NEW SCHOOL APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS MH10m

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Revision #1: February, 2008
Revision #2: March, 2009
Revision #3: March, 2010
Revision #4: March, 2011
Revision #5: March, 2012

new school approval requirements

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction…………………………………………………………..Page 1
“The Matrix”………………………………………………………….Page 2
Huntersville…………………………………………………………..Page 3
Cornelius……………………………………………………………..Page 5
Davidson……………………………………………………………..Page 7
Matthews……………………………………………………………..Page 9
Mint Hill……………………………………………………………...Page 11
Pineville……………………………………………………………..Page 13
Charlotte…………………………………………………………….Page 15
Table of Changes………………………………………………….Page 17
Acknowledgements……………………………………………….Page 18

Introduction
During the Spring of 2006, the Planning Liaison Committee (PLC) directed CharlotteMecklenburg Schools and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Department staffs to work together
to:
“Evaluate standards and ordinances that may unnecessarily increase costs of
school development”
Working in close cooperation with Planning staffs from each of Mecklenburg County’s seven
municipal jurisdictions, an approach was devised that involved identifying portions of those local
ordinances that might have the greatest potential for being standardized across multiple
jurisdictions, thus addressing the PLC’s charge to examine where the municipal approval
processes for schools might be simplified by standardizing certain site design characteristics.
Toward that end, it was decided that the planning tool best suited to compare and contrast the
individual ordinances was a “new school approval requirement matrix”. “The Matrix” would allow
for a reasonable and convenient “side-by-side” comparison of 26 of the most significant
municipal code site development and zoning requirements in place for each of the seven
Mecklenburg municipalities.
Using “The Matrix” as a guide, discussions may be held wherein the advantages,
consequences, and procedural requirements of potential standardization of regulatory elements
can be evaluated, and appropriate action taken.
The requirements contained herein have been updated annually, since initial publication in early
2007. This represents the fifth update (reflecting requirements in effect in March, 2012). A new
feature for 2012 is a Table of Changes (found on Page 17) that summarizes – by year - the
school approval changes enacted by Mecklenburg jurisdictions since the 2007 inception of New
School Approval Requirements.

Instructions
Use of The Matrix is quite simple. Users should first refer to Page 2 and determine which
development characteristic they desire to compare, and reference the number of that
characteristic. For instance, the requirement for traffic studies is Characteristic 11. Users
should then refer to the subsequent pages where development requirements for each of
Mecklenburg County’s seven municipalities are summarized in the same sequence in which
they appear on Page 2. Literal “side-by-side” comparisons among municipalities might require
the dis-assembly of this document in order to facilitate such a comparison.

Page 1

New School Approval Requirements – 2012 Edition

NEW SCHOOL APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS (“The Matrix”)
Davidson

Matthews

Mint Hill

Pineville

Charlotte

Zoning district(s) where schools are allowed by-right

Cornelius

Refer to Pages 3-16 for the indicated information
(for instance, "HV01" describes the zoning districts in
Huntersville where schools are allowed by-right)

Huntersville

Mecklenburg County, NC jurisdictions

HV01

CR01

DA01

MA01

MH01

PV01

CH01

Zoning district(s) where schools allowed under conditions
-

Special Use Permit or Conditional Use Permit

HV02

CR02

DA02

MA02

MH02

PV02

CH02

-

Special site design

HV03

CR03

DA03

MA03

MH03

PV03

CH03

HV04

CR04

DA04

MA04

MH04

PV04

CH04

HV05e

CR05e

DA05e

MA05e

MH05e

PV05e

CH05e

Middle

HV0m

CR05m

DA05m

MA05m

MH05m

PV05m

CH05m

High

HV05h

CR05h

DA05h

MA05h

MH05h

PV05h

CH05h

Additional development review requirements
Specific site requirements:
-

Loading

Elementary

-

Buffering/screening

HV06

CR06

DA06

MA06

MH06

PV06

CH06

-

Setbacks

HV07

CR07

DA07

MA07

MH07

PV07

CH07

-

Minimum lot area/width

HV08

CR08

DA08

MA08

MH08

PV08

CH08

-

Landscaping

HV09

CR09

DA09

MA09

MH09

PV09

CH09

-

Site access (vehicular)

