Sec. 656.399.62. - Character areas.
Given the differing aesthetics within the Redevelopment Area, the Zoning Overlay consists of five Character Areas. Each has distinct design guidelines and performance standards. These areas are as follows:
A. University Village Character Area
B. University Commercial Character Area
C. Merrill Commercial Character Area
D. Arlington Road Character Area
E. Catalyst Character Areas
Figure 2: Renew Arlington Zoning Overlay-Character Areas Map
[image omitted; see the official code]
A. University Village Character Area Standards.
1. Boundaries: The University Village Character Area (the "UVCA") generally encompasses the area around, but not including, Jacksonville University (JU). Per the Overlay Character Area Map shown in Figure 2, and the enlarged UVCA Map shown in Figure 3, the UVCA is bounded to the north by Fort Caroline Road, including the parcels on the north side of the roadway, between the St. Johns River and University Club Boulevard. The western boundary is the St. Johns River, but not including the Jacksonville University Campus, from the Fort Caroline apartments just north of JU to Burdette Road. The southern boundary is Burdette Road from the St. Johns River to the east side of University Boulevard and then just north of Liddell Lane from University Boulevard to Cesery Boulevard. The eastern boundary is essentially Cesery Boulevard. The Character Areas Map in Figure 2 shall be consulted for parcels located at the periphery of the Character Areas because the specific boundaries are established by property lines, not roadways.
Figure 3 - University Village Character Area
[image omitted; see the official code]
2. Intent: This area encompasses the neighborhood around Jacksonville University, with University Boulevard being the primary commercial corridor. This area is noted for its existing compact and dense multifamily and commercial uses. The area is inherently walkable, and the standards for this Section are intended to enhance walkability and offer a balanced mix of uses within the same Lot or integrated vertically or horizontally into a single structure. Generally, the standards will focus on pedestrian and bicycle access, cross connections between and among Lots, parking area reductions, green space enhancements, and an aggregation of shared Public Space.
3. Design Guidelines:
(a) Site layout.
(1) Retention/detention ponds or drainage conveyance should be incorporated as an amenity into the site design wherever possible. Additionally, proposed site development or building additions should determine if stormwater storage credits are available from RA/CRA area-wide drainage improvements prior to initiating site design.
(2) Aggregated water features should be incorporated into Public Spaces when possible.
(3) Multiple parcel development should seek to create plazas or squares for enhancement of the public environment, rather than fractured small strips of green space.
(4) The fencing of ponds or conveyances should be avoided. Ponds should not be located in the front of the property unless the pond has been designed in conjunction with the natural features of the site and is developed and will be maintained as a significant site amenity. Rectangular or linear shaped ponds should be avoided where visible from the Street. Ponds should be planted and maintained with native vegetation, as defined in Section 656.1203 of the Zoning Code. The proximity of the pond to pedestrian circulation should be considered in the design of the pond slopes. Designated and maintained walkways around ponds are encouraged.
(b) Building form and finish materials.
(1) The exterior finish of new buildings, and any exterior finish alterations and/or additions to the front side, Street side or any side visible from adjacent residential uses of existing buildings, shall be of brick, wood, concrete, stucco, exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS), architectural or split-face block, or other finish materials with similar appearance and texture. Metal clad, corrugated metal, plywood, Oriented Strand Board (OSB), and exposed plain concrete block shall not be permitted as exterior finish materials on the front of or any Street side of a building.
(2) Open bay doors and other similar large doors providing access to work areas and storage areas shall not open towards or directly face University Boulevard, Merrill Road or Fort Caroline Road. When allowable, Street-facing bay doors shall be commercial aluminum full-view.
(3) Exterior window security bars shall be prohibited.
(4) All new multi-story buildings shall reflect the actual floors within the building through use of window location, facade breaks, facade setbacks, balconies, etc. Multi-story buildings that face a public street, neighborhood or other internal commercial area that can be viewed by the public shall have architectural fenestration and/or facade articulations designed at Pedestrian Scale.
(5) New buildings shall provide a foundation or base, such as from ground to bottom of the lower windowsills, with changes in volume or material. A clear visual division shall be maintained between the ground level floor and upper floors with either a cornice line or awning from 12 feet to 16 feet above Base Flood Elevation or grade, whichever applies to the proposed development.
(6) Massing for new buildings shall be designed to address Pedestrian Scale by reducing the scale and proportion of the visual "monolithic box" through variations in wall heights, facade articulations and varied roof planes.
(7) New commercial and mixed-use buildings shall have large display windows on the ground floor. All street-facing, park-facing and plaza-facing structures shall have windows covering a minimum of 40 percent and a maximum of 80 percent of the ground floor of each tenant's or occupants' linear frontage and shall not exceed 30 linear feet without fenestration. Mirrored glass, obscured glass and glass block cannot be used in meeting this requirement. Display windows may be used to meet this requirement. Windows may begin at ground level, or atop a knee wall, but shall have their bottom sill no higher than three feet from the finished floor height, when facing the street. Full-view bay door windows shall count towards the building window requirements.
(8) New service garage buildings or additions meeting the applicability provisions of subsection 656.399.57.F regarding major or minor automotive repair shall provide street facing windows in the service bay sections of the building wall covering a minimum of 20 percent of the overall linear frontage of the building. Window proportions may vary to accommodate structural and facade articulation. The sill height of these windows shall be a maximum of five feet above the interior finished floor elevation. The portions of new service garage buildings or additions not providing service bays shall conform to the commercial building design standards herein. The service garage service bay windows shall otherwise conform to commercial building design standards.
Figure 4 - Pedestrian-Scale facade with fenestration covering a minimum of 40 percent and maximum of 80 percent of occupants' linear frontage
[image omitted; see the official code]
(c) Building location and street presence.
(1) New structures shall be located no more than ten feet from the front property line facing a Street.
(2) New structures shall have a maximum side yard of no more than ten feet, not including driveway aisle.
(3) New structures shall have a minimum rear yard of 15 feet.
(d) Height.
(1) Single use structures shall be limited to 35 feet in height.
(2) Multiuse or mixed use structures may have a maximum height of 45 feet.
(e) Fences.
(1) The use of barbed, razor, or concertina wire or similar fencing shall be prohibited where visible from any Street or sidewalk.
(2) Woven metal fences are prohibited.
(3) Chain link fencing visible from any Street shall be prohibited. Chain link fence may be used on the side (if not on a corner lot) and rear property lines and shall be vinyl coated in black or green color.
(4) Fencing visible from any Street shall be composed of wood, stone, brick, masonry, pre-cast concrete, cast stone, vinyl or metal (in a wrought iron style).
(5) Lawfully constructed fencing existing on July 1, 2019, shall meet the requirements herein by April 28, 2025.
(f) Landscaping/Landscaped Buffers. Landscaping and tree protection shall be provided in accordance with Part 12 of the Zoning Code with the following additional and superseding provisions:
(1) Uncomplimentary adjacent use Vehicular Use Area Buffer.
(i) For a business existing as of July 1, 2019, where the Vehicular Use Area (VUA) of a non-residential property abuts a residential use, a minimum 85 percent opaque, six-foot high masonry wall, pre-cast panel, wood or vinyl fence, or similar, shall be provided on the side of the non-residential use.
(ii) For businesses existing on July 1, 2019, where a building is adjacent to a residential use, a minimum 85 percent opaque, six-foot high wood, stone, brick, vinyl, masonry, pre-cast panel, or similar fence or wall shall be provided on the side of the non-residential use.
(2) Right-of-way Vehicular Use Area Buffer.
(i) A minimum five-foot landscape buffer shall be provided along the boundary of all non-residential VUAs abutting a Street right-of-way. No more than 25 percent of the landscaped area may be grass or mulch; the balance shall be landscaped with trees, shrubs or ground covers.
(3) Lawfully existing landscaping as of July 1, 2019 shall meet the requirements herein by April 28, 2025.
(4) Geographically separated parking areas shall be considered separate for purposes of Vehicular Use Area buffers and landscaping in the application of the Parking Lot Matrix in Part 6 of the Zoning Code.
(g) Signage. Signage shall generally be consistent with Part 13 of the Zoning Code, with the following additional and superseding provisions below. Where sign regulations differ from those provided in this Subpart, the more stringent regulation shall apply.
(1) One identity freestanding sign per Lot per Street frontage, provided they are located no closer than 200 feet apart (as measured in the Zoning Code); size determined as follows:
Parcel Size | Max Area per Side (sq ft) | Max Height (ft)
Less than 1 acre | 36 | 12
1 acre to 3 acres | 50 | 12
Greater than 3 acres to 5 acres | 75 | 18
Greater than 5 acres | 200 | 35
One additional identity sign shall be permitted if the Lot's Street frontage equals or exceeds 500 linear feet, provided signs are located no closer than 200 feet apart (as measured in the Zoning Code).
(2) Pole mounted signs are prohibited.
(3) Billboards and/or off-site signs, as defined in Section 656.1302, Ordinance Code, are prohibited unless otherwise allowed by existing agreements with the City of Jacksonville.
(4) Animated signs; automatic changing message devices; mobile signs; beacons, tracker lights or similar lighting components; mirror-like or reflective materials; pennants; ribbons; streamers; inflatables; wind-activated signs; and similar are prohibited.
(5) Remnant portions of former sign structures no longer conforming to this Subpart shall be removed on or before December 31, 2024.
(6) Lawfully existing signage on July 1, 2019 shall meet the requirements herein April 28, 2025.
(h) Parking. Unless otherwise superseded by State or federal statutes or regulations, parking shall be designed and provided in accordance with Part 6 of the Zoning Code with the following additional and superseding provisions:
(1) Parking Location and Access.
(i) Parking lots shall connect with adjoining CRA Lot development or provide for future connection if access is not currently available. A rear lane with cross parcel access easement may serve to connect multiple Lots with cross access where driveways may be limited due to safety and traffic operations.
(ii) For new developments providing more than four parking spaces, the majority of parking on the site shall be located to the rear and side of the principal building.
(iii) If all of the required parking is provided to the rear and side and at least 25 percent of the total parking lot area is a pervious parking surface, as defined in Section 656.1601, Ordinance Code, with only the minimum required ADA requirements fulfilled for paved parking spaces and the driveway apron is adjacent to the street frontage, the following requirements may be reduced:
a. Driveway width requirement shall be reduced from 24 feet to 16 feet wide for access to rear yard parking with apron of no more than a one foot additional flair at the end of pavement for a total width of 18 feet at the right-of-way.
b. The rear buffer may be reduced from ten feet to five feet when an eight-foot masonry wall, pre-cast panel, or similar is provided.
c. While still required in any required buffer area, landscaping shall not be required in the internal landscape islands of the VUA where the minimum required parking is 25 spaces or less.
