§ XIV. Variations and exceptions.

Whenever the tract to be subdivided is of such unusual size or shape or is surrounded by such development or unusual conditions that the strict application of the requirements contained in these regulations would result in real difficulties and substantial hardships or injustices, the planning commission may vary or modify such requirements, so that the subdivider is allowed to develop his property in a reasonable manner, but so that, at the same time the public welfare and interest of the city are protected and the general intent and spirit of these regulations are preserved.

1.

Town House Subdivision

In the R-1.5 residential zoning district the planning commission may approve town house subdivisions under the following conditions:

(a)

Town Houses: Single-family attached dwellings on individual lots for sale may be served by servitudes of access and providing common open spaces in lieu of typical single-family yards.

(b)

Site Plan and Design Criteria:

(1)

[ Number. ] Not more than six (6) contiguous town houses shall be built in a row with the same or approximately the same front building line, and not more than twelve (12) town houses shall be contiguous.

(2)

Separation Requirements. No portion of a town house or accessory structure in or related to one group of contiguous town houses shall be closer than twenty (20) feet to any portion of a town house or accessory structure related to another group, or to any building outside the town house are, nor shall any structure be less than twenty (20) feet from a public street.

(3)

Yards. There shall be a twenty-five (25) foot yard along sides and rear of each town house site wherever it adjoins an A1 or A2 zoning district. Each town house shall have its own lot yard space of at least four hundred (400) square feet, reasonably secluded from view from streets or from neighboring property. Such yard shall not be used for off-street parking or for any accessory building.

(4)

Grouped Parking Facilities. Off-street parking facilities shall be provided and may be grouped in bays, either adjacent to streets or in the interior of blocks but must be off street rights-of-way. Practicable methods of drainage shall be assured by developers in connection with common parking facilities, and all such facilities shall be improved to city standards for off-street parking areas, with at least two (2) spaces per unit on the lot plus one (1) visitor parking space per each two (2) units, which may be provided in separate areas.

(c)

[ Sewerage, water supply and drainage: ] Sewerage, water supply and drainage shall be designed and constructed under the supervision of and approved by the parish health unit and the City of Natchitoches as provided under section VIII and section IX of this ordinance, except that connection to sanitary sewers shall be the only permitted method of sewage disposal.

(d)

Drives, Parking and Utilities: Design and construction of drives, drainage and location of utilities shall be subject to review and approval by the City of Natchitoches after approval of the preliminary plan by the planning commission office.

(1)

Requirements for public streets and servitudes as set forth in sections IV and VII shall apply.

(2)

Interior access drives shall have a soil cement and lime base to be determined by an independent laboratory, with one and one-half [inches] asphaltic concrete wearing surface or better, at least twenty-two (22) feet wide, with adequate drainage.

(3)

Parking areas shall be at least sixty-five (65) feet wide where parking or carports are on both sides of a common drive, or at least forty-two (42) feet wide where there is parking on one side only; except where diagonal parking is to be provided, parking areas shall be at least fifty-seven (57) feet wide for parking on both sides or thirty-six (36) feet for parking on one side.

(4)

Before approval of the final subdivision plans, restrictions shall be submitted, including designation of all servitudes, lot lines, parking areas and other open space, with provision for perpetual maintenance of all improvements including pavements, landscaping, utilities and services. Restrictions shall clearly indicate that the city will not accept any maintenance responsibility for drives and parking spaces.

(5)

Where a property extends more than four hundred (400) feet from a public street, additional fire hydrants shall be provided as required.

(6)

There shall be a six-foot high wall or solid fence along the sides and rear of the R-1.5 project wherever it adjoins R-1 Single-family zoned district.

(e)

Servitudes in favor of the lots shall be provided at the front or rear of lots in the required front or rear yards for off-street parking and utilities, but entrances to front yard parking areas shall be not less than fifty (50) feet apart, unless an individual space is provided for each lot. Parking spaces and drives shall have permanent dust-free surfacing.

(f)

Only town houses may be built in such a subdivision and the subdivision must be undertaken within six (6) months of final subdivision approval. If construction is not undertaken within six (6) months, the commission shall revoke approval of the subdivision unless some compelling reason can be shown for its continuance.

(Ord. No. 28-1995, § 1.13, 5-8-95)