Elementary

HV10e

CR10e

DA10e

MA10e

MH10e

PV10e

CH10e

Middle

HV10m

CR10m

DA10m

MA10m

MH10m

PV10m

CH10m

High

HV10h

CR10h

DA10h

MA10h

MH10h

PV10h

CH10h

-

Traffic impacts (incl. traffic studies)

HV11

CR11

DA11

MA11

MH11

PV11

CH11

-

Off-site improvements (traffic, pedestrian)

HV12

CR12

DA12

MA12

MH12

PV12

CH12

-

Connectivity

HV13

CR13

DA13

MA13

MH13

PV13

CH13

-

Building/site design

HV14

CR14

DA14

MA14

MH14

PV14

CH14

-

Land dedication for greenway or open space

HV15

CR15

DA15

MA15

MH15

PV15

CH15

-

Floodplain/SWIM requirements (incl. County SWIM buffer reqmts)

HV16

CR16

DA16

MA16

MH16

PV16

CH16

-

Parking requirements & internal circulation

Elementary

HV17e

CR17e

DA17e

MA17e

MH17e

PV17e

CH17e

Middle

HV17m

CR17m

DA17m

MA17m

MH17m

PV17m

CH17m

High

HV17h

CR17h

DA17h

MA17h

MH17h

PV17h

CH17h

-

L.I.D./stormwater/post-construction impact reqmts

HV18

CR18

DA18

MA18

MH18

PV18

CH18

-

Watershed

HV19

CR19

DA19

MA19

MH19

PV19

CH19

-

Bicycle

HV20

CR20

DA20

MA20

MH20

PV20

CH20

-

(Reserved)

HV21

CR21

DA21

MA21

MH21

PV21

CH21

Development concessions for school sites:
-

Land reservation/dedication

HV22

CR22

DA22

MA22

MH22

PV22

CH22

-

Tied to _______ Ordinance

HV23

CR23

DA23

MA23

MH23

PV23

CH23

Requirements for placement of mobiles

HV24

CR24

DA24

MA24

MH24

PV24

CH24

Approvals required by local Boards

HV25

CR25

DA25

MA25

MH25

PV25

CH25

Municipal fee schedule

HV26

CR26

DA26

MA26

MH26

PV26

CH26

New School Approval Requirements – 2012 Edition

Page 2

NEW SCHOOL APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
Mecklenburg County jurisdictions
Jurisdiction:

Huntersville

Requirement:
HV01

Schools allowed by right in all residential and mixed use districts (R, TR, GR, NR, NC, TC,
TND-U & TND-R) and in Campus Institutional (CI) district

HV02

A Special Use Permit is required for schools in TOD-R (residential transit station area)
zoning district. Additionally, “temporary schools” in the CB (Corporate Business) district
are allowed with Special Use Permit subject to conditions in Art. 9.35.11 of Huntersville’s
Zoning Ordinance. “Temporary schools” are described as those that will operate for 5
years or less in existing buildings on existing lots with maximum enrollment of 300.
Conditions require that they be designed, located and accessed so that primary
passenger vehicle routes avoid routes used by truck/industrial traffic.

HV03

n.a.

HV04

Schools must conform to requirements in Schools section of Sec. 9.35 of Zoning
Ordinance, re. parking, fencing, lighting, and other characteristics

HV05 e, m, h Parking/loading to occur principally in rear yards; allowed in side yards up to 25% of their
width
HV06

Parking to be screened; entire site to be buffered; service areas and mechanical
equipment to be screened

HV07

Civic buildings: front setback max. 25', side min. 8' (one side only), rear min. 50'

HV08

No minimum lot area requirements

HV09

Planting strip or “plaza” required on street frontage; perimeter fencing to be fronted by
shrubs; parking abutting right-of-way requires screening.

