(a) Purpose. The buildings in the Commercial Zoning Districts define Chardon's commercial environment. Enhancing the quality and compatibility of commercial buildings and thereby protecting the character of the commercial zoning districts is a municipal priority.
The design standards herein are intended to achieve the following purposes:
(1) To preserve, enhance and improve the existing visual and aesthetic character of the, C 2, C 3, and C 4 Districts;
(2) To guide the development and redevelopment of the C 2 District, thereby preserving the City's historic and architectural resources;
(3) To retain and recreate existing design features which contribute to the unique character of the C 2, C 3, and C 4 Districts in a manner that promotes and enhances the sense of community and achieves the objectives of the Comprehensive Plan;
(4) To improve new development and redevelopment that reflects the City's historic qualities and resources through compatible design;
(5) To maintain the value of surrounding property; and,
(6) To provide design standards for property owners, architects and contractors to follow and incorporate into a development.
(b) Applicability of Regulations. The design standards herein apply to the exterior appearance and design of all new construction and exterior building modifications to and renovations of nonresidential buildings in all Commercial Districts. The requirements herein do not apply to a single family detached dwelling.
(c) Design Standards for the C 2, C 3, and C 4 Districts, and Nonresidential Uses in Residential Districts.
Design Standard | C-2 | C-3 | C-4 | R Districts |
(1) In an area with a predominate architectural style, particularly historic styles, the character of existing architecture should be considered in determining compatibility. | X | X | ||
(2) One exterior wall of a building that faces a public street right of way or parking area, or is within 45 degrees of facing such, shall include offsets in the façade, with a minimum 5-foot change in plane at intervals not to exceed 50 linear feet. See Figure 1155.09(a). The roof framing shall also be offset. | X | |||
(3) Utilize natural and traditional materials on a building exterior including but not limited to, brick and stone masonry, clapboard siding, wrought iron, or such other materials or synthetic products with the appearance of the foregoing. OR As an alternative to above: At least 90% of the exterior finish material on a facade that faces, or is within 45 degrees of facing, a street, parking area or private circulation area shall be constructed with brick, cut stone, cast stone, wood or glass. | X | X | X | |
(4) Synthetic stucco, EIFS and other synthetic materials which simulate natural or traditional materials are permitted to be used for incidental architectural detailing. | X | X | X | |
(5) A coordinated sign design plan indicating the nature and location of all proposed signs, in compliance with Section 1149.25, shall be required for all development that includes multi tenant buildings or multiple buildings. | X | X | X | |
(6) Roof top mechanical equipment shall be obscured from ground level view using building materials that match the structure materials or which are visually compatible and blend therewith. | X | X | ||
(7) Similar exterior materials to those used in an existing or replaced structure are required in projects involving the renovation, expansion, repair, or reconstruction of an existing or demolished building. Products that simulate similar materials may also be considered. | X | X | ||
Design Standard | C-2 | C-3 | C-4 | R Districts |
(8) The following materials and colors are not consistent with the City's architectural character, are not permitted as the primary building material and are to be used only as insignificant components of the building or on areas of the building not visible from the street, public parking areas or adjacent properties. A. Concrete block; B. Mirrored or reflective glass; C. Unfinished materials and industrial materials such as: split faced block, exterior insulated finishes, metal siding, and fiberglass panels. D Bright or primary colors, and/or awnings that are in stark contrast to other structures in the surrounding area or the design of the structure. | X | X | X | X |
(9) An addition or renovation to an existing structure should match and complement the existing style of structure. | X | X | ||
(10) Architectural style and elements embodied in or compatible with adjacent buildings (e.g. Italianate architecture on the west side of the Square). See Figure 1155.09(b) below. | X | |||
(11) Textures and colors shall be complementary (use of historic color groupings provided by paint companies). | X | |||
(12) At least 80% of the frontage of a lot abutting a public street shall be devoted to the principal building. See Figure 1155.09(c) below. | X | |||
(13) A transition line shall be provided between the first and second stories. The height of this transition line shall match the height of the transition line on the neighboring or adjacent buildings. If abutting properties are vacant, then the ground floor shall be at least ten (10) feet in height measured from finished floor to finished ceiling. | X | |||
(14) A wall on the ground floor of a building that faces a public right of way or parking area, or is within 45 degrees of facing a public right of way, shall be constructed with display type windows covering at least 65% of the wall area, measured from two and one half (2.5) feet and eight (8) feet above the average grade of the building façade. No more than ten percent (10%) of windows may be opaque. | X | |||
Design Standard | C-2 | C-3 | C-4 | R Districts |
(15) The Planning Commission shall apply the standards in this subsection to architectural features of new, renovated, or expanded buildings in the C-2 District. Compliance with these standards may be achieved by incorporation of various design details including; A. Arched, decorative lintels over windows and doors; B. Wide window and door surrounds, columns, or pilasters at door and window openings: C. Full pane windows or windows with single, vertical muntins. D. Molded cornices with heavy brackets. E. In areas with predominate architectural style of which the above are not characteristic, the character and components of the surrounding architecture should also be considered in determining compatibility. | X | |||
(16) The wall on the ground floor of a building that faces a street or parking area, or is within 45 degrees of facing a public right of way, shall be constructed with display type windows covering at least 50% of the wall area as measured from two and one half (2.5) feet and eight (8) feet above the average grade of the building façade, constructed with display type windows. No more than 10% of the windows may be opaque. | X | |||
(17) A minimum of 65% of the frontage of a lot abutting a public street shall be devoted to the principal building. See Figure 1155.09(c) below. | X | |||
(18) Any part of the ground floor of a building visible from a street area of public circulation or parking area shall have no more than twenty linear feet wall length without windows, or other architectural features such as piers, columns, defined bays, or an undulation of the building | X | X | X | |
(19) Walls without openings such as transparent windows and transparent doors are not permitted on the front facade of any building. | X | |||
(20) Pedestrian connections. Pedestrian activity shall be encouraged and safe pedestrian connections shall be provided between buildings in a multi building development and between principal buildings, parking lots, and public sidewalks. | X |
Acceptable Building Massing
Design Characteristics in the C-2, Chardon Square Mixed Use District
Minimum Width of the Principal Building
(Ord. 3273. Passed 5-9-24.)