§ 40-488. Purpose and intent.

(a)

This division establishes an overlay district superimposed on certain residentially zoned parcels of land in the City which are anticipated to be developed with residences. Small-scale projects on small sites require successful melding into the fabric, architecture, function, and circulation of an existing neighborhood. Infill residential development should not overpower nearby buildings or disrupt other uses. Infill residential dwellings should be similar in height and setbacks to neighboring dwellings. Bulk and scale should be similar to and consistent with the surrounding neighborhood. The overall design strategy for a residential infill dwelling or development should focus on compatible integration with the surrounding area.

(b)

The residential infill overlay district is intended to ensure that new dwellings in the city's residential neighborhoods and the replacement of residential dwellings will not differ dramatically in size, footprint, mass, or height, or change the dominant character of the existing residential neighborhoods. This division contains regulations that are designed to ensure that residential infill development is compatible with existing development and that new residential construction or substantial rehabilitation of detached dwelling units fit within the existing community character in a compatible manner. This division provides detailed design guidance for residentially zoned but vacant properties within the overlay district to encourage quality site design and construction in accordance with the city's comprehensive plan.

(c)

This division is also applied in recognition of the fact that many lots within the residential infill overlay district, while large enough for additional dwellings and lots, pose significant design challenges given the irregular shape of the tract, the lack of sufficient lot frontage on a public street, substantial area within a 100-year floodplain, or other peculiarities and conditions which present practical difficulty in meeting conventional zoning requirements such as minimum lot sizes and minimum lot widths. Furthermore, this division recognizes that conventional zoning regulatory constraints may work against good design, raise roadblocks against innovation, or prevent projects that are otherwise consistent with the character of existing communities or consistent with the city's adopted principles and objectives for residential development.

(d)

In addition, difficult sites and uncertain outcomes and timeframes can reduce developers' economic interest in undertaking infill projects. And, through sensitive design, infill can introduce a new type of housing into the community. A balanced mix of well-designed housing types, sizes and prices for all income levels can be accomplished with similar housing styles on the same street and phase of construction, if economies of scale allow. Infill can inject new life into communities and help neighborhoods become more connected and sociable places, and ultimately increase property values, without altering existing neighborhood and community character.

(e)

Accordingly, significant design flexibility is provided for designers of residential infill development projects and discretion is provided to the City Planning Commission in order to help infill developers meet the challenges that their properties pose while ensuring that density at lot yields are possible in view of the city's objectives for quality infill housing.

(Code 1997, § 40-501; Ord. of 2-6-2012, § 1(40-501))