HV10e

To be located on streets sized to accommodate anticipated traffic volumes; access to
parking/loading areas through abutting properties is encouraged
See above
To be located on lot abutting minor or major thoroughfare; primary vehicular access from
that thoroughfare; access to parking/loading areas through abutting properties is
encouraged

HV10m
HV10h

HV11

A Traffic Impact Analysis is required if the school will meet the criteria of 50 peak hour
trips or 500 average daily total trips (500 ADT equals roughly a 400-student elementary
school or a 300-student middle or high school, per the Institute of Traffic Engineers)

HV12

Road improvement (turn lanes where necessary), pedestrian (5 foot sidewalk)

HV13

Connectivity is encouraged; connectivity to parking on adjoining lots is encouraged;
primary pedestrian access is to be from street (vs. parking lot to rear).

Page 3

New School Approval Requirements – 2012 Edition

HV14

Blend with “architectural vocabulary of the area” in massing & materials; street-visible
elevations not to be clad in metal siding; front elevation to emphasize human scale; serve
as visual community anchors; enclose rooftop mechanical equipment; max. height: 4
stories

HV15

Land dedication not required.

HV16

Floodplain/SWIM buffer requirements in effect

HV17 e, m, h No minimum parking requirements; parking connectivity to adjoining lots is encouraged.
HV18

LID requirements are in effect

HV19

Watershed requirements (maximum impervious surface coverage) are in effect in portions
of town

HV20

Bicycle parking required (no minimum)

HV21

(reserved)

HV22

Right of acquisition via. purchase or dedication if (1) site is designated by CMS as future
school site and (2) site is processed for subdivision

HV23

Section 6.2.11 of Huntersville Subdivision ordinance

HV24

Mobiles to be placed in side or rear yards (behind primary facade) and to not be used as
“permanent civic buildings”; placement will require entire site to be brought into
compliance with applicable codes.

HV25

None required for schools, with the exception of schools in the TOD-R (residential transit
station area) and CB (corporate business) zoning districts where a Special Use Permit is
required and therefore Town Board approval would be required.

HV26

$400 “review fee” waived for CMS; $800 re-zoning fee (if necessary).

New School Approval Requirements – 2012 Edition

Page 4

NEW SCHOOL APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
Mecklenburg County jurisdictions
Jurisdiction:

Cornelius

Requirement:
CR01

Schools allowed in all zoning districts except Highway Commercial and Industrial
Campus, with Conditional Zoning

CR02

All civic uses (including schools) are required to through the Conditional Zoning process

CR03

Design review required as part of Conditional Use Permit process

CR04

n.a.

CR05 e, m, h Civic uses: no parking requirements.
CR06

Buffers required adjacent to residential areas. Parking landscaping/screening required.
Street trees required along frontage. Additional buffers may be required depending on
site relationship to adjoining development.

CR07

No front setbacks, but structure needs to relate to context. Side/Rear setbacks depend on
zoning district.

CR08

Varies; depends upon zoning district

CR09

See CR06. Also, buffer required within the interior of parking area (no parking space
>60' from canopy tree).

CR10 e, m, h Traffic impact study required to define ingress/egress requirements.
CR11

Traffic impact study required for schools

CR12

If infrastructure is sub-standard or if school causes it to be, offsite improvements required.

CR13

Connectivity will be evaluated and required.

CR14

Needs to be contextually sensitive (including functionality and aesthetics)

CR15

Not required unless property involved coincides with Greenway Master Plan

CR16

Must conform to County standards

CR17 e, m, h 9' aisle width, 19' length, 24' travel lane for 2-way traffic.
CR18

Must conform to County standards

CR19

Impervious limits & open space conditions: if impervious > 24% requires Town Board
approval

CR20

n.a.

Page 5

New School Approval Requirements – 2012 Edition

CR21

(reserved)

CR22

Proposed developments of >200 acres or 500 dwelling units require 18 acre
reservation.

CR23

Chapter 13 of the Land Development Code (“Conformance of General Plans”)

CR24

Permitted for 1 year with a 2 year potential extension.

