The following design standards are to be used as criteria for project approvals.
.010 Facades. Street wall facades shall be architecturally enhanced. This may be accomplished through the use of arcades, colonnades, recessed entrances, window details, bays, variation in building materials, and other details such as cornices and color. Maximum total blank wall area (without windows or entrances) shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the first-story wall.
.020 Public Amenities. Street wall facades may be divided by public plazas, urban pocket parks, outdoor dining, and other pedestrian-oriented amenities. The use of public art is encouraged.
.030 Design Features. Projecting features, such as balconies, porches, bays, and dormer windows, are encouraged to create visual interest and distinction between units. Trim detail on rooflines, porches, windows and doors on street-facing elevations are encouraged.
.040 Architectural Theme. Building design shall incorporate an architectural theme that is compatible with nearby uses, provided such uses are similar to uses permitted by this chapter. Architectural details may draw upon locally historic buildings or other nearby features that contribute to the aesthetic ambiance of the immediate area.
.050 Siding Materials. Plain concrete block, plain concrete, corrugated metal, plywood, sheet pressboard, vinyl, and similar siding materials are strongly discouraged.
.060 Corner Buildings. Buildings at corners of intersections shall receive special treatment to enhance the pedestrian experience, such as building cut-offs and corner entrances with additional architectural detail.
.070 Entrances. All primary ground-floor common entries or individual dwelling unit entries fronting on streets shall be oriented to the street, not to the interior or to a parking lot.
.080 Pedestrian Circulation. On-site pedestrian circulation shall be continuous and connect various on-site uses, as well as connect to off-site transit stops and parking.
.090 Windows in Residential Units. Residential windows should face away from loading areas, docks and trash storage areas. To the extent windows of residential units face each other, the windows should be offset to maximize privacy.
.100 Storage Areas. General storage cabinets with a minimum size of one hundred (100) cubic feet capacity shall be required for each dwelling unit, and may be provided adjacent to private recreational-leisure areas, or located in close proximity to the unit. (Ord. 5920 § 1 (part); June 8, 2004: Ord. 6287 § 6; October 8, 2013.)