Subd. 1. Purpose. The purpose of this subsection is to establish general building regulations that are intended and designed to assure compatibility of uses; to prevent urban blight, deterioration, and decay; and to enhance the health, safety, and general welfare of the residents of the city.
Subd. 2. General Provisions: Dwelling Unit Restriction. Model homes, garages, and accessory buildings shall not at any time be used as living quarters, temporarily or permanently, except as may be approved in emergency cases by the Zoning Administrator as an administrative permit.
Subd. 3. Exterior Materials.
1. The exterior of structures shall include a variation in building materials which are to be distributed throughout the building facades and coordinated into the architectural design of the structure to create an architecturally balanced appearance.
2. Building foundations not exceeding two feet and other such portions of a building’s exterior wall area need not comply with the requirements for the primary exterior wall area treatment or materials.
3. No galvanized or unfinished steel or unfinished aluminum buildings (walls or roofs) may be constructed except as provided herein.
4. Residential Uses. The primary exterior building facade finished for residential uses shall consist of materials comparable in grade to the following:
a. Brick;
b. Stone (natural or artificial);
c. Integral colored spit face (rock face) concrete block;
d. Wood, natural or composite, provided the surfaces are finished for exterior use or wood of proven exterior durability is used, such as cedar, redwood, or cypress;
e. Stucco (natural or artificial);
f. Vinyl, steel, fiber, and aluminum siding; and
g. Other materials as approved by the Zoning Administrator.
5. Non-Residential Uses.
a. Permitted exterior wall finish materials:
i. Brick;
ii. Stone, natural and textured cast stone;
iii. Concrete masonry with integral color and texture (such as split or rock faced concrete block) or with exterior surfaces that have been treated with a decorative, applied surface texture and color other than paint;
iv. Cast in place concrete or pre-cast concrete panels;
v. Wood, natural or composite, provided the surfaces are finished for exterior use or wood of proven exterior durability is used, such as cedar, redwood, or cypress;
vi. Composite board;
vii. Glass;
viii. Stucco;
ix. Vinyl;
x. Exterior insulated finishing systems (EIFS) where the EIFS system is manufactured to replicate the look of approved building materials;
xi. Metal siding that is coated or anodized with a non-reflective glare free finish is permitted only where coordinated into the overall architectural design and provided that the metal siding does not constitute more than 50% of the total exterior wall area. The wall area does not include doors, overhead doors, windows, and the like; and
xii. Exterior walls of masonry, concrete, and glass are encouraged.
b. Metal roofing material that is coated or anodized with a non-reflective, glare-free finish is a permitted roofing material.
6. Exterior Materials for Buildings in the I-3 Innovation Industrial Park Zoning District. Any exterior wall adjacent to a public street must have a higher level of aesthetics. This could be accomplished by architectural design features, increased use of stone and/or brick across 25% of the facade area, combination of glass and architectural metals, or a wall plane articulation across 25% of the facade area. Such articulation must extend at least five feet from the primary building line of the principal building structure.
Subd. 4. Single-Family Dwellings. All single-family detached homes (except for manufactured homes located in the R-4 zoning district) shall conform to the following standards.
1. General Requirements.
a. All homes shall be constructed upon a continuous perimeter foundation that meets the requirements of this chapter and the State Building Code;
b. Shall be so located on the lot so that garage space for at least two vehicles, either attached or detached, can be located on said lot; and
c. Provision shall be made for possible future decks, porches, or additions that meet setback standards, as part of the initial building plans.
2. Minimum Floor Area Per Dwelling Unit. Within the AG, R-1, R-2, and R-5 Zoning Districts, all new single-family dwellings shall have a minimum floor area of 960 square feet.
3. Architectural Details. The front of all single-family homes shall contain a minimum of two unique architectural features such as a front porch, dormer, attached decks, architectural recesses, decorative cornices, bay/bow windows, pilasters, columns, cantilevers, built-in planter/window boxes, formal pediment, and trim emphasizing front door entry or other significant architectural detail. Variations of color are not sufficient to comply with this condition.
Subd. 5. Attached Residential Dwellings.
1. General Requirements.
a. Unit Width. The minimum width of a dwelling unit shall be 24 feet.
b. Number of Units and Building Length. No single townhome structure shall contain more than six attached units if in a row or more than eight attached units if back-to-back. A townhome structure shall have no single wall greater than 48 feet in length without an offset of four feet or more, or an angle of 22.5 degrees or more.
c. Utilities.
i. Public Utility Service. Separate public utility services shall be provided to each unit unless exempted by the City Engineer.
ii. Water Connection. Individual unit shut-off valves shall be provided.
iii. Sewer Connection. Where more than one unit is served by a sanitary sewer service, all maintenance and cleaning shall be the responsibility of the property owner’s association or owners.
d. Each site shall include at least 30% open space, that is, space without buildings, paving, or other impervious surface.
i. The City Council may require, at its discretion, that open space as required herein be configured in a manner to provide recreation facilities such as a tot lot or playing fields. The need for such facilities shall be based in part of the type of structures proposed, the target market for the units, the proximity to public recreation areas, and other factors identified by the city.
ii. Outdoor swimming pools or other intensive recreation uses shall comply with the minimum setbacks required for the principal structure.
e. Streets. All streets shall be public and shall comply with design standards and specifications as governed by the city subdivision ordinance.
f. Sidewalks. Sidewalks shall be provided from parking areas, loading zones, and recreation areas to the entrances of the building(s).
g. Decks or Porches. Provision shall be made for possible decks, porches, or additions as part of the initial dwelling unit building plans. The unit lot shall be configured and sized to include decks or porches.
h. Minimum Overhang. A minimum roof overhang of 12 inches shall be provided on the front and back of all attached dwellings.
