Dimensional standards
Extracted standards
19 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Design
- Design in keeping with downtown character
The design of new structures containing multifamily dwellings should be in keeping with the character of the area of downtown in which they are to be located. The design should include a transition in height and scale to adjacent less intensive land uses.
- No nonresidential exterior changes for existing structures
For existing structures, no exterior changes may be made that are nonresidential in character. The architecture and historic character of structures in the OTR zoning district shall be retained.
- Newly constructed multifamilyMultifamily dwellingA building of four or more dwelling units. Where zoning is most restrictive. shall be residential in scale
Newly constructed multifamily dwelling shall be residential in scale. Building height, massing, and size shall be compatible with adjacent residential development.
- Street-oriented entrance and principal windows
The street elevation of the residential buildings shall have at least one (1) street-oriented entrance, and contain the principal windows of the front unit.
Other
- Alternative pavements permitted
The use of alternative pavements, such as brick pavers or porous pavement is permitted. Courtyard style parking is permitted.
- Durable building materials required, no vinyl siding
Durable building materials must be used and no vinyl siding is allowed on any façade visible from the public right-of-way. Vinyl siding is not in keeping with the character of the Downtown Commercial zoning district or the Blacksburg Historic Overlay District.
- Entrances minimized for safety and circulation
Entrances to the site should be minimized and placed in such a way as to maximize safety, maximize efficient traffic circulation, and minimize the impact on the surrounding residential neighborhood.
- Floor plan required in application
The site development plan or the conditional use permit application shall contain a floor plan of the proposed multifamily dwellings, showing the location, size, and type of rooms proposed.
- Minimum open spaceOpen spaceLand a development must leave unbuilt, sometimes required to be usable or planted. for developments of 20+ bedrooms20 pct
Except in the Downtown Commercial District and the MXD District, for any development of twenty (20) or more bedrooms, a minimum of twenty (20) percent of the gross land area shall be reserved as open space.
- Minimum separation between multifamilyMultifamily dwellingA building of four or more dwelling units. Where zoning is most restrictive. dwellings25 ft
Except in the DC district, the minimum separation between each multifamily dwelling shall be twenty-five (25) feet.
- Neighborhood compatibility demonstration
Applicants must clearly demonstrate that the use will be compatible with the neighborhood, particularly with regard to traffic circulation, parking, and appearance.
- Owner's association required for individually-owned units
An approved owner's association shall be established for multiunit structures having individually-owned units and common open space and facilities, including but not limited to parking and streets.
- Specific recreational activity area required
A specific recreational activity area or areas shall be developed and maintained for the residents of the development as part of this open space.
- Sidewalks connect units to parking and other buildings
Sidewalks shall connect each unit to the parking area serving that unit, to other units on-site, and to other buildings or uses on adjacent lots.
- Type B buffer yardYardThe open space left between a building and its lot line — the space a setback creates. required
A type B buffer yard as specified in Article V, Division 3 shall be provided when the lot is adjacent to property zoned R-4, R-5, OTR, PR, RR1, or RR2.
Parking
- Parking for bonus bedrooms
Off-street parking must be provided for bedrooms obtained through use of the density bonus in § 3142(c). Required parking is for the bonus bedrooms only and may be provided on-site or provided off-site within one-fourth (¼) mile walking distance of the site and secured through a lease agreement.
- Courtyard parking not allowed on street frontageFrontageThe length of a lot line that touches a public street.
In the DC district, courtyard parking is not allowed on the street frontage and may only occur in the rear yard behind buildings.
- Parking behind front building line
All parking spaces shall be located behind the front building line. However, Town Council may grant a special exception as authorized by § 1112.
Setback
- Minimum side setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. for new principal structures20 ft
The minimum side setback for all new principal structures is twenty (20) feet.
From the ordinance
Except in the DC district, the minimum separation between each multifamily dwelling shall be twenty-five (25) feet.