Castleberry Hill

www.castleberryhill.org

Regarding Neighborhood Zoning and Design Guidelines

5/15/00

WHEREAS, neighborhood developers have joined the Committee to provide their expertise regarding the realities of development; and

WHEREAS, the recommendations of the Committee are a result of the Neighborhood Master Plan administered by the City's Planning Department; and

WHEREAS, the City's Planning Department has encouraged the Neighborhood Association through the Master Planning effort to develop design guidelines and zoning regulations; and

WHEREAS, the Steering Committee has studied the physical characteristics of the neighborhood, current zoning and land use, and history;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE STEERING COMMITTEE AND BROUGHT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION FOR APPROVAL as follows:

1. To preserve the Castleberry Hill National Register District's historic pattern and distribution of building types that are characterized primarily by railroad service, warehouse-distribution, and small retail- commercial buildings, many of which were constructed in the early 20^th century.


2. To encourage economic development and a variety of housing opportunities; to foster neighborhood revitalization; and to encourage an economically and culturally diverse population.


3. To promote a livable, sustainable neighborhood with pedestrian convenience and connectivity; to better connect buildings to the public life of the street; and to better reflect the planning policies of the City's CDP ("all buildings shall front on streets or squares" 20-45).

These recommendations are applied to the area shown on the attached map, which is the area of Castleberry Hill Neighborhood with the following additions:

1. The addition of the Peters Street Bridge.


2. The addition of the Parcel(s) at the northeast corner of Mitchell and Techwood.

1. SUBAREA 1: The intent for Subarea 1 is to protect the core of the Neighborhood which is comprised of early twentieth century historic railroad service, warehouse-distribution, and small retail-commercial buildings.

1. BOUNDARY. The boundary of Subarea 1 is the boundary of the existing National Register District except as follows:

1. HEIGHT. The Committee believes it is important to develop height regulations which preserve the compatibility of visual qualities and spatial relationships that exist between buildings in the Register District.

3. SETBACK. The Committee recognizes it is important to compliment the historic pattern of buildings aligning at the street. At the same time, the Committee recognizes the need for adequate sidewalks for pedestrian safety and sidewalk activities. Therefore, the Committee recommends regulations that:

3. Architectural Standards. The intent of architectural standards would be to:

1. To set forth basic minimum standards that are compatible with the existing historic buildings within the neighborhood. The intent is not to limit the design of new housing to replication or existing structures, but to foster design of massing, size, scale, materials, and elements to enhance the built quality of the Neighborhood while encouraging creativity. The Committee recognizes that in addition to height and setback, the actual visual image of the building is important to preserving the character of the Neighborhood.


2. Alterations and additions should be clearly differentiated, but acknowledge scale and material so that a false historical appearance is not created. Alterations and additions should be in accordance with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Restoring Historic Buildings.

1. HEIGHT. The Committee recommends three height zones for Subarea 2:

• Buildings or portions of buildings east of Northside Drive and west of a line which is 250 feet from the east right of way of Northside, as indicated on the attached map, may be a maximum of 70 feet in height at any frontage


• Buildings east of the 70 foot height zone but west of Subarea 1 may be a maximum of 40 feet in height as indicated on the attached map.


• Other buildings to the north of Nelson, as indicated on the map, may be a maximum of 50 feet in height.

1. SETBACK. To encourage neighborhood oriented development and pedestrian connectivity:

1. A minimum 15 foot sidewalk at Northside Drive


2. Minimum 9 foot sidewalks elswhere.


3. Parking behind, rather than fronting, buildings.


4. Buildings which front on streets or squares.



5. The Committee further recommends that when retail is the use that the customer entrance be at the
street.




3. Subarea 3: The Committee has heard from owners in this area and recommends zoning which will protect their revitalization efforts and encourage further revitalization by limiting some uses and promoting residential and retail uses in this area. The committee recommends:





A. HEIGHT. No restrictions beyond what is currently in place.




B. SETBACK. To encourage neighborhood oriented development and pedestrian connectivity:




1. A minimum 15 foot sidewalk at Whitehall and Spring.




2. Minimum 9 foot sidewalks elsewhere.




3. Parking behind, rather than fronting, buildings.



5. Buildings which front on streets or squares.


6. The committee further recommends that when retail is the use that the customer entrance be at the street.

1. Prohibition of the following uses:

1. Parking lots for hire, unless specifically dedicated for uses within the neighborhood


2. Adult entertainment establishments.


3. Retail sale of liquor and wine.


4. Heavy industry


5. Tow lots


6. Gas station


7. Automobile repair and body shops


8. Automobile sales lots

1. In order to minimize curb cuts, regulations which would permit shared drives.


2. Regulations that prohibit drive-throughs.


3. Regulations that discourage environmental contamination from businesses like dry-cleaners.


4. Regulations that discourage parking pressure on Subarea 1 from other areas.


5. Regulations that spell out the variance process and criteria for granting a variance.


6. Improved Neighborhood review of issues, and improved communication between City and Neighborhood, possibly through the internet.

1. All of Castleberry Hill would be a Landmark District with different Subareas.


2. The Core of Castleberry Hill would be a Landmark District and other Subareas would be Historic Districts.


3. A new SPI district would supplant existing zoning. The core would have a Landmark District Overlay. A critical aspect of this mechanism would be designing the SPI regulations so that appropriate neighborhood review was maintained.