Gainesville › Unified Land Development Code

Article 7 — Overlay Districts, Chapter 7-2 — GATEWAY CORRIDOR OVERLAY DISTRICT

current as of 2025-12-16verified current · checked 2026-08-24Officialofficial source ↗7 sections · full chapter

§ 7-2-1

Purpose and Intent

The perceived quality of new growth and development is an important element of community character and livability. An important element of quality of growth is the recognition of the importance of community “gateways.” Gateways refer to key points of entry into a community.

In the case of Gainesville, there are several gateway corridors that are important both from a functional transportation and a symbolic perspective.

This Chapter 7-2 establishes provisions to ensure that the design quality of new development in the city’s identified gateway corridors are held to high standards, as applied via the site and architectural design review processes established in this Unified Land Development Code.

§ 7-2-2

Boundaries and Map

(a)The boundaries of the Gateway Corridor Overlay shall be as shown on the Official Zoning Map, and which may be amended from time to time in accordance with the procedures established in this Unified Land Development Code.

(b)The Gateway Corridor Overlay shall apply to all those major roadways entering the city, except for those corridors that are fully included within the Midland Overlay District.

(c)The Gateway Corridor Overlay shall include all properties fronting on a gateway corridor as defined in Title 9Section 7-2-2(b), above.

§ 7-2-3

Applicability of Overlay Provisions

(a)This overlay district is supplemental to the underlying zoning district classifications established within this ULDC. The provisions of this section are overlaid upon and imposed in addition to said underlying zoning regulations and other City of Gainesville ordinances.

(b)In any case where the standards and requirements of this overlay conflict with those of the underlying zoning district, the site and architectural requirements of Article 8, or any subdivision regulations, the standards and requirements of this overlay govern.

§ 7-2-4

Uses

All uses permitted by the underlying zoning district shall be similarly permitted within the Gateway Corridor Overlay, including any use standards of Article 9.

§ 7-2-5

Overlay District Use Standards

The following standards apply to all properties within the Gateway Corridor Overlay.

(a)Fuel Sales.

(1)In addition to the standards of Section 9-7-12(a), fuel pumps and canopies shall be located to the side or rear of the property and cannot be located between a building and the street.

§ 7-2-6

Dimensional Requirements

This overlay does not establish dimensional requirements, except that lots 20 acres or larger zoned for nonresidential use shall require special use approval by the Governing Body to further subdivide. The following standards will be used in deciding whether to grant special use approval to subdivide the lot, giving due weight or priority to those factors that are appropriate to the circumstances of each proposal.

(a)Minimum subdivided lot size shall be 2 acres.

(b)Maximum impervious surface coverage must not exceed 75% of the subdivided lot.

(c)Minimum landscaped open space must be a minimum of 20% of the subdivided lot.

(d)Access may be limited to an internal access easement within the property, prior to any subdividing, to facilitate the movement of motor vehicles across the property.

New driveways on existing public rights-of-way will require review and approval by the Department of Public Works.

(e)Unless otherwise stated, uses shall be subject to the applicable dimensional requirements for the underlying zoning district in which said uses are located.

§ 7-2-7

Site and Architectural Design Standards

In addition to the requirements of Article 8, the following standards apply to all properties within the Gateway Corridor Overlay.

(a)Site Design Standards.

(1)Stormwater detention ponds or areas, when necessary, shall be located to the rear or side of buildings, or underground. The Director may approve alternative locations when provided evidence that such location is unreasonable due to topographic conditions. All above ground stormwater detention ponds shall have the appearance of a landscape feature.

(2)Parking shall be located to the side or rear of the principal building, unless for reasons of topography this is unreasonable.

(3)Fences and walls visible from the right-of-way shall be faced with brick or stone masonry or shall be architecturally compatible with the primary building in terms of design, style, and color.

(b)Architectural Design Standards.

(1)Front facades and other facades visible from a public right-of-way shall be comprised of at least 50% brick, stone, or masonry materials.

i.Split-face masonry shall be limited to a maximum of 20% of any such facade.

ii.Exposed concrete block is prohibited.

(2)Building facades of greater than 100 feet in length shall include modulation to break up facades in accordance with Section 8-4-9.

(3)Metal or tin roofs are not permitted except for standing seam metal with a reflectance equal to or less than that of the siding material.