In order to ensure quality building and site design within this motor vehicle sales and service use planned development, special standards are necessary. These include regulations governing landscaping, building materials, signage, display areas, lighting, storage, ratios of impervious materials coverage, and access point for pedestrians and vehicles.
(A) Site design. The following design elements shall be incorporated into all site plans for commercial buildings in any subzone. The goal of these regulations is to assure that commercial uses are laid out in a manner which creates a cohesive motor vehicles sales and service commercial neighborhood and to make all uses compatible and complementary with one another and with the image of the community as a whole.
(1) Traffic circulation patterns and ingress and egress to the site shall be designed so as to minimize the impact on adjacent residential uses.
(2) The site shall be organized so that there can be a smooth flow of vehicles in and out of the site as well as easy access to the various activity areas.
(3) Entrances and exits shall be placed in accordance with city requirements so as to minimize interference with off-site circulation patterns.
(4) Provision shall be made for emergency vehicle access and fire lanes adjacent to the building.
(5) Parking shall be provided in the quantities recommended by the city parking guidelines.
(6) Parking lots having 15 or more spaces shall provide parking for the physically disabled.
(7) Loading/service areas shall be designed to include space for vehicle ingress and maneuvering. Service to underground tanks for motor fuel storage shall not conflict with the site access. Loading and service shall only be done during normal business hours.
(8) Service and loading must be provided to the rear of buildings.
(9) Loading/service areas, refuse con-tainers and storage containers located on the side or rear of building, and if located closer than 125 feet from adjacent streets, shall be screened from view through the use of extensive six-foot high plantings and opaque masonry screening walls. Masonry shall be the same materials used on the exterior of the main structure.
(10) All utility meters and services to the building shall be screened from view or contained within the building.
(11) Screening walls or fences shall be at least six feet in height, but not more than eight feet in height.
(12) Decorative or "ring route" wrought iron type fences may be allowed for non-screening purposes when incorporated properly within a site plan.
(13) Fences or walls shall be constructed of a material similar to and complimentary to the primary building material and architecture. (Chain link type fences with or without wood slats or other inserts shall not be an acceptable screening device.) Fencing shall not impair traffic safety by obscuring views of entering or exiting motorists.
(14) Exterior speakers may be used for paging or required fire and safety purposes only. No advertising or entertainment broadcasting shall be permitted through exterior speakers mounted on the exterior of buildings or auxiliary structures.
(B) Landscaping. The following design standards shall be incorporated into all site plans for commercial buildings. The goal of these regulations is to assure that commercial uses present a landscaped appearance that is visually compatible and complementary to the image of the community as a whole.
(1) Plant materials, fences and walls shall be utilised to:
(a) Provide screening of undesirable views;
(b) Compliment the architectural form of the building;
(c) Define walkways, traffic circulation, special use areas, and building entries;
(d) Provide a pleasant street appearance;
(e) Soften the visual impact of large paved areas;
(f) Soften the edge between a parking lot or street and the building; and
(g) Mitigate the impacts of lighting or other negative influences.
(2) Landscaped islands within parking or display/sales/storage lots shall be provided for all parking lots in the center. The total area of the islands shall be at least 5% of the parking lot area. For an island to count toward satisfying this 5% standard, it shall not be less than the size of a standard parking stall. In addition to the required tree planting in landscape islands (see § 155.349(D)), ground cover within the island shall also be installed.
(3) The landscape treatment of the space abutting the public right-of-way shall include deciduous canopy trees in concert with berming or other screening devices to conceal parking and circulation areas, except that lots intended for motor vehicle display shall not be required to be concealed with berms or screening.
(4) Planting beds, conifers and ornamental trees shall be used to accent entries and freestanding signage.
(5) Signage and identity structures shall be incorporated into the landscape design and shown on landscape or site plans.
(6) At least 75% of the "landscape area" shall be live plant material as opposed to walks, patios, etc. Plant materials used in planting beds shall be sized to achieve a minimum of 50% bed coverage within two years of installation.
(7) Installation of trees and evergreens at larger than minimum city standards may be required by the city to achieve buffering or streetscape effect in some circumstances.
