Overview of Overlay Districts Affecting the University Area
The two overlays affecting the university area are the University Area Off-Street Parking Overlay District and the University Area Design Overlay. They are described below.
University Area Off-Street Parking Overlay District
The University Area Off-Street Parking Overlay District requires off-street parking for new construction and renovations of existing structures that result in an increase in existing bedrooms. This off-street parking requirement does not apply to new construction dwelling units with three or fewer bedrooms, or renovations of existing dwelling units where the total number of bedrooms is three or fewer.
Affected area
The Overlay District applies to the area bounded by Cecil Street to Monticello Avenue, Monticello Avenue, to Leake Avenue, to River Drive, to Riverview Drive, to East Drive, to Tchoupitoulas Street, turning south on State Street, turning east on Front Street, turning north on Nashville Avenue, turning east on Tchoupitoulas Street, turning north on Jefferson Avenue, turning east on South Claiborne Avenue, turning north on Toledano Street, connecting to Washington Avenue, turning west on Earhart Boulevard, turning north on South Carrollton Avenue, turning west on Tulane Avenue/Airline Highway connecting to Palmetto Street, to Northline Street, to Monticello, to Cecil Street.
Regulations
In general, the overlay district requires the normal parking requirement of one off-street parking space per dwelling unit with a parking requirement of one off-street parking space per new bedroom. The parking requirement applies to new construction and renovations of existing structures that result in an increase in the number of bedrooms or bathrooms.
Not all properties in the overlay district are subject to these requirements. The off-street parking requirement only applies to properties zoned HU-RD1, HURD2, HU-RS, HU-RM1, and HU-RM2 zoning districts. Ther requirement does not apply to new construction dwelling units with three or fewer bedrooms or renovations of existing dwelling units where the total number of bedrooms is three or fewer. Additionally, the requirements do not apply to residentially-zoned properties with a homestead exemption.
The full regulations of the overlay district can be viewed here: http://czo.nola.gov/Article-18#18-30-B
Appeal procedure
Waivers of these off-street parking requirements and restrictions may be considered by the Board of Zoning Adjustments.
University Area Design Overlay District
The University Area Design Overlay District requires administrative design review, including review by the Design Advisory committee for new residentially-zoned structures, or major renovations or expansions (15% or more of the existing square footage) of residentially-zoned structures.
This additional review is to ensure that design is compatible in character, scale, and spatial relationships with existing residential development on the same and opposite block faces and surrounding neighborhood character. In conducting its design review, the staff shall consider changes to scale, massing, articulation, and roof form to ensure compatibility with existing development.
For design guidelines, reference the City of New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission (HDLC) Guidelines for New Construction, Additions and Demolition.
Affected area
The Overlay District applies to the area bounded by South Claiborne Avenue, Nashville Avenue, Saint Charles Avenue, and South Carrollton Avenue.
Regulations
The regulations of the design overlay district apply to new construction, as well as expansions of existing structures where the existing square footage is increased by 15% or more. The requirement applies only to properties zoned HU-RD1 Two-Family Residential District, HU-RD2 Two-Family Residential District, HU-RS Single-Family Residential District, HU-RM1 Multi-Family Residential District, and HU-RM2 Multi-Family Residential District.
The design overlay district regulates the scale and massing in all zoning districts where it applies, requiring design to be compatible in character, scale, and spatial relationships with nearby development. In conducting the design review, the City Planning Commission staff and Design Advisory Committee consider the compatibility of scale, massing, articulation, and roof form with existing development.
The design overlay district regulates the height of structures in the HU-RD1, HU-RD2, and HU-RS Districts only, limiting their height to no more than 30 feet or to 3 feet higher than the taller of the immediately adjacent structures, whichever is less.
The full regulations of the overlay district can be viewed here: http://czo.nola.gov/Article-18#18-32
Application procedure
File a completed design review application, accompanied by required attachments, with the City Planning Commission. Applications must be complete and submitted to CPCinfo@nola.gov. The Design Review Application must be accompanied by the submittal requirements, including a completed Supplement "A" form.
The Executive Director of the City Planning Commission must render a decision within 90 days after the application is deemed complete. To meet that deadline, the DAC shall provide a recommendation within 60 days from its first consideration. Once initial design review comments are provided, the 90-day deadline is tolled until resubmittal.
Appeal procedure
The applicant may file a written appeal of the final decision of the Executive Director of the City Planning Commission within 45 days. The completed application must be complete and submitted to CPCinfo@nola.gov. The applicant may file a written appeal of the decision of the City Planning Commission to the City Council within 45 days.
Waivers of height requirements may be considered by the Board of Zoning Adjustments.