ensure compatible transitions between neighborhoods, corridors, and activity centers.

(4)

Manage the relationship of adjacent buildings and promote compatible transitions within development projects or between development projects and established adjacent areas.

(5)

Enhance the quality, aesthetic character, and visual interest within neighborhoods and activity centers by breaking down larger masses and incorporating human scale details and ornamentation.

(6)

Organized mixed use development and mixed-density residential projects around a system of internal streets and open spaces that extend the quality and character of public streetscapes and open spaces into development projects.

(b)

Applicability. These mixed-use and mixed-density design guidelines shall be applicable to the following situations:

(1)

Any rezoning to the MXD district, or any development or redevelopment within MXD districts.

(2)

Rezoning to any planned zoning district using the MXD standards as a basis (i.e. RP-2, RP-3, RP-4, CP-0, CP-1, or CP-0).

(c)

Community Design Plan and Guidelines. A community design plan is required for all planned developments according to section 19.24.020, whether establishing the context and patterns for larger scale projects, or analyzing existing conditions and transitions to surroundings for smaller scale projects. Community design plans should meet the following guidelines.

(1)

Public and Common Space. Approximately 30 percent to 40 percent of the total plan area should be public or common spaces, including streets, open space, or other common areas that serve as organizing elements for surrounding development.

(2)

Blocks and Parcels. Public and community spaces should be arranged to organize development into blocks and parcels. Blocks and parcels should be between two to five acres for mixed-use or non-residential development and between five to eight acres for residential development.

(3)

Streetscapes. Public streets and internal private streets should incorporate the following elements:

a.

Slow-speed travel lanes that balance vehicular movement with pedestrian and bicycle accommodations.

b.

On-street parking which minimizes the need for redundant on-site parking and buffers people from moving traffic, particularly in mixed-use or non-residential areas.

c.

Landscape amenity zones that create comfortable spaces including street trees, landscape beds, and street furniture or other civic features in mixed-use or non-residential areas.

d.

Sidewalks between five to eight feet in residential areas, and between eight and 12 feet in mixed use or commercial areas (in addition to space in the amenity zone).

e.

Bicycle facilities or trail connections where applicable based on city-wide plans or other opportunities to connect to important routes in the vicinity.

(4)

Open and Civic Spaces. Open spaces should be distributed throughout the plan so that all sites are within walking distance (approximately ¼ mile) of at least one type of open space. Open spaces should include a mix of formal, recreation, and natural landscape areas incorporating the following types:

a.

Formal spaces, such as patios, plazas, or courtyards designed for gathering and located at key focal points in mixed-use or non-residential areas.

b.

Green spaces such as parks, trails, or greens that serve aesthetic and recreation needs of residential areas.

c.

Natural areas or dense vegetation that capitalize on existing features of the area or are located strategically to create effective transitions between different scales or intensities of development.

(d)

Project Plans and Guidelines. A project plan is required for each development site, parcel, or block in the community design plan, except where the community design plan includes existing and established areas. Project plans shall specify the form, arrangement, and design of development in relation to the community design plan. Each project plan should meet the following guidelines.

(1)

Frontage Design. Frontage design determines the relationship between private development and the public or common areas a project fronts upon. Frontage design should incorporate the following elements.

a.

Building Placement. Consistent front building lines should be established along all block faces. Buildings should be placed between 0 and 15 feet of the front lot line on pedestrian oriented streets, and between 15 and 30 feet of the front lot line on neighborhood streets.

b.

Vehicle Access. Driveways should be coordinated on each block face to minimize interruptions in the streetscape. Alleys, common lanes with cross access easement, shared drives, or narrow drives to the interior of the block should be used, particularly on smaller and narrow lots.

c.

Pedestrian Access. All lots and buildings shall have direct access to the sidewalks within the streetscape, or to any other common spaces that the building or lot fronts upon.

d.

Parking and Garage Location. Parking, garages, or other vehicle access and service areas should be located to the interior of blocks and screened by buildings or landscape areas. Parking lots or structures serving multiple lots or blocks may be located at more central locations if designed to minimize impacts on streetscapes or other important open spaces based on the community design plan.

e.

Landscape. Frontages should have enhanced landscape design to coordinate streetscape design and transition from public and common areas to private spaces.

(2)

Building Design. Building design refines the form and scale of buildings beyond the basic setback, height and lot coverage standards, and can be used to create interest and diversity within a common range of compatible buildings. Building design should incorporate the following elements.

a.

Massing. Relate buildings to adjacent development by mimicking similar massing and proportions through step-backs and secondary masses that break larger building volumes into smaller components.

b.

Articulation. Use windows, doors, material changes, and architectural features to create variation, depth, texture, and human-scale details for building facades, particularly on larger wall planes and fronting streetscapes or common areas.

c.

Transparency. Use the placement of windows and doors to create connections to important outside spaces, including streetscapes, frontages, and common areas. More frequent entrances and larger window expanses should be used on the ground level of mixed-use or non-residential buildings, particularly on pedestrian-oriented streets or active outdoor spaces.

(3)

Site Design. The placement and design of buildings, open space, and frontages should emphasize active building and open space elements and minimize the visibility or impact of other site components. Site design should meet the following guidelines.

a.

Design the required lot and building open space to relate building and lot frontages to the streetscape, and to create active outdoor social spaces in relation to the building.

b.

Screen and/or use remote locations for high-intensity and/or utilitarian components of site or building, such as utilities, trash enclosures, or mechanical equipment.

c.

Stormwater facilities, storage areas, and parking or loading areas should be limited, located internal to the block, or otherwise located and designed to minimize impact on the streetscape design.

d.

Use screens and buffers where it is not possible to better relate site utility elements or high impact areas to adjacent sites, buildings, and uses.

(e)

Exceptions. The planning commission may grant exceptions to the mixed-use and mixed-density guidelines in this section 19.23.020 through the planned development or site plan review process, based upon the following criteria:

(1)

The exception shall only apply to the design standards in this section, and not be granted to allow something that is specifically prohibited in other regulations.

(2)

Any exception dealing with the placement of the building is consistent with sound planning, urban design and engineering practices when considering the site and its context within the neighborhood.

(3)

Any exception affecting the design and massing of the building is consistent with the common characteristics of the architectural style selected for the building.

(4)

The requested exception improves the quality design of the building and site beyond what could be achieved by meeting the guidelines—primarily considering the character and building styles of the neighborhood and surrounding properties, the integrity of the architectural style of the proposed building, and the relationship of the internal functions of the building to the site, streetscape, and adjacent property.

(5)

The exception will equally or better serve the design objectives stated in section 19.23.020(a), and the intent stated for the specific guideline being altered, or is based on specific concepts and plans approved in the planned development review.

(Ord. No. 2494, § X, 7-1-2024)