University Park City Zoning Code
ARTICLE 4
Special Districts
§ 4.1 RC, Retail Center District (Park Cities Plaza).
4.1.1
Uses.
Uses are allowed in the RC district in accordance with Table 5-1.
4.1.2
Lot and Building Regulations.
The lot and building regulations of this subsection (4.1.2) apply to all lots and buildings in the RC district.
A.
Lot Area, Width and Depth.
All lots in the RC district are subject to compliance with all applicable lot area, lot width and lot depth requirements established for Park Cities Plaza.
B.
Building Lines, Setbacks and Easements.
C.
Height.
1.
The maximum allowed height of buildings and structures in the RC district is 25 feet, except as follows:
a.
One functional cooking chimney up to 35 feet in height is permitted.
b.
Parapet walls up to 31.5 feet in height are permitted to screen mechanical equipment or to support south-facing sign structures approved as part of a special sign district.
c.
One curved metal south-facing sign up to 35 feet in height is permitted if approved as part of a special sign district and if the northfacing side of the sign has a finished surface identical to the south-facing side.
D.
Fences.
See Article 8.
E.
Outdoor Display and Storage.
Goods, wares and merchandise offered for sale may not be displayed or stored outside of a building in the RC district. See Chapter 4, Section 4.01.001 of the Code of Ordinances for Special Event Permit and License Regulations and Chapter 4, Section 4.01.002 for regulations regarding Christmas Tree Lots.
(Ordinance 18/038 adopted 1/6/18; Ordinance 20-018 adopted 10/6/20)
§ 4.2 SC, Shopping Center District (Preston Center East).
4.2.1
Uses.
Uses are allowed in the SC district in accordance with Table 5-1.
4.2.2
Lot and Building Regulations.
The lot and building regulations of this subsection (4.2.2) apply to all lots and buildings in the SC district.
A.
Lot Area, Width and Depth.
All lots in the SC district are subject to compliance with all applicable lot area, lot width and lot depth requirements established for Park Cities Plaza.
B.
Building Lines and Setbacks.
1.
Except as otherwise expressly stated in the following paragraphs, building lines must comply with the building lines established on the following plat sheets of Dallas County Deed Records, filed 6-10-47 in volume 11, page 217:
a.
Blocks A & J, Varsity Village Addition;
b.
Block E, Varsity Village Addition;
c.
Blocks D & F, Varsity Village Addition;
d.
Blocks B, C, K & G, Varsity Village Addition; and
e.
Block H, Varsity Village Addition, except that a minimum 5-foot building setback is required from the right-of-way line of Wentwood Drive.
C.
Height.
1.
Except as otherwise expressly stated in this section, the maximum allowed building height in the SC district is 75 feet.
2.
Buildings on Block E abutting a residential district may not exceed 25 feet in height.
3.
All portions of a building above 40 feet in height must be set back from lot lines abutting a street by at least one foot for each 2 feet of building height above 40 feet
4.
When elevator equipment, cooling towers, or other mechanical equipment is installed on the roof of a building, such items must be screened from ground-level view by one or both of the following:
a.
A parapet wall not exceeding 10 feet in height; or
b.
On buildings with a height of 60 feet or more, a screening wall or enclosure, at least equal in height to the top of the equipment but not exceeding 20 feet in height measured from the top of the roof of the building, may be used to screen such equipment from ground level view, provided that the height of such wall or enclosure follows a slope of 1 foot in vertical height to 2 feet of horizontal setback starting at a point at least 10 feet in height above the exterior wall of the building. The screening wall or enclosure must be constructed with the same or similar materials as used on the exterior facade of the principal building.
5.
Buildings on Block H may not exceed 18 feet in height when located within 23 feet of the Wentwood Drive right-of-way.
D.
Parking.
1.
At the time that streets were dedicated to the city, parking on city right-of-way was allowed to be included in calculating off-street parking requirements.
2.
The parking district on Wentwood Avenue south of the SC district is included in the calculation of off-street parking provided. Parking in this district is limited to surface and/or underground parking.
E.
Fences.
See Article 8.
F.
Outdoor Display and Storage.
Goods, wares and merchandise offered for sale may not be displayed or stored outside of a building in the SC district. See Chapter 4, Section 4.01.001 of the Code of Ordinances for Special Event Permit and License Regulations and Chapter 4, Section 4.01.002 for regulations regarding Christmas Tree Lots.
(Ordinance 18/038 adopted 1/6/18; Ordinance 20-018 adopted 10/6/20)
§ 4.3 UC, University Campus Districts.
4.3.1
Purpose.
The UC (University Campus) districts are intended to accommodate buildings and facilities associated with Southern Methodist University (SMU).
