The NC Neighborhood Center Zoning District is intended to support a pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use neighborhood environment, allowing access to daily shopping needs and services within walking distance of nearby residential neighborhoods. The NC Zoning District provides for a mix of commercial and service uses, closely integrated within the surrounding residential neighborhood fabric to support the concept of a complete neighborhood. Both vertical and horizontal mixed-use development is encouraged.

10.2 USES

Article 15 lists permitted, temporary, and accessory uses for the Neighborhood Center Zoning District. Use definitions are found in Article 15. Prescribed conditions applicable to certain principal uses, temporary uses, and accessory uses are also found in Article 15.

10.3 DIMENSIONAL AND DESIGN STANDARDS

The tables below include the dimensional and design standards for the Neighborhood Center Zoning District. Standards within the tables below may contain specific regulations organized by frontage type (Section 3.5). In the tables below, where a cell contains a standard or a “✔” the standard is applicable. Where a cell is blank and shaded, the standard does not apply.

Building Siting
Building siting standards govern the placement of buildings on lots, and are intended to ensure that development maintains compatibility with its surrounding context and with the intent of the applicable zoning district.

Table 10-1: Neighborhood Center Zoning District Lot Standards

		NC
A	Frontage Setback Line (from future back of curb) (feet) ^{1, 2}
	Uptown Signature	24
	Main Street	24
	Linear Park	36
	4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard	20
	6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard	24
	2-3 Lane Avenue	20
	Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park 3	5
	Uptown Primary	20
	Other – Primary	20
	Uptown Secondary	16
	Secondary	16
	Parkway (Measured from ROW)	20
	Limited Access (Measured from ROW)	10
B	Frontage Build-To Zone (BTZ) (from frontage setback line) (feet) ^{4, 5}
	Main Street	0-20
	4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard	0-20
	6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard	0-20
	2-3 Lane Avenue	0-20
	Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park	0-20
	Other – Primary	0-20
	Secondary	0-20
	Parkway
	Limited Access
C	Minimum BTZ Build-To Percentage for Structure (%)
	Main Street	80
	4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard	80
	6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard	80
	2-3 Lane Avenue	80
	Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park	80
	Other – Primary	80
	Secondary	60
	Parkway
	Limited Access
D	Minimum Side Setback (feet)
	Not abutting Neighborhood 1 Place Type	0
	Abutting Neighborhood 1 Place Type	10
E	Minimum Rear Setback (feet)
	Not abutting Neighborhood 1 Place Type	0
	Abutting Neighborhood 1 Place Type	20

¹ On local and collector streets, measured from the curb location for Office/Commercial Wide Local Street Cross Section in CLDSM or the existing back of curb, whichever is farthest from the centerline. If SSI standards require the relocation of the back of curb or the back of curb is voluntarily relocated, that shall be considered the existing back of curb location.
² In no case shall any building entry be located closer than six feet to an existing or proposed off-street public path or shared use path.
³ For the transit station, off-street public path, public park frontage, shall be measured from a property line or right-of-way line. If there is an easement in place for any frontage, then the measurement shall be taken from such easement. For any frontage abutting a reservation for a future frontage, the frontage setback line shall be measured from the edge of the reservation area.
⁴ If there is an existing Charlotte Water easement, other utility easement, or overhead utility clearance requirement that conflicts with the build-to zone requirement, a build-to line shall be established at the edge of the easement or edge of the overhead utility clearance requirement closest to the build-to zone.
⁵ Where a lot has more than two frontages that require a build-to zone, the build-to zone shall be increased by 100% for those frontages that exceed two. Such an increase should be applied to those frontages that are lowest in the established hierarchy of frontages (Section 3.5.D)

Building Height
Building height standards govern the minimum and maximum heights of buildings as applicable and are intended to provide flexibility while maintaining appropriate transitions to adjacent areas.

