546 Main St Albemarle, NC 28001

Non-residential uses are also allowed in the R-4 district with approval. Generally, uses found in other residential districts as well as NBD and RO Districts not requiring drive-thrus or a majority of developed area dedicated to vehicle use and not being detrimental to the residential nature of the district should be deemed permissible. Other small to medium scale neighborhood and pedestrian oriented uses found in other districts may be allowed when such non-residential uses fit the above requirements. To the greatest extent possible, non-residential uses in the R-4 district shall be located along collector or minor arterial streets, near neighborhood entrances or otherwise centrally located as easily accessible, small-scale, mixed use nodes that encourage walkability and better meet the needs of residents within the development and the larger neighborhood. It is the intent, however, that the R-4 district shall remain primarily residential in character, as a whole. Non-residential uses are encouraged in vertical mixed-use structures. Single use commercial structures and uses shall not utilize the majority of a block. In no case shall individual R-4 parcels or larger contiguous development within the district have a predominantly non-residential use, measured by a ratio of the total developed areas or square footage allocated to each use. (D) Site design and intent of development. The R-4 is a conditional district. Both new development in the R-4 District and redevelopment of existing properties within in the R-4 District shall be innovative in design and achieve higher standards of functionality than those typically required in residential districts within the city. Prior to approval the applicant shall provide a statement of intent of the development, a site plan and additional detailed documents as deemed by City Staff, Planning Board and City Council as sufficient to show that the following criteria are met: (1) A mix of housing types typically found downtown and throughout the city is permissible and may include vertical mixed-use multi-family dwellings traditional apartments, duplexes and triplexes, single family attached dwelling, small-lot single family detached dwellings and accessory dwelling units. (2) Density matching or exceeding that traditionally found downtown and immediately adjacent. (a) Densities in the R-4 district shall be in accordance with § 92.128 of this chapter.