CR25

Conditional Use Permits and Re-zonings: Town Board

CR26

Conditional Use Permit $500 (construction documents separate fee)
R-zoning: $1,250 (including fee for parallel Conditional Use district)

New School Approval Requirements – 2012 Edition

Page 6

NEW SCHOOL APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
Mecklenburg County jurisdictions
Jurisdiction:

Davidson

Requirement:
DA01

Schools allowed by-right in College Campus Planning Area (subject to certain design
requirements for schools and civic buildings as articulated in the Planning Ordinance)

DA02

Schools allowed in the following Planning Areas (subject to certain basic design
requirements for schools and civic buildings in addition to other requirements relating to
placement of mobile classrooms, parking, etc., per. Sections 5 and 9.2 of the Planning
Ordinance):
 Lakeshore
 Village Center
 Village Infill
 Neighborhood Edge *
 Neighborhood General **
 Central Business District **
 Flex Campus *
 Rural ***
* Maximum 5 acres per parcel & minimum distance ¼ mile from other civic uses
** Civic uses must occupy minimum 5% of total land area as shown on any master
plan, net of open space, parking, and public ROW (not a requirement unless civic
use is shown on current & adopted area plan)
*** Allowed except as part of a residential subdivision, conservation easement
subdivision or low-impact subdivision

DA03

Site plans subject to staff approval; individual building schematic designs subject to
approval of the Design Review Board that seeks to have them “designed appropriately to
fit within neighborhoods as integral parts of the community”. Building height by Planning
Area:
 Minimum 2 stories, maximum 4 stories: Lakeshore, College Campus, Village Center,
Rural, Neighborhood Edge, Neighborhood General, Central Business District, Flex
Campus Areas
 Minimum 2 stories, maximum 2 stories: Village Infill Area

DA04

School buildings shall conform to standards of civic buildings, Section 9 of Planning
Ordinance

DA05 e, m, h Design so as to facilitate movement/access by sanitation, emergency & other service
vehicles without posing danger to pedestrians or impeding parking and access should
occur at mid-block or alley.
DA06

See “landscaping” (DA09)

DA07

Front: 0 min, no maximum; side 0 min, no maximum.

DA08

No minimum lot width.

DA09

New lots <5 spaces require perimeter and interior landscaping; perimeter >=8’ wide;
landscape “screens” required by project approval will be >=15’ wide; existing natural
buffers to not be disturbed.

Page 7

New School Approval Requirements – 2012 Edition

DA10 e, m, h Buildings must front on street or pedestrian way; minimum of one means of vehicular
access via public ROW. Driveways not > 24 feet (2 lanes) or 12 feet (1 lane).
DA11

n.a.

DA12

Developments require right-of-way improvements to adjacent existing streets, per town
design standards. Network of sidewalks & bicycle lanes are encouraged.

DA13

Cul-de-sacs are discouraged and block lengths are to be <600’; connectivity within and to
adjoining streets is encouraged.

DA14

Subject to review/approval of Design Review Board & Section 9 of Planning Ordinance.

DA15

Requires greenway network. 50% acreage in residential subdivisions

DA16

Permit required from Mecklenburg County Floodplain Administrator: floodplain
encroachment not permitted, floodproofing of proposed floodprone development required,
adequate draining required to reduce flood hazard of proposed development

DA17 e, m, h No minimum parking quantities; design principles require circulation that doesn’t interfere
with pedestrians, placed behind buildings & not in front of buildings, adjoining nonresidential lots to be inter-connected. Where safety requires functional separation
between parking & circulation location of these may be modified so long as areas abutting
streets are detailed as plazas. Lots > 36 spaces require separation by buildings or
landscape areas. Lots shall not abut civic buildings.
DA18

Phase II Post Construction Storm Water regulations (June 2007). Stream buffer overlay
district required where upstream buffer >= 50 acres

DA19

Watershed overlay district: requires <=24% max lot coverage (<=50% “high density
option” subject to Town Board approval) & >=40’ vegetative buffer along “perennial
streams”

DA20

Area for bike parking is required (including bike rack) as required by Planning Director &
Section 10.2.2 of Planning Ordinance.