Table 10-2: Neighborhood Center Zoning District Building Height Standards

		NC
A	Minimum Building Height (feet)¹	16
B	Maximum Building Height (feet)²	65
C	Maximum Height with Bonus (feet) (Section 16.3)^{2, 3}	80

¹Lots of one-half acre in area or less are exempt from any applicable minimum building height requirements. Buildings of 2,000sf or less of gross floor area are exempt from any applicable minimum building height requirements.
² The height and location of structures may be restricted by the limitations set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 14 Part 77: Safe, Efficient Use, and Preservation of the Navigable Airspace. A notice of proposed construction FAA Form 7460-1 must be filed with the FAA for construction or alteration that impacts any of the imaginary surfaces as defined in 14 CFR Part 77, or is more than 200 feet in height above the ground at its site at least 45 days prior to construction. The Aviation Department Planning Division may serve as a point of contact for information regarding building notification requirements and obstruction evaluation.
³The maximum building height of any structure within 200 feet from the lot line of residential uses or vacant land in a Neighborhood 1 Place Type is limited as follows: Portions of a structure within the first 100 feet are limited to a maximum height of 50 feet. Portions of a structure located between 100 and 200 feet are limited to a maximum height of 65 feet. Beyond 200 feet, the building height is limited by the maximum height of the zoning district. Building heights for all portions of a structure shall be measured from the average grade established for the whole building. This limitation does not apply to public parks of 3 acres or greater within a Neighborhood 1 Place Type, nor to an area of two or fewer parcels totaling no more than three acres within a Neighborhood 1 Place Type.

Building Articulation
Building articulation standards govern the dimensions of building facade elements and entry features, and are intended to facilitate the enhancement of a pedestrian-oriented environment.

Table 10-3: Neighborhood Center Zoning District Building Articulation Standards

		NC
A	Minimum Building Length as a Percentage of Lot Width Along Frontage (Measured at Frontage Setback Line) (%) ¹
	Main Street	60
	4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard	60
	6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard	60
	2-3 Lane Avenue	60
	Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park	60
	Other – Primary	60
	Secondary	40
	Parkway
	Limited Access
B	Maximum Building Length Along a Frontage (feet) ²	400
C	Maximum Building Length Along a Frontage with Additional Design Elements (feet) ^{2, 3}	600
D	Maximum Blank Wall Area – (Ground floor and upper floor; Horizontal or Vertical) (feet) ⁴
	Main Street	20
	4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard	20
	6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard	20
	2-3 Lane Avenue	20
	Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park	20
	Other – Primary	20
	Secondary	20
	Parkway	50
	Limited Access	50
E	Minimum Ground Floor Height – Residential (Finished Floor Elevation to Finished Floor Elevation) (feet) ^{4, 5, 6, 7}
	Main Street	16 ⁸
	4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard	10
	6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard	10
	2-3 Lane Avenue	10
	Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park	10
	Other – Primary	10
	Secondary	10
	Parkway (when only frontage or adjacent to shared-use path)	10
	Limited Access
F	Minimum Ground Floor Height – Nonresidential and Mixed-Use (Finished Floor Elevation to Finished Floor Elevation) (feet) ^{5, 7}
	Main Street	16 ⁸
	4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard	14
	6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard	14
	2-3 Lane Avenue	14
	Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park	14
	Other – Primary	14
	Secondary	14
	Parkway (when only frontage or adjacent to shared-use path)	14
	Limited Access
G	Maximum Prominent Entry Spacing (feet) ⁴
	Main Street	250
	4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard	250
	6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard	250
	2-3 Lane Avenue	250
	Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park	250
	Other – Primary	250
	Secondary	250
	Parkway (when only frontage or adjacent to shared-use path)	250
	Limited Access

¹ Where a minimum building length as a percentage of lot width applies to multiple frontages, the highest frontage classification in the hierarchy (per Section 3.5.D) shall meet the established standard. In the case of a lot with two frontages, the second frontage shall only meet a standard of 40%. If there are more than two frontages subject to the standard, there is no minimum requirement for any frontage beyond the two highest frontages in the hierarchy. This requirement does not apply to Parkway or Limited Access frontages.

² Maximum building length along a frontage does not apply to any frontage located along a Limited Access road. If any applicable minimum building length exceeds a maximum building length requirement, the maximum building length shall control.

