4.6. NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION AREA (NPA)

COMBINING ZONING DISTRICT

Some areas of the County, due to unique social, architectural, environmental, or other characteristics, require special regulations not found in the basic Zoning Districts, in order to protect and preserve existing neighborhood characteristics.

It is the intent of a Neighborhood Preservation Area (NPA) Combining Zoning District to provide a means by which regulations may be provided to supplement or modify the provisions in the basic zoning districts as necessary to preserve existing unique characteristics. An NPA zoning district may be combined with any other zoning classification.

An NPA zoning district shall be established by ordinance that shall specify and describe the area to be subjected to the regulations of the ordinance. An NPA ordinance may specify yard areas, lot area, lot width, public street frontage requirements, height limitations, sign standards, or other development standards to be applied within the district in lieu of the requirements contained in the underlying zoning district(s).

4.6.2.A. Criteria

The following criteria shall be applicable to the establishment to any NPA zoning district, and the ordinance establishing said zoning district shall contain findings relative to such criteria:

1. The neighborhood described in and subject to the NPA ordinance has unique social, architectural, environmental, or other characteristics that will be preserved by the regulations and standards contained in the NPA ordinance.

2. The NPA zoning district is of sufficient size to constitute an identifiable neighborhood.

3. The NPA zoning district does not unduly restrict reasonable uses of the land nor cause undue hardship on property owners within this zoning district.

4.6.2.B. Limitations

An NPA ordinance adopted pursuant to this Section shall not limit or add to the uses permitted in the underlying zoning district(s), nor shall such ordinance permit a greater density of land use than permitted in the underlying zoning district(s).

4.6.2.C. Designation

The abbreviation “NPA” appearing on a comprehensive zoning district plan incorporated in this Code indicates that the property so classified is subject to the provisions of this Section and any ordinance adopted pursuant to this Section.

An NPA zoning district shall be interpreted strictly to modify only the standards or requirements as specified in the applicable NPA ordinance. All standards and requirements of this Code that are not inconsistent with the stated provisions of the NPA ordinance shall apply.