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Reform to MU Mixed Use District Standards
Last updated November 6, 2017
Ordinance
Section (all in
Section 21-03.02)Item Current Standard Proposed Standard Notes
(a)(1), (a)(2)Primary Uses Manufacturing Retailers, Banquet Hall, Fraternal
Organization, Lodge, Private Club, Social Club are
special exception uses
Manufacturing Retailers, Banquet Hall, Fraternal
Organization, Lodge, Private Club, Social Club are
primary uses
Allows common and desired uses without requiring
special exception
(b)(1)Minimum Lot Width 30'25'Reduces minimum lot width to promote urban character
and small-scale development
(b)(2)(A)Maximum Front Setback 20'12'Reduces maximum setback to promote urban character
(b)(2)(A)(i), (ii)Building Placement Minimum of 50% of façade length between minimum and
maximum setbacks
Minimum of 75% of façade length between minimum and
maximum setbacks
Promotes urban character of buildings lining street
(b)(2)(A)(iii)Parking Area Placement Parking areas shall not be located in front of maximum
setback (20')
Parking areas shall be located at least 20' behind front
building line (25' minimum setback if no primary
structure)
Reduces visual impact of parking areas
(b)(2)(B)(ii)Minimum Side Residential
Bufferyard
15'5'Allows fuller use of site consistent with traditional urban
development
(b)(2)(C)(i)Minimum Rear Yard 10'5'Allows fuller use of site consistent with traditional urban
development
(b)(2)(C)(ii)Minimum Rear Residential
Bufferyard
15'15' when not separated from residential uses by an alley;
no bufferyard when separated from residential uses by
an alley (minimum rear yard applies)
Allows fuller use of site consistent with traditional urban
development
(b)(2)(D)Minimum Yards for Out Lots Provides standards for out lots None (subsection eliminated)Use of out lots is inconsistent with intent for MU District
(b)(3)(A)(ii)Plaza Requirements Requires plaza development in front yards not used for
structures
None (plaza requirement eliminated)Language ineffective in practice and largely redundant to
existing landscaping standards
(b)(3)(B)Minimum Front Residential
Bufferyards
Provides standards for minimum front residential
bufferyards
None (subsection eliminated)Ordinance has no provision that creates minimum front
residential bufferyard
(b)(3)(D)Minimum Side and Rear
Residential Bufferyards
Does not allow driveways Allow driveways that connect to neighboring properties Allows for private connection to neighboring residential
lots
(b)(4)(A)Minimum Front Façade
Building Height
22'18'Allows for tall one-story buildings (two-story buildings or
one-story buildings with excessive extensions no longer
required)
(b)(5)Maximum Gross Floor Area Sets maximum floor area for particular uses None (subsection eliminated)Common variance request granted. Allows for larger
developments in MU District
(b)(9)Off-Street Parking Allows on-street parking to be counted toward minimum
parking requirement
Eliminates provision that allows on-street parking to be
counted toward minimum parking requirement
Provision unnecessary as MU District has no minimum
parking requirement
(b)(12)(A)(i), (ii)Outdoor Seating Location Outdoor seating shall not be located in any street right-of-
way and shall only be along the storefront façade
Outdoor seating may be permitted in street right-of-way
with permission of Board of Public Works; can be
located anywhere along property frontage not occupied
by another business
Clarifies provision to match intent for location of outdoor
seating
(b)(12)(B)Outdoor Display or Sales of
Merchandise
Outdoor display or sales of merchandise shall not be
located in any street right-of-way
Outdoor display or sales of merchandise may be
permitted in street right-of-way with permission of Board
of Public Works
Clarifies provision to match intent for location of outdoor
display or sales of merchandise
(b)(13)(C)Building Material
Regulations
Applies to each façade visible from a public street Applies to each front façade Clarifies provision to match intent
(b)(13)(C)(ii)Building Materials Revises permitted building materials Provides more flexibility with higher building quality
Ordinance
Section (all in
Section 21-03.02)Item Current Standard Proposed Standard Notes
New Building Materials None Building materials used on front façade shall extend a
minimum of 16" along side facades
Provides higher level of building quality
New Building Orientation None Primary facades shall be oriented to the front lot line.
When on a corner lot, the primary façade shall be
oriented to the primary street and the primary façade
treatment shall extend a minimum of 10' along the
secondary street
Provides for safer and more attractive street
environment
New Building Entry Location None The primary entrance shall be located on the front
façade
Provides for safer and more attractive street
environment
New Windows None Windows and doors shall have clear glass and shall
open to the interior (not be faux)
Provides for safer and more attractive street
environment
New Building Articulation None Facades longer than 120' should be designed to look like
more than one building. For buildings that are 120' or
longer, no section of building longer than 60' may look
like one building
Provides for more attractive street environment
New Mechanical Equipment
Location
None Mechanical equipment should not be visible from the
street
Provides for more attractive street environment
New Glazing None For commercial and mixed use buildings, a minimum of
70% of the ground floor front façade surface along a
primary street shall be glazed (window and door surface
area). A minimum of 12.5% of upper floor front facade
surface and ground floor front facade surface along a
secondary street shall be glazed (window and door
surface area). The ground floor front façade glazing is
calculated based on the total facade area between two
and eight feet above grade. The upper floor front facade
surface area is calculated based on the total surface
area located between the elevation of any floor to the
elevation of the floor above it or the roof.
Provides for safer and more attractive street
environment
New Sidewalk Connection None A sidewalk shall connect from the public sidewalk to the
primary entrance
Provides for safer and more attractive street
environment