§ 27-416. Residential historic (RH).

A.

Purpose. To preserve and promote the educational, cultural and general welfare of the public through the preservation, protection, and restoration of the traditional architectural character and historic significance of structures located in the RH district. The RH zoning district is appropriate in the residential attached, residential detached, general commercial, mixed use residential, and mixed use employment of the master land use plan.

1.

No property shall be zoned as residential historic before it has been recommended to be part of a historic district by the historic district commission. Before an application for rezoning can be filed the property must be established by the governing body as a historic district.

2.

See also section 19-61 et seq. of the Fort Smith Municipal Code.

B.

Land uses. Permitted, conditional and accessory uses in the RH district are identified on the land use matrix, article 27-400, appendix A. Specific land uses not identified on the list are subject to classification pursuant to section 27-336. With the exception of multifamily developments, no more than one (1) principal structure may be erected on each defined lot.

C.

Area and bulk regulations.

Density/ Min. Lot Size	Min. Lot Width	Max Lot Coverage	Minimum Street Frontage	Max Height
8.7 du per acre/5,000 s.f.	50 feet	65%	20 feet	35 feet (See 27-404(H))

 

Setbacks
Front Setback	Side Setback	Street Side/Corner Setback	Rear Setback
10 feet	5 feet	10 feet	5 feet

 

1.

Minimum building separation shall be ten (10) feet.

D.

District standards.

1.

No property shall be zoned or rezoned to this classification unless the property has been (prior to the rezoning) recommended as an historic district by the historic district commission and established as a historic district by the board of directors.

2.

All properties zoned RH shall be subject to the architectural design review requirements set forth in the ordinance creating such property as a historic district.

3.

Parking requirements.

a.

The historic district commission shall review all parking plans to consider the surface paving material, site screening, access drives, and landscape/streetscape elements of the plan.

b.

A parking lot shall only be allowed in the historic district to serve a permitted use that is located in the district.

4.

Signs. The historic district commission shall review each "business sign" application to determine its architectural and aesthetic compatibility with the historic district. The purpose of their review is to assure the preservation of the authentic historic character of the district as nearly as possible. In addition to the review by the historic district commission and their determination of the appropriateness of business signs, the following criteria shall govern all business signs in the district:

a.

Permitted signs.

1.

Business signs as defined in section 27-200 shall be permitted in the historic district. A business sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area.

2.

Banners, as follows:

a.

May not exceed an area of six (6) square feet in total area;

b.

May be displayed only on the outside walls of buildings and may not obscure windows, doors or any other architectural feature;

c.

Display time is limited as determined by the Historic District Commission;

d.

Design elements must be approved by the Historic District Commission;

e.

A permit must be obtained by application to the city building department. The application must include written approval by the historic district commission.

b.

Exempted signs. The following signs may be placed by the appropriate entities without obtaining a sign installation permit or certificate of appropriateness.

1.

Any official sign installed by a federal, state or local governing entity for purposes of maintaining the public health, safety or welfare.

2.

Real estate signs (not exceeding six (6) square feet).

c.

Prohibited signs. The following types of signs and similar devices shall be prohibited within the historic district:

1.

No signs that flash, blink, revolve, or are otherwise in motion shall be permitted. No visible bulbs, neon tubing, luminous paints, or plastics shall be permitted as part of any sign.

2.

Portable signs, internally illuminated signs, outdoor advertising signs, inflatable signs and balloons, beacons, streamers, pennants, and similar devices used to direct attention are prohibited.

d.

Historical markers. Historical markers and building markers may be permitted within the district provided the location, size and materials are approved by the historic district commission.

(Ord. No. 16-12, § 2, 2-21-12; Ord. No. 29-14, § 1(Att.), 6-3-14)