2. Minimum Floor Area Per Dwelling Unit. The minimum floor area for two-family and townhome units shall be 960 square feet.
3. The exterior of attached dwelling units shall include a variation in building materials which are to be distributed throughout the building facades and coordinated into the architectural design of the structure to create an architecturally balanced appearance and shall comply with the following requirements:
a. A minimum of 20% of the combined area of the front building facades of a structure shall have an exterior finish of brick, stucco, and/or artificial stone.
b. For the purpose of this subsection, the area of the building facade shall not include area devoted to windows, entrance doors, garage doors, or roof areas.
Subd. 6. Multiple-Family (Apartment) Dwellings.
1. General Requirements.
a. Open Space. Unless otherwise indicated in the underlying zoning district, each site shall include at least 30% open space, that is, space without buildings, paving, or other impervious surface.
i. The city may require, at its discretion, that open space as required herein be configured in a manner to provide recreation facilities such as a tot lot or playing fields. The need for such facilities shall be based in part on the type of structures proposed, the target market for the units, the proximity to public recreation areas, and other factors identified by the city.
ii. Outdoor swimming pools or other intensive recreation uses shall observe setbacks as required in the underlying zoning district or as required for the principal structure, whichever is greater.
b. Recreation Areas. Each multiple-family apartment building or complex of 20 or more dwelling units shall include visually defined or fenced active recreation areas. Said areas need not be contiguous. The size of the recreation area shall be 2,000 square feet plus an additional 50 square feet per unit for over 20 dwelling units, exclusive of parking or loading areas. For senior or physically disabled housing, 20% of the gross lot area must be reserved for active or passive recreation area. These requirements may be reduced, at the City Council’s discretion, for projects in the TOD District’s Station Zone and Midway Zone which are built in accordance with the TOD District’s zoning requirements and have lot coverage levels that do not allow for full compliance with this provision.
2. Exterior Materials.
a. A minimum of 25% of the combined area of all building facades of a structure shall have an exterior finish of brick, stucco, and/or natural or artificial stone.
b. For the purposes of this subsection, the area of the building facade shall not include area devoted to windows, entrance doors, garage doors, or roof areas.
Subd. 7. Screening of Mechanical Equipment. All rooftop and ground-mounted mechanical equipment of residential buildings having three units or more and of non-residential buildings and/or equipment shall comply with the following standards:
1. All rooftop and ground-mounted mechanical equipment shall be screened so as to mitigate noise and view of said equipment in compliance with subsection 1006.06.
2. All rooftop and ground-mounted mechanical equipment shall be designed (including exterior color) and located so as to be aesthetically harmonious and compatible with the building.
a. Rooftop mechanical equipment shall not exceed the building height standards by more than ten feet.
b. All rooftop and ground-mounted equipment shall be painted or color clad to match the building or screened from view with secured fencing or parapets in a harmonious color.
c. Screening of and landscaping around the equipment may be required where the design, color, and location of the equipment are found to not effectively buffer noise or provide aesthetic harmony and compatibility. Screening shall be constructed of durable materials which are aesthetically compatible with the structure and which may be an integral part of the structure. Applicable requirements for access to the equipment shall be observed in the design and construction of the screening.
3. All loading, service utility, mechanical equipment, and outdoor storage areas shall be screened from all public roads and adjacent properties and shall be designed to be compatible with the architectural treatment of the principal building.
Subd. 8. Height Requirements. All buildings and structures shall comply with the maximum building height of the applicable zoning district.
1. Exceptions. The building height limits established for each zoning district shall not apply to the following:
a. Belfries;
b. Chimneys or flues;
c. Church/places of worship spires;
d. Cooling towers;
e. Cupolas and domes which do not contain useable space;
f. Elevator penthouses;
g. Flag poles;
h. Monuments;
i. Parapet walls extending not more than three feet above the limiting height of the building;
j. Water towers;
k. Necessary mechanical and electrical appurtenances;
l. Poles, towers, and other structures for essential services;
m. Personal wireless services and commercial broadcasting antennas not exceeding 20 feet above the roof of the antenna support structure; and
n. Antenna towers regulated by subsection 1005.02.
2. Exception Limits. No excluded roof equipment or structural element extending beyond the limited height of a building may occupy more than 25% of the area of such roof nor exceed ten feet in height.
3. Modifications to topography of a lot may not be undertaken as a means of achieving increased building height.
4. Additional building height may be approved by the City Council with a conditional use permit pursuant to subsection 1002.08, and provided that:
a. The site is capable of accommodating the increased intensity of the use;
b. The increased intensity of the use does not cause an increase in traffic volumes beyond the capacity of the surrounding streets;
c. Public utilities and services are adequate; and
d. For each additional story over three stories or for each additional ten feet above 40 feet, front and side yard setback requirements shall be increased by 5%.
Subd. 9. Deferment for Existing Metal Buildings. An owner of an existing metal building may apply for a conditional use permit to allow, for expansion of the structure, a deferment from the exterior wall design requirements of this subsection, provided:
a. The deferment shall be until the second construction phase is complete or up to five years, whichever is less;
b. The building owner shall provide the city with an irrevocable letter of credit or other form of security acceptable to the City Attorney, for an amount one and one-half the estimated cost of the required exterior wall treatment. The bank and letter of credit shall be subject to the approval of the City Attorney. The letter of credit shall secure compliance with this chapter; and
c. Exceptions to the provisions of this subsection may be granted via a conditional use permit pursuant to subsection 1002.08, provided that:
i. The proposed building maintains the quality and value intended by this section; and
ii. The proposed building is compatible and in harmony with other structures within the district.