Status and Regulations of the SHOD-4: Special Highway Overlay District-4
The SHOD-4: Special Highway Overlay District-4 is classified by the City of Raleigh as a legacy district, meaning it is an older zoning designation carried over from the previous Part 10 Zoning Code. Under the City of Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance, no new SHOD-4 districts may be added to the Official Zoning Map, and the boundaries of any existing SHOD-4 districts may not be modified [Sec. 1.3.4]. Consequently, the modern Unified Development Ordinance does not provide specific technical modification standards for SHOD-4, as these requirements are maintained in the older code and are slated for eventual replacement by active UDO districts [Sec. 1.3.4].
Classification and District Type
In the City of Raleigh, the Unified Development Ordinance distinguishes between active overlay districts and legacy districts. While active Special Highway Overlay Districts (such as -SHOD-1 and -SHOD-2) are detailed within the current ordinance, SHOD-4 is maintained as a legacy category.
| District Category | District Identifier | Official Name | UDO Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overlay District | -SHOD-1 | Special Highway Overlay District-1 | Active [Sec. 1.3.3] |
| Overlay District | -SHOD-2 | Special Highway Overlay District-2 | Active [Sec. 1.3.3] |
| Legacy District | SHOD-3 | Special Highway Overlay District-3 | Legacy [Sec. 1.3.4] |
| Legacy District | SHOD-4 | Special Highway Overlay District-4 | Legacy [Sec. 1.3.4] |
Mandatory Restrictions on Legacy Districts
The City of Raleigh enforces strict limitations on legacy districts like SHOD-4 to facilitate the transition to the Unified Development Ordinance. According to Sec. 1.3.4, the following rules apply:
- Prohibition on New Districts: The City of Raleigh is prohibited from adding any new SHOD-4 legacy districts to the Official Zoning Map.
- Boundary Freezes: The City of Raleigh may not modify or expand the boundaries of an existing SHOD-4 district.
- Replacement Policy: All legacy districts, including SHOD-4, are intended to be eventually replaced with a modern Unified Development Ordinance zoning district.
- General/Conditional Use: SHOD-4 may exist on the Official Zoning Map either as a general use district or as a conditional district.
General Purpose of Special Highway Overlay Districts
While the specific modification standards for the legacy SHOD-4 are located in the previous Part 10 Zoning Code, the Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance defines the overarching purpose of the Special Highway Overlay District category. These overlays are established to protect and preserve the natural scenic beauty along designated major access corridors and specified principal arterials [Sec. 5.3.1.A.1].
The goal of the City of Raleigh in applying these overlays is to:
- Protect public investment in major access corridors [Sec. 5.3.1.A.1.a].
- Expedite the free flow of traffic and reduce hazards from cluttered roadside development [Sec. 5.3.1.A.1.a].
- Ensure buildings and structures are sufficiently set back from the right-of-way to provide adequate storage for vehicles [Sec. 5.3.1.A.1.b].
- Reserve adequate roadside space for neighborhood traffic to enter the roadway system without creating undue concentrations or hazards [Sec. 5.3.1.A.1.c].
Sections Cited
- Sec. 1.3.3. Overlay Districts
- Sec. 1.3.4. Legacy Districts
- Sec. 5.3.1. Special Highway Overlay Districts (-SHOD-)