Lamar Collins Mixed-Use Overlay (LCMUO) Requirements for the City of Arlington
The Lamar Collins Mixed-Use Overlay (LCMUO) in the City of Arlington promotes high-density, pedestrian-oriented development through specific design standards, including a required 16-foot-wide streetscape and mandatory mixed-use development plans. Development within the City of Arlington LCMUO district is eligible for a 50 percent reduction in base off-street parking requirements and must adhere to specialized exterior material standards that prioritize masonry for both residential and non-residential structures.
Purpose and Applicability
The City of Arlington established the Lamar Collins Mixed-Use Overlay (LCMUO) to promote high-quality, high-density, mixed-use development in north Arlington. The district is intended to encourage pedestrian-oriented activities through a complementary mix of land uses and physical design, allowing for creative building solutions while maintaining prescriptive consistency [Section 2.4.4.A].
Where property is designated within the Lamar Collins Mixed-Use Overlay, the regulations of this overlay district apply in addition to the regulations governing development in the underlying base district. In the event of an express conflict between the two sets of standards, the standards for the Lamar Collins Mixed-Use Overlay control [Section 2.1.5].
Dimensional Standards
The City of Arlington requires development in the Lamar Collins Mixed-Use Overlay to follow specific dimensional guidelines. While density and lot dimensions generally refer back to the underlying base zoning district, the overlay imposes its own specific setbacks and building standards.
LCMUO Technical Standards Table
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Density (max) | Refer to base zoning district |
| Lot Area, Width, and Depth | Refer to base zoning district |
| Street Frontage Setback (min) | 0 feet |
| Side and/or Rear Setback (min) | 5 feet |
| Setback adjacent to Single-Family (min) | 20 feet (side and/or rear) |
| Building Height (min) | 20 feet |
| Lot Coverage (max) | 90% |
[Section 2.4.4]
Streetscape and Landscaping Requirements
All development within the City of Arlington Lamar Collins Mixed-Use Overlay (except for single-family detached residential uses) must provide a perimeter landscape setback area along the entire right-of-way adjacent to any public street [Section 5.2.2.D.1].
- Streetscape Width: A minimum 16-foot streetscape from the back of the curb is required. If the existing right-of-way is insufficient, the additional area must be provided via a landscape easement [Section 5.2.2.D.2.a].
- Green Space Strip: The streetscape must include a minimum 4-foot-wide green space strip for street trees and landscaping, which may not be covered with impervious surfaces except for permitted drive approaches [Section 5.2.2.D.2.b].
- Street Trees: Trees must be a minimum of 10 feet in height with a 3-inch caliper at the time of planting. They must be spaced between 25 and 30 feet apart on center [Section 5.2.2.D.2.c].
- Sidewalks: A minimum 10-foot-wide sidewalk must be constructed within the streetscape [Section 5.2.2.D.2.d].
Off-Street Parking and Loading
The City of Arlington provides specific parking reductions and layout requirements for the Lamar Collins Mixed-Use Overlay to encourage its urban character.
- Parking Ratios: For non-residential or mixed-use development, off-street parking requirements are reduced to one-half (50%) of the amount required in other zone districts. However, if a development utilizes Texas Local Government Code Chapter 218 (which already provides reductions), no further reduction is granted [Section 5.4.4.H.2.b].
- On-Street Credit: Parking requirements may be reduced by one space for every on-street space located immediately in front of the lot [Section 5.4.4.H.2.c].
- Parking Location: All surface parking lots must be located behind or to the sides of buildings. Side parking is limited to a maximum of 25 percent of the width of the street frontage [Section 5.4.4.H.2.d].
- Bicycle Parking: Non-residential developments must provide bicycle spaces equal to 5 percent of the required automobile spaces. Multi-family and mixed-use developments must provide one bicycle parking space for every five residential units [Section 5.4.11.A].
Building Design and Materials
Mixed-use projects within the City of Arlington Lamar Collins Mixed-Use Overlay must comply with both the Non-Residential Design Standards (Section 5.6) and the Mixed-Use Design Standards (Section 5.7) [Section 5.7.2].
Exterior Finish Materials
The City of Arlington enforces specific material standards for the Lamar Collins Mixed-Use Overlay that were established prior to April 1, 2019 [Section 5.8.6.C].
| Building Type | Primary Material Requirement |
|---|---|
| Single-Family & Two-Family | 100% masonry (excluding doors, windows, and small architectural features). |
| Multi-Family Residential | 100% approved materials (Stone, brick, stucco, cultured stone, etc.). |
| Non-Residential | 85% approved materials; max 15% accent materials per elevation. |
- Prohibited Materials: Prohibited exterior materials include plain concrete block, corrugated metal, vinyl/aluminum/wood siding (except for specific trim/soffit uses), plywood, and EIFS (except for trim/eaves) [Section 5.8.6.C.1-3].
- Transparency: At least 25 percent of all walls facing a public street must contain windows or doorways [Section 5.6.4.K.1].
Review and Approval Procedures
A Mixed-Use Development Plan is mandatory for all mixed-use developments within the City of Arlington Lamar Collins Mixed-Use Overlay. This plan must be submitted for approval in accordance with the procedures outlined in Section 10.4.5A [Section 5.7.6]. Additionally, if a multi-family or mixed-use building has less than 65% residential use, it must comply with the Mixed-Use Design Standards and submit a formal plan for approval [Section 3.2.3.K.1].
Sections Cited
- Section 2.1.5, Relationship to Overlay Districts
- Section 2.4.4, Lamar Collins Mixed-Use Overlay | LCMUO
- Section 3.2.3.K, Mixed-Use
- Section 5.1, Applicability of this Article
- Section 5.2.2.D, Perimeter Streetscape in the LCMUO district
- Section 5.4.4.H.2, DB, DNO, and LCMUO Districts (Parking)
- Section 5.4.11.A, Bicycle Parking
- Section 5.6, Non-Residential Design Standards
- Section 5.6.4.K, Transparency and Glazing
- Section 5.7, Mixed-Use Design Standards
- Section 5.7.2, Applicability (Mixed-Use)
- Section 5.7.6, Development Plans Required for All Mixed-Use Development
- Section 5.8.6, Lamar Collins Mixed Use Overlay | LCMUO
- Section 10.4.5A, Mixed-Use Development Plans