4.3.2
Uses.
Uses are allowed in UC districts in accordance with Table 5-1.
4.3.3
Lot and Building Regulations.
The lot and building regulations of Table 4-1 apply to all lots and buildings in UC districts.
Table 4-1: UC District Lot and Building Regulations | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Regulation | UC-1 | UC-2 | UC-3 | UC-4 |
Min. Lot Area (sq. ft.) | N/A | 5,000 | 5,000 | 7,000 |
Min Lot Width (ft.) | N/A | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Min. Lot Depth (ft.) | N/A | 100 | 100 | 180 |
Max Impermeable Coverage (% of lot) | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 |
Minimum Setbacks (ft.) | ||||
Front [see also Section 4.3.4] | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Side [see also Section 4.3.4] | 15 [1] | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Rear [see also Section 4.3.4] | 5[1] | 10 | 10 | 12.5 |
Maximum Height (ft.) [see also Section 4.3.4] | ||||
Residential | 120 | 42 | 35 | 35 |
Nonresidential | 120 | 55 | 35 | 35 |
[1] | Applies only to sites abutting non-UC zoning districts. No setback required for sites abutting other UC districts. |
4.3.4
Supplemental Height and Setback Regulations.
A.
UC-1 District.
Side and rear setback requirements for buildings on lots abutting non-UC-1-zoned lots must be increased by at least 2 additional feet for each foot of building height above 40 feet.
B.
UC-2 District.
The following supplemental height and setback requirements apply in the UC-2 district.
1.
When the block face between 2 intersecting streets is divided by 2 or more zoning districts, the minimum front setback regulation of the most restrictive district on the block face applies to the entire block face.
2.
Side and rear setback requirements for buildings on lots abutting SF or D districts must be increased by one foot for each 2 feet of building height above 35 feet. This supplemental setback regulation does not apply to UC-2 zoned lots separated from SF or D-zoned lots by a public street.
C.
UC-3 District.
The following supplemental height and setback requirements apply in the UC-3 district.
1.
When the block face between 2 intersecting streets is divided by 2 or more zoning districts, the minimum front setback regulation of the most restrictive district on the block face applies to the entire block face.
2.
Buildings on lots fronting on Dublin Street must be constructed so that the front or side of the building faces Dublin Street.
3.
The minimum front and street side setback requirement for lots abutting Dublin Street is 35 feet.
4.
Buildings on lots with frontage on Dublin Street may not exceed 35 feet in height, provided that buildings up to a maximum of 42 feet in height are allowed when an additional one foot of building setback is provided for each one foot of building height above 35 feet.
D.
UC-4 District.
The following supplemental height and setback requirements apply in the UC-4 district.
1.
When the block face between 2 intersecting streets is divided by 2 or more zoning districts, the minimum front setback regulation of the most restrictive district on the block face applies to the entire block face.
2.
The minimum required interior side setback is 10 feet or 10% of lot width, whichever is less.
3.
The minimum required street side setback is 10 feet or 10% of lot width, whichever is greater.
4.3.5
Off-Street Parking.
A.
General.
1.
The purpose of this section is to assure that adequate parking spaces are maintained by Southern Methodist University by setting a minimum number of parking spaces required for an established university population and requiring additional parking spaces should the university population increase.
2.
The following population numbers are to be full-time equivalents (FTE) as defined by the university. The university must provide and maintain at least 5,723 parking spaces.
3.
If either the daytime or evening university population exceeds 9,770, the university must provide and maintain new parking spaces in the proportion of 0.5 parking spaces for each additional student and 0.8 parking spaces for each additional faculty or staff member.
4.
To verify that the required number of parking spaces exist on the campus, the university must submit annually a map of the UC zoning districts indicating the total number of spaces in each district. A summary of the spaces with locations specified and a summary of the annual maximum evening and daytime populations of the university for the immediately preceding year must be submitted with the required map.
5.
The map and summaries must be filed with the community development director, and once verified, will become a part of the university’s required annual parking report. Thereafter, whenever for any reason a parking space is eliminated anywhere in the University Campus zoned districts, the university must concurrently add a replacement space within a UC zoning district.
6.
On or before June 30, 2003, and annually thereafter on or before the same date, the university must submit to the community development director an annual parking report in accordance with the provisions of this section.
7.
If the annual parking report demonstrates full compliance with the requirements of this section, it must be received and filed by the community development director and acknowledgment given the university of such compliance.
8.
If violations of this section exist or are demonstrated by the annual parking report, the community development director must immediately give notice in writing of such violation to the university. Upon receipt of such notice, the university must, within 30 days either:
a.