(iv) Unless shared driveways are constructed, each Lot shall have only one driveway. Lots located at the corner of roads classified as collectors or higher may have one driveway per road frontage. Additional access points above the one permitted may be granted provided the continuous roadway frontage of the property is 500-feet or greater.
(v) Existing non-residential and multi-family developments in place on July 1, 2019 that are not consistent with this Section shall be deemed non-conforming and shall be brought into compliance with this driveway requirement under the following conditions:
a. When a new driveway connection permit is required for the existing development;
b. When a Major Renovation is undertaken, as defined in this Subpart;
c. When a 25 percent or greater increase in trip generation attributable to the existing development is documented; or
d. If the principal activity on the property with any non-conforming access driveway is discontinued for a consecutive period of 365 days.
(2) Parking Requirements.
(i) Single-use residential developments, restaurants, and/or establishments that include the sale and service of beer, wine, or liquor for on-premises consumption, shall provide 100 percent of required parking.
(ii) Uses not listed in (2)(i), above, are eligible for a reduction in the parking requirement up to 30 percent for a redevelopment project where on-street parking or area off-street parking is available within a 400-foot radius. Availability for shared parking credit towards on-site parking requirements may be established by mixed-use operating hours, staggered peak demand or agreement between properties to share parking facilities; or
a. Developer may provide 80 percent of required parking; or
b. Parking requirements may be reduced to 60 percent of the required parking for facilities that create shared driveways with neighboring properties. These reductions may be applied to each parcel that participates in the combination and total reduction of the number of driveways. A further five percent reduction may be granted for a reduction of two or more driveways.
(iii) For parking lots with more than four spaces, additional required parking spaces may be reduced by up to five spaces, when additional bicycle parking is provided at a 2 for 1 ratio. A minimum of four spaces is required; parking reduction only applicable to spaces exceeding the minimum required four spaces. For example, where nine vehicular parking spaces are required and two bicycle parking spaces are provided above the requirement, then one vehicular parking space may be credited, allowing for a total of eight vehicular parking spaces instead of nine.
(i) Walkways and Pedestrian Connections. Parking lots shall be designed to allow pedestrians to move safely from their vehicle to the building.
(1) All parking lots with more than 40 spaces located more than 90 feet from a building entrance, measured perpendicular from the parking space to the structure entrance or from each entrance when multiple entrances front on the parking lot, shall have at least one sidewalk or other suitable pedestrian connection, not less than five feet wide between the parking lot and the building entrance, as well as between the Street right-of-way and the building entrance. The pedestrian connection(s) shall be centralized and minimize pedestrian and vehicle conflicts. This pedestrian connection shall be provided for every three parking aisles, where parking exceeds 90 linear feet from the building entrance.
(2) Pedestrian connections shall be clearly defined by at least one of the following:
(i) Six inch vertical curb, or
(ii) A paving material that differs from that of the vehicular area, including across vehicular lanes, or
(iii) A continuous landscape area at a minimum of two feet wide on at least one side of the walkway.
(3) For properties with multiple tenants and/or multiple structures on site, pedestrian circulation shall be provided between tenants and/or structures through the use of a sidewalk or other suitable pedestrian connection, not less than five feet wide and where applicable, shall align with and connect to that of adjacent and contiguous properties. Sidewalk paving or other pedestrian connections, where applicable, must continue uninterrupted across the mouth of all curb cuts, subject to the City's Land Development Regulations.
(j) Screening.
(1) Any exterior garbage receptacles, dumpsters, open storage areas or mechanical equipment must be screened from view from Street rights-of-way and adjacent residential uses with 95 percent opaque material that is visually similar to materials used on the nearest facade of the principal structure, such as wood or vinyl. Additionally, garbage receptacles, dumpsters, open storage areas and/or mechanical equipment must be a minimum 25 feet from any residential uses and shall be incorporated into the main structure as a part of new construction or Major Renovation, as defined in this Subpart.
(k) Lighting. Provide lighting systems that minimize glare, shadow, light pollution, and light trespass.
(1) All sag lenses, drop lenses and convex lenses shall be prohibited.
(2) At least 2.0 foot-candle (f.c.) minimum maintained lighting level is recommended, while 3.0—5.0 f.c. minimum maintained level is preferred. These levels shall generally apply to all parking and pedestrian areas. However, illumination levels at all property lines shall not exceed 0.5 f.c. when the building or parking areas are located adjacent to residential uses, and shall not exceed 1.0 f.c. when abutting other non-residential properties. Lighting levels can be reduced after business hours/closing to 0.5 f.c. minimum maintained for burglary and vandalism resistance, if the property does not have an existing problem with criminal incidents, and the owner deems it appropriate.
(3) The use of cut-off fixtures with diffusers to focus the lighting where needed to minimize or eliminate light trespass is required.
(4) All lighting lamp sources within parking and pedestrian areas shall be metal halide, compact fluorescent or LED; LED is preferred.
(5) The maximum light pole height in all parking areas shall not exceed 30 feet, and the maximum light pole height in all pedestrian areas shall not exceed 15 feet.
(6) Shrubs and trees shall not interfere with security lighting or common natural surveillance observation from Street or any buildings, including Street rights-of-way.
(7) Illumination of exterior doors - All types of exterior doors shall be illuminated with outdoor lighting during the hours of darkness to allow ready-observation of persons entering or exiting.
(8) Illumination address numbers - All street address or apartment/unit numbers (when existing) that are already required by existing codes shall also be illuminated during the hours of darkness.
(9) Illumination of recessed areas - Alcoves and other recessed areas of buildings or fences that are capable of human concealment shall be illuminated during the hours of darkness.
4. Additional Performance Standards.
(a) Alcohol Distance Limitations.
(1) Unless otherwise superseded by State or federal statutes or regulations, for permitted and permissible uses, any and all distance limitations and prohibitions found in Part 8 of the Zoning Code are waived and do not apply with regard to the distance between any and all location(s) selling and/or serving all alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption in conjunction with a restaurant, microbrewery or brewpub, as defined in this Subpart, and the location of any and all established faith institutions or schools (inclusive of Jacksonville University). Uses subject to this standard shall not serve alcoholic beverages past midnight. For those uses that intend to serve alcoholic beverages past midnight, Part 8 of the Zoning Code shall apply.
(2) Sale and service of all alcohol for off-premises consumption must meet the distance requirements otherwise required in the City's Zoning Code. Retail sale and service of all alcoholic beverages (license type 3PS) for off-premises consumption shall be discouraged.
(3) All permitted and permissible alcohol related uses shall have a minimum separation between any residential use and any portion of the property used for the sale and service of alcohol, including outside sales and service locations of 100 feet, as measured from the nearest property line of the residential use to the nearest portion of the property defined for alcohol sales, unless otherwise incorporated into a mixed use project where uses are blended on the same parcel of land.
(b) Drive-through window services and queuing lanes shall be placed in the side or rear yard of the Lot on which it is located. Drive-through window services and queuing lanes shall be located no closer than 50 feet to residential uses. Speaker systems shall not be aimed towards residential uses.
(c) Off-street parking lots. Where permitted, off-street parking lots shall be subject to the following conditions:
(1) There shall be no storage, sales, or service activity of any kind on these lots except where seasonal sales are permitted within the City's Zoning Code, Section 656.401(gg).
(2) Vehicular parking on the lot shall be limited to vehicles for employee and customer parking.
(d) Outdoor display of merchandise is prohibited.
B. University Commercial Character Area Standards.
1. Boundaries: The University Commercial Character Area (the "UCCA") generally encompasses the properties on the east side and west side of University Boulevard from Playa Way to Burdette Road. Per the Overlay Character Area Map shown in Figure 2, and the enlarged UCCA Map shown in Figure 5, the UCCA is bounded to the north by Burdette Road and Lake Lucina Drive between Harvey Street and the properties immediately east of University Boulevard. The western and eastern boundaries are defined by the commercial properties immediately to the west and east of University Boulevard, generally about 1 - 2 parcels on either side of the corridor from Burdette Road to Windermere Drive, and extending to about 3 - 4 parcels deep on either side to the west and east of University Boulevard from Windermere Drive to Arlington Road. The blocks between Arlington Road and Playa Way and Bretta Street and University Boulevard are also included in this Character Area. The southern boundary is Playa Way to the west of University Boulevard and the parcels just north of Arlington Elementary School on the east side of University Boulevard. The Character Areas Map in Figure 2 shall be consulted for parcels located at the periphery of the Character Areas because the specific boundaries are established by property lines, not roadways.
Figure 5 - University Commercial Character Area
[image omitted; see the official code]
2. Intent. This area contains neighborhood support services and daily commercial needs serving the Arlington area. This area contains lots of various sizes and uses with varying commercial (primarily) intensities. Noted for its existing compact and dense multifamily and commercial uses, this Section of University Boulevard is inherently walkable, and the standards contained within this Section are intended to enhance walkability and offer a balanced mix of uses within the same Lot or integrated vertically or horizontally into a single structure. Generally, the standards herein focus on pedestrian and bicycle access, cross connections between and among Lots, parking area reductions, green space enhancements, and an aggregation of shared Public Space.
3. Design Guidelines.
(a) Site layout.
(1) Retention/detention ponds or drainage conveyance should be incorporated as an amenity into the site design wherever possible, however proposed site development or building additions should determine if stormwater storage credits are available from CRA area-wide drainage improvements prior to initiating site design.
(2) The fencing of ponds or conveyances should be avoided. Ponds should not be located in the front of the property unless the pond has been designed in conjunction with the natural features of the site and is developed and will be maintained as a significant site amenity. Rectangular or linear shaped ponds should be avoided where visible from the Street. Ponds should be planted and maintained with native vegetation as defined in Section 656.1203 of the Zoning Code. The proximity of the pond to pedestrian circulation should be considered in the design of the pond slopes.
(b) Building form and finish materials.
(1) The exterior finish of new buildings, and any exterior finish alterations and/or additions to the front side, Street side or any side visible from adjacent residential uses of existing buildings, shall be of brick, wood, concrete, stucco, exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS), architectural or split-face block, or other finish materials with similar appearance and texture. Metal clad, corrugated metal, plywood, Oriented Strand Board (OSB), and exposed plain concrete block shall not be permitted as exterior finish materials on the front of or any Street side of a building.