³To achieve maximum building length with additional design elements, the following is required:

Where a building abuts two parallel frontages with pedestrian facilities, or one frontage with pedestrian facilities and a parking lot, public park or other publicly owned open space on the side of the building opposite the frontage, a pedestrian passage is required. Such passage shall meet the following criteria:
1. General Requirements
  1. Passages shall be designed to accommodate pedestrians. Vehicular access and circulation shall not be allowed as a component of a passage.
  2. Passages shall be a minimum of 30 feet in width and 20 feet in height, and shall be located within the middle third of the building, measured along the frontage.
  3. Passages shall be designed to maintain views from one end through to the other.
  4. Inclusion of decorative elements such as lighting installations or public art within passages is encouraged.
  5. Passages shall align with the street grid or other points of access to sidewalks, public paths, parking lots, public parks or other publicly owned open space where feasible.
  6. For the purposes of any build-to zone requirement, a building passage is considered part of the building façade that meets such requirement.
2. Passages in nonresidential and mixed-use buildings.
  1. Ground floor uses shall be oriented toward the passage, including public entrances.
  2. Ground floor façades facing into building passages in nonresidential and mixed-use buildings shall maintain a minimum transparency of 35% of the wall area of the passage.
3. Passages in residential buildings.
  1. Passages in residential buildings may be closed off to the public with gates and/or fencing but shall be of open design to allow for a clear view through the passage.
  2. Passages in residential buildings shall be designed with elements for use by residents, such as seating areas.
  3. Ground floor façades facing into building passages in residential buildings shall maintain a minimum transparency of 25% of the wall area of the passage.
Where a building does not abut two parallel frontages with pedestrian facilities, a break in the building massing is required as follows:
1. Building mass shall be recessed a minimum of 20 feet in depth for no less than 30 linear feet along the façade. Such recess shall extend the full height of the building, and shall meet the following criteria:
  1. The recess shall be located within the middle third of the building, measured along the frontage.
  2. For nonresidential and mixed-use buildings, ground floor uses shall be oriented toward the recessed area, including public entrances.
  3. The recessed area is subject to all transparency requirements.
  4. The recessed area shall be designed as public or common space including amenities such as seating areas, landscaping, lighting, decorative elements, and public art.

⁴ Does not apply to multi-family attached units when on sublots.
⁵The ground floor of residential developments is still considered residential when leasing or management offices and/or tenant facilities, such as gyms and community/party rooms associated with the development are located on the ground floor.
⁶ Applies only if non-convertible residential; for convertible residential, nonresidential standard applies.
⁷ At least 70% of the total ground floor for nonresidential uses and 30% for residential uses, measured as a percentage of the interior space, shall meet the minimum ground floor height requirement.
⁸ Minimum ground floor heights can be reduced by the Zoning Administrator if there are site constraints that would cause practical difficulty.

Transparency
Transparency standards govern the required amount of ground floor and upper floor transparency, and are intended to facilitate the enhancement of a pedestrian-oriented environment. These standards do not apply to multi-family attached development when units are on sublots.

Table 10-4: Neighborhood Center Zoning District Transparency Standards

		NC
A	Ground Floor Transparency – Residential (% of wall area between 3’ and 10’ from grade)^{1, 2}
	Main Street	25
	4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard	25
	6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard	25
	2-3 Lane Avenue	25
	Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park	25
	Other – Primary	25
	Secondary	25
	Parkway	20
	Limited Access
B	Ground Floor Transparency – Nonresidential and Mixed-Use (% of wall area between 3’ and 10’ from grade)¹
	Main Street	60
	4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard	50
	6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard	50
	2-3 Lane Avenue	50
	Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park	50
	Other – Primary	50
	Secondary	50
	Parkway	30
	Limited Access
C	Upper Floor Transparency – Residential, Nonresidential, and Mixed-Use (% of Wall Area per Story)
	Main Street	15
	4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard	15
	6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard	15
	2-3 Lane Avenue	15
	Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park	15
	Other – Primary	15
	Secondary	15
	Parkway	15
	Limited Access

¹ The ground floor of residential developments is still considered residential when leasing or management offices and/or tenant facilities, such as gyms and community/party rooms associated with the development are located on the ground floor.
² Applies only if non-convertible residential; for convertible residential, nonresidential standard applies.

Site Layout Standards
1. Residential Site Layout Standards
  The standards below establish site layout requirements for multi-family attached and multi-family stacked development within the NC Zoning District. Where standards below refer to a frontage, such standards apply to all frontages except parkways or limited access roads.

Table 10-5: Neighborhood Center Zoning District Residential Site Layout Standards

	Multi-Family Attached When Units Not on Sublots	Multi-Family Stacked	Multi-Family Attached When Units on Sublots
The primary pedestrian entry to each principal structure shall face a frontage or common open space¹.		✔
The primary pedestrian entry to each dwelling unit shall face a frontage or common open space¹.	✔
Principal structures abutting a frontage shall be oriented with all building sidewalls perpendicular to the frontage. On corner lots, sidewalls may be oriented perpendicularly to either frontage.			✔

¹ Common open space shall comply with the standards of Table 16-2: Design of Open Space.

