MDR

This part outlines specific regulation that applies to the City’s Land Use Districts.

5.6 MDR – Medium-Density Residential District

1. Application
   
   This section applies to the areas designated as Medium-Density Residential (MDR) District on the Land Use District Map, Schedule A of this Bylaw.
2. Purpose
   
   The purpose of the MDR District is to provide an area that allows for a range of medium-density housing options and other developments that are compatible with the residential nature of the District.
3. Permitted and Discretionary Uses

4. Dwelling (Townhouse)
   1. Refer to section 3.56 ‘Dwelling (Townhouse) Dwelling (Townhouse) means a building comprised of three or more dwelling units, where each unit has a separate, direct entrance from the exterior to grade, and includes dwelling (townhouse-single), dwelling (townhouse-plex), and dwelling (townhouse-complex). Typical examples include back-to-back townhouses, stacked townhouses, and street-oriented townhouses.’ for regulations regarding dwelling (townhouse-complex) Dwelling (Townhouse-Complex) means a development comprised of one or more buildings, each containing three or more dwelling units, all on a lot, where each unit has a separate, direct entrance from the exterior to grade.  No dwelling (townhouse-complex) shall have less than five dwelling units total. This use may also include stacked townhousing, or a development of a mixed form, including townhousing incorporated with a dwelling (apartment) or dwelling unit above a non-residential use.   and dwelling (townhouse-single) Dwelling (Townhouse-Single) means a building comprised of three or more dwelling units, where each dwelling unit is on its own lot, and each unit has a separate, direct entrance from the exterior to grade.
5. Lot Area
   1. The minimum lot area Lot Area means the area of a lot, including any area dedicated to an easement or a right-of-way, as shown on a plan of subdivision or described in a copy of a certificate of title. is 0.075 ha 0.19 acres, excluding a dwelling (townhouse-single) Dwelling (Townhouse-Single) means a building comprised of three or more dwelling units, where each dwelling unit is on its own lot, and each unit has a separate, direct entrance from the exterior to grade..
6. Lot Frontage
   1. The minimum lot frontage Lot Frontage means the width of a lot or site at the front property line adjoining a public roadway. is 25.00 m 82.02 ft., excluding a dwelling (townhouse-single) Dwelling (Townhouse-Single) means a building comprised of three or more dwelling units, where each dwelling unit is on its own lot, and each unit has a separate, direct entrance from the exterior to grade..
7. Site Density
   1. The minimum site density Site Density means the number of dwelling units per hectare of site area. for the site is 40 dwelling units per net hectare and cannot exceed a maximum of 100 dwelling units per net hectare.
   2. For the purpose of calculating the site area Site Area means the total area of a lot or site, including any area dedicated to an easement or right-of-way, as shown on a plan of subdivision registered in a land titles office., 27.50 m² 296.01 sq. ft. may be added to the lot area Lot Area means the area of a lot, including any area dedicated to an easement or a right-of-way, as shown on a plan of subdivision or described in a copy of a certificate of title. for every parking stall which is constructed underground or under a dwelling at finished grade Finished Grade means the elevation of the ground upon placement of soil and sod above the rough grade, or as may be identified on plot plans., if the Development Authority Development Authority has the same meaning as set out in the MGA. considers this to be appropriate given site constraints. The site density may not exceed the identified maximum in section (a).
8. Site Density Bonus
   1. Notwithstanding section 5.6(7)(a), the maximum site density Site Density means the number of dwelling units per hectare of site area. may be increased up to 125 dwelling units per net hectare only if the following conditions are met:
      1. A minimum of 70% of required parking stalls are provided under a dwelling at finished grade Finished Grade means the elevation of the ground upon placement of soil and sod above the rough grade, or as may be identified on plot plans., in a parking structure (underground) Parking Structure (Underground) means a building or portion thereof used for the parking of vehicles, where the majority of the parking structure is contained below finished grade., or within a parking structure Parking Structure means a building or portion thereof used for the parking of vehicles, and may be located either below, at, or above finished grade. integrated within the building, including high-quality exterior finishing that matches or complements the principal building exterior, where site design permits; and
      2. A minimum of 5% of dwelling units shall be provided as affordable non-market housing Affordable Non-Market Housing is as defined in the Council Policy C-P&E-06 Affordable Housing.; and