(8) The architectural design shall include plaza, patios and outdoor seating adjacent to building entries.
(9) Special paving materials (brick pavers, stamped concrete, paving stones, etc.) may be used to define pedestrian circulation through parking and vehicular circulation areas.
(10) Paths and sidewalks (a minimum five feet in width) shall be provided to assure that pedestrians can move safely and conveniently on the site and between the site and the neighborhood.
(11) In all turf and landscape areas, an in-ground landscape irrigation system shall be installed. Such systems shall be considered a portion of the cost of the building (not the landscaping) and shall be inspected as part of the building construction.
(C) Outdoor lighting. The following lighting standards elements shall be incorporated into all site plans for commercial buildings in any subzone. The goal of these regulations is to allow outside lighting for the functional and security needs of the commercial uses, without adversely impacting adjacent properties.
(1) Downcast security lighting shall be provided, particularly at pedestrian walkways and all entries. The "foot candle" measurement of the light levels shall not exceed 20 at main entry doors or within 75 feet of said doors, and shall not exceed five in the parking areas. This standard shall not apply to lighting erected in conjunction with an outdoor sales/display area conditional use permit pursuant to § A20-3(A)(2).
(2) Lighting standards shall be integrated with the architectural design of the buildings and shall be no more than 30 feet above finished grade. Light sources (other than signs) shall utilize downcast shoebox fixtures which cast light vertically to the surface of the pavement and shall utilize metal halide luxninaires.
(3) Light sources (light bulbs) shall not be visible from adjacent properties and shall not project a glare onto adjacent properties. They shall be shielded to reflect light down onto the ground and not out onto the streets or neighboring property.
(4) Lighting shall be designed to enhance the overall aesthetics of the site.
(D) Architectural form, scale and materials. The following design elements shall be incorporated into all plans for commercial buildings an any subzone. The goal of these regulations is to assure that commercial uses present an architectural appearance that is visually compatible with adjacent residential areas, and complimentary to the image of the community as a whole.
(1) Forms and finish masonry materials of buildings, signage and other accessory structures shall be made compatible with and relate to the architectural character of the adjacent area.
(2) Architectural features (such as towers) or parapet walls shall be utilized on the main structure to screen any rooftop mechanical equipment.
(3) Mechanical equipment on building exteriors, roofs or parking areas shall be screened from view from all public streets and adjoining properties.
(4) Trash shall be screened and enclosed in masonry-faced enclosures attached to the main structure or shall be stored completely within the main structure.
(5) Vending machines or other equipment shall not be installed or stored outside of the main building.
(E) Signage. Permitted signage shall be as allowed under the city's sign regulations, except that additional monument entry signs at each driveway access to a public street shall be permitted when in conformance with the following criteria:
(1) Materials and appearance. The entry monument shall be constructed to appear as a brick wall with sign copy mounted upon its face. The entry monument must utilize brick materials identical or similar to the Apple Valley "Ring Route Streetscape" entry monuments and fence bollards. The structure shall have a capstone of uncolored precast concrete or cut stone.
(2) Location. An entry monument may be placed adjacent to each entry drive in the vicinity of its intersection with a public street.
(3) Setbacks. The minimum setback of an entry monument from a street right-of-way or easement shall be ten feet. The minimum setback from an interior lot line or private driveway curbline shall be ten feet.
(4) Entry monument dimensions. The maximum and minimum height of an entry monument sign shall be four feet. The maximum centerline length shall not exceed 20 feet.
(5) Landscaping. The base of the entry monument shall be landscaped with a combination of deciduous and coniferous shrubs.
(6) Sign copy. Identifying signage to be placed on the entry monument shall be limited to an area at least six inches below the capstone and 12 inches from the sides of the structure. Sign copy shall consist either of individual letters or one-piece franchise manufacturer's logo.
(7) Lighting. Signage shall be lit only from an internal light source contained within each letter or logo. Uplights may be installed within the landscaped area, provided that the surface of the luminaire lens is parallel to and flush with the surface of the ground.
(‘81 Code, § A20-6) (Ord. No. 541, § 2, 7-23-92)