Demonstrate to the satisfaction of the community development director that the university is in compliance with the requirements of this section; or
b.
Submit a plan satisfactory to the community development director for the correction of violations within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 60 days, acceptable to the community development director. Upon acceptance of the plan, the university must follow the plan to completion to correct such violation within the time allowed.
9.
If the university fails or refuses to comply with the provisions of this section or the plan submitted and approved by the community development director, it will be subject to all the remedies and penalties provided by this zoning ordinance or otherwise authorized by law.
10.
Concurrently with the submission of the annual parking report, the university must also submit the university’s operational plan for the shuttle bus system to be implemented the following academic year and a statement describing the utilization of the shuttle bus system under the current operational plans.
11.
All parking spaces in UC districts are to comply with the parking space dimensional standards of this zoning ordinance. Up to 33% of the parking spaces in each parking lot may be smaller spaces designated for small size cars.
B.
Parking Space Credit for Transit.
In determining parking requirements under this section, the university is entitled to credit for parking spaces required beyond the minimum for faculty, staff, and students who reside in a zip code served by a DART rail park and ride station or a zip code adjacent to such park and ride station, excluding students who reside in zip codes 75225, 75275 and 75205, as follows:
Table 4-2: Parking Credit for Transit | |
|---|---|
Permitted Credit | Reduction (%) |
Students | 15 |
Faculty | 10 |
Staff | 15 |
C.
Parking For Ford Stadium.
1.
Provided SMU maintains an annual inventory of parking spaces as required by this section, Ford Stadium may host events (as hereinafter described) so long as spectator admissions to the events do not exceed 22,892. For events that exceed 22,892 spectator admissions, the university must provide one additional parking space for every 4 additional spectator admissions that the university can reasonably anticipate. In the event sufficient additional spaces are not included in the annual report to the city, the number of additional required spaces may be provided at a remote location so long as no fee is charged to the spectators for such remote parking. The university may include in its plan that 25% of the required additional spectators anticipated will be served by the DART Rail System and that no additional parking spaces will be required for that number of seats.
2.
Before hosting any event at which more than 22,892 spectator admissions are expected, a written plan for the use of remote parking must be submitted to the city manager and city attorney for review in accordance with the requirements of this section. The plan will be deemed approved only if notice of approval is given in writing by the city manager. If the city manager fails to approve the plan within 15 days of its submission, the university may submit the plan to the planning and zoning commission for review and then to the city council for approval or denial. The plan must provide the following:
a.
Statement of the number of spectator admissions that the university reasonably anticipates being in attendance. [Note: 10 business days after the completion of each event, the university must file with the city manager for each such event the actual number of spectators in attendance.]
b.
Binding contracts with the providers of the remote parking spaces.
c.
Free shuttle bus service to Ford Stadium from remote parking and return, including description of bus routes and schedule.
d.
Description of how the university plans to inform the public attending the events of the remote parking,
e.
Description of how the university plans to locate appropriate signage directing the attending public to the remote parking.
f.
Description of how the university plans to provide advance notice to visiting colleges and universities.
g.
Location and operation of a command post which must make provision for assistance to the attending public for emergency services and recovery of towed vehicles.
h.
Adequate security and traffic-control personnel.
D.
Construction of Parking Spaces.
Parking spaces or surfaced parking areas may not be located or constructed to allow any portion of a vehicle to touch or overhang the property line of the lot on which the parking is located. Tandem parking spaces or parking spaces or facilities containing 2 or more spaces and that require the moving of one parked vehicle in order to utilize such spaces, will be counted as a single parking space in computing off-street parking.
E.
Site Plan Approval.
In UC districts, removal or reduction of off-street required parking spaces or area in excess of 30 parking spaces may not be undertaken until a site plan delineating such proposed removal or reduction and provisions for replacement of such spaces or area is reviewed and approved by the community development director.
4.3.6
Other Regulations.
B.
Residential Protection.
When new development occurs in the UC-4 District, a solid screening wall at least 8 feet in height must be installed along any alley that is adjacent to private residential uses. New single-family uses are exempt from the requirement to install such screening walls,[.]
C.
Fences and Walls.
See Article 8.
D.
Access.
No rear-entry alley access is allowed for lots in the UC-4 district, except for access to lots occupied by single-family dwellings.
E.
Screening.
Dumpsters, mechanical equipment, loading areas and similar service facilities In the UC-3 district must be screened from view from any point on Dublin Street by a solid wall.
G.
Ford Stadium.
1.
The following temporary uses and occasional activities are permitted in Ford Stadium:
a.
Collegiate activities sponsored and approved by SMU;
b.
High school football playoff games;
c.
