Morrisville UDO - June 2017 version

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Article 5: Development Standards
Section 5.3. Subdivision Blocks, Lots, and Reference Points
5.3.2. Lots
June 23, 2017 Morrisville, NC
Page 5-2 Unified Development Ordinance
B. Blocks shall have sufficient width to provide for two back-to-back rows of street-fronting lots of
appropriate depth for the zoning district, excluding any water bodies, public alleys, or other public
rights-of-way. Exceptions shall be permitted in blocks adjacent to thoroughfares, railroads, or
waterways, or due to limiting topographical conditions, the size or configuration of the site, or for
approved through lots.
C. Blocks in the Main Street (MS) District shall not exceed a length of 350 feet. Blocks in the Transit-Oriented
Development (TOD) District shall not exceed a length of 800 feet. In all other districts, blocks shall be at
least 400 feet long and no more than 1,200 feet long except as necessary to secure efficient use of
land, or desired features of the street pattern, or to reflect the size and configuration of the site.
D. The lengths, widths, and shapes of blocks shall be determined based on the following:
Lot area and width standards;
Needs for convenient access, circulation, control, and safety of vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian
traffic;
Relationship to existing utilities;
Layout of the water system with regard to eliminating stagnant water, providing adequate fire
flow, appropriately placing fire hydrants, and meeting minimum pressure requirements.;
Layout of the sanitary sewer system with regard to utilizing gravity sewer system wherever possible
and minimizing the use of sewer force mains;
Layout of the stormwater management system with regard to utilizing natural outfalls adjacent to
the land being subdivided, and effectively using existing public stormwater or drainage systems;
Location of existing and proposed easements; and
Limitations and opportunities of existing, pre-development topography.
5.3.2. Lots
A. Each lot shall meet the applicable lot area and width standards set forth in
and otherwise be developable in accordance with the standards in this Ordinance.
B. Lots shall be arranged in relationship to topography, flood hazards, tree protection requirements, or
other site conditions to minimize difficulties in providing a reasonable building site and yard area in
accordance with requirement of this Ordinance.
C. Each lot shall be situated so that stormwater may be easily directed away from buildings in subsequent
site-specific development. Lots shall be configured so that buildings and general flood sensitive site
facilities are not located in drainage ways.
D. Each single-family detached, duplex, manufactured home, and single-family attached dwelling lot shall
have at least 20 feet of frontage on a public street right-of-way—except for the following:
The Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) District where lots with vehicular access from a rear alley
may front on publicly-dedicated open space instead of a street;
Bungalow courts that comply with Section or
Pocket neighborhoods that comply with Section
E. Each nonresidential, multifamily, and mixed-use lot shall have at least 20 feet of frontage on a public
or private street with a right-of-way or easement that is at least 50 feet wide—except in the Transit-
Oriented Development (TOD) District, where lots with vehicular access from a rear alley may front on
publicly-dedicated open space instead of a street.