New Orleans Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance

Printed: 3/29/2024 8:59:29 AM

13.3.B.4 Additional Design Standards for S-RM2 District

In addition to the design standards of Paragraph 2 above, townhouse and multi-family dwellings in the S-RM2 District shall comply with the following additional design standards.

13.3.B.4.a Ground Floor of Multi-Family Dwellings   

i Portions of the non-habitable ground floor façade not used for building access or fenestration shall be designed according to the following requirements:

(1) For multi-family buildings that use the ground floor for common tenant facilities (such as a fitness room, laundry facility, or meeting space), foundation landscape and/or grading shall be used to screen the portion of the wall between the existing grade and a line three (3) feet above the existing grade.  (See Figure 13-2: Multi-Family Ground Floor) On the portion of the ground floor façade above this line, windows shall be provided that create an appropriate level of transparency and reflect the character of the upper floor façade design. Landscape may be omitted directly in front of windows or doors in order to provide adequate interior light and access.

FIGURE 13-2: MULTI-FAMILY GROUND FLOOR

 

Click for larger image

(2) For multi-family buildings that do not use the ground floor for common resident facilities, or if it is used for utility spaces such as vehicular parking, storage, or building infrastructure, foundation grading shall be provided such that the grading meets the building façade at a point four (4) feet above the existing grade. 

13.3.B.4.b Ground Floor of Townhouse Dwellings   

For townhouses, the entire portion of the ground floor façade between the existing grade and a line four (4) feet above the existing grade shall be screened. Screening techniques may include grading and landscape, or stairs and hardscape that provide access to the first habitable floor, or a combination of both. However, no flight of stairs may account for more than four (4) feet in elevation change without providing a landing area. (See Figure 13-3: Townhouse Ground Floor)

FIGURE 13-3: TOWNHOUSE GROUND FLOOR

Click for larger image

13.3.B.4.c Townhouse Separation Requirement   

For townhouses, the rear façade shall be located at least sixty (60) feet from the rear façade of another townhouse building. Non-residential ground-floor facades are permitted to encroach into the required yard up to ten (10) feet beyond the edge of the upper story residential façade. (See Figure 13-4: Townhouse Separation Requirement)

FIGURE 13-4: TOWNHOUSE SEPARATION REQUIREMENT

Click for larger image

13.3.B.4.d Roof Forms   

Allowable roof types include:

i.  For townhouses: pitched gable roofs

ii.  For multi-family dwellings: pitched gable roofs and flat roofs

13.3.B.4.e Parking Areas and Pedestrian Walkways   

See Figure 13-5: Parking Areas and Pedestrian Walkways for illustrations of these standards. In addition to the standards of Paragraph 2 above, townhouse and multi-family dwellings shall meet the following:

i.  Clearly defined pedestrian access from any parking areas to the building is required. A clearly defined visible and identifiable network of pedestrian connections shall be provided in and between parking lots, street sidewalks, open spaces, and buildings.

ii. Interior lots may provide access from the primary street, although the number of access points should be minimized to the extent possible. Corner lots shall provide access to parking from the less prominent street.

FIGURE 13-5: PARKING AREAS AND PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS

Click for larger image

13.3.B.4.f Representative Building Types   

The images in Figure 13-6: Representative Building Types represent desired building design concepts for future S-RM2 District development. Building design should generally emulate the scale, massing, and design detail as illustrated, and reflect the noted principles.

FIGURE 13-6: REPRESENTATIVE BUILDING TYPES

Click for larger image