Morrisville Unified Development Ordinance - October 2019

Article 3: Zoning Districts Section 3.8. Overlay Districts 3.8.4. Town Center Conservation Overlay (TCCO) District

E. Site Layout and Building Organization

Intent a. To minimize the visual and physical impacts of development on the natural character of land identified as existing or proposed parks in the Town Center Plan through a voluntary conservation district.

b. To preserve open space.

Buffering

a. Riparian buffers shall be provided in accordance with Article 6: Riparian Buffers.

b. On wooded sites, established trees shall be integrated into the overall development to the maximum extent practicable by preserving a 50-foot-wide buffer along the length of all of the following:

(1) Property boundary lines; and

(2) Greenway easements.

c. Utilities, sidewalks, greenways, and other similar features may cross a buffer perpendicularly or at an angle, but shall not run parallel inside the buffer. Clustering of Residential Development in Very Low Density Residential (VLDR) and Historic Crossroads Village (HCV) Districts The following standards shall apply to new residential development within the Very Low Density Residential (VLDR) and Historic Crossroads Village (HCV) Districts.

a. Open Space

(1) At least 75 percent of the development site shall be preserved as permanent open space.

(2) Permanent open space may include:

(A) Common open space (see Section 5.5, Common Open Space and Public Recreation Area);

(B) Perimeter buffers (see Section 5.7, Perimeter and Streetyard Buffers);

(C)

Riparian buffers (see Article 6: Riparian Buffers;

(D)

Floodways (see Section 5.6, Floodplain Management); and/or

(E) Stormwater facilities that use Low Impact Design (LID) techniques as approved by the Planning Director and the Town Engineer (see Article 7: Stormwater Management).

(3) Permanent open space shall not include:

(A)

Structural stormwater management facilities,

(B)

Developed areas, and

(C) Areas with impervious surface, unless approved as historically significant by the Planning Director. (4) Land included as preserved open space shall prioritize sensitive environmental features, scenic views, and historically significant lands for protection. (5) Development shall be clustered to retain areas of contiguous open space on the site and to retain future opportunities for recreational trail access along drainages and creeks, to the maximum extent practicable.

Morrisville, NC

October 1, 2019

Unified Development Ordinance

Page 3-67