(A) Purpose. To encourage the construction of quality structures that exhibit an attractive appearance both to residents and potential future owners.
(B) All residential uses. The following design standards are applicable to all residential uses.
(1) Facades of new additions and accessory structures must be coordinated with the facades of the principal building by integrating some or all the same materials, textures, and colors.
(2) All exterior surfaces must be finished with the appropriate sealant, stain, paint, or other process (to manufacturer's specifications) to withstand the elements and prevent fading, chipping, chalking, cracking, peeling, warping, rot, rust, water damage, or other natural degrading process, except for those materials, like copper, where the degrading process is architecturally desirable.
(3) The following metals are prohibited as facade materials:
(a) Any metal that is not a high-quality commercial thickness/weight (for example, the minimum for architectural steel panels is .024 thickness, architectural aluminum panels is .032 thickness and architectural copper panels is 16-ounce sheets, and the equivalent in other metals).
(b) Any metal that has not been treated with a factory applied color coating system against any applicable degradation listed above.
(c) Metal of any kind as a primary facade material (excluding steel or aluminum lap siding). Metal may be used for trim or accent up to 15% of any facade.
(d) Smooth concrete block is prohibited as a primary facade material. Smooth concrete block used as part of the foundation may be permitted to be exposed at up to 15% of any facade.
(e) Non-durable siding materials such as plywood, corrugated metal or fiberglass, or other materials that decay rapidly when exposed to the elements are prohibited as a facade material.
(C) Multifamily standards. The following design standards are applicable to apartments, condominiums, and townhomes.
(1) Building and design standards by unit type.
(a) Townhomes.
1. Controlled access entry systems are required for all multiple family buildings.
2. Front elevation.
a. Each front elevation shall have a minimum of 30% comprised of natural material consisting of brick, stone, stucco, hardi-board, redwood, cedar, or other similar materials.
b. Homes on corner lots must relate to both streets with windows, accent and building articulation.
c. Prominent front entry, including but not limited to, covered entry, front porch or similar accent shall be incorporated into the overall front elevation.
d. Design of front exterior elevations shall be varied within the development
3. Garages.
a. Garage shall not comprise more than 55% of the viewable ground floor street-facing linear building frontage. This standard is based on the measurement of the entire garage structure and not on a measurement of the garage door or doors only. Corner lots are exempt from this requirement.
b. Garage doors shall be architectural styled to match the exterior design of the home.
4. Roof.
a. Architectural design roofing materials including composition, wood shingles (including shake), architectural asphalt shingles, concrete, clay, or ceramic tile roofs are required on all roofs.
b. Overhangs must be a minimum of 12 inches.
5. Side and rear facades.
a. Each side elevation that faces an interior lot shall have at least one window or door opening which cannot be a garage. Where a side elevation faces a street or is visible from a public street, at least two windows or door openings, which cannot be a garage, shall be provided. Alternatives may be considered for LEED or other efficiency standards.
b. A maximum of 18 inches of the foundation wall may be exposed on any elevation.
(b) Multifamily (stacked) residential development, including condominiums and apartments.
1. Controlled access entry systems are required for all multiple family buildings.
2. Design character.
a. Building materials shall be attractive, durable, and of a quality which is both compatible with adjacent structures.
b. All buildings shall be of good aesthetic and architectural quality, as demonstrated by the inclusion of elements such as accent materials, entrance and window treatments, contrasting colors, irregular building shapes and rooflines, or other architectural features in the overall architectural concept.
3. Exterior building finish.
a. A minimum of 60% of the combined area of all building facades shall contain one or more of the following materials, as shown in Table 152.1003.1.
