6.1.1 Purpose
The district development standards of this Ordinance establish lot sizes and certain restrictions for all residential and nonresidential development. These standards allow for variety in housing and building types while striving to maintain the overall character of neighborhoods and commercial areas of Durham. Development standards established in this Ordinance are based on Durham’s planning tiers as established in the Comprehensive Plan. Standards in this section are specific to each district and are above and beyond the general standards for all districts enumerated in Article 7, Design Standards, through Article 13, Additional Requirements for Subdivisions. Separate standards are established to regulate residential and nonresidential development in each tier and for certain nonresidential districts. This approach to district and tier development standards implements the Comprehensive Plan and has several public benefits:
A. It allows for development that is more sensitive to the environment and allows for the preservation of open and natural areas.
B. It promotes quality site layout and energy-efficient development.
C. It promotes affordable and life-cycle housing.
D. It promotes development intensities that match existing and proposed infrastructure investments.
E. It promotes infill development that is consistent in character and scale with established neighborhoods.
F. It promotes compact land development that supports alternate transportation, such as bicycling, walking, mass transit.
G. It promotes market-based development decisions while protecting shared public interests.