Purpose.
Omaha Municipal Code § 55-610
in effectSec. 55-610. - Purpose.
(a) The ACI areas of civic importance overlay district is intended to implement the urban design element of the city's comprehensive plan by creating four overlay district types for those parts of the city which, is because of their characteristics, uses, design or period of development, are also of primary importance in shaping the city's physical image (to be known as the "ACI-1", "ACI-2", "ACI-3", and "ACI-4" districts):
(1) ACI-1 district (downtown-like).
• Buildings and building entrances relate directly to the street;
• Parallel or diagonal on-street parking or the potential for on-street parking;
• Pedestrian-oriented to a large degree;
• Strong uniform building line;
• Very little or no off-street parking between the building and the street;
• Vehicular access to site is allowed directly from arterial street; and
• Width of pavement of the arterial is relatively narrow; pedestrian can cross without much difficulty; buildings relate to one another across the arterial.
(2) ACI-2 district (urban).
• Buildings and building entrances relate directly to the street;
• Some parallel or diagonal on-street parking; potential exists for on-street parking;
• Historically pedestrian-oriented, street car era areas;
• Relatively strong uniform building line;
• Generally no off-street parking between the building and the street;
• Vehicular access to site is allowed directly from arterial street; and
• Width of pavement of the arterial is similar to ACI-1, but there is less on-street parking and the through traffic is faster moving making it more difficult for pedestrian to cross the arterial than in ACI-1; some relationship between buildings across the arterial, but not as strong as in ACI-1.
(3) ACI-3 district (mix of urban and suburban).
• Buildings and building entrances relate to parking lots;
• No on-street parking;
• More auto-oriented than pedestrian-oriented;
• Irregular building line;
• Buildings set back from property line;
• Off-street parking between the building and the street; Vehicular access to site is allowed directly from arterial street; and
• Width of pavement of the arterial varies considerably in ACI-3 type areas; pedestrians can cross arterial without too much difficulty in some ACI-3 areas, while it might be quite difficult in those areas with very wide pavement widths; generally buildings do not relate to one another across the arterial.
(4) ACI-4 (suburban).
• Buildings and building entrances relate to interior streets and parking lots, not to be arterial street;
• No vehicular or pedestrian access to buildings from the arterial street;
• No direct access to buildings and off-street parking from the arterial street; vehicular access to building sites and parking is from internal main streets, internal streets, or internal access drives;
• Predominately auto-oriented; pedestrian consideration is limited to when a sidewalk is located adjacent to the arterial;
• Irregular building line;
• Width of pavement of the arterial is very wide; very difficult for pedestrians to cross arterial; buildings do not relate to one another across the arterial.
Where appropriate, the ACI-1, ACI-2, ACI-3, and ACI-4 districts are referred to collectively as the "ACI Districts". The objective of the ACI districts is to preserve and promote the development of these areas of civic importance in ways that enhance the physical image of the city. When the ACI districts are created through the process outlined in this section, they shall be delineated as generally described and mapped in the urban design element of the comprehensive plan of the city. The boundaries of the ACI districts shall be established or amended using the procedure applicable to amendments to the boundaries of zoning districts.
(b) ACI district baseline location(s).
(1) Definitions:
a. ACI primary street: The street corridor upon which abutting properties are designated to be within an ACI.
b. ACI side street: Those streets which intersect the ACI primary streets and are not identified as a primary street.
(2) The baseline for ACI primary street frontage shall be defined by one of the following designators, shown in parentheses, which shall be integral to the zoning nomenclature. Adjustments to the baseline shall meet the requirements set forth in section 55-610(c).
a. Numeric value (XX). A numeric value added to the ACI designation shall be the dimension in feet from the centerline of the street to the baseline.
b. Dominant historical street wall (H). The baseline shall coincide with the dominant historical street wall as determined by the planning director.
c. Property line (PL). The baseline shall coincide with the property line.
d. Set back line (SB). The baseline shall be the base zoning setback line.
Example nomenclature:
Base Zoning | Overlay | Baseline | Designator
CC | ACI-2 | 50' from centerline | CC/ACI-2(50)
GC | ACI-1 | H | GC/ACI-1(H)
MU | ACI-4 | PL | MU/ACI-4(PL)
(3) The baseline for ACI side street frontage at corner lots shall be one of the following and shall extend the full depth of the lot:
a. For arterial streets. The baseline for side street frontage at an arterial street intersection shall be the greater of 50 feet from the centerline of the street, or the property line; provided that at minimum it shall be located so as to provide for the minimum sidewalk conditions in section 55-924. Adjustments to the baseline shall meet the requirements set forth in section 55-610(c).
b. For collector and local streets. The baseline for side street frontage at a collector or residential street shall be the greater of 38 feet from the centerline of the street, or the property line; provided that it shall be located so as to provide for the minimum sidewalk conditions in section 55-924 and on street parallel parking as required. A 50-foot baseline may also be utilized in situations where diagonal on-street parking is desirable and appropriate. Adjustments to the baseline shall meet the requirements set forth in section 55-610(c).
(c) Adjustments to the baseline.
(1) The baseline location and/or its geometry may be adjusted to accommodate one or more of the following conditions, provided that at minimum it shall be located so as to provide for the sidewalk conditions required in section 55-924 and shall be approved by the planning director:
a. To accommodate irregular, non-parallel or unusual street alignment.
b. To accommodate irregular or unusual property lines.
c. To accommodate irregular or unusual building placement.
d. To provide for future street improvements.
e. To provide for acceleration, deceleration or turn lanes.
f. To provide for on-street parking.
g. To provide for a dedicated and permanent public amenity such as public art or a plaza.
(Ord. No. 37810, § 2, 8-14-07; Ord. No. 38082, § 1, 4-22-08; Ord. No. 38143, § 1, 6-27-08)
Source: City of Omaha, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ne/omaha/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=OMMUCOCHGEORVOII_CH55ZO_ARTXIOVDI_S55-610PUFetched: 10/28/2026