O&I-3: Office and Institution-3 Legacy District in Raleigh
In the City of Raleigh, the O&I-3 (Office and Institution-3) district is classified as a Legacy District, meaning it exists under the authority of the previous zoning code and is being phased out. The City of Raleigh prohibits the addition of any new O&I-3 districts to the Official Zoning Map and forbids any modification to the boundaries of existing O&I-3 areas [Section 1.3.4].
Purpose and Status of the O&I-3 District
The primary purpose of the O&I-3 designation within the current Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) is to provide a transitional period for properties zoned under the city's previous regulatory framework. These districts are intended to remain in effect until they are eventually replaced by modern UDO zoning districts [Section 1.3.4].
Because O&I-3 is a legacy designation, it is subject to the following administrative restrictions in the City of Raleigh:
| Regulation Category | O&I-3 Legacy Restriction |
|---|---|
| New Designations | Prohibited from being added to the Official Zoning Map |
| Boundary Changes | Prohibited from any modification or expansion |
| Zoning Type | May exist as a general use district or a conditional district |
| Future Status | Scheduled for eventual replacement with a UDO zoning district |
[Section 1.3.4]
Permitted Land Uses in O&I-3
The City of Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance does not provide a specific use table for O&I-3. Instead, permitted land uses for O&I-3 are governed by the following rules of interpretation and transition:
Retention of Former Uses
If a property's conditional zoning ordinance limits its uses to those found in the former O&I-3 district, those use limitations continue. However, this is only applicable if the former allowed use is still permitted within the corresponding new UDO general use zoning district. If a use was allowed in O&I-3 but is not recognized or allowed in the new UDO general use zoning district, that use permission may be terminated [Section 1.2.3.D].
Determination of Use Category
For any O&I-3 property, limited uses and special uses are no longer determined by legacy rules. Instead, the City of Raleigh requires these to be determined by the standards of the current UDO general use district [Section 1.2.3.D].
General Character and Standards
The character of O&I-3 in Raleigh is essentially static and transitional. While the district primarily historically accommodated high-intensity office and institutional developments, its current operation is defined by its eventual conversion to newer standards.
Conflict with UDO Standards
When a property exists in an O&I-3 district, the city applies the most stringent available regulations. If the modern UDO height, setback, parking, landscaping, or screening regulations are more restrictive than the original O&I-3 standards, the UDO regulations must be followed [Section 1.2.3.B].
Rules for Measurement and Compliance
The City of Raleigh requires that all calculations for height, setbacks, and parking on O&I-3 properties be performed in strict accordance with the current UDO methodologies rather than previous legacy methods [Section 1.2.3.B].
| Regulation Type | City of Raleigh Interpretation Rule |
|---|---|
| Controlling Authority | The new general use district is controlling [Section 1.2.3.A] |
| Calculation Method | Must follow UDO Article 1.5 (Measurement & Exceptions) |
| Approval Process | All processes must follow current UDO regulations [Section 1.2.3.C] |
Sections Cited
- Section 1.2.3. Rules of Interpretation
- Section 1.3.4. Legacy Districts
- Section 1.5. Measurement, Exceptions & General Rules of Applicability
- Section 10.3. Nonconformities