As used in this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

   (a)   "Active uses" means those habitable spaces of a dwelling most often used for living, eating, or cooking. These spaces encourage "eyes on the street" and include such spaces as living rooms, offices, kitchens, or family rooms. Non-habitable spaces, garages, hallways, corridors, bathrooms, closets, storage, mechanical rooms, utility spaces, or similar are not considered active uses.

   (b)   "Frontage build-out" means the portion of the principal and secondary street frontage containing a building.

   (c)   "Interior frontage" means, for lots fronting an alley or without a street line, the frontage of a residential attached unit where the principal pedestrian entrance is located.

   (d)   "Principal pedestrian entrance" is the exterior door exclusive to the dwelling unit that offers a pedestrian the most visible and direct means of ingress and egress to a public right-of-way.

   (e)   "Principal street frontage" means the street line where the residential attached unit's principal pedestrian entrance is located. Where a residential attached unit has a lot line abutting a public space, that frontage shall be regulated as a principal street frontage.

   (f)   "Residential attached building" is a building composed of two or more residential attached units.

   (g)   "Residential attached unit" is a single-family dwelling on its own lot, served by its own exclusive exterior pedestrian entrance, and attached to one or more other such units by fire walls or fire separation walls.

   (h)   "Secondary street frontage" means, with respect to corner lots, all street lines that are not the principal street frontage; also known as the "side street frontage."

(Ord. 2019-19. Passed 6-17-2019.)

   Residential Attached Districts (RA) are established to set the requirements for the form, site plan and building features of residential attached developments. Safe sidewalks, inviting streets and compelling urban form are essential elements of vibrant, walkable urban neighborhoods. The inherent density of residential attached units is a key component of this vision, but without thoughtful site planning and design, this goal will not be fully realized. The provisions of this section are intended to make these elements the standards for RA development in University Heights.

(Ord. 2019-19. Passed 6-17-2019.)

   The RA District is hereby established, and shall conform to the standards and regulations hereafter set forth in this chapter.

(Ord. 2019-19. Passed 6-17-2019.)

   The following uses are principle uses permitted in the RA District provided that all requirements of other City ordinances and this Code have been met:

   (a)   Residential attached units/buildings.

(Ord. 2019-19. Passed 6-17-2019.)

   The following accessory uses are permitted in association with the "permitted uses" listed above, subject to review and recommendation by the Planning Commission and approval of City Council:

   (a)   Private garage and related parking areas;

   (b)   Circulation drives;

   (c)   Outdoor community areas;

   (d)   Trash receptacles;

   (e)   Porches, decks, patios, and rooftop terraces;

   (f)   Freestanding air conditioning machinery, aboveground components of geothermal energy systems, emergency generators, and other similar equipment.

(Ord. 2019-19. Passed 6-17-2019.)

   No building permit shall be issued for the original construction of a residential attached unit or residential attached building without review and recommendation of the Planning Commission and approval by City Council, which shall seek to ensure that the development meets the spirit and intent of Section 1251.02 by applying the standards set forth below:

      (1)   Provide proper access for service and safety vehicles;

      (2)   Minimize conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles;

      (3)   Minimize the number of curb cuts;

      (4)   Prohibit placement of garage doors so close to sidewalks as to impair pedestrian safety.

(Ord. 2019-19. Passed 6-17-2019.)

   The following yard and area regulations shall apply in the RA District.

   (a)   Lot dimensions - no minimum.

         A.   Principal: minimum zero feet from the public right-of-way and maximum 12 feet;

         B.   Secondary: no minimum from the public right-of-way;

         C.   Interior: minimum seven feet.

         A.   Adjoining U-1 and U-2 Districts: minimum three feet;

         B.   Adjoining other district: no minimum.

         A.   Rear lot line adjoining U-1 and U-2 Districts: minimum seven feet;

         B.   Rear lot line adjoining other district: no minimum.

      (1)   First-story glazing (percentage of facade required to be transparent windows and doors between three feet and seven feet above finished floor).

         A.   Principal: minimum of 35%. Where the finished first floor is 48 inches or more above grade: minimum 20% glazing between grade and the finished first floor, less frontage feature areas.

         B.   Secondary: a minimum of 25%. Where the finished first floor is 48 inches or more above grade: minimum 20% glazing between grade and the finished first floor, less frontage feature areas.

         C.   Interior: minimum 20%.

         A.   Principal: No requirement.

         B.   Secondary: No requirement.

         C.   Interior: No requirement.

      (3)   Floor area ratio - no requirement.

      (5)   Frontage feature (see Figure in Section 1251.08). B, C, D, or E required. Minimum area: 16 square feet.

         A.   Principal: Minimum 28 inches, maximum five feet six inches;

         B.   Secondary: Minimum 28 inches, maximum five feet six inches;

         C.   Interior: Minimum 18 inches, maximum five feet six inches.

         A.   Principal:

            1.   Human scaled: ex. brick, stone, lap siding, wood, terra cotta or similar.

            2.   Above first-story: Materials in any dimension are permitted.

            3.   Prohibited materials on principal and secondary street frontage; plain and split-face concrete masonry units and synthetic stucco.

         B.   Secondary: Same as principal.

      (1)   Garage or car openings perpendicular to a principal and secondary street frontage at a public right-of-way:

         A.   Landscaping is required at actual principal and secondary street setback, minus permitted driveways.

         B.   Landscaping and fencing shall be a minimum three and one-half feet in height, maximum height as allowed by the Zoning Code.

      (2)   Garage or car openings within an established front yard setback on a secondary street at a public right-of-way:

         A.   Landscaping and fencing are required along the shared rear/side yard property line.

         B.   Landscaping and fencing shall be a minimum three and one-half feet in height, maximum height as allowed by the Zoning Code.

      (3)   One-way vehicular driveway width: maximum 11 feet.

      (4)   Two-way vehicular driveway serving multiple units width: maximum 20 feet.

      (5)   Continuous at-grade sidewalk and apron: required.

(Ord. 2019-19. Passed 6-17-2019.)

      (1)   Example application of Commissioner discretion: In the RA District, the Commissioner may administratively reduce the required interior front yard depth from the numerical standard of 7' to 5'7" (7' x 0.8 = 5'7").

(Ord. 2019-19. Passed 6-17-2019.)