(2) Open bay doors and other similar large doors providing access to work areas and storage areas shall not open towards or directly face University Boulevard or Arlington Road. When allowable, Street-facing bay doors shall be commercial aluminum full-view.
(3) Exterior window security bars shall be prohibited.
(4) All new multi-story buildings shall reflect the actual floors within the building through use of window location, facade breaks, facade setbacks, balconies, etc. Multi-story buildings that face a Street, neighborhood or other internal commercial area that can be viewed by the public shall have architectural fenestration and/or facade articulations designed at Pedestrian Scale.
(5) New buildings shall provide a foundation or base, such as from ground to bottom of the lower windowsills, with changes in volume or material. A clear visual division shall be maintained between the ground level floor and upper floors with either a cornice line or awning from 12 feet to 16 feet above Base Flood Elevation or grade, whichever applies to the proposed development.
(6) Massing for new buildings shall be designed to address Pedestrian Scale by reducing the scale and proportion of the visual "monolithic box" through variations in wall heights, facade articulations and varied roof planes.
(7) New commercial and mixed-use buildings shall have large display windows on the ground floor. All Street-facing, park-facing, and plaza-facing structures shall have windows covering a minimum of 40 percent and a maximum of 80 percent of the ground floor of each tenant's or occupants' linear frontage. and shall not exceed 30 linear feet without fenestration. Mirrored glass, obscured glass and glass block cannot be used in meeting this requirement. Display windows may be used to meet this requirement. Windows may begin at ground level, or atop a knee wall, but shall have their bottom sill no higher than three feet from the finished floor height, when facing the street. Full-view bay door windows shall count towards the building window requirements.
(8) New service garage buildings or additions meeting the applicability provisions of subsection 656.399.57.F regarding major or minor automotive repair shall provide Street facing windows in the service bay sections of the building wall covering a minimum of 20 percent of the overall linear frontage of the building. Window proportions may vary to accommodate structural and facade articulation. The sill height of these windows shall be a maximum of five feet above the interior finished floor elevation. The portions of new service garage buildings or additions not providing service bays shall conform to the commercial building design standards herein. The service garage service bay windows shall otherwise conform to commercial building design standards.
(c) Height.
(1) Single use structures shall be limited to 35 feet in height.
(2) Multiuse mixed use structures may have a maximum height of 45 feet.
(d) Fences.
(1) The use of barbed, razor or concertina wire or similar fencing shall be prohibited where visible from any Street or sidewalk.
(2) Woven metal fences are prohibited.
(3) Chain link fencing visible from any Street shall be prohibited. Chain link fence may be used on the side (if not on a corner lot) and rear property lines, and shall be vinyl coated in black or green color.
(4) Fencing visible from any Street shall be composed of wood, stone, brick, pre-cast concrete, masonry, cast stone, vinyl or metal (in a wrought iron style).
(5) Lawfully constructed fencing existing on July 1, 2019, shall meet the requirements herein by April 28, 2025.
(e) Landscaping/Landscaped Buffers. Landscaping and tree protection shall be provided in accordance with Part 12 of the Zoning Code with the following additional and superseding provisions:
(1) Uncomplimentary adjacent use Vehicular Use Area Buffer.
(i) For a business existing as of July 1, 2019 where the Vehicular Use Area (VUA) of a non-residential property abuts a residential use, a minimum 85 percent opaque six-foot high masonry wall, pre-cast panel, wood or vinyl fence, or similar, shall be provided on the side of the non-residential use.
(ii) For businesses existing on July 1, 2019, where a building is adjacent to a residential use, a minimum 85 percent opaque, six-foot high wood, stone, brick, vinyl, masonry, pre-cast panel, or similar fence or wall shall be provided on the side of the non-residential use.
(2) Right-of-way Vehicular Use Area Buffer.
(i) Lots fronting any Street right-of-way may replace the standard landscape buffer requirement with a minimum four-foot landscape buffer along the boundary of all non-residential vehicular use areas abutting Street right-of-way. No more than 25 percent of the landscaped area may be grass or mulch, the balance shall be landscaped with trees, shrubs or ground covers.
(3) Lawfully existing landscaping as of July 1, 2019 shall meet the requirements herein by April 28, 2025.
(4) Geographically separated parking areas shall be considered separate for purposes of Vehicular Use Area buffers and landscaping in the application of the Parking Lot Matrix in Part 6 of the Zoning Code.
(f) Signage. Signage shall generally be consistent with Part 13 of the Zoning Code, with the following additional and superseding provisions below. Where sign regulations differ from those provided in this Subpart, the more stringent regulation shall apply.
(1) One identity freestanding sign per Lot per Street frontage, provided they are located no closer than 200 feet apart (as measured in the Zoning Code); size determined as follows:
Parcel Size | Max Area per Side (sq ft) | Max Height (ft)
Less than 1 acre | 36 | 12
1 acre to 3 acres | 50 | 12
Greater than 3 acres to 5 acres | 75 | 18
Greater than 5 acres | 200 | 35
One additional identity sign shall be permitted if the Lot's Street frontage equals or exceeds 500 linear feet, provided signs are located no closer than 200 feet apart (as measured in the Zoning Code).
(2) Pole mounted signs are prohibited.
(3) Billboards and/or off-site signs, as defined in Section 656.1302, Ordinance Code, are prohibited unless otherwise allowed by existing agreements with the City of Jacksonville.
(4) Animated signs; automatic changing message devices; mobile signs; beacons, tracker lights or similar lighting components; mirror-like or reflective materials; pennants; ribbons; streamers; inflatables; wind-activated signs; and similar are prohibited.
(5) Remnant portions of former sign structures no longer conforming to this Subpart shall be removed on or before December 31, 2024.
(6) Lawfully existing signage on July 1, 2019 shall meet the requirements herein April 28, 2025.
(g) Parking. Unless otherwise superseded by State or federal statutes or regulations, parking shall be designed and provided in accordance with Part 6 of the Zoning Code with the following additional and superseding provisions:
(1) Parking Location and Access.
(i) Parking lots shall connect with adjoining CRA Lot development or provide for future connection if access is not currently available. A rear lane with cross parcel access easement may serve to connect multiple Lots with cross access where driveways may be limited due to safety and traffic operations.
(ii) For new developments providing more than four parking spaces, the majority of parking on the site shall be located to the rear and side of the principal building.
(iii) If all of the required parking is provided to the rear and side and at least 25 percent of the total parking lot area is a stable pervious surface with only the minimum required ADA requirements fulfilled for paved parking spaces and the driveway apron is adjacent to the Street frontage, the following requirements may be reduced:
a. Driveway width requirement shall be reduced from 24 feet to 16 feet wide for access to rear yard parking with apron of no more than a one foot additional flair at the end of pavement for a total width of 18 feet at the right-of-way.
b. The rear buffer may be reduced from ten feet to five feet when an eight-foot masonry wall, pre-cast panel, or similar is provided.
c. While still required in any required buffer area, landscaping shall not be required in the internal landscape islands of the VUA where the minimum required parking is 25 spaces or less.
(iv) Unless shared driveways are constructed, each Lot shall have only one driveway. Lots located at the corner of Streets classified as collectors or higher may have one driveway per road frontage. Additional access points above the one permitted may be granted provided the continuous roadway frontage of the property is 500-feet or greater.
(v) Existing non-residential and multi-family developments in place on July 1, 2019 that are not consistent with this Section shall be deemed non-conforming and shall be brought into compliance with this driveway requirement under the following conditions:
a. When a new driveway connection permit is required for the existing development;
b. When a Major Renovation is undertaken, as defined in this Subpart;
c. When a 25 percent or greater increase in trip generation attributable to the existing development is documented; or
d. If the principal activity on the property with any non-conforming access driveway is discontinued for a consecutive period of 365 days.
Figure 6 - Conceptual image of parking and building street frontage - generally applies to most Character Areas.
[image omitted; see the official code]
(2) Parking Requirements.
(i) Single-use residential developments, restaurants, and/or establishments that include the sale and service of beer, wine, or liquor for on-premises consumption, shall provide 100 percent of required parking.
(ii) Uses not listed in (1) are eligible for a reduction in the parking requirement up to 30 percent for a redevelopment project where proof of on-street parking or area off-street parking is available within a 400-foot radius. Availability for shared parking credit towards on-site parking requirements may be established by mixed-use operating hours, staggered peak demand or agreement between properties to share parking facilities; or
a. Developer may provide 80 percent of required parking; or
b. Parking requirements may be reduced to 60 percent of the required parking for facilities that create shared driveways with neighboring properties. These reductions may be applied to each parcel that participates in the combination and total reduction of the number of driveways. A further five percent reduction may be granted for a reduction of two or more driveways.
(iii) For parking lots with more than four spaces, additional required parking spaces may be reduced by up to five spaces, when additional bicycle parking is provided at a 2 for 1 ratio. A minimum of four spaces is required; parking reduction only applicable to spaces exceeding the minimum required four spaces. For example, where nine vehicular parking spaces are required and two bicycle parking spaces are provided above the requirement, then one vehicular parking space may be credited, allowing for a total of eight vehicular parking spaces instead of nine.
(h) Walkways and Pedestrian Connections. Parking lots shall be designed to allow pedestrians to move safely from their vehicle to the building.
(1) All parking lots with more than 40 spaces located more than 90 feet from a building entrance, measured perpendicular from the parking space to the structure entrance or from each entrance when multiple entrances from on the parking lot, shall have at least one sidewalk or other suitable pedestrian connection, not less than five feet wide between the parking lot and the building entrance, as well as between the Street right-of-way and the building entrance. The pedestrian connection(s) shall be centralized and minimize pedestrian and vehicle conflicts. This pedestrian connection shall be provided for every three parking aisles, where parking exceeds 90 linear feet from the building entrance.
(2) Pedestrian Connections shall be clearly defined by at least one of the following:
(i) Six-inch vertical curb, or
(ii) A paving material that differs from that of the vehicular area, including across vehicular lanes, or
(iii) A continuous landscape area at a minimum of two feet wide on at least one side of the walkway.
(3) For properties with multiple tenants and/or multiple structures on site, pedestrian circulation shall be provided between tenants and/or structures through the use of a sidewalk or other suitable pedestrian connection, not less than five feet wide and where applicable, shall align with and connect to that of adjacent and contiguous properties. Sidewalk paving or other pedestrian connections, where applicable, must continue uninterrupted across the mouth of all curb cuts, subject to the City's Land Development Regulations.
(i) Screening.
