(A) Site aspects.
(1) Relationship of a building to its site.
(a) Building design shall be fitted to the natural contours of the site. Natural features of the site, such as rock outcroppings or natural drainage ways, shall be preserved.
(b) On wooded sites, buildings shall be carefully situated to take advantage of the shade and energy conservation provided by the trees.
(c) The impression of buildings tucked into, rather than superimposed on, the natural landscape shall be created.
(d) The view of the building from the street and surrounding areas shall be as important as the view available to the building’s occupants.
(e) Buildings shall be located according to the natural characteristics of the site. In hilly terrain, clustering of buildings is encouraged as a strategy to avoid destroying sensitive natural areas.
(f) Buildings shall be designed to harmonize with the existing topography, thereby minimizing land disruption.
(g) Grading shall be held to a minimum and should complement natural land forms (such as smooth gradations or terracing).
(2) Relationships of the project to adjoining area.
(a) Building projects shall not be designed as isolated units, but instead shall reflect the context of the adjoining properties.
(b) Grading shall blend gently with contours of adjacent properties.
(c) Buildings at the ends of streets, or at street corners, shall serve as visual “terminals,” serving to both unify and conclude the architectural statement made on the street.
(d) Proposed recreation areas or uses shall complement nearby existing uses. The extension of existing parks or recreation areas into a proposed development is a highly desirable design feature.
(e) Buildings or projects located near or adjacent to a greenway shall provide safe and efficient pedestrian connection to that greenway, and also to adjacent properties that might include pedestrian systems in the future.
(f) Buffer zones shall separate and protect the greenway, while at the same time connect it to the building site.
(g) Natural drainage patterns shall be preserved where possible. Changing the natural drainage areas will affect the drainage onto adjoining areas. New offsite drainage created by the development shall be prevented or adequately controlled with stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs).
(h) Innovative building and site design can capitalize on natural drainage ways and transform steep slopes into major site amenities.
(i) Design shall insure that drainage occurs only in areas designed to serve a drainage function. Stormwater should not flow over sidewalks, paths or streets.
(3) Streetscape.
(a) Along and adjacent to the street frontage property line, there shall be enough room to accommodate the planting of trees and shrubs (minimum of a five-foot-wide planting strip). The street will be enclosed, pedestrians will be separated from the cars (where applicable) and the view will be framed. Where a town-maintained public walkway/sidewalk is located on the applicant’s property in the five feet immediately adjacent to the property line, the five-foot planting strip shall be measured from the edge of the walkway/sidewalk. See division (H) below for planting requirements in this area.
(b) Street furniture should complement the overall site and landscape design. It shall reflect the natural mountain character of Beech Mountain, such as the use of wood and stone for benches, trash receptacles, and the like.
(c) Where a pedestrian plan officially adopted by the town depicts sidewalks/walkways within the applicant’s property, the applicant shall dedicate to the town an easement for the construction, maintenance and beautification of sidewalks/walkways and associated landscaping elements. The easement shall extend to any portion of the applicant’s property that lies within seven and a half feet on either side of the location of centerline of the walkway as depicted on the plan. This area may count towards the required minimum setback and the five-foot planting strip as required above.
(B) Building scale. Scale and proportion should reflect local traditions of mountain buildings. They should be oriented to the characteristic, simple residential buildings of Beech Mountain. Texture of roof and wall finishes shall provide a scale or reference point for the pedestrian in proximity to the structure.
(1) Allowed:
a. Harmony with landscape and surroundings.
b. Residential scale.
c. Structures using rectangular configurations
d. Street fronts having a sense of entry.
e. Use of stepbacks and architectural elements (windows, stairs, and the like) to break up large masses of building.
f. Pedestrian-oriented scale.
g. Covered walkways.
h. Canopies.
i. Alternative designs and configurations that comply with the spirit and intent of this section are allowed, provided a
special use
permit is secured in accordance with § 154.117(T).
(2) Prohibited:
a. Buildings that exceed the maximum height as provided in § 154.140.
b. Square or rectangular buildings in excess of 50,000 square foot of gross floor area are prohibited.
c. Continuous flat building faces (no changes in direction) in excess of 100 feet in length are prohibited.
d. A-frame buildings are prohibited.
e. Geodesic domes are prohibited.
(C) Exterior materials. Materials shall be selected for suitability to architectural style. For the mountain village character of Beech Mountain, this means using natural traditional materials such as wood and native stone. The number of different materials on exterior finishes should be limited.
