(A) Architectural standards for small-scale residential dwellings.
(1) General provisions. The purpose of these design standards ensures quality construction for developments and create variation and interest in the built environment. These standards apply to all residential buildings containing one to four dwelling units located on a parcel or within a subdivision containing five or more dwelling units.
(a) Front facades, street side facades, and rear facades of residential buildings must be articulated to avoid flat building facades. These variations in the fagade plane may be achieved through:
1. Projections or recessions created by (a) one offset at least four feet deep and a minimum height equivalent of one story or (b) two offsets at least two feet deep and a minimum height equivalent of one story;
2. Front-load garage doors recessed at least two feet behind the front facade of the building or four feet behind the posts of the front porch;
3. A covered porch at least 40 square feet in area on the front facade or street side facade;
4. A sunroom or screened porch at least 64 square feet in area on the street side facade or rear facade;
5. An exterior fireplace chase extending at least 18 inches from the building facade, finished in masonry material, and extending above the roofline;
6. A bay window projecting at least 12 inches from the wall;
7. A second-floor cantilever projecting at least 12 inches over the first floor for at least 30% of the length of the building facade;
8. A covered patio or covered porch, as a projection or recession, at least 120 square feet in area.
(b) At least three exterior color, materials, or patterns must be used on each building facade. A well-chosen selection of contrasting trim and accent colors can draw attention to architectural details. Care should be taken in selecting a color palette that accents the building's architecture while being harmonious in the context of the surrounding neighborhood.
(2) Architectural diversity standards along streetscapes.
(a) To improve the architectural diversity along a streetscape, homes of the same elevation and color scheme are not permitted next to or directly across the street from each other. Additionally, the home color scheme may not be repeated for two homes on either side of the subject home and the five homes directly across the street from the subject home. Figure 6-1 illustrates this requirement.
1. Lots indicated with the number one must use a different elevation and color scheme than the subject property, however, they may use the same trim color as the subject property.
2. Lots indicated with the number two must use a different color scheme than the subject property, however, they may use the same trim color and brick or stone color as the subject property. These lots may use the same building elevation as the subject property.
3. Lots indicated with the number three may use the same elevation and color scheme as the subject property.
(b) In determining if a building elevation meets these standards, the reviewer evaluates differentiation in the colors of the (1) siding; (2) siding accents; (3) trim; (4) front door; (5) shutters; and (6) brick or stone.
(3) Perimeter lot enhancements. These standards are intended to improve the appearance at the interface between new residential developments and existing perimeter streets. Long, straight lines of homes, berming, or landscaping parallel to perimeter streets is discouraged. Homes facing the perimeter street and variation in the distance between homes and perimeter streets is encouraged.
(c) For purposes of this section, a perimeter lot includes lots abutting a perimeter street or a common area abutting a perimeter street. If a lot abutting a common area is not within the viewshed from the perimeter street, then the perimeter lot standards do not apply.
(d) Homes of the same elevation and color scheme are not permitted next to each other. Additionally, the home color scheme may not be repeated for two homes on either side of the subject home. In Figure 6-1, the homes located on the same side of the street as the subject lot illustrate this requirement.
(4) Corner lot enhancements. Corner lot side facades adjacent to the street must have similar architectural design and detailing as the front facade. Additionally, landscape plantings of at least one shade tree, one ornamental or evergreen tree, and five shrubs may be installed in lieu of the architectural detailing.
(B) Architectural standards for non-residential uses in residential districts. All nonresidential uses in a residential district must comply with the following:
(1) To ensure compatibility of nonresidential uses with surrounding residential uses in residential districts, all nonresidential uses must use exterior building materials, roof line treatments and roofing materials compatible and consistent with the residential character and building materials of the surrounding residential area.
(2) Loading spaces or loading docks must not face a street.
(3) Loading spaces or loading docks facing a side or rear lot line of an adjoining residential district must be screened from view from the residential district (see § 154.110(H)).
(C) Architectural standards for multi-family dwellings. All new multi-family buildings containing five or more dwellings must comply with the following:
(1) Design detailing must continue completely around the building consistent with the intended architectural style. Detailing elements include, but are not limited to, number and style of windows, window placement, trim detailing, roof design, and exterior materials.
(2) Permitted exterior materials include Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS), synthetic stucco, masonry materials, wood, fiber cement siding, and polymeric cladding. Aluminum and vinyl siding are prohibited.
(3) At least 75% of each building facade, excluding windows and doors, must be masonry materials or fiber cement siding.
(4) Each building facade must utilize at least two different exterior building materials (excluding window, door, and roofing materials), colors, or patterns.
(5) Windows: A building facade must incorporate a minimum of one window (a minimum of 15 square feet) per dwelling unit located along the building fagade. Required windows may be located anywhere on the building facade, as architecturally appropriate. All windows must have shutters matching the size of the window or casing at least three inches in width. Windows in a building facade of a masonry material must have a casing or sill of natural or masonry material. Windows in a building facade of a non-masonry material must be trimmed to match the architectural style of the building.
(6) Roof design.
(a) The roof pitch of the main roof must be at least 6:12. Elements such as porches, bays, walkways, may have a lower roof pitch. Lower roof pitches may occur on rear elevations if concealed by side roof elements.
(b) The roof overhangs must be at least 11 inches, as measured prior to the installation of masonry materials.
(c) The roof form and pitch design of a building must include, where appropriate, varied pitches and ridge levels according to the intended architectural style of the building and the building facade projections.
(7) Streetscape diversity.
(a) Building elevations of similar floor plans must have variety in style, massing, use of materials, and detailing of elements. The same elevation may occur as buildings are grouped together if each building plan has a minimum of two different elevation styles.
(b) If more than one building is proposed, then the building(s) must be located so no more than two buildings are in a straight, unbroken line. An unbroken line includes an offset in the building setback at least one-third the height of the adjacent building.
(D) The Plan Commission may adjust or waive the above requirements to allow a cohesive design consistent with the architectural style of the building and the intent of these regulations.
(Ord. 2022-17, passed 7-19-2022)