§ 16-20A.009. Shotgun and Cottage Housing (Subarea 3).

In addition to the general regulations required in section 16-20A.006, the following regulations shall apply to any new development or the conversion of any existing structures to permitted uses within the Shotgun and Cottage Housing Subarea. These regulations are intended to set forth basic standards of architectural design and construction that are consistent with these original house styles found in the Cabbagetown Landmark District. It is the intent of these regulations to foster residential design that incorporates the historic architectural elements and materials that are specific to the district in a meaningful, coherent manner. The following regulations are intended to achieve basic compatibility with these original architectural styles, rather than designs that are a mere aggregation of random historic elements.

(1)

Shotgun Housing. Shotgun housing is a style typified by simple structures whose width is no more than that of one room extending from the front to rear of the structure or, in the case of a double shotgun, two rooms wide. This housing type is usually closely spaced and is found most often along Savannah Street and Berean Avenue within this subarea.

(2)

Cottage Housing. Cottage housing is a mixed housing style that includes central aisle houses, L-plan cottages, Victorian cottages, worker's cottages, one and a half story duplexes, bungalows, and other residential structures, modest in scale, that are characterized by common setbacks, repetitive porch and façade features, and consistent structure massing.

(3)

Permitted principal uses and structures. A building or premises shall be used only for the following principal purposes:

a)

Single-family detached dwellings.

b)

Two-family dwellings existing at the time of the adoption of these regulations. Two-family dwellings, originally built as duplexes, shall be permitted even if the use has lapsed for more than a year.

c)

Parks, playgrounds, and community buildings owned and operated by a government agency or Cabbagetown-based non-profit community organization.

(4)

Permitted accessory uses and structures. In addition to the uses and structures listed in 16-20A.006(16), the following are allowed, subject to limitations and requirements set forth herein or elsewhere in this part:

(a)

In-ground swimming pools and similar active recreation facilities subject to the following limitations. Such active recreation facilities in any yard, required or other, adjacent to a street shall require a special exception from the commission, which special exception shall be granted only upon finding that:

1.

The location will not be objectionable to occupants of neighboring property, or the neighborhood in general, by reason of noise, lights, or concentrations of persons or vehicular traffic, and the applicant shall contact the adjoining neighbors about the special exception and provide written letters to the commission from the adjoining neighbors regarding the propriety of the special exception.

2.

The area for such activity could not reasonably be located elsewhere on the lot.

3.

The commission may condition any special exception for such facilities based on concerns regarding visibility from public right-of-way, fencing, screening, or other buffering, existence and/or location of lighting, hours of use, and such other matters as are reasonably required to ameliorate any potential negative impacts of the proposed facility on adjoining property owners.

(5)

Special permits. The following uses are permissible only by special permit of the kind indicated, subject to limitations and requirements set forth herein and in section 16-25.002(3).

a)

Special use permits:

1

Childcare centers, kindergartens, and special schools provided that they do not exceed a maximum floor area of 5,000 square feet. As a condition of the permit one parking space be provided for each 600 square feet of floor area and the site shall provide safe and convenient facilities for loading and unloading children which shall be approved by the director, bureau of traffic and transportation.

b)

Special administrative permits: The following uses shall require a special administrative permit to be granted by the director of the commission with the applicable provisions of Chapter 25 of this part.

(1)

Urban gardens as a principal use on an undeveloped lot.

(6)

Minimum lot requirements. In addition to the setback requirements in section 16-20A.006(9), in no case shall any portion of a building be closer to a public sidewalk than any portion of any contributing building of like use on the block face.

(7)

Maximum building height and width. The compatibility rule shall apply.

(8)

Floor area ratio. The floor area ratio shall not exceed 0.50.

(9)

Roofs.

a)

Roofing materials shall be asphalt shingles or batten seamed metal.

b)

Metal shingles are permitted if they are appropriate to the house style.

(10)

Dormers.

a)

Dormers are not permitted on shotgun houses.

b)

Dormers shall not be permitted on the front façade of cottage housing unless original to the structure.

c)

A single dormer may be permitted on one secondary elevation of cottage housing if it is placed to minimize its visibility from the public rights-of-way.

(11)

Reserved.

(12)

Porches.

a)

Decks shall be permitted on the side or rear of the house if not visible from the street.

b)

Rear decks shall be no wider than the house.

c)

Side and rear porches shall be permitted if appropriate to the house style.

(13)

Fencing and walls.

a)

Walls are not permitted in a front yard, or a side yard adjacent to a public right-of-way.

b)

Variances for the height of walls or fences may be granted by the commission.

c)

Walls shall be constructed of wood.

(14)

Driveways and surface parking areas.

a)

One parking space per dwelling unit shall be required for all new construction or changes in use.

b)

Driveways shall not exceed ten feet in width and shall have a curb cut no more than ten feet, exclusive of flair.

c)

At least one-third of any driveway or surface parking area shall be pervious.

d)

Poured concrete paving for driveways shall consist of two ribbons for tire tracks separated by a planting strip.

e)

Alternate paving materials may be approved upon review by the commission if such materials are pervious and do not detract from the historic character of the landmark district.

(Ord. No. 2003-16, § 1(Att. A), 3-11-03; Ord. No. 2006-47, § 1, 7-25-06; Ord. No. 2014-22(14-O-1092), § 2-NN-iii, 6-11-14 )