      3. In the opinion of the Development Authority, at least one of the following site improvements are provided:
         1. Wider sidewalks or walkways internal to the site, together with street furniture, to the satisfaction of the Development Authority;
         2. Enhanced landscaping Landscaping means preserving, enhancing, or incorporating vegetative and other materials in a development, and includes combining new or existing vegetative materials with architectural elements, existing site features, or other development features – including fences or walls., to the satisfaction of the Development Authority;
         3. Landscaping that is drought-tolerant, reducing the need for irrigation;
         4. Green building products or technologies that reduce the carbon footprint or increase energy efficiency;
         5. [[Def word="Barrier-free" design incorporated into dwelling units and the exterior feature of the site; or
         6. Indoor or outdoor common amenity areas Amenity Area (Common) means any portion of a development intended for active or passive recreation that is designed for the common usage of the owners and residents within a development. These areas may include one or more of the following: plazas, courtyards, recreation areas, swimming pools, tennis courts, bike storage rooms, common gathering rooms, gardens, private parks, and open spaces, including elements such as street furnishings, hard-surfacing, plantings, and architectural features that create a strong sense of communal gathering space., in addition to the minimum required common and private amenity area Amenity Area (Private) means a balcony, patio, deck, or other similar structure which is attached to and has a private entrance from the interior of a dwelling unit. when:
            1. Provided at a ratio of 1.50 m² 16.15 sq. ft. per dwelling unit;
            2. Grouped into areas of not less than 30.00 m² 322.91 sq. ft.; and
            3. Not located in any required setback Setback means the distance from the foundation wall of a building to the property line at right angles or radially to it. Where there is no foundation wall, the distance shall be measured from the exterior wall at grade, not including cantilevered wall sections or architectural projections..
9. Building Height
   1. The maximum building height of a principal building is 18.00 m 59.06 ft..
   2. The maximum building height of a dwelling (townhouse-single) Dwelling (Townhouse-Single) means a building comprised of three or more dwelling units, where each dwelling unit is on its own lot, and each unit has a separate, direct entrance from the exterior to grade. is 14.00 m 45.93 ft..
10. Building Setbacks
    1. Dwelling (apartment) Dwelling (Apartment) means a building containing three or more principal dwelling units with a common entrance from the exterior.
       1. Front yard setback Setback means the distance from the foundation wall of a building to the property line at right angles or radially to it. Where there is no foundation wall, the distance shall be measured from the exterior wall at grade, not including cantilevered wall sections or architectural projections.
          1. The minimum front yard building setback is 6.00 m 19.65 ft..
       2. Side yard setback
          1. The minimum side yard building setback is 3.00 m 9.84 ft., plus an additional 1.00 m 3.28 ft. for each metre or portion thereof in height that the building exceeds 9.00 m 29.53 ft. from finished grade Finished Grade means the elevation of the ground upon placement of soil and sod above the rough grade, or as may be identified on plot plans., to a maximum side yard setback of 6.00 m 19.65 ft.; and
          2. For properties identified on Figure 5-5, if a lot is not serviced by a rear access Access means an area that serves as the physical connection between a site and a public roadway. lane Lane means an alley as defined in the Traffic Safety Act, RSA 2000, c.T-6., at least one side yard must have a minimum building setback of 3.50 m 11.48 ft. to provide unobstructed vehicle access to the rear yard.
       3. Rear yard setback
          1. The minimum rear yard building setback Setback means the distance from the foundation wall of a building to the property line at right angles or radially to it. Where there is no foundation wall, the distance shall be measured from the exterior wall at grade, not including cantilevered wall sections or architectural projections. is 7.50 m 24.60 ft..
    2. Other
       1. The minimum building setback for an accessory Accessory means subordinate, incidental to, and exclusively devoted to a principal use or principal building. building is 3.00 m 9.84 ft..
       2. Unless otherwise specified in this Bylaw, a Discretionary Use listed in section (3) must be set back from any property line Property Line means a line of record bounding a lot that divides one lot from another lot, a public roadway, or any other public space. as required by the Development Authority.
