MSC: Main Street Center Zoning District in Fayetteville
The MSC: Main Street Center district in Fayetteville is a high-density, compact commercial zone designed for traditional urban development where multi-story buildings accommodate a mix of offices or apartments above ground-floor retail. Key standards for the Fayetteville MSC: Main Street Center include a 10 to 25-foot front build-to zone, a requirement that at least 75% of the lot width be occupied by building frontage, and building heights ranging from five to seven stories depending on street proximity.
Purpose and General Character
The MSC: Main Street Center district is intended to support a high-intensity mix of land uses in a spatially compact format. In Fayetteville, this district is characterized by an urban form where buildings directly address the street to create a walkable environment. The Fayetteville Unified Development Code (UDC) prioritizes traditional urban form in this district, specifically encouraging lofts, live/work units, and structures that can adapt to changing commercial needs over time. The MSC: Main Street Center is strategically located to remain within walking distance of surrounding residential neighborhoods [Section 161.27(A)].
Permitted Land Uses
The Fayetteville UDC categorizes land use through "Use Units." The following activities are allowed within the MSC: Main Street Center:
Uses Permitted by Right
- Residential: Single-family, two-family, three- and four-family, and multi-family dwellings; accessory dwellings; cluster housing developments; and short-term rentals [Section 161.27(B)(1)].
- Commercial/Retail: Eating places (restaurants/cafes); hotel, motel, and amusement facilities; shopping goods; sidewalk cafes; and small-scale production [Section 161.27(B)(1)].
- Civic/Professional: City-wide uses by right; cultural and recreational facilities; government facilities; home occupations; and offices, studios, and related services [Section 161.27(B)(1)].
- Other: Transportation trades and services; commercial recreation (small sites); and liquor stores [Section 161.27(B)(1)].
Conditional Uses
Certain uses require a conditional use permit in the MSC: Main Street Center, including:
- City-wide uses by conditional use permit [Section 161.27(B)(2)].
- Public protection and utility facilities [Section 161.27(B)(2)].
- Gasoline service stations and drive-in/drive-through restaurants [Section 161.27(B)(2)].
- Centers for collecting recyclable materials [Section 161.27(B)(2)].
- Dance halls and outdoor music establishments [Section 161.27(B)(2)].
- Wireless communication facilities [Section 161.27(B)(2)].
- Clean technologies [Section 161.27(B)(2)].
- Private dormitories [Section 161.27(B)(2)].
Development Standards
Fayetteville enforces specific bulk, area, and setback regulations to maintain the high-density urban character of the MSC: Main Street Center.
Bulk and Area Requirements
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Density | None |
| Lot Width (Dwellings) | 18 feet minimum |
| Lot Width (Other Uses) | None |
| Lot Area Minimum | None |
| Minimum Buildable Street Frontage | 75% of the lot width |
[Section 161.27(C), (D), and (F)]
Setback Regulations
The MSC: Main Street Center utilizes "Build-to Zones" rather than traditional minimum setbacks for the front of the property to ensure buildings are placed close to the sidewalk.
| Location | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front (Build-to Zone) | Between 10 feet and 25 feet from the front property line |
| Side | None |
| Rear | 5 feet |
| Rear (from centerline of alley) | 12 feet |
| Contiguous to Single-Family District | 15 feet |
[Section 161.27(E)]
Building Height Regulations
The height limits in the Fayetteville MSC: Main Street Center are designed to create a consistent urban canyon while allowing for greater density further back from the street.
| Building Location | Maximum Height |
|---|---|
| 0 to 15 feet from front property line | 5 stories |
| Greater than 15 feet from front property line | 7 stories |
[Section 161.27(G) and accompanying note]
Urban Form and Design
Buildings within the MSC: Main Street Center must comply with Fayetteville's Urban Residential or Nonresidential Design Standards. This includes requirements for high-quality materials and "pedestrian-oriented elements" as referenced in Section 166.24(E). If a building in this district has a front setback of less than 15 feet, it may be permitted to eliminate the traditional front greenspace in favor of these pedestrian elements to better integrate with the public realm [Section 161.27(A) and Section 166.24(E)].
Sections Cited
- Section 161.27 Main Street Center
- Section 166.24 Nonresidential Design Standards
- Section 151.01 Definitions
- Section 161.01 Application of District Regulations