Morrisville Unified Development Ordinance - April 2019

Article 5: Development Standards Section 5.9. Building Configuration and Design 5.9.10. Building and Design Standards for Town Center Development

c. Specifications for Ground Floor Space

(1) A minimum of 45 percent of the total area of each street-level building facade that abuts Town Hall Drive, the Main Street District’s primary pedestrian streets, a plaza, park, or other public gathering space, shall be comprised of transparent window and door openings to allow views of interior spaces and merchandise, to enhance the safety of public spaces by providing direct visibility to the street, and to create a more inviting environment for pedestrians in the Main Street District. (2) For the purposes of the above standard, all percentages shall be measured using elevation views of the building plan and “ground floor” shall be measured from floor plate to floor plate. The following standards shall apply to all street-level windows: (A) Glazing on all ground floor windows shall have a minimum Visible Light Transmittance of 0.65 and a maximum Visible Light Reflectance of 0.2.

(B)

Black or mirrored glass is prohibited.

(3) Alternative ground floor space specifications may be approved in accordance with Section 2.5.20, Alternative Equivalent Compliance.

(Ord. No. 2018-302-0, 09/11/2018)

Relationship to Surrounding Development

a. Intent

The standards in this subsection are intended to provide a visual and physical linkage between the Main Street District and adjacent residential neighborhoods. b. Transitions in Height and Mass Transitions between the Main Street District and the adjacent Town Center Residential District shall be provided by utilizing the following techniques, as applicable: (1) Concentrating tallest buildings at the center of the Main Street District and along Town Hall Drive; (2) Providing gradual decreases in structure height and mass so that new structures are a maximum of 18 feet in height along the shared lot line or a maximum of 24 feet in height along the shared street frontage; or (3) Incorporating lower-intensity live/work units along shared street frontage or lot line. (See Figure 5.9.10.C.8: Relationship to Surrounding Development – Main Street District.)

(Ord. No. 2015-002, 04/29/2015)

Morrisville, NC

April 23, 2019

Unified Development Ordinance

Page 5-91