       3. A public utility building Public Utility Building means a development in which the owner or operator of a public utility maintains or houses any operation in connection with the distribution of a public utility, but does not include any development for the production of electric power or gas. must have a minimum setback from any property line as determined by the Development Authority.
11. Location of Buildings
    1. For the minimum separation distances for apartment buildings, refer to section 3.55 ‘Dwelling (Apartment) and Dwelling Unit Above A Non-Residential Use.’
12. Design, Character, and Appearance
    1. In addition to the requirements in sections 3.12 ‘Design, Character, and Appearance of a Building’ and 3.52 ‘Design, Character, and Appearance of Residential Buildings,’ all buildings in this district must be finished as follows to the satisfaction of the Development Authority Development Authority has the same meaning as set out in the MGA.:
       1. Building exteriors shall be stucco, vinyl siding, fibre cement siding, wood siding, glass, brick, brick veneer, natural stone, wood timber, or metal accents.
          1. Notwithstanding section (i), alternative building materials may be considered if, in the opinion of the Development Authority, the proposed materials meet the overall character of the District.
13. Parking and Vehicular Access
    1. Driveways Driveway means a privately owned, hard-surfaced access that connects on-site parking areas to the public roadway. and vehicular access Access means an area that serves as the physical connection between a site and a public roadway. for a dwelling (townhouse-complex) Dwelling (Townhouse-Complex) means a development comprised of one or more buildings, each containing three or more dwelling units, all on a lot, where each unit has a separate, direct entrance from the exterior to grade.  No dwelling (townhouse-complex) shall have less than five dwelling units total. This use may also include stacked townhousing, or a development of a mixed form, including townhousing incorporated with a dwelling (apartment) or dwelling unit above a non-residential use.   shall only be provided from a lane Lane means an alley as defined in the Traffic Safety Act, RSA 2000, c.T-6. or private roadway.
    2. Surface parking must not encroach into any required front yard setback Setback means the distance from the foundation wall of a building to the property line at right angles or radially to it. Where there is no foundation wall, the distance shall be measured from the exterior wall at grade, not including cantilevered wall sections or architectural projections..
    3. Surface parking must not encroach into any required perimeter landscape area Landscaped Area means that portion of a site which is required to be landscaped. or landscape buffer Landscape Buffer means a landscaped area with dense landscaping, intended to separate and screen adjacent differing land uses..
14. Dwelling (Semi-Detached)
    1. The floor area Gross Floor Area means the total area of all floors of a building located totally or partially above finished grade, and the total area of all mechanical equipment areas. The area comprising the gross floor area must be enclosed or have a roof over the area, but does not require interior finishing. Gross floor area shall be measured: 1) To the outside surface of the exterior walls; or 2) Where buildings are separated by firewalls, to the centre line of the common firewalls., lot coverage Lot Coverage means the percentage of the lot area covered by buildings., building height, and setbacks of a dwelling (semi-detached) Dwelling (Semi-Detached) means a single building containing two side-by-side dwelling units, each with its own title and direct connection to finished grade, and separated from each other by a party wall extending from foundation to roof, which is designed and constructed as two dwellings at the time of initial construction of the building. This use does not include dwelling (duplex)., identified on Figure 5-5, shall comply with requirements within the LDR District.

Figure 5-5

Sites for Dwelling (Semi-Detached)

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15. Dwelling (Townhouse-Single)
    1. Any amendments to the ASP Area Structure Plan (ASP) means a statutory plan, as provided for in the MGA, which provides direction through policies on future development areas.'s impacting the dwelling (townhouse-single) Dwelling (Townhouse-Single) means a building comprised of three or more dwelling units, where each dwelling unit is on its own lot, and each unit has a separate, direct entrance from the exterior to grade. sites shown in Figure 5-6 shall invalidate the opportunity to have townhouses on those sites, and no alternative dwelling (townhouse-single) Dwelling (Townhouse-Single) means a building comprised of three or more dwelling units, where each dwelling unit is on its own lot, and each unit has a separate, direct entrance from the exterior to grade. can be placed within the MDR District.

Figure 5-6

Sites for Dwelling (Townhouse – Single) in accordance with an Area Structure Plan

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