(1) Any exterior garbage receptacles, dumpsters, open storage areas or mechanical equipment must be screened from view from Street rights-of-way and adjacent residential uses with 95 percent opaque material that is visually similar to materials used on the nearest facade of the principal structure, such as wood or vinyl. Additionally, garbage receptacles, dumpsters, open storage areas and/or mechanical equipment must be a minimum 25 feet from adjacent residential uses and shall be incorporated into the main structure as a part of new construction or Major Renovation, as defined in this Subpart.
(j) Lighting. Provide lighting systems that minimize glare, shadow, light pollution, and light trespass.
(1) All sag lenses, drop lenses and convex lenses shall be prohibited.
(2) At least 2.0 foot-candle (f.c.) minimum maintained lighting level is recommended, while 3.0—5.0 f.c. minimum maintained level is preferred. These levels shall generally apply to all parking and pedestrian areas. However, illumination levels at all property lines shall not exceed 0.5 f.c. when the building or parking areas are located adjacent to residential uses, and shall not exceed 1.0 f.c. when abutting other non-residential properties. Lighting levels can be reduced after business hours/closing to 0.5 f.c. minimum maintained for burglary and vandalism resistance, if the property does not have an existing problem with criminal incidents, and the owner deems it appropriate.
(3) The use of cut-off fixtures with diffusers to focus the lighting where needed to minimize or eliminate light trespass is required.
(4) All lighting lamp sources within parking and pedestrian areas shall be metal halide, compact fluorescent or LED; LED is preferred.
(5) The maximum light pole height in all parking areas shall not exceed 30 feet, and the maximum light pole height in all pedestrian areas shall not exceed 15 feet.
(6) Shrubs and trees shall not interfere with security lighting or common natural surveillance observation from Streets or any buildings, including Street rights-of-way.
(7) Illumination of exterior doors - All types of exterior doors shall be illuminated with outdoor lighting during the hours of darkness to allow ready-observation of persons entering or exiting.
(8) Illumination of address numbers - All street address or apartment/unit numbers (when existing) that are already required by existing codes shall also be illuminated during the hours of darkness.
(9) Illumination of recessed areas - Alcoves and other recessed areas of buildings or fences that are capable of human concealment shall be illuminated during the hours of darkness.
4. Additional Performance Standards.
(a) Drive-through window services and queuing lanes shall be placed in the side or rear yard of the Lot on which it is located. Drive-through window services and queuing lanes shall be located no closer than 50 feet to residential uses. Speaker systems shall not be aimed towards residential uses.
(b) Off-street parking lots. Where permitted, off-street parking lots shall be subject to the following conditions:
(1) There shall be no storage, sales, or service activity of any kind on these lots.
(2) Vehicular parking on the lot shall be limited to vehicles for employee and customer parking.
(c) Outdoor display of merchandise is prohibited.
C. Merrill Commercial Character Area Standards.
1. Boundaries. The Merrill Commercial Character Area (the "MCCA") generally encompasses the properties on the north side and south side of Merrill Road from Cesery Boulevard to Fort Wilderness Trail and Woolery Drive. Per the Overlay Character Area Map shown in Figure 2, and the enlarged MCCA Map shown in Figure 7, the MCCA is bounded to the north and south by the commercial properties along Merrill Road. The commercial area along this corridor typically extends approximately 1 - 2 parcels on either side of the roadway. The western boundary is Cesery Boulevard between Greenberry Lane and Glenn Rose Drive, and the eastern boundary is Fort Wilderness Trail between Merrill Road and Rocky Fort Trail and Woolery Drive from Merrill Road to one parcel south of Merrill Road. The Character Areas Map in Figure 2 shall be consulted for parcels located at the periphery of the Character Areas because the specific boundaries are established by property lines, not roadways.
Figure 7 - Merrill Commercial Character Area
[image omitted; see the official code]
2. Intent. This area primarily encompasses commercial and institutional uses that serve the surrounding area. While the area contains lots of various sizes, the lots within this area tend to be somewhat larger than those along the other corridors within the CRA. This Section of Merrill Road is more auto-oriented, and as a result the standards contained within this Section are intended to focus on the safe and efficient movement of pedestrians, bicyclists, and automobiles, while offering a balanced mix of uses. Generally, the standards herein focus on safe and effective automobile access, green space enhancements, and design that is both aesthetic and functional.
3. Design Guidelines.
(a) Site layout.
(1) Retention/detention ponds or drainage conveyance should be incorporated as an amenity into the site design wherever possible, however proposed site development or building additions should determine if stormwater storage credits are available from CRA area-wide drainage improvements prior to initiating site design.
(2) The fencing of ponds or conveyances should be avoided. Ponds should not be located in the front of the property unless the pond has been designed in conjunction with the natural features of the site and is developed and will be maintained as a significant site amenity. Rectangular or linear shaped ponds should be avoided where visible from the Street. Ponds should be planted and maintained with native vegetation as defined in Section 656.1203 of the Zoning Code. The proximity of the pond to pedestrian circulation should be considered in the design of the pond slopes.
(b) Building form and finish materials.
(1) The exterior finish of new buildings, and any exterior finish alterations and/or additions to the front side, Street side or any side visible from adjacent residential uses of existing buildings, shall be of brick, wood, concrete, stucco, exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS), architectural or split-face block, or other finish materials with similar appearance and texture. Metal clad, corrugated metal, plywood, Oriented Strand Board (OSB), and exposed plain concrete block shall not be permitted as exterior finish materials on the front of or any Street side of a building.
(2) Open bay doors and other similar large doors providing access to work areas and storage areas shall not open towards or directly face Merrill Road. When allowable, Street-facing bay doors shall be commercial aluminum full-view.
(3) Exterior window security bars shall be prohibited.
(4) All new multi-story buildings shall reflect the actual floors within the building through use of window location, facade breaks, facade setbacks, balconies, etc. Multi-story buildings that face a Street, neighborhood or other internal commercial area that can be viewed by the public shall have architectural fenestration and/or facade articulations designed at Pedestrian Scale.
(5) New buildings shall provide a foundation or base, such as from ground to bottom of the lower windowsills, with changes in volume or material. A clear visual division shall be maintained between the ground level floor and upper floors with either a cornice line or awning from 12 feet to 16 feet above Base Flood Elevation or grade, whichever applies to the proposed development.
(6) Massing for new buildings shall be designed to address Pedestrian Scale by reducing the scale and proportion of the visual "monolithic box" through variations in wall heights, facade articulations and varied roof planes.
(7) New commercial and mixed-use buildings shall have large display windows on the ground floor. All Street-facing, park-facing and plaza-facing structures shall have windows covering a minimum of 40 percent and a maximum of 80 percent of the ground floor of each tenant's or occupants' linear frontage and shall not exceed 30 linear feet of fenestration. Mirrored glass, obscured glass and glass block cannot be used in meeting this requirement. Display windows may be used to meet this requirement. Windows may begin at ground level, or atop a knee wall, but shall have their bottom sill no higher than three feet from the finished floor height, when facing the street. Full-view bay door windows shall count towards the building window requirements.
(8) New service garage buildings or additions meeting the applicability provisions of subsection 656.399.57.F regarding major or minor automotive repair shall provide Street facing windows in the service bay sections of the building wall covering a minimum of 20 percent of the overall linear frontage of the building. Window proportions may vary to accommodate structural and facade articulation. The sill height of these windows shall be a maximum of five feet above the interior finished floor elevation. The portions of new service garage buildings or additions not providing service bays shall conform to the commercial building design standards herein. The service garage service bay windows shall otherwise conform to commercial building design standards.
(c) Height.
(1) Structures shall be limited to 35 feet in height.
(d) Fences.
(1) The use of barbed, razor or concertina wire or similar fencing shall be prohibited where visible from any Street or sidewalk.
(2) Woven metal fences are prohibited.
(3) Chain link fencing visible from any Street shall be prohibited. Chain link fence may be used on the side (if not on a corner lot) and rear property lines, and shall be vinyl coated in black or green color.
(4) Fencing visible from any Street shall be composed of wood, stone, brick, pre-cast concrete, masonry, cast stone, vinyl or metal (in a wrought iron style).
(5) Lawfully constructed fencing existing on July 1, 2019, shall meet the requirements herein by April 28, 2025.
(e) Landscaping/Landscaped Buffers. Landscaping and tree protection shall be provided in accordance with Part 12 of the Zoning Code with the following additional and superseding provisions:
(1) Uncomplimentary Adjacent Use Vehicular Use Area Buffer.
(i) For a business existing as of July 1, 2019, where the Vehicular Use Area (VUA) of a non-residential property abuts a residential use, a minimum 85 percent opaque, six-foot high masonry wall, pre-cast panel, wood or vinyl fence, or similar, shall be provided on the side of the non-residential use.
(ii) For businesses existing on July 1, 2019, where a building is adjacent to a residential use, a minimum 85 percent opaque, six-foot high wood, stone, brick, vinyl, masonry, pre-cast panel, or similar fence or wall shall be provided on the side of the non-residential use.
(2) Right-of-way Vehicular Use Area Buffer.
(i) Lots fronting Merrill Road may replace the standard landscape buffer requirement with a minimum four-foot landscape buffer along the boundary of all non-residential VUAs abutting Street right-of-way. No more than 25 percent of the landscaped area may be grass or mulch, the balance shall be landscaped with trees, shrubs or ground covers.
(3) Lawfully existing landscaping as of July 1, 2019 shall meet the requirements herein by April 28, 2025.
(4) Geographically separated parking areas shall be considered separate for purposes of Vehicular Use Area buffers and landscaping in the application of the Parking Lot Matrix in Part 6 of the Zoning Code.
(f) Signage. Signage shall generally be consistent with Part 13 of the Zoning Code, with the following additional and superseding provisions below. Where sign regulations differ from those provided in this Subpart, the more stringent regulation shall apply.
(1) One identity freestanding sign per Lot per Street frontage, provided they are located no closer than 200 feet apart (as measured in the Zoning Code); size determined as follows:
Parcel Size | Max Area per Side (sq ft) | Max Height (ft)
Less than 1 acre | 36 | 12
1 acre to 3 acres | 50 | 12
3 acres to 5 acres | 75 | 18
Greater than 5 acres | 200 | 35
;adv=6;One additional identity sign shall be permitted if the Lot's Street frontage equals or exceeds 500 linear feet, provided signs are located no closer than 200 feet apart (as measured in the Zoning Code).
(2) Pole mounted signs are prohibited.
(3) Billboards and/or off-site signs, as defined in Section 656.1302, Ordinance Code, are prohibited unless otherwise allowed by existing agreements with the City of Jacksonville.
