(A) Materials. Buildings not intended for industrial use must use brick, brick veneer, stucco, stone, stone veneer, or fiber cement siding (e.g. HardiePlank) as a primary material on all façades, not only limited amounts on key architectural features.
(B) Building design.
(1) The scale and design of the exterior of any new building or the renovation of the exterior of any existing building fronting the following street segments shall be of a design that is architecturally compatible and in aesthetic harmony with nearby historic properties. Brick veneers must be of a compatible color and style.
(2) Doors and windows that operate as sliders are prohibited.
(3) Openings above the first story shall not exceed 50% of the exterior wall area, with each floor calculated independently. However, individual windows shall be a minimum of 15 square feet.
(4) All openings, including porches, and windows, with the exception of shopfronts, shall have a width that does not exceed height.
(5) Awnings.
(a) Awnings, where provided, shall be placed at the top of window and door openings and shall relate to the shape of the top of the window or doorway.
(b) Awnings shall be made of canvas, vinyl or similar material.
(c) Awnings shall be self-supporting from the wall; no supports shall rest on or interfere with the use of pedestrian walkways, streets, trees or utilities. Awnings shall extend over a light gauge frame.
(d) Awnings may encroach the sidewalk up to four feet, must clear the sidewalk vertically by at least eight feet but by no more than 12 feet, and shall not be placed closer than six feet to a the trunk of a tree.
(e) Lights may be installed underneath awnings only if they are directed to point toward the ground, and are not used to illuminate the awning.
(C) Shopfront façade required.
(1) Buildings with frontage on the following street segments shall meet additional design standards:
(a) Broad Street: Dekalb Street to York Street.
(b) Dekalb Street: Church Street to Little Street.
(c) Rutledge Street: Church Street to Lyttleton Street.
(d) Clyburn Lane: Broad Street to Market Street.
(e) Market Street: Dekalb Street to York Street.
(2) With the exception of civic buildings, all buildings shall have the first floor designed with a shopfront at sidewalk level along the entire length of the building front.
(3) Shopfronts (first floor only) shall contain no less than 50% glazing with clear glass. Glass shall be a minimum of 18 inches above the sidewalk.
(4) New construction and additions to or remodeling of existing buildings shall maintain a clear visual division between street level and any upper floors using cornice lines, windows, or similar architectural elements.
(5) Signs. Lettering and logos on a freestanding and wall signs can only be internally illuminated using silhouette lighting.
(Ord. 2024-014, passed 6-25-24)