Building Design Standards
1. Nonresidential and Mixed-Use Building Design Standards
  The following design standards apply to nonresidential and mixed-use buildings in the NC Zoning District.

Table 10-6: Neighborhood Center Zoning District Nonresidential and Mixed-Use Building Design Standards

	NC
A frontage shall have a minimum of one prominent entrance, as defined in this Ordinance. In the case of a building located on a corner lot with two frontages, one prominent entrance located on the corner may satisfy this requirement for both frontages, subject to the following: Each frontage shall not require more than one prominent entry. A prominent corner entry shall include design features that reinforce intersections as key locations for pedestrian activity. Two of the following shall be included: A chamfered or rounded corner design. Awnings, canopies, or other covered entry features. Special paving, landscape, or lighting features. Unique architectural detailing that emphasizes the corner entry.
Main Street	✔
4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard	✔
6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard	✔
2-3 Lane Avenue	✔
Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park	✔
Other – Primary	✔
Secondary	✔
Parkway (when only frontage or adjacent to shared-use path)	✔
Limited Access
A minimum of one ground floor entrance along each frontage facing facade, except for a Limited Access frontage, shall include a pedestrian connection between doors and adjacent pedestrian facilities, where such facilities are present or are required by this Ordinance. ¹
Main Street	✔
4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard	✔
6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard	✔
2-3 Lane Avenue	✔
Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park	✔
Other – Primary	✔
Secondary	✔
Parkway (when only frontage or adjacent to shared-use path)	✔
Limited Access
Where a building contains multiple tenant spaces on the ground floor abutting a frontage, each tenant space shall have a prominent entrance including a pedestrian connection between doors and adjacent pedestrian facilities, where such facilities are present or are required by this Ordinance.¹
Main Street	✔
4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard	✔
6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard	✔
2-3 Lane Avenue	✔
Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park	✔
Other – Primary	✔
Secondary	✔
Parkway (when only frontage or adjacent to shared-use path)	✔
Limited Access
One prominent entrance on the ground floor is required per building on a site.	✔
Pedestrian-oriented ground-floor designs are encouraged, including arcades, galleries, colonnades, outdoor dining areas, and outdoor plazas. When integrated into the overall building design, such features are considered to meet any required build-to percentage.
Main Street	✔
4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard	✔
6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard	✔
2-3 Lane Avenue	✔
Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park	✔
Other – Primary	✔
Secondary	✔
Parkway (when only frontage or adjacent to shared-use path)	✔
Limited Access

¹The Zoning Administrator may waive this requirement if they determine that the nature of the use does not require such pedestrian connections, for example warehouse and distribution centers, airports, truck and rail freight terminals, and other similar uses.

1. Residential Building Design Standards
  The following design standards apply to multi-family attached when units not on sublots and multi-family stacked development in the NC Zoning District.

Table 10-7: Neighborhood Center Zoning District Residential Building Design Standards