DA21

(reserved)

DA22

Where site has been identified as a need by CMS or if development > 200 acres or 500
units (min 18 acre reservation)

DA23

Section 6.5 of Planning Ordinance

DA24

May be placed anywhere on a lot containing a principal school building, except in front of
an existing building; metal buildings in College Campus district may not be visible from
street. May be placed for maximum 2 years renewable thereafter in 1-year increments by
temporary use permit.

DA25

Town Board approval for Master Plan, Conditional Master Plan, rezoning, and highdensity watershed option; Design Review Board approval for individual building schematic
design

DA26

Design Review Board application: $400;
Re-zonings: Straight-up: $750, Conditional: $1,000
“Zoning permits” (non-single family): $400

New School Approval Requirements – 2012 Edition

Page 8

NEW SCHOOL APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
Mecklenburg County jurisdictions
Jurisdiction:

Matthews

Requirement:
MA01

Schools up to 100 students allowed by-right in all single-family residential districts; all
multi-family residential districts allow schools up to 400 students by-right; the following
districts allow schools (no student # limit) by-right:
 Residential/Institutional,
 Office,
 Business districts (B-1, B-2, B-3)
 Historic Urban Core

MA02

Conditional zoning required for schools in Residential/Institutional(CD) for property requiring
a change in zoning

MA03

n.a.

MA04

Under Conditional Districts, anything may be part of a zoning condition

MA05e , m, h No specific loading requirements for schools
MA06

Visual screening: 20’ at side & rear adjacent to residential zoning or use; may be reduced in
depth & amount of plant material if not adjacent to residential zone or use

MA07

Residential/Institutional: 50’ front setback, side & rear yards; other districts may differ

MA08

Residential/Institutional: 2 acres; if one assembly room sits <1,000 persons then 10 acres
Residential/Institutional: minimum lot width 200’ if assembly space <1,000; 250’ if >1,000

MA09

Streetscaping trees, other boundaries either screening or perimeter planting; 1 tree/10
parking spaces within parking lots. Tree preservation/planting requirements are based on
zoning district and amount of existing tree canopy prior to any land disturbance.

MA10 e, m, h Main entrance to be from “non-minor” (ie. “non-collector”) residential street; 1 drive/350’
frontage; 2 drives/350-599’ frontage; 3 drives>599’ frontage
MA11

Traffic analysis required. for zoning submissions; conditional zoning will require
accommodations for on-site parent stacking

MA12

Dependent upon site; generally part of Conditional zoning process

MA13

Dependent upon site; generally part of Conditional zoning process

MA14

Dependent upon site; generally part of Conditional zoning process

MA15

Dependent upon site; generally part of Conditional zoning process

MA16

No disturbance of any portion of floodplain; SWIM buffer/Post Construction Ordinance
requirement from point where a stream drains 20+ acres

Page 9

New School Approval Requirements – 2012 Edition

MA17e , m, h 3 spaces/classroom or administrative office OR 1/each 6 seats in auditorium or place of
assembly, whichever is greater
MA17m
Same as elementary school
MA17h
5 spaces/classroom or administrative office OR 1/each 5 seats in auditorium or place of
assembly, whichever is greater
MA18

Post-construction ordinance (similar to County ordinance) became effective 6/07

MA19

n.a.

MA20

One bicycle parking space required per each classroom.

MA21

(reserved)

MA22

n.a.

MA23

n.a.

MA24

Dependent on site; generally part of Conditional zoning process

MA25

Town Board approves re-zonings.

MA26

Re-zoning: $750; landscape plan approval $75; other fees (zoning variance, etc.) might be
applicable.

New School Approval Requirements – 2012 Edition

Page 10

NEW SCHOOL APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
Mecklenburg County jurisdictions
Jurisdiction:

Mint Hill

Requirement:
MH01

Schools are not allowed by right in any zoning district

MH02

Schools allowed in I (CD) Institutional Conditional zoning districts, subject to conditional
zoning process and requirements in Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Article 8 (8.5)
re. location, site plan review requirement, compatibility with existing development, etc., as
established through the required Site Plan Review process

MH03

See MH02 above…. some site design conditions may be required in connection with
Conditional zoning Site Plan Review requirement as a component of Conditional zoning
process

MH04

n.a.