(1) Allowed:
a. Use of materials native to mountain area.
b. Wood siding (painted, stained or weathered). Horizontal lap or vertical board and batten.
c. Fire-retardant wood shingles/shakes or synthetic fire-retardant wood shingles/shakes.
d. Native stone.
e. True log construction.
f. Log siding.
g. Exposed wood structural members (heavy timbers).
h. Trim elements related to primary building elements.
i. Where materials change, there should be a change in wall plane or some architectural device to give sense of transition.
j. Bark siding.
k. Brick (allowed as accents for areas of detail - then the brick shall be of constant color and of the wood mold type, no blends).
l. Stucco, for wall areas below the first floor level only, or allowed as an accent for areas of detail.
m. All ASTM-approved cement board, at the discretion of the Architectural Review Committee or per requirement of North Carolina State Fire Code.
n. Alternative materials that comply with the spirit and intent of this section are allowed, provided a
special use
permit is obtained in accordance with § 154.117(T).
(2) Prohibited:
a. Stucco or synthetic stucco, as an entire wall exterior finish, is prohibited.
b. Mix of materials unrelated to architectural form/structure is prohibited.
c. Pre-form metal siding (covering greater than 40% of the exterior facade) is prohibited.
d. Vinyl siding (covering greater than 40% of the exterior facade) is prohibited.
e. T 1-11 or plywood (covering greater than 40% of the exterior facade) is prohibited.
f. Exposed or painted concrete block is prohibited.
g. Artificial brick is prohibited.
h. Non-ASTM-approved cement board is prohibited.
i. Non-fire-retardant wood shingles or shakes are prohibited.
(D) Roofs. Roofs are a major visible element and shall be compatible with both the building’s and neighboring building’s architectural styles. Similarities in roof type create a visual continuity in the streetscape and neighborhood. Roof shape, color and texture should be coordinated with the treatment of the building's perimeter walls. Roofs with more than one plane, and containing dormers, add variety to a building and break-up its size.
(1) Allowed:
a. Gable or hip roofs.
b Roof materials.
1. Wood shakes or synthetic wood shakes (fire-retardant versions only).
2. Slate (or artificial slate).
3. Metal.
4. Architectural/dimensional asphalt shingles (40-year or 50-year).
c. Roof pitches over porches and ancillary structures should be in keeping with principal building.
d. Earth tone colors for roof materials.
e. Wide fascia (eight inches minimum) and/or exposed rafter tails.
f. Large overhangs (minimum of 18 inches).
g. Large roof areas shall have more than one plane or be broken up with dormers or other design features. Maximum unbroken roof plane area facing the main thoroughfare on which the parcel is situated is 1,000 square feet.
h. Solar panels, provided they are non-reflective.
i. Alternative roof designs that comply with the spirit and intent of this section may be allowed, provided a
special use
permit is obtained in accordance with § 154.117(T).
j. Rooftop equipment specifications.
1. Rooftop mechanical and electrical equipment shall be screened from view of people on street and surrounding properties.
2. Grouping together of utility structures (vents, ducts, and the like) is required. Utility structures shall be painted to match adjacent building surface.
3. Exposed gutters and downspouts shall be painted to match adjacent roof or wall material or trim.
(2) Prohibited:
a. Flat roofs, roofs of less than 6:12 pitch are prohibited.
b. Gambrel or mansard roofs are prohibited.
c. Shed roofs as the primary roof structure are prohibited.
d. Brightly colored and unnatural looking roof material is prohibited.
e. Roll felt roofing is prohibited.
f. Corrugated plastic sheet material is prohibited.
g. Standard three-tab asphalt shingles are prohibited.
h. Non-fire-retardant wood shingles or shakes are prohibited.
(E) Windows. Windows are an important architectural element to unify a facade. They reflect the character of a building. However, windows not only add to the aesthetics of a building, but they also provide light and ventilation.
(1) Allowed:
a. Traditional shapes (forms of square, arches or rectangle).
b. Forms of residential scale.
c. Multi-plane windows (use of muntins to divide glass into unified sections).
d. Vertical windows.
e. Separating large windows (including storefront) by columns.
f. Windows accentuated by trim work.
g. A minimum of 10% of each unbroken wall facade facing the main thoroughfare on which the parcel is situated of greater than 100 square feet shall be glazed with windows/fenestration. For the purposes of this section, wall areas are considered BROKEN when interrupted by roofs or changes in direction.
h. Windows shall not serve as dominant elements. A higher percentage of wall than window should exist on each unbroken wall section, with the potential exception of first floor windows subject to pedestrian traffic.
i. Window units visible from the main thoroughfare on which the parcel is situated shall be a minimum of four feet tall and two feet wide.
j. Alternative window types and designs that comply with the spirit and intent of this section are allowed, provided a
special use
permit is obtained in accordance with § 154.117(T).
k. Shutter specifications (if shutters are used).
