Sec. 6.5. Residential Compact (RC) Development Intensity

6.5.1. Development Standards

A. Dimensional Standards

1. All residential development Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land. in the RC District shall meet the standards in the table below. For illustrations, lot dimensions, and required yards A space on the same lot with a building or group of buildings, which space lies between the building or group of buildings and the nearest lot line. for each housing type, see Sec. 7.1, Housing Types.

Dimensional Standard	RC
	Min.	Max.
Residential Density The number of dwelling units per gross acre, excluding accessory residences or dwelling units, or any other exclusion within this Ordinance. (units per acre)	12.0	40.0
Open Space Areas of a development that allow for light, air, wildlife habitat, and for scenic and recreational use. Also included are areas designed to enhance the privacy or general appearance of a development. Private open space is open space that is owned by a corporation, individual, or house owners association. Public open space is open space owned by a governmental jurisdiction. (% of gross area)1	5.0	—
Site Area The minimum area required for a particular type of development. The site may then be divided into smaller lots. Lot Area The total area within the lot lines of a platted lot.	See Sec. 7.1, Housing Types
Height (feet)	—
Stories The horizontal division of a building made up of the space between two successive floors, or a floor and the roof. A level that is principally above ground, and not below grade, nor below street level, or within roofline, tower, or a roof deck. (visual articulation An emphasis given to architectural elements (including windows, balconies, porches, entries, etc.) to create a complementary rhythm or pattern; or modulation of building façades, massing, and detail to create variety.)		7
Feet		80
1 Please see Sec. 12.5, Recreation Land, for additional land dedication The transfer without payment of ownership or other interest in real property from a private entity to a public agency. requirements that may apply.

2. Maximum density The number of dwelling units per gross acre, excluding accessory residences or dwelling units, or any other exclusion within this Ordinance. can be increased in accordance with paragraph 6.5.3, Residential Density, and/or Sec. 6.6, Affordable Housing Bonus.

3. Maximum height shall be limited to the lesser of 4 stories The horizontal division of a building made up of the space between two successive floors, or a floor and the roof. A level that is principally above ground, and not below grade, nor below street level, or within roofline, tower, or a roof deck. or 50 feet if the building As defined in the North Carolina Building Code, as amended, or the North Carolina Residential Code for One and Two-Family Dwellings, as amended, as applicable. is within 150 feet of the perimeter of the Compact Neighborhood Tier where the Tier adjoins any property zoned and used for residential purposes. Additional height up to 7 stories The horizontal division of a building made up of the space between two successive floors, or a floor and the roof. A level that is principally above ground, and not below grade, nor below street level, or within roofline, tower, or a roof deck. is allowed through approval of a minor special use permit per Sec. 3.9, Special Use Permit. In no event shall the structure A walled or roofed constructed object that is principally above ground; vertical projections meeting the definition of antenna-supporting or wireless support structures; or, when used in reference to Sec. 8.4, Floodplain and Flood Damage Protection Standards, a gas or liquid storage tank that is principally above ground. Included in this definition are extensions or additions which are covered by a roof supported by walls or columns, such as but not limited to porte cocheres, carports, covered or screened porches, and breezeways. be more than 80 feet in height.

6.5.2. Permitted Housing Types

Residential uses allowed pursuant to Sec. 5.1, Use Table, shall be limited to the housing types permitted in accordance with the following table. For illustrations, lot dimensions, and required yards A space on the same lot with a building or group of buildings, which space lies between the building or group of buildings and the nearest lot line. for each housing type, see Sec. 7.1, Housing Types.

Housing Type	RC
Single-Family A residential use consisting of one dwelling unit per lot of record. As described in Sec. 7.1, Housing Types, includes: single-family detached house; zero lot line house; traditional house; or attached house. Not to include manufactured housing. Detached	✔
Zero Lot Line A detached dwelling unit positioned on one property line without any setback. House	✔
Traditional House	✔
Attached House	✔
Duplex	✔
Townhouse A building made up of three or more attached dwelling units (except when otherwise allowed) where each unit is on an individual lot and the units are lined up in a row and share side walls.	✔
Detached Rowhouse	✔
Multiplex	✔
Apartment	✔

6.5.3. Residential Density

A. Maximum Residential Density

Residential density The number of dwelling units per gross acre, excluding accessory residences or dwelling units, or any other exclusion within this Ordinance. shall not exceed the maximum densities The number of dwelling units per gross acre, excluding accessory residences or dwelling units, or any other exclusion within this Ordinance. as set forth in paragraph 6.5.1A, Dimensional Standards, unless a project provides for vertical integration of uses with at least 65% of the total floor area Area of enclosed (i.e. roofed and walled) built space, excluding any unfinished area used exclusively for storage or mechanical elements. allocated to residential uses and at least 75% of the ground floor Also referred to as “ground level” or “street level,” the floor of a building whose finished floor elevation (FFE) is closest to the grade of the adjacent street, allowing for articulation to accommodate changes in grade. allocated for nonresidential uses. Projects which meet this requirement may increase their residential density The number of dwelling units per gross acre, excluding accessory residences or dwelling units, or any other exclusion within this Ordinance. by up to 50%.

B. Lot Averaging

Lot area The total area within the lot lines of a platted lot. averaging, as more specifically set forth in Sec. 7.1, Housing Types, is permitted, provided that:

1. The maximum reduction allowed is 15% of the minimum lot area The total area within the lot lines of a platted lot.;

2. The average area of all lots in the subdivision All divisions of a tract or parcel of land into two or more lots, building sites, or other divisions for the purpose of sale or building development (whether immediate or future) or any division of land involving the dedication of a new street or a change in existing streets. meets or exceeds the minimum lot area The total area within the lot lines of a platted lot.; and

3. The overall density The number of dwelling units per gross acre, excluding accessory residences or dwelling units, or any other exclusion within this Ordinance. of the subdivision All divisions of a tract or parcel of land into two or more lots, building sites, or other divisions for the purpose of sale or building development (whether immediate or future) or any division of land involving the dedication of a new street or a change in existing streets. does not exceed the maximum permitted residential density The number of dwelling units per gross acre, excluding accessory residences or dwelling units, or any other exclusion within this Ordinance..

C. For single-family A residential use consisting of one dwelling unit per lot of record. As described in Sec. 7.1, Housing Types, includes: single-family detached house; zero lot line house; traditional house; or attached house. Not to include manufactured housing. and two-family A residential use consisting of two individual dwelling units on a single lot of record. This definition does not include a single-family dwelling with an accessory dwelling unit. developments Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land., the density The number of dwelling units per gross acre, excluding accessory residences or dwelling units, or any other exclusion within this Ordinance. requirements in paragraph 6.5.1A, Dimensional Standards, do not apply if the project does not require subdivision All divisions of a tract or parcel of land into two or more lots, building sites, or other divisions for the purpose of sale or building development (whether immediate or future) or any division of land involving the dedication of a new street or a change in existing streets. or site plan An accurately scaled development plan that shows existing conditions on a site as well as depicting details of proposed development. approval.