MH05 e, m, h Covered under “parking”, below (MH17)
MH06

Vegetative: planting strip >=10’ wide; solid screening (fencing) >= 5’ high; berms >=6’ high

MH07

Front: 50’ min.; side: 50’ min.; rear: 50’ min…..max lot coverage: 30%

MH08

Min. lot area 217,800 s.f. (5 acres); min. width 50’ at frontage

MH09

See “buffering/screening” (MH6, above)

MH10 e, m, h Requires frontage on major or minor thoroughfare, or collector
MH11

Depends on location & on NCDOT requirements

MH12

“Road improvements may be required”

MH13

Requirement that streets inter-connect and that thoroughfare corridors be recognized;
Circuitous routes +/o traffic calming are required

MH14

Maximum building height of 35’

MH15

n.a.

MH16

Buffer widths required for streams draining >50 acres, with increasing widths for increased
drainage basin sizes

MH17e

MH17m
MH17h

Calculating parking for Institutional/Civic uses will be a collaborative process that will
depend on factors specific to the individual development proposal (there is no pre-set
formula or calculation for parking)
See above
See above

MH18

Subject to County review

Page 11

New School Approval Requirements – 2012 Edition

MH19

Subject to County review

MH20

Bicycle parking is required but no predetermined calculation is given. The Conditional
zoning process will generate the number.

MH21

(reserved)

MH22

n.a.

MH23

n.a.

MH24

Requires temporary (12 month) permit ($25 fee) with site plan

MH25

Site Plan Review.

MH26

Re-zoning request fees are based upon acreage and range from $500 (<=5 acres) to
$1,000 (>50 acres); Conditional Use permits: $300; Sketch Plan (in connection with Site
Plan review): $250; Preliminary Plan review (in connection with non-residential
developments): $500 + $150/acre if <10 acres and $1,000 + $150/acre if >10 acres

New School Approval Requirements – 2012 Edition

Page 12

NEW SCHOOL APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
Mecklenburg County jurisdictions
Jurisdiction:

Pineville

Requirement:
PV01

Schools allowed by-right in all districts, subject to regulations stated elsewhere;
development subject to “planning application” that will serve to initiate site plan review and
subsequent County review. Schools are permitted in all districts with Special Regulations
(6.5.32 of Zoning Ordinance)

PV02

n.a.

PV03

n.a.

PV04

n.a.

PV05 e, m, h See “parking & internal circulation” (PV17, below)
PV06

Residential/Industrial district: 100’; Business or Office/Residential district: 20’; Institutional
multi-family or manufactured home/Residential district or use: 20’ (located on nonresidential
property); plant types specified

PV07

See Overlay District for Build-to-Line

PV08

Min. area varies from 7,000 to 30,000 s.f. in residential districts, to none in non-residential
districts; min. width varies from 70’-100’ in residential districts and from 0’-50’ in
nonresidential districts

PV09

Minimum landscaping >10% impervious area for new sites and >5% for “renovated” sites;
No parking shall be >60’ from a tree; 1 tree/10,000 s.f. impervious area; additional
landscaping requirements for front yards (“street yards”)

PV10 e, m, h Schools >300 capacity must front on “major (Class III) or minor (Class IV) arterial” as
defined in town subdivision ordinance. (Class III correspond roughly to major
thoroughfares; Class IV streets to minor thoroughfares)
PV11

Subject to LUESA requirements

PV12

Class III streets: developer required to dedicate ROW up to 50’ each side of centerline to
accommodate improvements necessary to mitigate traffic impacts; if improvements not
already programmed to be publicly-funded, developer responsible for their installation.
Class IV streets: developer required to dedicate ROW up to 35’ each side of centerline to
accommodate improvements necessary to mitigate traffic impacts; if improvements not
already programmed to be publicly-funded, developer responsible for their installation.

