Morrisville UDO - June 2017 version

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Morrisville, NC June 23, 2017
Unified Development Ordinance Page 5-1
Article 5: Development Standards
SECTION 5.1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
5.1.1. General Intent
This Article includes standards and guidelines for developing property or establishing new uses of property
within Morrisville, to ensure the protection of the health, welfare, safety, and quality of life for local citizens,
visitors, and business owners. These provisions address the physical relationship between development and
adjacent properties, public streets, neighborhoods, and the natural environment, in order to implement the
Land Use Plan vision for a more attractive, efficient, and livable community.
SECTION 5.2. GENERAL SITE LAYOUT AND DESIGN
5.2.1. All Districts
A. The general location, character, and extent of new, extended, or widened or expanded streets, public
utilities and service facilities, and parks and other public areas shall be consistent with the Comprehensive
Plan.
B. Developments shall be laid out and designed to functionally and visually integrate their design elements
(open spaces, buildings, parking, utilities, stormwater management facilities, etc.)—both within the
development and in relationship to surrounding developments—to the maximum extent practicable.
C. The layout of streets, lots, building sites, and other elements of development shall be designed to
minimize alteration of natural and historic site features to be preserved.
D. Developments shall minimize impacts to sensitive natural resources and other unique and fragile site
elements—including, but not limited to, wetlands and steep slopes—and significant stands of mature
trees shall be preserved where practicable, with development reserved for environmentally stable
areas.
E. All new bungalow court, pocket neighborhood, single-family detached, attached, duplex, and
manufactured home lots shall be located wholly outside any riparian buffer required in accordance with
F. Streets, building sites, and the buildable areas of lots shall be located outside floodways and non-
encroachment areas of Special Flood Hazard Areas and, to the maximum extent practicable, outside all
other parts of a Floodplain Overlay (FO) district. Public infrastructure improvements and utility facilities
shall be located and constructed to minimize exposure to flood hazards.
(Ord. No. 2015-047, 07/28/2015; Ord. No. 2016-001, 05/10/2016)
5.2.2. Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) District
The layout of streets, lots, blocks, building sites, and other elements of development in the Transit-Oriented
Development (TOD) District shall be designed to maximize safe and convenient vehicular, bicycle, and
pedestrian access to the associated transit station and provide the views and community amenities that help
define the station as the focal point of the District.
SECTION 5.3. SUBDIVISION BLOCKS, LOTS, AND REFERENCE POINTS
5.3.1. Blocks
A. Blocks shall be laid out to provide a functional street pattern and circulation and connectivity in
accordance with the standards in