Explanation
BACKGROUND:
The Noe-Bixby Road area contains unique scenic and natural features and it is predominantly residential in character. The purpose of the Noe-Bixby Road Urban Scenic Byway Overlay is to establish additional and specific zoning standards for that portion of Noe-Bixby Road north of East Main Street and south of East Broad Street and to protect the area from change that would diminish the aesthetic value of adjacent properties.
These standards are designed to: 1) Preserve, conserve, and maintain the natural, and scenic resources that exist along or adjacent to Noe-Bixby Road; 2) Maintain the natural beauty of the landscape along Noe-Bixby Road; 3) Encourage development that enhances the natural beauty and is compatible with the existing structures along Noe-Bixby Road; 4) Encourage uses that are compatible with Noe-Bixby Road and do not impede scenic views or detract from the aesthetic value of adjacent properties; and 5) Reduce the impact of new development and redevelopment in the area upon the natural, and scenic character of the area.
This overlay is the result of a community-led effort that included numerous public meetings and opportunities for input by stakeholders in the area. The effort resulted in the creation of the Noe-Bixby Scenic Preservation Association formed to lead the process of preparing this overlay.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No funding is required for this legislation.
Title
To supplement the Columbus City Codes, 1959, by the enactment of new sections in Chapter 3372, Planning Overlay, to create the Noe-Bixby Road Urban Scenic Byway Overlay for that portion of Noe-Bixby Road north of East Main Street and south of East Broad Street; to create an Urban Scenic Byway designation in the Columbus Thoroughfare Plan; and to recognize Noe-Bixby as the first Urban Scenic Byway in the City of Columbus.
Body
WHEREAS, the creation of an Urban Scenic Byway overlay with additional and specific standards and requirements will preserve and enhance this unique corridor's natural and scenic character; and
WHEREAS, these standards will address building, site redevelopment, pedestrian and site access, landscaping, screening, site lighting, parking standards, and signage; and
WHEREAS, the ordinance creates an Urban Scenic Byway category in the Columbus Thoroughfare Plan and will require notification prior to commencement of design and construction work in the public right-of-way; and
WHEREAS, the provisions contained in the overlay will apply to properties identified on the attached map (Exhibit A); and
WHEREAS, the provisions contained in the overlay will be reviewed and modified as appropriate and necessary in order to continue to meet the intended goals of the overlay; and
WHEREAS, this overlay was developed by the Noe-Bixby Scenic Preservation Association and is the result of a public planning process involving property owners, residents, and other community stakeholders; and
WHEREAS, the overlay will not require existing properties to be brought into compliance with the overlay standards but merely apply to future changes and construction; and
WHEREAS, the standards have been reviewed by the community-at-large at a public meeting and have been recommended by the Noe-Bixby Scenic Preservation Association, and Columbus Development Commission for adoption by City Council; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Columbus City Codes, 1959, are hereby supplemented by the enactment of a new sub-chapter entitled Noe-Bixby Road Urban Scenic Byway Overlay consisting of sections 3372.30 to 3372.34, inclusive, to read as follows:
Noe-Bixby ROAD Scenic Byway Overlay
3372.30 Purpose.
The purpose of this is to protect and enhance the unique scenic and natural features of the Noe-Bixby Road Urban Scenic Byway, as defined in the Columbus City Codes, 1959, 3372.31 through the use of reasonable and practicable development standards.
The Noe-Bixby Road Urban Scenic Byway Overlay is established to meet the following objectives:
1. Preserve, conserve, and maintain the natural, and scenic resources that exist along or adjacent to Noe-Bixby Road.
2. Maintain the natural beauty of the landscape along Noe-Bixby Road.
3. Encourage development that enhances the natural beauty and is compatible with the existing structures along Noe-Bixby Road.
4. Encourage uses that are compatible with Noe-Bixby Road and do not impede scenic views or detract from the aesthetic value of adjacent properties.
5. Reduce the impact of new development and redevelopment in the area upon the natural and scenic character of the area.
3372.31 Boundary.
The Noe-Bixby Road Urban Scenic Byway Overlay District shall be the length of Noe-Bixby Road, beginning at East Broad Street, extending south, and ending at East Main Street. The Overlay District is comprised of all parcels abutting the Noe-Bixby Road right-of-way but not to exceed 200 feet from the edge of the right-of-way.
