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Article 5: Development Standards
Section 5.9. Building Configuration and Design
5.9.9. Building and Design Standards for the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) District
June 23, 2017
Morrisville, NC
Page 5-82
Unified Development Ordinance
B.
Intent
The standards in this subsection are intended to ensure that buildings in the TOD District are organized
and designed to promote varied, visually interesting, and human-scale streetscapes and architectural
character that encourage a high degree of pedestrian activity.
C.
Multiple Buildings
Development made up of multiple buildings shall be configured to achieve at least two of the following:
Break up the site into a series of smaller “blocks” defined by on-site streets, vehicle accessways,
pedestrian walkways, or other circulation routes;
Frame the corners of street intersections or entry points into the development;
Frame and enclose a “main street” pedestrian and/or vehicle access corridor within the
development site;
Frame and enclose, on at least three sides, parking areas, public spaces, or other site amenities; or
Frame and enclose plazas, pocket parks, squares, outdoor dining areas, or other outdoor gathering
space for pedestrians.
D.
Facade Mass and Scale
If the street-facing facade of a building is more than 40 feet wide, the perceived mass and scale of the
building shall be reduced by incorporating at least three of the following design elements that are
consistent with the development’s architectural character and create distinctive variations in the facade
spaced no more than 40 feet apart:
Variations in roof form and parapet heights;
Pronounced (as least one foot deep) recesses and/or projections in the wall plane;
Distinct changes in texture and/or color of wall surfaces;
Pilasters that are at least eight inches deep and at least eight inches wide, and have a height equal
to at least 80 percent of the facade’s height; or
Second floor galleries/balconies.