(4) Animated signs; automatic changing message devices; mobile signs; beacons, tracker lights or similar lighting components; mirror-like or reflective materials; pennants; ribbons; streamers; inflatables; wind-activated signs; and similar are prohibited.
(5) Remnant portions of former sign structures no longer conforming to this Subpart shall be removed on or before December 31, 2024.
(6) Lawfully existing signage on July 1, 2019 shall meet the requirements herein April 28, 2025.
(g) Parking. Unless otherwise superseded by State or federal statutes or regulations, parking shall be designed and provided in accordance with Part 6 of the Zoning Code with the following additional and superseding provisions:
(1) Parking Location and Access.
(i) Parking lots shall connect with adjoining CRA Lot development or provide for future connection if access is not currently available, all in accordance with Section 654.115, Ordinance Code. A rear lane with cross parcel access easement may serve to connect multiple Lots with cross access where driveways may be limited due to safety and traffic operations.
(ii) For new developments providing more than four parking spaces, the majority of parking on the site shall be located to the rear and side of the principal building or the canopy of a gas station fueling pumps.
(iii) If all of the required parking is provided to the rear and side and at least 25 percent of the total parking lot areas are pervious parking surfaces, as defined in Section 656.1601, Ordinance Code, with only the minimum required ADA requirements fulfilled for paved parking spaces and the driveway apron is adjacent to the street frontage, the following requirements may be reduced:
a. Driveway width requirement shall be reduced from 24 feet to 16 feet wide for access to rear yard parking with apron of no more than a one-foot additional flair at the end of pavement for a total width of 18 feet at the Street right-of-way.
b. The rear buffer may be reduced from ten feet to five feet when an eight-foot maximum masonry wall, pre-cast panel, or similar is provided.
c. While still required in any required buffer area, landscaping shall not be required in the internal landscape islands of the VUA where the minimum required parking is 25 spaces or less.
(iv) Unless shared driveways are constructed, each Lot shall have only one driveway. Lots located as the corner of Streets classified as collectors or higher may have one driveway per road frontage. Additional access points above the one permitted may be granted provided the continuous Street frontage of the property is 500-feet or greater, or as otherwise authorized by the Traffic Engineering Division and the Planning and Development Department, who shall consider the overall goals of the Overlay, particularly regarding pedestrian and vehicular safety.
(v) Existing non-residential and multi-family developments in place on July 1, 2019 that are not consistent with this Section shall be deemed non-conforming and shall be brought into compliance with this driveway requirement under the following conditions:
a. When a new driveway connection permit is required for the existing development;
b. When a Major Renovation is undertaken, as defined in this Subpart;
c. When a 25 percent or greater increase in trip generation attributable to the existing development is documented; or
d. If the principal activity on the property with any non-conforming access driveway is discontinued for a consecutive period of 365 days.
Figure 8 - Conceptual before and after along Merrill Road.
[image omitted; see the official code]
(2) Parking Requirements.
(i) Single-use residential developments, restaurants, and/or establishments that include the sale and service of beer, wine, or liquor for on-premises consumption, shall provide 100 percent of required parking.
(ii) Uses not in (i) are eligible for a reduction in the parking requirement up to 30 percent for a redevelopment project where proof of on-street parking or area off-street parking is available within a 400-foot radius. Availability for shared parking credit towards on-site parking requirements may be established by mixed-use operating hours, staggered peak demand or agreement between properties to share parking facilities; or
(iii) Developer may provide 80 percent of required parking; or
(iv) Parking requirements may be reduced to 60 percent of the required parking for facilities that create shared driveways with neighboring properties. These reductions may be applied to each Lot that participates in the combination and total reduction of the number of driveways. A further five percent reduction may be granted for a reduction of two or more driveways; or
(v) For parking lots with more than four spaces, additional required parking spaces may be reduced by up to five spaces, when additional bicycle parking is provided at a 2 for 1 ratio. A minimum of four spaces is required; parking reduction only applicable to spaces exceeding the minimum required four spaces. For example, where nine vehicular parking spaces are required and two bicycle parking spaces are provided above the requirement, then one vehicular parking space may be credited, allowing for a total of eight vehicular parking spaces instead of nine.
(h) Walkways and Pedestrian Connections. Parking lots shall be designed to allow pedestrians to move safely from their vehicle to the building.
(1) All parking lots with more than 40 spaces located more than 90 feet from a building entrance, measured perpendicular from the parking space to the structure entrance or from each entrance when multiple entrances front on the parking lot, shall have at least one sidewalk or other suitable pedestrian connection, not less than five feet wide between the parking lot and the building entrance, as well as between the public right-of-way and the building entrance. The pedestrian connection(s) shall be centralized and minimize pedestrian and vehicle conflicts. This pedestrian connection shall be provided for every three parking aisles, where parking exceeds 90 linear feet from the building entrance.
(2) Pedestrian connections from designated parking spaces to business entrances shall be clearly defined by at least one of the following:
(i) Six-inch vertical curb, or
(ii) A paving material that differs from that of the vehicular area, including across vehicular lanes, or
(iii) A continuous landscape area at a minimum of two feet wide on at least one side of the walkway.
(3) For properties with multiple tenants and/or multiple structures on site, pedestrian circulation shall be provided between tenants and/or structures through the use of a sidewalk or other suitable pedestrian connection, not less than five feet wide and where applicable, shall align with and connect to that of adjacent and contiguous properties. Sidewalk paving or other pedestrian connections, where applicable, must continue uninterrupted across the mouth of all curb cuts, subject to the City's Land Development Regulations.
(i) Screening.
(1) Any exterior garbage receptacles, dumpsters, open storage areas or mechanical equipment must be screened from view from public rights-of-way and adjacent residential uses with 95 percent opaque material that is visually similar to materials used on the nearest facade of the principal structure, such as wood or vinyl. Additionally, garbage receptacles, dumpsters, open storage areas and/or mechanical equipment must be a minimum 25 feet from adjacent residential uses and shall be incorporated into the main structure as a part of new construction or Major Renovation, as defined in this Subpart.
(j) Lighting. Provide lighting systems that minimize glare, shadow, light pollution, and light trespass.
(1) All sag lenses, drop lenses and convex lenses shall be prohibited.
(2) At least 2.0 foot-candle (f.c.) minimum maintained lighting level is recommended, while 3.0—5.0 f.c. minimum maintained level is preferred. These levels shall generally apply to all parking and pedestrian areas. However, illumination levels at all property lines shall not exceed 0.5 f.c. when the building or parking areas are located adjacent to residential uses, and shall not exceed 1.0 f.c. when abutting other non-residential properties. Lighting levels can be reduced after business hours/closing to 0.5 f.c. minimum maintained for burglary and vandalism resistance, if the property does not have an existing problem with criminal incidents, and the owner deems it appropriate.
(3) The use of cut-off fixtures with diffusers to focus the lighting where needed to minimize or eliminate light trespass is required.
(4) All lighting lamp sources within parking and pedestrian areas shall be metal halide, compact fluorescent or LED; LED is preferred.
(5) The maximum light pole height in all parking areas shall not exceed 30 feet, and the maximum light pole height in all pedestrian areas shall not exceed 15 feet.
(6) Shrubs and trees shall not interfere with security lighting or common natural surveillance observation from Streets or any buildings, including Street rights-of-way.
(7) Illumination of exterior doors - All types of exterior doors shall be illuminated with outdoor lighting during the hours of darkness to allow ready-observation of persons entering or exiting.
(8) Illumination of address numbers - All street address or apartment/unit numbers (when existing) that are already required by existing codes shall also be illuminated during the hours of darkness.
(9) Illumination of recessed areas - Alcoves and other recessed areas of buildings or fences that are capable of human concealment shall be illuminated during the hours of darkness.
4. Additional Performance Standards.
(a) Drive-through window services and queuing lanes shall be placed in the side or rear yard of the Lot on which it is located. Drive-through window services and queuing lanes shall be located no closer than 50 feet to residential uses. Speaker systems shall not be aimed towards residential uses.
(b) Off-street parking lots. Where permitted, off-street parking lots shall be subject to the following conditions:
(1) There shall be no storage, sales, or service activity of any kind on these lots.
(2) Vehicular parking on the lot shall be limited to vehicles for employee and customer parking.
(c) Outdoor display of merchandise is prohibited.
D. Arlington Road Character Area Standards.
1. Boundaries. The Arlington Road Character Area (the "ARCA") generally encompasses the properties on the north side and south side of Arlington Road from Marcheck Street to Rogero Road. Per the Overlay Character Area Map shown in Figure 2, and the enlarged ARCA Map shown in Figure 9, the ARCA is bounded to the north by Commerce Street; to the west by Marcheck Street; and to the east by Rogero Road. The southern boundary is defined by the commercial properties to the south of Arlington Road and extends approximately two to three properties deep between Marcheck Street and Rogero Road. The Character Areas Map in Figure 2 shall be consulted for parcels located at the periphery of the Character Areas because the specific boundaries are established by property lines, not roadways.
Figure 9 - Arlington Road Character Area
[image omitted; see the official code]
2. Intent. This area encompasses historical and cultural/civic heritage sites providing the area with an anchor to its past. The area contains lots of various sizes and uses with varying commercial (primarily) intensities. Noted for its existing compact and dense multifamily and commercial uses, this corridor is inherently walkable, and the standards contained within this Section are intended to enhance walkability. Generally, the standards herein focus on pedestrian and bicycle access, cross connections between and among Lots, parking area reductions, green space enhancements, and an aggregation of shared Public Space.
3. Design Guidelines.
(a) Site layout.
(1) Retention/detention ponds or drainage conveyance should be incorporated as an amenity into the site design wherever possible, however proposed site development or building additions should determine if stormwater storage credits are available from CRA area-wide drainage improvements prior to initiating site design.
(2) The fencing of ponds or conveyances should be avoided. Ponds should not be located in the front of the property unless the pond has been designed in conjunction with the natural features of the site and is developed and will be maintained as a significant site amenity. Rectangular or linear shaped ponds should be avoided where visible from the Street. Ponds should be planted and maintained with native vegetation as defined in Section 656.1203 of the Zoning Code. The proximity of the pond to pedestrian circulation should be considered in the design of the pond slopes.
(b) Building form and finish materials.
(1) The exterior finish of new buildings, and any exterior finish alterations and/or additions to the front side, Street side or any side visible from adjacent residential uses of existing buildings, shall be of brick, wood, concrete, stucco, exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS), architectural or split-face block, or other finish materials with similar appearance and texture. Metal clad, corrugated metal, plywood, Oriented Strand Board (OSB), and exposed plain concrete block shall not be permitted as exterior finish materials on the front of or any Street side of a building.
