College Avenue Overlay District Requirements in Fayetteville
The College Avenue Overlay District in the City of Fayetteville limits building heights to a maximum of four stories and requires all new construction to adhere to the architectural standards of the Downtown Design Overlay District. Additionally, transportation-related trades and drive-through restaurant uses are restricted to conditional use status to ensure they align with the district's goal of creating an attractive, pedestrian-friendly urban corridor.
Purpose and Applicability
The City of Fayetteville established the College Avenue Overlay District to encourage high-quality architectural form and materials. The district aims to create attractive, usable spaces while specifically mitigating the potential negative impacts of tall, single-use multi-family buildings [Section 166.26]. These regulations apply to all parcels of land located within the defined boundaries of the College Avenue Overlay District [Section 166.26].
Architectural and Design Standards
All buildings within the College Avenue Overlay District must be constructed in accordance with the Downtown Design Overlay District Architecture Standards [Section 166.26]. This includes specific requirements for building elements, materials, and facades to ensure a cohesive and authentic urban environment.
Prohibited Materials
The City of Fayetteville prohibits the following materials on the exterior of buildings within the district:
- Untreated Concrete Masonry Units (CMU)
- Wood fiber board
- Unfinished pressure-treated wood
- Exterior Insulation Finish Systems (EIFS) on the first or ground floor
- Vinyl siding
- Reflective glass (coatings with visible transmittance ratings lower than 0.6 for the first floor or 0.4 for upper floors) [Section 166.21]
Building Element Standards
When specific architectural features are included, they must meet the following City of Fayetteville dimensional and design standards:
| Element | Requirement Summary |
|---|---|
| Marquees/Awnings | Must have 7 feet minimum clear height; cannot interfere with street infrastructure. |
| Balconies | Maximum projection of 4 feet from the principal facade; 10 feet minimum clear height to the underside. |
| Colonnades/Arcades | Minimum depth of 8 feet; columns must be set back 18 inches from the back of the curb. |
| Front Porches | Minimum depth of 6 feet; must be 25% to 100% of the principal facade length. |
| Stoops | 96 inches maximum height; 4 feet minimum depth. |
Height and Use Regulations
The College Avenue Overlay District imposes stricter limits on height and land use than many of Fayetteville's base zoning districts.
| Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum Height | The lesser of four (4) stories or the underlying zoning district's limitations. |
| Use Unit 17 | Transportation Trades and Services are moved from permitted to conditional use. |
| Use Unit 18 | Gasoline service stations & drive-in/drive-through restaurants are moved to conditional use. |
Parking Reductions
For certain developments within the College Avenue Overlay District that also fall within the Urban Corridor (UC) zoning district, the City of Fayetteville offers potential parking incentives. Multi-family and mixed-use developments located along North College Avenue may be granted an additional reduction of 10% of the total required parking spaces, subject to Planning Commission approval [Section 172.05].
Sections Cited
- 166.21 - Downtown Design Overlay District
- 166.24 - Nonresidential Design Standards
- 166.26 - College Avenue Overlay District
- 172.05 - Standards For The Number Of Spaces By Use