3372.32 Applicability and extent.
A. Standards:
The standards of the Noe-Bixby Road Urban Scenic Byway Zoning Overlay shall apply to all changes to land or development and/or construction within the Noe-Bixby Road Urban Scenic Byway Overlay District.
B. Extent:
The standards contained in the Overlay are in addition to the regulations of the underlying zoning districts and the general requirements contained in the Columbus Zoning Code. Where a specific Overlay standard is imposed, it is to be followed in lieu of a general provision of the Zoning Code; where the Overlay does not address a required standard and it is otherwise contained in the Zoning Code, the Zoning Code standard must be followed.
C. Variances:
The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) may approve a variance to any of the standards contained herein. The request must, as determined by the BZA, meet the intent of the Noe-Bixby Road Scenic Overlay.
3372.33 Building and parking standards.
1. No building or structure shall exceed two stories or twenty-five feet above grade except architectural elements not containing residential or commercial floor area.
2. Roof-mounted mechanical equipment shall be sufficiently screened so as not to be seen from Noe-Bixby Road. The design of mechanical enclosures shall be architecturally integrated with the rooftop and use materials comparable to the exterior finish of the building.
3. Structures within the boundaries of the Noe-Bixby Road Urban Scenic Byway Overlay shall be finished in brick, stone, wood, stucco, or any combination of these materials.
4. Lighting shall be designed and located so as not to disturb the scenic nature of the byway. Dusk to dawn lighting shall be limited to illumination of entranceways, driveways and parking areas. In these cases, cut-off lights shall be used to insure that there is no illumination of nearby scenic areas or private property.
5. Ground mounted mechanical equipment and the garbage collection area for multi-family and commercial dwellings shall be located at the rear of the building and/or completely screened from view of Noe-Bixby Road and adjacent residential properties by a combination of the following methods: native deciduous understory and canopy trees, evergreen shrubbery, or enclosed with a finish exterior veneer of the same types of building material as used on the main structure.
6. Loading and unloading areas and vehicle staging areas shall be located at the rear of the structure(s) and shall be screened from view of Noe-Bixby Road and adjacent residential properties using a combination of a fence or wall and native vegetation (native deciduous understory and canopy trees), evergreen shrubbery, or enclosed with a finish exterior veneer of the same types of building material as used on the main structure.
7. Permitted fencing and exterior wall materials shall include stone, brick, wood, wrought iron, vinyl, and native vegetation.
8. Any parking for non-single family structures located completely and entirely behind the main structure shall be screened around its perimeter with native vegetation at a minimum height of 24" at installation, 3' on center maximum, and reaching 36" in height and 85% opacity within three years. Any parking for non-single family structures not located completely and entirely behind the main structure shall be screened around its perimeter with a combination of a fence or wall and native vegetation. Shrubs may be used in combination with permitted fence/wall and native vegetation at a minimum height of 24" at installation, 3' on center maximum, and reaching 36" in height and 85% opacity within three years. These screening requirements shall be in addition to any other screening requirements in the Columbus City Codes, 1959.
9. Parking lots shall include islands with native trees at a rate of one island per ten parking spaces. The island(s) should be located in a manner that provides optimal screening of the parking areas from Noe-Bixby Road. They can be located in existing or newly constructed parking areas.
3372.34 Signage
The regulations of the Columbus Graphics Code as it applies to specific development being proposed shall apply, except where modified as follows:
1. The entire sign shall be made of or composed of or have a finish veneer, of brick, stone, rock, wood, or any combination of these materials.
2. Only a monument type ground sign shall be permitted.
3. The setback for a ground sign shall be a minimum of fifteen feet from the right-of-way. The height of a ground sign shall not exceed six feet above grade.
4. When indirectly lighting a ground sign, the light source shall be screened from motorist view.
Section 2. Urban Scenic Byways
Urban Scenic Byways shall be designated on the Columbus Thoroughfare Plan. The designation of a Scenic Byway shall require the directors of Public Service and Public Utilities to use best efforts to notify the residents of the area prior to any design or construction of non-emergency work pertaining to any changes in the public right of way.
Section 3.
This ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.