(2) Open bay doors and other similar large doors providing access to work areas and storage areas shall not open towards or directly face Arlington Road. When allowable, Street-facing bay doors shall be commercial aluminum full-view.
(3) Exterior window security bars shall be prohibited.
(4) All new multi-story buildings shall reflect the actual floors within the building through use of window location, facade breaks, facade setbacks, balconies, etc. Multi-story buildings that face a public street, neighborhood or other internal commercial area that can be viewed by the public shall have architectural fenestration and/or facade articulations designed at Pedestrian Scale.
(5) New buildings shall provide a foundation or base, such as from ground to bottom of the lower windowsills, with changes in volume or material. A clear visual division shall be maintained between the ground level floor and upper floors with either a cornice line or awning from 12 feet to 16 feet above Base Flood Elevation or grade, whichever applies to the proposed development.
(6) Massing for new buildings shall be designed to address Pedestrian Scale by reducing the scale and proportion of the visual "monolithic box" through variations in wall heights, facade articulations and varied roof planes.
(7) New commercial and mixed-use buildings shall have large display windows on the ground floor. All Street-facing, park-facing and plaza-facing structures shall have windows covering a minimum of 40 percent and a maximum of 80 percent of the ground floor of each tenant's or occupants' linear frontage and shall not exceed 30 linear feet without fenestration. Mirrored glass, obscured glass and glass block cannot be used in meeting this requirement. Display windows may be used to meet the requirement. Windows may begin at ground level, or atop a knee wall, but shall have their bottom sill no higher than three feet from the finished floor height, when facing the Street. Full-view bay door windows shall count towards the building window requirements.
(8) New service garage buildings or additions meeting the applicability provisions of subsection 656.399.57.F regarding major or minor automotive repair shall provide Street facing windows in the service bay sections of the building wall covering a minimum of 20 percent of the overall linear frontage of the building. Window proportions may vary to accommodate structural and facade articulation. The sill height of these windows shall be a maximum of five feet above the interior finished floor elevation. The portions of new service garage buildings or additions not providing service bays shall conform to the commercial building design standards herein. The service garage service bay windows shall otherwise conform to commercial building design standards.
(c) Height.
(1) Structures shall be limited to 35 feet in height.
(d) Fences.
(1) The use of barbed, razor or concertina wire or similar fencing shall be prohibited where visible from any Street or sidewalk.
(2) Woven metal fences are prohibited.
(3) Chain fencing visible from any Street shall be prohibited. Chain link fence may be used on the side (if not on a corner lot) and rear property lines, and shall be vinyl coated in black or green color.
(4) Fencing visible from any Street shall be composed of wood, stone, brick, pre-cast concrete, masonry, cast stone, vinyl or metal (in a wrought iron style).
(5) Lawfully constructed fencing existing on July 1, 2019, shall meet the requirements herein by April 28, 2025.
(e) Landscaping/Landscaped Buffers. Landscaping and tree protection shall be provided in accordance with Part 12 of the Zoning Code with the following additional and superseding provisions:
(1) Uncomplimentary Adjacent Use Vehicular Use Area Buffer.
(i) For a business existing as of July 1, 2019, where the Vehicular Use Area (VUA) of a non-residential property abuts a residential use, a minimum 85 percent opaque, six-foot high masonry wall, pre-cast panel, wood or vinyl fence, or similar, shall be provided on the side of the non-residential use.
(ii) For businesses existing on July 1, 2019, where a building is adjacent to a residential use, a minimum 85 percent opaque, six-foot high wood, stone, brick, vinyl, masonry, pre-cast panel, or similar fence or wall shall be provided on the side of the non-residential use.
(2) Right-of-way Vehicular Use Area Buffer.
(i) Lots fronting Arlington Road may replace the standard landscape buffer requirement with a minimum four foot landscape buffer along the boundary of all non-residential VUAs abutting public right-of-way. No more than 25 percent of the landscaped area may be grass or mulch, the balance shall be landscaped with trees, shrubs or ground covers.
(3) Lawfully existing landscaping as of July 1, 2019, shall meet the requirements herein by April 28, 2025.
(4) Geographically separated parking areas shall be considered separate for purposes of Vehicular Use Area buffers and landscaping in the application of the Parking Lot Matrix in Part 6 of the Zoning Code.
(f) Signage. Signage shall generally be consistent with Part 13 of the Zoning Code, with the following additional and superseding provisions below. Where sign regulations differ from those provided in this Subpart, the more stringent regulation shall apply.
(1) One identity freestanding sign per Lot per Street frontage, provided they are located no closer than 200 feet apart (as measured in the Zoning Code); size determined as follows:
Parcel Size | Max Area per Side (sq ft) | Max Height (ft)
Less than 1 acre | 36 | 12
1 acre to 3 acres | 50 | 12
3 acres to 5 acres | 75 | 18
Greater than 5 acres | 100 | 35
One additional identity sign shall be permitted if the Lot's Street frontage equals or exceeds 500 linear feet, provided signs are located no closer than 200 feet apart (as measured in the Zoning Code).
(2) Pole mounted signs are prohibited.
(3) Billboards and/or off-site signs, as defined in Section 656.1302, Ordinance Code, are prohibited unless otherwise allowed by existing agreements with the City of Jacksonville.
(4) Animated signs; automatic changing message devices; mobile signs; beacons, tracker lights or similar lighting components; mirror-like or reflective materials; pennants; ribbons; streamers; inflatables; wind-activated signs; and similar are prohibited.
(5) Remnant portions of former sign structures no longer conforming to this Subpart shall be removed on or before December 31, 2024.
(6) Lawfully existing signage on July 1, 2019 shall meet the requirements herein April 28, 2025.
(g) Parking. Unless otherwise superseded by State or federal statutes or regulations, parking shall be designed and provided in accordance with Part 6 of the Zoning Code with the following additional and superseding provisions:
(1) Parking Location and Access.
(i) Parking Lots shall connect with adjoining CRA Lot development or provide for future connection if access is not currently available. A rear lane with cross parcel access easement may serve to connect multiple Lots with cross access where driveways may be limited due to safety and traffic operations.
(ii) For new developments providing more than four parking spaces, the majority of parking on the site shall be located to the rear and side of the principal building.
(iii) If all of the required parking is provided to the rear and side and at least 25 percent of the total parking lot areas are pervious parking surfaces, as defined in Section 656.1601, Ordinance Code, with only the minimum required ADA requirements fulfilled for paved parking spaces and the driveway apron is adjacent to the Street frontage, the following requirements may be reduced:
a. Driveway width requirement shall be reduced from 24 feet to 16 feet wide for access to rear yard parking.
b. The rear may be reduced from ten feet to five feet when an eight-foot high maximum masonry wall, pre-cast panel, or similar is provided.
c. While still required in any required buffer area, landscaping shall not be required in the internal landscape islands of the VUA where the minimum required parking is 25 spaces or less.
(iv) Unless shared driveways are constructed, each Lot shall have only one driveway. Lots located at the corner of Streets classified as collectors or higher may have one driveway per road frontage. Additional access points above the one permitted may be granted provided the continuous roadway frontage of the property is 600-feet or greater.
(v) Existing non-residential and multi-family developments in place on July 1, 2019 that are not consistent with this Section shall be deemed non-conforming and shall be brought into compliance with this driveway requirement under the following conditions:
a. When a new driveway connection permit is required for the existing development;
b. When a Major Renovation is undertaken, as defined in this Subpart;
c. When a 25 percent or greater increase in trip generation attributable to the existing development is documented; or
d. If the principal activity on the property with any non-conforming access driveway is discontinued for a consecutive period of 365 days.
(2) Parking requirements.
(i) Single-use residential developments, restaurants, and/or establishments that include the sale and service of beer, wine, or liquor for on-premises consumption, shall provide 100 percent of required parking.
(ii) Uses not listed in (i) are eligible for a reduction in the parking requirement up to 30 percent for a redevelopment project where proof of on-street parking or area off-street parking is available within a 400-foot radius. Availability for shared parking credit towards on-site parking requirements may be established by mixed-use operating hours, staggered peak demand or agreement between properties to share parking facilities; or
a. Developer may provide 80 percent of required parking; or
b. Parking requirements may be reduced to 60 percent of the required parking for facilities that create shared driveways with neighboring properties. These reductions may be applied to each Lot that participates in the combination and total reduction of the number of driveways. A further five percent reduction may be granted for a reduction of two or more driveways.
(iii) For parking lots with more than four spaces, additional required parking spaces may be reduced by up to five spaces, when additional bicycle parking is provided at a 2 for 1 ratio. A minimum of four spaces is required; parking reduction only applicable to spaces exceeding the minimum required four spaces. For example, where nine vehicular parking spaces are required and two bicycle parking spaces are provided above the requirement, then one vehicular parking space may be credited, allowing for a total of eight vehicular parking spaces instead of nine.
(h) Walkways and Pedestrian Connections. Parking lots shall be designed to allow pedestrians to move safely from their vehicle to the building.
(1) All parking lots with more than 40 spaces located more than 90 feet from a building entrance, measured perpendicular from the parking space to the structure entrance or from each entrance when multiple entrances front on the parking lot, shall have at least one sidewalk or other suitable pedestrian connection, not less than five feet wide between the parking lot and the building entrance, as well as between the public right-of-way and the building entrance. The pedestrian connection(s) shall be centralized and minimize pedestrian and vehicle conflicts. This pedestrian connection shall be provided for every three parking aisles, where parking exceeds 90 linear feet from the building entrance.
(2) Pedestrian connections shall be clearly defined by at least two of the following:
(i) Six-inch vertical curb, or
(ii) A paving material that differs from that of the vehicular area, including across vehicular lanes, or
(iii) A continuous landscape area at a minimum of two feet wide on at least one side of the walkway.
(3) For properties with multiple tenants and/or multiple structures on site, pedestrian circulation shall be provided between tenants and/or structures through the use of a sidewalk or other suitable pedestrian connection, not less than five feet wide and where applicable, shall align with and connect to that of adjacent and contiguous properties. Sidewalk paving or other pedestrian connections, where applicable, must continue uninterrupted across the mouth of all curb cuts, subject to the City's Land Development Regulations.
(i) Screening.
(1) Any exterior garbage receptacles, dumpsters, open storage areas or mechanical equipment must be screened from view from Street rights-of-way and adjacent residential uses with 95 percent opaque material that is visually similar to materials used on the nearest facade of the principal structure, such as wood or vinyl. Additionally, garbage receptacles, dumpsters, open storage areas and/or mechanical equipment must be a minimum 25 feet from adjacent residential uses and shall be incorporated into the main structure as a part of new construction or Major Renovation, as defined in this Subpart.