TABLE 152.1003.1 CLASSES OF MATERIALS
| |
Class 1
|
Class 2
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TABLE 152.1003.1 CLASSES OF MATERIALS
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Class 1
|
Class 2
|
Brick | Wood |
Natural or cementitious stone | Tile (masonry, stone or clay), ceramic |
Glass, or other glazing materials | Other materials not listed elsewhere as approved by the City Manager or as recommended by the Planning Commission |
Masonry stucco | EFIS in conformance with the ICC ES report |
Architectural metal panels | |
Specialty concrete block (including textured burnished, block or rock faced block) | |
Architecturally textured and industrial grade concrete precast panels | |
Other materials not listed elsewhere as approved by the City Manager or as recommended by the Planning Commission | |
b. All building and roofing materials shall meet current accepted industry standards, and tolerances, and shall be subject to review and approval by the city for quality, durability, and aesthetic appeal. The applicant shall submit to the city product samples, color building elevations, and associated drawings which illustrate the construction techniques to be used in the installation of such materials.
c. If complementary building styles, materials, and color schemes are proposed for a development, the developer shall submit to the city a plan showing the distribution of the styles, materials, and colors throughout the development.
d. Building elevations shall be articulated to reduce the mass of the building. Large blank exterior walls shall be prohibited. Variation in elevations can be accomplished with projections, recesses, covered doorways, balconies, covered box or bay windows or other similar features, dividing large facades and walls into human scaled proportions.
(2) Common areas.
(a) On-site amenities and recreational facilities shall be provided in all multifamily developments.
(b) Minimum amenities in all developments 50 units or greater shall include outdoor common landscape areas and indoor/outdoor facilities that meet the needs of the intended population including such things as a community/party room, theatre, indoor/outdoor recreation areas such as swimming pools, indoor fitness centers, tennis courts, play equipment, walking trails, community gardens, and basketball courts.
(c) All common areas not dedicated to the public including, but not limited to, open space, driveways, private drives, parking areas, play areas, recreational facilities, etc., shall be owned in one of the following manners:
1. Condominium ownership pursuant to M.S. § 515A.1-106.
2. Townhome common areas shall be owned by the owners of each unit lot, with each owner of a unit having an equal and undivided interest in the common area.
3. Homeowners' association (HOA). An HOA shall be established for all townhome developments intended for individual ownership, subject to review and approval of the City Attorney. The HOA shall be responsible for all exterior building maintenance, approval of any exterior architectural modifications, landscaping, snow clearing, and regular maintenance of private driveways and other areas owned in common.
(3) Energy efficiency. All buildings and sites shall be situated on the site and developed to maximize the benefits solar heating and passive cooling, and provide other amenities aimed at promoting energy efficiency and sustainability. Each new building or development shall incorporate a minimum of three elements:
(a) Buildings oriented to optimize passive solar heating and cooling opportunities;
(b) Buildings oriented to minimize wind loads on the structure;
(c) Windows placed and appropriately shaded to maximize solar penetration during the winter months and minimize solar penetration during the summer months;
(d) Use of white membrane roofing material;
(e) Installation of a green roof occupying a minimum of 30% of the total roof area;
(f) Installation of solar panels to provide at least 10% of the project's estimate electricity demand;
(g) A minimum of 50% of all exterior light fixtures used within the development shall be powered by solar panel energy;
(h) All lighting shall use LED fixtures;
(i) Daylight sensors or times shall be installed and used on all exterior lighting;
(j) Electric vehicle stalls/plug-ins;
(k) Indoor bicycle parking;
(l) On-site recycling and organic waste disposal;
(m) Community garage space available to all residents; or
(n) Other such sustainable elements and amenities as proposed by the applicant to meet desired objectives.
(4) Site design.
(a) Orient and consolidate structures to complement existing, adjacent development to create a coordinated and visually attractive residential setting.
(b) Buildings with frontage on a primary street shall orient front facades parallel to the street.
(c) Buildings shall have a clearly defined primary pedestrian entrance at the street level.
(d) Pedestrian connections to the surrounding neighborhood shall be provided as feasible.
(e) Building access and internal hallways shall be so designed that any one single point of building entry cannot provide full access to the floor in which the access is located or the entire building.
(f) All private driveways for garages in townhouse developments shall have a maximum grade of 11%.
(g) A minimum 20-foot setback is required between driveways, drive aisles, or parking areas and any building.
(5) Unit mix. Apartment and condominium buildings, not including age restricted, shall include a mix of unit types with no more than 40% of the units constructed as one-bedroom units and no more than 60% of any other bedroom type.
(Ord. 2024-1304, passed 7-29-24)