1. Should measure full height and half the width of the windows to which they are applied.
2. Traditional horizontal slats (wood).
(2) Prohibited:
a. Large undivided panes of glass greater than 100 square feet surface area are prohibited.
b. Floor-to-ceiling windows greater than one story are prohibited.
c. Glass block visible from the main thoroughfare on which the parcel is situated is prohibited.
d. Reflective glass is prohibited.
(F) Building entrance. Every building shall have a well-defined entrance visible from the main thoroughfare on which the parcel is situated (e.g., If the parcel on which the building is situated has frontage on Beech Mountain Parkway, the entrance shall be visible from Beech Mountain Parkway). These entrances may be covered porches or other architectural amenities that convey an impression of welcome and openness.
(G) Color. Colors shall be natural and subdued (earth tones are recommended) and shall blend in well with the natural surroundings. Openings and entryways should be clearly expressed with changes of texture or color. Principal building and trim colors are subject to review. Trim color shall refer to any or all building’s trim elements (such as eaves, soffits, overhangs and fascias).
(1) Allowed:
a. Natural and subdued colors (earth tones).
b. Alternative color schemes that comply with the spirit and intent of this section are allowed, provided a
special use
permit is obtained in accordance with § 154.117(T).
(2) Prohibited:
a. More than three colors (principal building and trim) are prohibited.
b. High gloss finishes are prohibited.
c. Day-glow and fluorescent colors are prohibited.
d. Bright colors, including pastels that do not harmonize with natural materials, are prohibited.
(H) Landscaping.
(1) Street trees. The planting strip required by § 154.122(A)(3)(e) shall be planted with street trees as follows:
a. One large shade tree (expected height of 35 feet or more at maturity) is required for every 50 feet of linear street frontage of the lot, minus the width of driveways and access points. Trees do not need to be spaced evenly. They may be clustered with a minimum spacing of 15 feet and a maximum spacing of 75 feet. Ornamental trees (expected height of 25 feet upon maturity) may be used in place of shade trees at the rate of one for every 30 feet. Due to above-ground utilities, the town may require the use of ornamental trees in place of large shade trees.
b. Inclusion of existing trees in the landscape design is encouraged. Shrubbery, ground cover, and other planting materials shall be used to compliment the tree planting. No area of the street yard may be exposed soil, but instead shall be covered with vegetation, whether grass or shrubbery. The only area that shall remain uncovered is the six-foot radius surrounding the trunk of any tree; however, this area shall be mulched.
(2) Existing vegetation. Existing trees and vegetation, other than exotic, non-native species, may count toward meeting the requirements of this section, when such vegetation is in good condition, is properly protected during development, and helps to further the purpose of the district. Existing vegetation that is used to meet the standards of this section shall be maintained or replaced if it dies during the first year after the completion of the development.
(3) New plant material. Regionally grown and native species of plants are preferred. Any plant listed with the Agricultural Extension Office as a native plant shall be considered to be a native plant for these purposes. New plant material shall complement existing site vegetation, should be mixed with it and should be integrated with all other natural site features.
(I) Parking lots; parking lot yards. The purpose of this section is to ensure that the Commercial Thoroughfare Overlay District of Beech Mountain is an attractive and appealing place for residents and visitors. This often means that a higher priority must be placed upon being an attractive and functional place for people than being convenient for automobiles.
(1) Parking location. Parking is encouraged to be located to the rear or sides of buildings, with the building fronting on the public way. However, nothing in this section is to prevent the establishment of parking in front of a building so long as the project adheres to all other relevant regulations. When parking is to be established in front of buildings, it is recommended that the applicant create and utilize on-street parking if such is approved by the NCDOT and/or the town. (For the purposes of this section, ON-STREET PARKING is defined as a parking area without a divider between the street and the parking area, in which automobiles directly access the parking spaces from the road. On-street parking may be parallel, angled or straight in, as approved by the NCDOT and the town.)
(J) Buffer yards. The purpose of the buffer yard is to provide a transitional area between uses that may differ in development intensity and density. A BUFFER YARD is defined as a planting yard that serves as a visual separation between uses and should be densely planted. No buildings, parking areas or other development may encroach within the buffer yard, with the exception of town-approved public walkways or sidewalks. Refer to § 154.165 for the standards for buffer yards.
(Ord. 2014-05, passed 12-9-2014; Ord. 2021-03, passed 6-8-2021)