(j) Lighting. Provide lighting systems that minimize glare, shadow, light pollution, and light trespass.
(1) All sag lenses, drop lenses and convex lenses shall be prohibited.
(2) At least 2.0 foot-candle (f.c.) minimum maintained lighting level is recommended, while 3.0—5.0 f.c. minimum maintained level is preferred. These levels shall generally apply to all parking and pedestrian areas. However, illumination levels at all property lines shall not exceed 0.5 f.c. when the building or parking areas are located adjacent to residential uses, and shall not exceed 1.0 f.c. when abutting other non-residential properties. Lighting levels can be reduced after business hours/closing to 0.5 f.c. minimum maintained for burglary and vandalism resistance, if the property does not have an existing problem with criminal incidents, and the owner deems it appropriate.
(3) The use of cut-off fixtures with diffusers to focus the lighting where needed to minimize or eliminate light trespass is required.
(4) All lighting lamp sources within parking and pedestrian areas shall be metal halide, compact fluorescent or LED; LED is preferred.
(5) The maximum light pole height in all parking areas shall not exceed 30 feet, and the maximum light pole height in all pedestrian areas shall not exceed 15 feet.
(6) Shrubs and trees shall not interfere with security lighting or common natural surveillance observation from Streets or any buildings, including Street rights-of-way.
(7) Illumination of exterior doors - All types of exterior doors shall be illuminated with outdoor lighting during the hours of darkness to allow ready-observation of persons entering or exiting.
(8) Illumination of address numbers - All street address or apartment/unit numbers (when existing) that are already required by existing codes shall also be illuminated during the hours of darkness.
(9) Illumination of recessed areas - Alcoves and other recessed areas of buildings or fences that are capable of human concealment shall be illuminated during the hours of darkness.
4. Additional Performance Standards.
(a) Drive-through window services and queuing lanes shall be placed in the side or rear yard of the Lot on which it is located. Drive-through window services and queuing lanes shall be located no closer than 50 feet to residential uses. Speaker systems shall not be aimed towards residential uses.
(b) Off-street parking lots. Where permitted, off-street parking lots shall be subject to the following conditions:
(1) There shall be no storage, sales, or service activity of any kind on these lots.
(2) Vehicular parking on the lot shall be limited to vehicles for employee and customer parking.
(c) Outdoor display of merchandise is prohibited.
E. Catalyst Character Areas Standards.
1. Boundaries. These Catalyst Character Areas (CCAs) are found in two locations. Per the Overlay Character Area Map shown in Figure 2, and the enlarged CCAs Map shown in Figure 10, one CCA is located to the east and west of University Boulevard on the north side of the Arlington Expressway. This area is bounded to the north by Playa Way and Harris Avenue; to the west by Arco Drive; to the south by the Arlington Expressway; and to the east by Cesery Boulevard. The other CCA is located north and south of Merrill Road on the west side of I-295 and the Southside Connector. This area is bounded to the north by the commercial properties on the north side of Merrill Road between Fort Wilderness Trail and I-295; to the west by Fort Wilderness Trail and Woolery Drive; to the south by the apartments and commercial properties on the south side of Merrill Road between Woolery Drive and Salt Lake Drive; and to the west by Salt Lake Drive and I-295. The Character Areas Map in Figure 2 shall be consulted for parcels located at the periphery of the Character Areas because the specific boundaries are established by property lines, not roadways.
Figure 10 - Catalyst Character Areas
[image omitted; see the official code]
2. Intent. These areas are comprised of unique Lots that contain existing large commercial shopping centers, vacant Lots, and medium density residential units. These areas are currently dominated by large parking lots that are not pedestrian friendly and not landscaped in compliance with the current code. These areas are prime locations for redevelopment, serving as an opportunity to promote the CRA's revitalization goals of creating walkable, mixed use areas (vertical and/or horizontal integration) to enhance the community. Generally, the standards herein focus on pedestrian and bicycle access, appropriate parking area orientation, green space enhancements, and an aggregation of shared Public Space.
3. Design Guidelines.
(a) Site layout and Massing.
(1) Retention/detention ponds or drainage conveyance should be incorporated as an amenity into the site design wherever possible. Additionally, proposed site development or building additions should determine if stormwater storage credits are available from CRA area-wide drainage improvements prior to initiating site design.
(2) Aggregated water features should be incorporated into Public Spaces when possible.
(3) Multiple Lot or building development should seek to create plazas or squares for enhancement of the public environment, rather than fractured small strips of green space.
(4) The fencing of ponds or conveyances should be avoided. Ponds should not be located in the front of the property unless the pond has been designed in conjunction with the natural features of the site and is developed and will be maintained as a significant site amenity. Rectangular or linear shaped ponds should be avoided where visible from the Street. Ponds should be planted and maintained with native vegetation, as defined in Section 656.1203 of the Zoning Code. The proximity of the pond to pedestrian circulation should be considered in the design of the pond slopes. Designated and maintained walkways around ponds are encouraged.
(5) Buildings shall be 'massed' against primary arterial or collector roadways, as defined in the Renew Arlington CRA Redevelopment Plan (Arlington Expressway, University Boulevard North, Cesery Boulevard, Merrill Road, Dames Point Crossing Boulevard, Hartsfield Road) to create a "street wall" effect.
(i) Buildings shall form a consistent, distinct edge, spatially delineating the Street through maximum building setbacks that vary by no more than five feet from those of the adjacent building.
(ii) No more than 40 percent of Lot Street frontage shall be open to parking, stormwater or internal green space with the Building massing covering 60 percent.
(iii) Building placement shall be designed to screen mass parking areas from the primary Street corridor. The structure shall be set no more than 30 feet from the Street, on Lots larger than 0.25 of an acre.
(iv) The creation of internal urban blocks, arranged to create a primary "Main Street," or internal street grid pattern shall be a focus of the urban site designs that exceed 90,000 square feet of Lot area. Building placement and massing shall be designed to reinforce this development pattern.
Figure 11 - Conceptual image of site layout and massing in Catalyst Character Area
[image omitted; see the official code]
(b) Building form and finish materials.
(1) The exterior finish of new buildings, and any exterior finish alterations and/or additions to the front side, Street side or any side visible from adjacent residential uses of existing buildings, shall be of brick, wood, concrete, stucco, exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS), architectural or split-face block, or other finish materials with similar appearance and texture. Metal clad, corrugated metal, plywood, Oriented Strand Board (OSB), and exposed plain concrete block shall not be permitted as exterior finish materials on the front of or any Street side of a building.
(2) Open bay doors and other similar large doors providing access to work areas and storage areas shall not open towards or directly face the directly accessed Street or primary arterial & collector roadway.
(3) Exterior window security bars shall be prohibited.
(4) All new multi-story buildings shall reflect the actual floors within the building through use of window location, facade breaks, facade setbacks, balconies, etc. Multi-story buildings that face a Street, neighborhood or other internal commercial area that can be viewed by the public shall have architectural fenestration and/or facade articulations designed at Pedestrian Scale.
(5) New buildings shall provide a foundation or base, such as from ground to bottom of the lower windowsills, with changes in volume or material. A clear visual division shall be maintained between the ground level floor and upper floors with either a cornice line or awning from 12 feet to 16 feet above Base Flood Elevation or grade, whichever applies to the proposed development.
(6) Massing for new buildings shall be designed to address Pedestrian Scale by reducing the scale and proportion of the visual "monolithic box" through variations in wall heights, facade articulations and varied roof planes.
(7) New commercial and mixed-use buildings shall have large display windows on the ground floor. All Street-facing, park-facing, and plaza-facing structures shall have windows covering a minimum of 40 percent and a maximum of 80 percent of the ground floor of each tenant's or occupants' linear frontage and shall not exceed 30 linear feet without fenestration. Mirrored glass, obscured glass and glass block cannot be used in meeting this requirement. Display windows may be used to meet this requirement. Windows may begin at ground level, or atop a knee wall, but shall have their bottom sill no higher than three feet from the finished floor height, when facing the Street. Full-view bay door windows shall count towards the building window requirements.
(8) New service garage buildings or additions meeting the applicability provisions of subsection 656.399.57.F regarding major or minor automotive repair shall provide Street facing windows in the service bay sections of the building wall covering a minimum of 20 percent of the overall linear frontage of the building. Window proportions may vary to accommodate structural and facade articulation. The sill height of these windows shall be a maximum of five feet above the interior finished floor elevation. The portions of new service garage buildings or additions not providing service bays shall conform to the commercial building design standards herein. The service garage service bay windows shall otherwise conform to commercial building design standards.
(c) Building location and Street presence.
(1) New structures shall be located no more than ten feet from the front property line facing a Street.
(2) New structures shall have a side setback of no more than ten feet.
(3) New structures shall have a minimum rear setback of 15 feet, and required screening and landscaping may be located within the rear setback.
(d) Height.
(1) Single use structures shall be limited to 35 feet in height.
(2) Multiuse or mixed use structures may have a maximum height of 45 feet; provided, however, that height may be unlimited where all required setbacks are increased by one foot for each foot of building height or fraction thereof in excess of 45 feet.
(e) Fences.
(1) The use of barbed, razor or concertina wire or similar fencing shall be prohibited where visible from any Street or sidewalk.
(2) Woven metal fences are prohibited.
(3) Chain link fencing visible from any Street shall be prohibited. Chain link fence may be used on the side (if not on a corner lot) and rear property lines, and shall be vinyl coated in black or green color.
(4) Fencing visible from any Street shall be composed of wood, stone, brick, masonry, pre-cast concrete, cast stone, vinyl or metal (in a wrought iron style).
(5) Lawfully constructed fencing existing on July 1, 2019, shall meet the requirements herein by April 28, 2025.
(f) Landscaping/Landscaped Buffers. Landscaping and tree protection shall be provided in accordance with Part 12 of the Zoning Code with the following additional and superseding provisions:
(1) Uncomplimentary Adjacent Use Vehicular Use Area Buffer.
(i) For a business existing as of July 1, 2019, where the Vehicular Use Area (VUA) of a non-residential property abuts a residential use, a minimum 85 percent opaque, six-foot high masonry wall, pre-cast panel, wood or vinyl fence, or similar, shall be provided on the side of the non-residential use.
(ii) For businesses existing on July 1, 2019, where a building is adjacent to a residential use, a minimum 85 percent opaque, six-foot high wood, stone, brick, vinyl, masonry, pre-cast panel, or similar fence or wall shall be provided on the side of the non-residential use.