	Multi-Family Attached When Units Not on Sublots	Multi-Family Stacked
Facade Modulation
Structures shall incorporate elements of variation on any façade facing a frontage, public open space, or common open space. Variation shall be achieved as follows: For multi-family attached dwellings when units are not on sublots, one of the following shall be incorporated into the design of the structure: Variation in the façade depth of adjoining dwelling units of at least 3’. Such variation shall extend the entire height of the façade. Architectural features, such as balconies, bay windows, or other elements along the façade of each dwelling unit, subject to the standards of Article 18. For multi-family stacked dwellings 150’ or more in length, recesses or projections of the façade of at least 1’ in depth, and no less than 10’ in width are required at intervals of no more than 60’.
Main Street	✔	✔
4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard	✔	✔
6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard	✔	✔
2-3 Lane Avenue	✔	✔
Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park	✔	✔
Other – Primary	✔	✔
Secondary	✔	✔
Parkway (when only frontage or adjacent to shared-use path)	✔	✔
Limited Access
Building Base and Entrance Design
The primary pedestrian entry shall be a prominent entrance along a frontage as defined by this Ordinance. In the case of a building with multiple exterior entrances to individual units within the structure, this requirement applies to all exterior entrances along a frontage.
Main Street	✔	✔
4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard	✔	✔
6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard	✔	✔
2-3 Lane Avenue	✔	✔
Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park	✔	✔
Other – Primary	✔	✔
Secondary	✔	✔
Parkway (when only frontage or adjacent to shared-use path)	✔	✔
Limited Access
All ground floor entrances to individual units on a frontage with a sidewalk shall be between 1’ and 5’ above the grade of the adjacent sidewalk when located within 10’ of the back of sidewalk. Residential units located below the grade of the adjacent sidewalk are permitted to have below-grade entrances, which shall be between 1’ and 3’ below the grade of the adjacent sidewalk.¹
Main Street	✔	✔
4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard	✔	✔
6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard	✔	✔
2-3 Lane Avenue	✔	✔
Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park	✔	✔
Other – Primary	✔	✔
Secondary	✔	✔
Parkway (when only frontage or adjacent to shared-use path)	✔	✔
Limited Access
Arcades, galleries, colonnades, outdoor plazas, outdoor dining areas, or similar pedestrian-oriented ground floor designs may be incorporated into facades. When provided, such features that are in line with the building facade above the ground floor are considered to meet any required build-to percentage.
Main Street		✔
4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard		✔
6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard		✔
2-3 Lane Avenue		✔
Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park		✔
Other – Primary		✔
Secondary		✔
Parkway (when only frontage or adjacent to shared-use path)		✔
Limited Access

¹ Zoning Administrator may allow adjustments to standards if adjacent average sidewalk grade is greater than 10% or to comply with federal and state law.

Building Materials
The following building materials are limited to 25% of each façade along a frontage. They may also be used as a component of construction when not a surface finish material without limitation. These restrictions do not apply to multi-family attached dwellings when units on sublots.
1. Corrugated metal siding; however, the reuse of pre-fabricated shipping containers is permitted and is not subject to this limitation, subject to compliance with the building code and other applicable codes
2. Exterior insulation finishing systems (EIFS) is prohibited on the ground floor of a multi-family dwelling (the 25% permission in item 1 above does not apply). This does not apply to multi-family attached dwellings when units on sublots.
3. Plain concrete masonry units (CMU)
4. Plastic
5. T-111 composite plywood siding
6. Vinyl

10.4 OPEN SPACE REQUIREMENTS

New construction of a principal building and expansion of a principal building by 5,000 square feet or 20% of the building area, whichever is less, is required to provide on-site open space, except for development on sites of one-half acre or less in size.
The design of open space shall meet the design requirements of Section 16.5.
Development shall provide a minimum of on-site open space as follows:

Table 10-8: Required Open Space
	NC
Total On-Site Open Space	Development shall provide a minimum of 10% on-site open space.
Public On-Site Open Space (% of Total On-Site Open Space)
Commercial Development	A minimum of 50% of the on-site open space shall be public open space for commercial developments.
Mixed-Use Development¹	A minimum of 25% of the on-site open space shall be public open space for mixed-use developments.

¹ For the purposes of required public on-site open space a development shall be considered mixed-use when no more than 25% of the ground floor area is nonresidential.

Residential on-site open space may be provided as land dedicated to Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, a fee-in-lieu provided to Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, or a combination thereof in accordance with the requirements of Section 16.5.
Nonresidential and mixed-use on-site open space may be provided as land dedicated to Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, a fee-in-lieu provided to Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, or a combination thereof in accordance with the requirements of Section 16.5.

10.5 ON-SITE PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIVITY REQUIREMENTS

Standards for required on-site pedestrian connectivity are found in Section 16.6.

10.6 SUPPLEMENTAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

A. General Development Standards

General development standards are found in Article 16.

B. Accessory Structures

Standards for accessory structures are found in Article 17.

C. Architectural Features

Standards for architectural features are found in Article 18.

D. Off-Street Parking

Standards for off-street parking and bicycle parking are found in Article 19.

E. Landscaping and Screening

Landscaping and screening standards are found in Article 20.

F. Loading and Service

Standards for loading spaces and service areas are found in Article 21.

G. Signs

Standards for signs are found in Article 22.

H. Drainage

Standards for drainage are found in Article 24.

AI Summary

Search Results:

Heading

Article

10

Article 10. Neighborhood Center Zoning District: NC

10.1 PURPOSE