(A) The design of all building site and landscape plans shall be prepared by a professional skilled and trained to perform these services. Buildings shall be designed to fit the particular site and shall be harmonious with adjacent buildings, topography and natural surroundings and shall otherwise meet the provisions of this chapter.
(B) In order to assure that new construction is compatible with existing structures and neighborhood environments, it is necessary to establish minimum design and building material standards. These standards will serve to prevent new development from de-stabilizing adjacent neighborhoods by mitigating the intrinsic negative impacts associated with structures of greater bulk and density. The following standards are established to accomplish these ends:
(1) Exterior vertical surface design. All exterior vertical surfaces of residential, multiple residential, commercial, industrial and institutional structures of any type shall be treated as a front and have an equally attractive or same fascia.
(2) Design of garages. Garages and other accessory buildings shall have a design and appearance that will not detract from the main building(s) or adjacent buildings.
(3) Mechanical protrusions. All necessary mechanical protrusions visible to the exterior shall be screened or handled in a manner such that they are not visually obvious and are compatible with the surrounding development.
(a) For rooftop mechanical equipment, all mechanical equipment and related appurtenances, except solar collector panels, must be fully screened by either a parapet wall along the edge of the building or by a screen immediately surrounding such equipment. The height of the parapet wall or screen shall be at least the height of the equipment. Parapet walls must be an extension of the primary building materials comprising the outside walls of the building; screens must be constructed of durable, low-maintenance materials and be either a light, neutral color or the same color as the primary building materials of the outside walls. Rooftop equipment shall be set back from the edge of the roof along the front building face a minimum of one times the equipment height.
(b) For ground mounted equipment, all mechanical equipment and related appurtenances must be fully screened by either a masonry wall or an opaque landscape screen. The height of the wall or landscape screen shall be at least the height of the equipment. Masonry walls must be constructed of the same materials and color as the primary materials comprising the outside walls of the building; landscape screening must be of plant materials that are fully opaque year-round. Equipment shall be painted a neutral earth-tone color. All mechanical protrusions shall be pointed out on the site plan and elevations.
(4) Materials. Materials shall be those normally utilized in this part of the country for permanent type construction, which are found in what is generally accepted as good architectural design and which are found to be compatible with nearby existing buildings. Required building materials shall depend upon the use of the building as follows:
(a) Commercial buildings shall have a vertical exposed exterior finish of 100% non- combustible, non-degradable and maintenance-free construction materials (such as face brick or natural stone but excluding such construction materials as sheet or corrugated aluminum, iron, or concrete block of any kind or similar). Exterior roof-top finishes shall preclude the use of exposed or plated metal; any metal surface shall be coated or anodized with a non- reflective, glare-free finish.
(b) Industrial buildings shall have a vertical exposed exterior finish of 100% non- combustible, non-degradable and maintenance-free construction materials (such as face brick, natural stone or decorative concrete block but excluding construction materials as sheet or corrugated aluminum, iron, plain or painted plain concrete block or similar). Any decorative concrete block shall be colored only by means of a pigment impregnated throughout the entire block. Exterior roof-top finishes shall preclude the use of exposed or plated metal; any metal surface shall be coated or anodized with a non- reflective, glare-free finish.
(c) Multiple residential buildings adjacent to R zones or occupied M zones shall have a vertical exposed exterior finish consisting of at least 50% non-combustible, non-degradable and maintenance-free construction materials (such as face brick or natural stone but excluding such construction materials as sheet aluminum, iron or concrete block of any kind or similar), with the balance being a non- manufactured natural construction material such as plank cedar or redwood.
(C) In addition to the performance standards contained within this section, those areas and uses located in Downtown Apple Valley shall also conform to the design guidelines contained in the Downtown Design Guidelines, as formally adopted to the satisfaction of the City Council. If any provision or requirement of this section is in conflict with any term, condition or standard contained in the Downtown Development Design Guidelines, or with any provision or requirement of any other Chapter in this code, the provisions and requirements set forth in this section shall govern. Downtown Apple Valley is that area located within the Ring Route, and bounded by 147th Street to the north, 153rd Street to the south, Pennock Avenue to the west and Galaxie Avenue to the east.
(‘81 Code, § A1-53) (Ord. 291, passed 4-21-83; Am. Ord. 436, passed 2-23-89; Am. Ord. 772, passed 4-14-05; Am. Ord. 965, passed 5-8-14)