High school football games other than playoff games provided that such games are limited to 2 calendar days per academic year with no more than 2 games played per day;
d.
Football and soccer youth league events; and
e.
Any event for which no admission is charged and for which fewer than 500 spectators will be admitted.
2.
Uses and events primarily providing musical entertainment over an electronically amplified speaker system are prohibited in Ford Stadium.
(Ordinance 18/038 adopted 1/6/18; Ordinance 20-018 adopted 10/6/20)
§ 4.4 P, Parking District.
4.4.1
Uses.
Uses are allowed in P districts in accordance with Table 5-1.
4.4.2
Lot and Building Regulations.
The lot and building regulations of Table 4-3 apply to all lots and buildings in P districts.
Table 4-3: UC District Lot and Building Regulations | |
|---|---|
Regulation | P District |
Minimum Lot Width (ft.) | 50 |
Minimum Lot Depth (ft.) | 100 |
Max. Impermeable Coverage (% of lot) | 90 |
Minimum Lot Area (sq. ft.) | 5,000 |
Minimum Front Setback (ft.) | See Section 4.4.4 |
Minimum Side Setback (ft.) | See Section 4.4.5 |
Minimum Rear Setback (ft.) | See Section 4.4.5 |
Maximum Height (ft.) | 35 |
4.4.4
Supplemental Setback Regulations.
Buildings must provide a minimum front setback of 25 feet or the most restrictive front setback requirement that applies to any zoning district on the same block face, whichever is distance is greater.
4.4.5
Residential Protection.
When a P zoning district abuts a residential zoning district, a minimum setback of 10 feet must be provided on the side (or rear) of the lot abutting the residential district.
4.4.6
Fences and Walls.
See Article 8.
(Ordinance 18/038 adopted 1/6/18; Ordinance 20-018 adopted 10/6/20)
§ 4.5 PD, Planned Development District.
4.5.1
Purpose and Intent.
A.
The PD, Planned Development district is intended to:
1.
Ensure adequate public review of major development proposals;
2.
Encourage unified planning and development;
3.
Promote economically beneficial development patterns that are compatible with the character of existing neighborhoods;
4.
Ensure a level of amenities appropriate for the nature and scale of the project; and
5.
Allow flexibility in application of selected use, lot, building and development regulations to promote high-quality building and site design.
B.
Different types of PDs will promote different planning goals. In general, however, PDs are intended to promote one or more of the following objectives:
1.
Flexibility and creativity in responding to changing social, economic and market conditions allowing greater public benefits than could be achieved using conventional zoning regulations;
2.
Efficient and economical provision of public facilities and services;
3.
High-quality buildings and improvements that are compatible with surrounding areas, as determined by their arrangement, massing, form, character and landscaping;
4.
Protection and enhancement of open space amenities and natural resource features;
5.
Best management practices in stormwater management, including low-impact development (LID) approaches that provide aesthetic, flood protection and water-quality benefits;
6.
Sustainable development practices focusing on energy efficiency; and
7.
Attractive, high-quality landscaping, lighting, architecture and signage.
4.5.2
Mandatory PD Thresholds.
All of the following require review and approval of PD zoning in accordance with the procedures of Section 9.5:
A.
New buildings with a gross floor area of more than 40,000 square feet;
B.
Expansions of existing buildings by more than 40,000 square feet;
C.
New uses or expansions of existing uses that are required to provide more than 200 off-street parking spaces under the minimum off-street parking regulation of Article 6; and
D.
Any other use or activity expressly identified as requiring PD zoning under this zoning ordinance.
4.5.3
Elective PD Thresholds.
Applicants for developments that do not meet the criteria for a mandatory planned development may nonetheless elect to request approval of PD zoning if the proposed development is for a public or civic use or is located on a development site that is at least 30,000 square feet in area.
4.5.4
Procedure.
PD zoning map amendments must be approved in accordance with the procedures of Section 9.5.
4.5.5
Zoning Map.
Approved PDs must be identified on the zoning map.
4.5.6
Allowed Uses.
The uses to be allowed in a PD must be identified as part of the PD approval process, along with all applicable conditions or supplemental use regulations that apply to such uses.
4.5.7
Lot and Building Regulations.
Lot and building regulations applicable to PD zoning districts must be established as part of the PD zoning approval process (see Section 9.5).
4.5.8
Other Regulations.
Unless otherwise expressly approved by the city council as part of the PD approval process, PDs are subject to all applicable regulations of this zoning ordinance. The planning and zoning commission is authorized to recommend and the city council is authorized to approve PDs that deviate from strict compliance with the regulations of this zoning ordinance.
(Ordinance 18/038 adopted 1/6/18; Ordinance 20-018 adopted 10/6/20)