River Oaks City Zoning Code
SECTION 13
"MF" MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT.
A.
PURPOSE.
The purpose and intent of the "MF" Multiple-Family Residential District is to provide for compatible land, building and structure uses primarily oriented to medium to high density multiple-family dwelling uses on larger tracts of land designed to provide total residential amenities of open space, recreation space, landscaping and areas of protected off-street parking. This district is intended to be located near high volume thoroughfares due to the traffic generating potential of the medium to high density development.
B.
USE REGULATIONS.
In the "MF" Multiple-Family Residential District, no building or land shall be used and no building shall be erected, reconstructed, altered, or enlarged except for one or more of the following uses:
1.
Permitted Uses.
a.
Multiple-family dwellings, including apartments, condominiums and townhouses;
b.
Family Day-Care Homes;
c.
Public and private parks;
d.
Recreation and open space, including playgrounds, parkways, greenbelts, ponds and lakes, botanical gardens, pedestrian paths, bicycle paths, equestrian bridle trails, nature centers, bird and wildlife sanctuaries;
e.
Private boat docks, swimming pools and game courts;
f.
Religious institutions, churches, and facilities for related activities, including those of worship, fellowship and education;
g.
Oil and gas well drilling and production; and
h.
Temporary buildings to be used for construction purposes only (Section 22.A.24).
2.
Accessory Uses.
In addition to those accessory uses specifically authorized in Section 22 of this Ordinance, any use may be established as an accessory use to a permitted use when it complies with the conditions for an accessory use as defined in this Ordinance.
C.
DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS.
In the "MF" Multiple-Family Residential District, the following development regulations shall be applicable to all uses:
1.
Residential Floor Space.
Each unit shall contain a minimum of 750 square feet of livable floor space, exclusive of garages, porches and breezeways, and incidental storage area.
2.
Height.
No portion of a building or structure which is located within 100 feet of property zoned for a single-family residential use shall exceed two stories nor shall it exceed 35 feet in height. No portion of a building or structure which is located more than 100 feet from property zoned for a single-family residential use shall exceed three stories nor shall it exceed 45 feet in height.
3.
Front Yard.
Where the side of an "MF" zoned lot abuts on property zoned for a single-family residential use, there shall be a front yard of a size not less than the front yard required for the residential property. Where the side of the "MF" zoned property does not abut property zoned for a single-family residential use, there shall be a front yard of not less than 30 feet.
4.
Side Yard.
There shall be a side yard of not less than 15 feet except where the side yard abuts property zoned as one family residential, it shall be not less than 25 feet.
5.
Rear Yard.
There shall be a rear yard of not less than 20 feet except where the rear yard abuts property zoned for a single-family residential use, it shall be not less than 40 feet.
6.
Width of Lot.
The width of a lot shall be a minimum of 75 feet at the building line.
7.
Lot Area.
The minimum area of a lot shall be 9,000 square feet.
8.
Maximum Density.
20 units per acre.
9.
Thoroughfares.
All property placed in the "MF" zoning category shall be situated contiguous to a thoroughfare with a minimum of a 40 feet roadway within a 60 feet right-of-way. This requirement is designed to ensure that the supporting street infrastructure can handle higher volumes of traffic without a requirement to divert traffic through traditional residential streets. Wherever possible, "MF" zoned property should be located in close proximity to designated pick-up points for any mass transit systems serving the city.
10.
Exterior Construction.
There shall be a minimum of seventy-five percent (75%) masonry construction for all new construction commenced after the effective date of this section, excluding all windows, doors, roofs, glass construction materials, garage doors and dormers.
D.
USABLE OPEN SPACE.
All "MF" multiple-family residential uses shall provide and maintain a minimum of 250 square feet of usable open space for each dwelling unit. All usable open space, unless hereinafter excepted, shall be accessible to, and usable by, all residents residing on the site. Private courtyards or balconies may constitute usable open space for the purpose of calculating up to 30 percent of the total required usable open space. Usable open space may include areas at the ground level and/or on roofs, decks, or balconies designed for common use; provided, that such areas meet the following criteria:
1.
The minimum dimensions for usable open space at the ground level shall be 10 feet by 10 feet and the minimum area shall be 100 square feet.
2.
The minimum dimensions for usable open space located on roofs or decks that are available for common use shall be 20 feet by 20 feet and the minimum area shall be 400 square feet.
3.
At least one-half of the required open space shall be at the ground level.
E.
SITE PLAN.
1.
An approved site plan shall be a prerequisite for the granting of "MF" Multiple-Family Residential District zoning and for the issuance of a building permit or certificate of occupancy for any property in an "MF" Multiple-Family Residential District. The site plan shall contain the information required by Section 25 of this Ordinance.
2.
The purpose of the site plan review is:
a.
To insure compliance with the Zoning Ordinance, and other city ordinances;
b.
To assist in the orderly and harmonious development of the city;
c.
To protect adjacent uses from obstructions to light, air, and visibility;
d.
To avoid undue concentrations of population and overcrowding of land;
e.
To facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewage, schools, drainage and other public requirements;
f.
To ensure the safety of the motoring public and of pedestrians using the facility and the area immediately surrounding the site; and
g.
To ensure the adequacy of street size and pavement for traffic readily expected to be generated by the proposed use around the site and in the neighborhood.
3.
All improvements to the land and all buildings and construction on the land shall be in accordance with the site plan approved with the request for zoning. The zoning administrator may authorize minor changes to the site plan in accordance with Section 25 of this Ordinance. If in the opinion of the zoning administrator, the proposed amendment to the site plan does not constitute a minor change, the proposed amendment shall be processed in accordance with the requirements for zoning changes as set forth in Section 29.
(Ordinance 1394-2023 adopted 11/28/2023)