PV13

Subject to LUESA requirements

PV14

Subject to LUESA requirements

Page 13

New School Approval Requirements – 2012 Edition

PV15

Land in floodway and adjacent to stream is encouraged to be dedicated to Mecklenburg
County for greenway purposes

PV16

Subject to Mecklenburg County Floodplain Management

PV17 e, m, h 1 space/ staff member + 1.6 spaces/classroom; or 1/3 seats used for assembly
(whichever is greater)
PV18

Subject to LUESA requirements

PV19

n.a.

PV20

Bicycle connectivity among developments encouraged; parking required in >=20-space
lots equal to 1 bike space/50 cars; must provide bike lanes adjacent to public street

PV21

(reserved)

PV22

n.a.

PV23

n.a.

PV24

2 mobiles allowed by-right; placement of additional mobiles require site plan approval (and
compliance with applicable setback and landscaping requirements for the applicable
district); all mobiles must have skirted foundations and perimeter plantings (Pineville’s
ordinances refer to mobiles as “modulars”, but the requirements are applied to both
modular and mobile classroom units)

PV25

Re-zoning (if required).

PV26

Site plan review: for schools, can range from $75 (for accessory non-residential permits)
to $500 plus $10/acre for major (>30,000 sq.ft.) projects; “re-review fee” (3rd and
subsequent reviews) are $50/hour

New School Approval Requirements – 2012 Edition

Page 14

NEW SCHOOL APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
Mecklenburg County jurisdictions
Jurisdiction:

Charlotte

Requirement:
CH01

Schools allowed by-right in:
 all Residential districts,
 all MX and MUDD (mixed use) districts,
 UMUD (Uptown Mixed Use) district,
 all TOD (transit oriented) districts,
 Institutional district,
 all Office districts,
 B-1 & B-2 (Business) districts,
 NS (Neighborhood Service) district, and
 Research districts.

CH02

n.a.

CH03

n.a.

CH04

n.a.

CH05e
CH05m
CH05h

1 space/classroom
1 space/classroom
1 space/classroom + 1 space/5 students

CH06

Buffers required for adjacent residential properties - some exclusions apply

CH07

Differs by district or (if applicable) conditional site plan (e.g. front setbacks in single family
residential districts are >30’; in institutional district >40’, and in business districts 20’

CH08

Differs by district or (if applicable) conditional site plan (e.g. for non-residential buildings
min. lot area in single family residential districts is 12,000 s.f.; in institutional district
minimum lot area is 15,000 s.f. & in business districts minimum lot is 8,000 s.f.)

CH09

Differs by district or (if applicable) conditional site plan

CH10e

Must front on collector, minor or major thoroughfare, primary access to not be provided via
residential local (Class B); some exceptions apply
Same as elementary
Must front on minor or major thoroughfare, primary access to not be provided via
residential local (Class B); some exceptions apply

CH10m
CH10h

CH11

Proposed developments that generate > 2,500 vehicle trips/day (2,500 vehicle trips is
roughly equivalent to a 2,400-student elementary school, a 1,600-student middle school,
or a 1,450-student high school)

CH12

Considered on case-by-case basis

CH13

Considered on case-by-case basis

Page 15

New School Approval Requirements – 2012 Edition

CH14

Considered on case-by-case basis

CH15

Considered on case-by-case basis

CH16

Considered on case-by-case basis

CH17 e, m, h Differs by district or (if applicable) conditional site plan
CH18

Considered on case-by-case basis

CH19

Maximum impervious coverage requirements in Watershed Overlay districts

CH20

Bicycle parking: one space/classroom

CH21

(reserved)

CH22

Considered on case-by-case basis, only if property is major development and re-zoned

CH23

Measure is voluntary and not tied to ordinance

CH24

Exceptions to buffers & access may apply, depending on specific district.

CH25

Only re-zonings, if required.