(2) Right-of-way Vehicular Use Area Buffer.
(i) A minimum five-foot landscape buffer shall be provided along the boundary of all non-residential VUAs abutting Street right-of-way. No more than 25 percent of the landscaped area may be grass or mulch; the balance shall be landscaped with trees, shrubs or ground covers.
(3) Lawfully existing landscaping as of July 1, 2019 shall meet the requirements herein by April 28, 2025.
(4) Geographically separated parking areas shall be considered separate for purposes of Vehicular Use Area buffers and landscaping in the application of the Parking Lot Matrix in Part 6 of the Zoning Code.
(g) Signage. Signage shall generally be consistent with Part 13 of the Zoning Code, with the following additional and superseding provisions below. Where sign regulations differ from those provided in this Subpart, the more stringent regulation shall apply.
(1) One identity freestanding sign per Lot per Street frontage, provided they are located no closer than 200 feet apart (as measured in the Zoning Code); size determined as follows:
Parcel Size | Max Area per Side (sq ft) | Max Height (ft)
Less than 1 acre | 36 | 12
1 acre to 3 acres | 50 | 12
3 acres to 5 acres | 75 | 18
Greater than 5 acres | 200 | 35
One additional identity sign shall be permitted if the Lot's Street frontage equals or exceeds 500 linear feet, provided signs are located no closer than 200 feet apart (as measured in the Zoning Code).
(2) Pole mounted signs are prohibited.
(3) Billboards and/or off-site signs, as defined in Section 656.1302, Ordinance Code, are prohibited unless otherwise allowed by existing agreements with the City of Jacksonville.
(4) Animated signs; automatic changing message devices; mobile signs; beacons, tracker lights or similar lighting components; mirror-like or reflective materials; pennants; ribbons; streamers; inflatables; wind-activated signs; and similar are prohibited.
(5) Signs located in commercial and industrial zoning districts and located no more than 660 feet from the centerline of an interstate highway or expressway shall be limited to a height of 65 feet.
(6) Remnant portions of former sign structures no longer conforming to this Subpart shall be removed on or before December 31, 2024.
(7) Lawfully existing signage on July 1, 2019 shall meet the requirements herein April 28, 2025.
(h) Parking. The primary parking design objective for an urban mixed-use development project shall be to design the site in such a way as to minimize the amount of visible parking while maintaining close proximity of "shared" parking for all uses.
(1) The shared parking shall be internal to the project or Lot, but may include adjacent Lots if there is shared access and internal circulation. Shared parking can be used for up to 40 percent of the required parking spaces for commercial uses on site.
(2) On-street parking, where available, may be credited towards off-street parking requirements. On-street parking will be credited only for those spaces in front of and adjacent to the site, on the same side of the Street.
(3) No parking shall be placed between the Street and the primary facade of any structure.
(i) Access lanes both one and two-way, up to 24 feet in width may be placed between the street and the primary structure, provided a raised pedestrian crosswalk is provided from the Street sidewalk to the internal sidewalk system, five feet in width, at an interval of one for every 200 feet of internal roadway along the Street right-of-way.
(4) Internal circulation patterns shall be designed with the pedestrian in mind and shall feature elements such as bump outs, marked cross walks, parallel parking along internal circulation lanes and landscape buffers between sidewalks and internal circulation lanes of at least 4 feet in width, otherwise meeting the VUA area buffering requirements in Part 12 of the Zoning Code.
Figure 12 - Conceptual image of parking and building locations for Catalyst Character Area
[image omitted; see the official code]
(5) Reduction in required parking. Up to a 20 percent reduction in required parking for all commercial uses may be achieved provided a prorated amount of bicycle parking and amenities are provided. An internal bicycle circulation and infrastructure plan must be submitted to the City of Jacksonville Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator for review. This plan shall include:
(i) Parking for double the number of bicycles as vehicle parking spaces reduced.
(ii) Bicycle parking shall include covered or shaded bike racks and external water fountains.
(iii) Bicycle racks shall be located adjacent to primary structures and not in remote areas of the parking lots.
(iv) Designated improved travel paths or sidewalks between the Street and the provided on-site bicycle parking.
(v) Proper directional signage directing bicyclists to designated bike parking.
(vi) Appropriate internal vehicle signage denoting bicycle safety. Signage plan shall be provided as part of the bicycle infrastructure plan for review.
(i) Walkways and Pedestrian Connections. All surface parking lots shall be located to the rear of primary structures. Pedestrian access between or through buildings shall be provided and designed in such a way as to reinforce the pedestrian sense of arrival to the primary streetscape.
(1) Parking lots shall be designed to allow pedestrians to move safely from their vehicle to the building. On lots with 40 parking spaces or less, this may be achieved by providing a three-foot sidewalk or path at the perimeter of the lot. On lots with greater than 40 spaces, corridors within the parking area shall channel pedestrians from the car to the perimeter of the lot or to the building. Corridors are delineated by a paving material that differs from that of the vehicular area and are landscaped.
(i) Parking lots containing more than 40 parking spaces shall have clearly defined pedestrian connections provided between a Street right-of-way and building entrances, as well as parking lots and building entrances.
(ii) Pedestrian walkways shall be landscaped with additional shade or ornamental trees equal to an average of one shade tree per 50 linear feet of walkway, unless the walkway is adjacent to, or included within, an existing compliant buffer or frontage planting. Walkways shall not be less than five feet.
(iii) Pedestrian connections shall be clearly defined by at least one of the following:
a. Six-inch vertical curb, or
b. A continuous landscape area at a minimum of three feet wide on at least one side of the walkway.
(2) For properties with multiple tenants and/or multiple structures on site, pedestrian circulation shall be provided between tenants and/or structures through the use of a sidewalk or other suitable pedestrian connection, not less than five feet wide and where applicable, shall align with and connect to that of adjacent and contiguous properties. Sidewalk paving or other pedestrian connections, where applicable, must continue uninterrupted across the mouth of all curb cuts, subject to the City's Land Development Regulations.
(j) Screening.
(1) Any exterior garbage receptacles, dumpsters, open storage areas or mechanical equipment must be screened from view from Street rights-of-way and adjacent residential uses property with 95 percent opaque material that is visually similar to materials used on the nearest facade of the principal structure, such as wood or vinyl. Additionally, garbage receptacles, dumpsters, open storage areas and/or mechanical equipment must be a minimum 25 feet from adjacent residential uses and shall be incorporated into the main structure as a part of new construction or Major Renovation, as defined in this Subpart.
(k) Lighting. Provide lighting systems that minimize glare, shadow, light pollution, and light trespass.
(1) All sag lenses, drop lenses and convex lenses shall be prohibited.
(2) At least 2.0 foot-candle (f.c.) minimum maintained lighting level is recommended, while 3.0—4.0 f.c. minimum maintained level is preferred. These levels shall generally apply to all parking and pedestrian areas. However, illumination levels at all property lines shall not exceed 0.5 f.c. when the building or parking areas are located adjacent to residential uses, and shall not exceed 1.0 f.c. when abutting other non-residential properties. Lighting levels can be reduced after business hours/closing to 0.5 f.c. minimum maintained for burglary and vandalism resistance, if the property does not have an existing problem with criminal incidents, and the owner deems it appropriate.
(3) The use of cut-off fixtures with diffusers to focus the lighting where needed to minimize or eliminate light trespass is required.
(4) All lighting lamp sources within parking and pedestrian areas shall be metal halide, compact fluorescent or LED; LED is preferred.
(5) The maximum light pole height in all parking areas shall not exceed 30 feet, and the maximum light pole height in all pedestrian areas shall not exceed 15 feet.
(6) Shrubs and trees shall not interfere with security lighting or common natural surveillance observation from Streets or any buildings, including Street rights-of-way.
(7) Illumination of exterior doors - All types of exterior doors shall be illuminated with outdoor lighting during the hours of darkness to allow ready-observation of persons entering or exiting.
(8) Illumination of address numbers - All street address or apartment/unit numbers (when existing) that are already required by existing codes shall also be illuminated during the hours of darkness.
(9) Illumination of recessed areas - Alcoves and other recessed areas of buildings or fences that are capable of human concealment shall be illuminated during the hours of darkness.
4. Additional Performance Standards.
(a) Alcohol Distance Limitations.
(1) Unless otherwise superseded by State or federal statutes or regulations, for permitted and permissible uses, any and all distance limitations and prohibitions found in Part 8 of the Zoning Code are waived and do not apply with regard to the distance between any and all location(s) selling and/or serving all alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption in conjunction with a restaurant, microbrewery or brewpub, as defined in this Subpart, and the location of any and all established faith institutions or schools (inclusive of Jacksonville University). Uses subject to this standard shall not serve alcoholic beverages past midnight. For those uses that intend to serve alcoholic beverages past midnight, Part 8 of the Zoning Code shall apply.
(2) Sale and service of all alcohol for off premise consumption must meet the distance requirements otherwise required in the City's Zoning Code. Retail sale and service of all alcoholic beverages (license type 3PS) for off-premises consumption shall be discouraged.
(3) All permitted alcohol related uses shall have a minimum separation between any residential uses and any portion of the property used for the sale and service of alcohol, including outside sales and service locations of 100 feet, as measured from the nearest property line of the residential use to the nearest portion of the property defined for alcohol sales, unless otherwise incorporated into a mixed use project where uses are blended on the same Lot.
(b) Drive-through window services and queuing lanes shall be placed in the side or rear yard of the Lot on which it is located. Drive-through window services and queuing lanes shall be located no closer than 50 feet to adjacent residential uses. Speaker systems shall not be aimed towards adjacent residential uses.
(c) Off-street parking lots. Where permitted, off-street parking lots shall be subject to the following conditions:
(1) There shall be no storage, sales, or service activity of any kind on these lots except where seasonal sales are permitted within the City's Zoning Code, Section 656.401(gg).
(2) Vehicular parking on the lot shall be limited to vehicles for employee and customer parking.
(d) Outdoor display of merchandise. Where not a permitted use in the underlying Zoning District, outdoor display of merchandise shall be restricted to merchandise typically used and stored outdoors and shall be permissible by a Zoning Exception. Such merchandise may include outdoor landscape structures (garden sheds, arbors, gazebos, etc.), plant materials, agricultural products, lawn maintenance equipment, and outdoor furniture.
(1) Merchandise shall not be placed on the public sidewalk or within the right-of-way.
(Ord. 2019-239-E, § 1; Ord. 2021-784-E, § 1; Ord. 2022-220-E, § 1; Ord. 2024-699-E, § 3)