CH26

Re-zonings:
District requested:

Single family:
Multi-family or institutional:
Other:

New School Approval Requirements – 2012 Edition

$3,325
$3,725
$4,525

Conditional:
Conditional:
Conditional

$3,575
$4,100
$5,175

Page 16

TABLE OF CHANGES: New School Approval Requirements
Year
2008

Jurisdiction
Huntersville
Davidson

2009

Charlotte
Huntersville

Cornelius
Matthews

Pineville

2010
2011

2012

Huntersville
Charlotte
Huntersville
Mint Hill

Huntersville
Davidson

Mint Hill

Page 17

Cell
Revision
HV22
HV23
DA02
DA03
DA04
DA05
DA07
DA10
DA12
DA13
DA15
DA17
DA18
DA20
DA24
DA25
CH01
HV01
HV02
HV11
CR01
CR02
MA05
MA09
MA16
MA17
MA20
PV01
PV07
PV20
PV26
HV25
CH26
HV02
MH02
MH03
MH17
MH20
MH24
MH25
MH26
HV25
DA02
DA03

Change from Prior Year
Addition of rights of acquisition of school sites
Ordinance citation of above
Addition of districts in which schools are allowed by-right
Site plan approval becomes staff function; max. building height determined by zoning district
Schools to conform to civic building standards
Loading to occur at mid-block or alley
No maximum setbacks
Site access: driveway maximum widths established
Network of bike/ped lanes are encouraged
Connectivity to be encouraged
Schools require greenway network
Lots >35 spaces require separation by buildings/landscaped areas & will not abut civic buildings
Phase II storm water regulations in effect
Bicycle parking needs determined by Planning Director
Mobiles may be initially placed for 2 years, then subject to 1-year temporary use permit
Site/master plan approval shift from design review board to town board
Schools allowed by-right in research districts
Specifies districts within which schools are allowed by-right
Special use permits for schools in TOD-R districts needn't be context-sensitive
Traffic impact analysis required for larger schools (< 500 ADT)
Schools allowed by-right in most districts
Schools subject to conditional zoning process
Loading requirements eliminated
Added: tree requirements determined by zoning district & extent pre-development tree coverage
SWIM requirement changed from 50-acre site to 20-acre basin
Parking requirements articulated
1 bicycle space/classroom
Schools are allowed by-right in all districts subject to "planning application" process
Setbacks are articulated as "build to" lines in overlay districts
Must provide bicycle lanes adjacent to public streets
Revision of permit/approval fee schedule
Schools in TOD-R districts require Special Use Permits issued by town board
Revised fee schedule
Provision added allowing "temporary schools" via. Special Use Permit
Schools allowed in Industrial areas as part of conditional zoning process and requirements in UDO
Approval changed from Special Use Permit to site plan requirements in Conditional zoning
Calculating parking needs will be collaborative process; no set requirements
Bicycle parking needs will be determined by conditional zoning process
Cash bond no longer required for mobile placement
Special Use Permit no longer required
Fee schedule amended to reflect elimination of Special Use Permit requirement
Schools must obtain Special Use Permits in CB (Corporate Business) zoning districts
Design requirements in effect in College Campus, Flex Campus and Rural districts
Site plan review requirement in Lakeshore, Rural and Flex Campus areas; eliminated in
Employment Campus area; also building height requirements amended in Neighborhood Edge,
Neighborhood General & Central Business District areas
Reference to anticipated UDO adoption eliminated
Add "Change Matrix"

New School Approval Requirements – 2012 Edition

Acknowledgements
We wish to acknowledge the involvement and contributions of the following individuals and
organizations to the development of “The Matrix”, and to the New School Approval
Requirements document (and annual updates):
Jack Simoneau, Brian Richards, and Lisa McCarter – Town of Huntersville
Karen Floyd and Jason Abernethy – Town of Cornelius
Lauren Blackburn, Adam Feigl, Sandra Kragh and Kris Krider – Town of Davidson
Kathi Ingrish – Town of Matthews
Lee Bailey, John Hoard – Town of Mint Hill
Kevin Icard – Town of Pineville
Tammie Keplinger – City of Charlotte

Mike Raible, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Jonathan Wells, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Department
November, 2006
Updated:

February, 2008
March, 2009
March, 2010
March, 2011
March, 2012

New School Approval Requirements – 2012 Edition

Page 18



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