(A) Adoption of recommended design guidelines.
(1) The City Council adopts the following non-binding, recommended design guidelines for all renovation or repairs of buildings in the Downtown District and for construction of new buildings in the Downtown District. The City Council finds that it is desirable for development in the Downtown District to comply with these guidelines. When used in this division, “Downtown District” means the aforementioned Downtown District as designated and described.
(2) Adoption of these guidelines does not exempt a property owner from compliance with the zoning ordinance, building codes and other city codes and ordinances which apply to property in the Downtown District.
(B) Elements of recommended design guidelines. These recommended design guidelines for the Downtown District focus on the following elements when buildings are renovated or repaired, or new buildings are constructed:
(1) Color;
(2) Roof styles;
(3) Ornamental feature;
(4) Porches;
(5) Windows;
(6) Exterior materials;
(7) Lighting; and
(8) Signage.
(C) It is recommended that all renovation or repairs of buildings and all construction of new buildings in the Downtown District comply with the standards stated in this division. Designated historic landmarks in the Downtown District are required to comply with the historic preservation division and the design guidelines contained in § 155.90.
(D) Color. The color of exterior surfaces of structures in the Downtown District is one of the factors which has the greatest visual impact. The colors for the trim and primary structure should be tones that reflect the time period of the original construction. These colors are readily available from major paint suppliers and usually are categorized into a selection grouping for compatibility. Painting of structures totally in one paint color scheme is strongly discouraged and will be discussed at the time of consideration of any application.
(E) Downtown roof styles. Structures located in the Downtown District should have a flat roof with parapet walls along the front and sides. Roofs should be of metal construction only if the construction is architecturally standing seam design is green, bronze, or other colors.
(F) Architectural detail.
(1) Architectural details are those items that add to the basic features of the construction to give the structure its own unique character and signature. These features may be items such as window and door trim styles, corner pilasters, gable peak ornamentation, lattice work, balustrades, traditional paneled and louvered wooden shutters and the like.
(2) The property owner is encouraged to extend the design style of the existing structure to any addition, and, in the alteration of an existing structure, the architectural details on the exterior should be preserved. Changes that have taken place in the course of time, which are evidence of the history and development of the building and the environment, may have acquired significance in their own right; their significance should be recognized and respected.
(3) Architectural details of any period or style not original to the building should not be introduced. Commercial structures should demonstrate detail on parapet walls, windows, doors, trim and brick work.
(G) Windows. Windows on buildings in the Downtown District are an integral part of the character of the structures. The window type should be consistent with the style of the building. Similar to residential policies for windows in historic landmarks, the following should be observed:
(1) The original shape of the window should be maintained.
(2) The original number and arrangement of panes should be maintained.
(3) The characteristic window shape shall reflect the period of construction.
(4) New window openings should not be introduced unless they match the existing window configuration and their placement harmonizes with the existing placement pattern of the openings.
(5) Original windows should not be filled in.
(H) Exterior materials. The historic exterior materials should be maintained in all cases. As a general policy, the following should be observed:
(1) Trim and detailing should not be removed.
(2) Replacement wood siding should replicate the materials, dimensions, lap dimensions, detailing and placement patterns of the original.
(3) Artificial siding, including, but not limited to, vinyl, aluminum, and artificial brick and stone, should be used only when it is deemed absolutely necessary and in such cases that the visual historic character of the structure should be maintained.
(4) Painting of original brick is inappropriate unless it is mismatched or so deteriorated that it cannot withstand weather. If painting is necessary, original natural colors should be used.
(5) Decorative shingles on the entire exterior of a structure should not be used, unless historic documentation exists that indicates such usage.
(6) The original brick of non-residential structures should not be covered with aluminum or false fronts including mansard-type awnings. Any remodeling or reconstruction of structures with this treatment should include removal of aluminum siding and false fronts.
(I) New construction. It is recommended that the following general policies be observed for any new construction in the Downtown District:
(1) These guidelines apply only to the exterior of buildings and to areas with lots visible from public rights-of-way.
(2) The public facades (front and street related elevations) of proposed new construction in the Downtown District should be more carefully reviewed by the city than other facades.
(3) New structures should be constructed to a scale and style that it is compatible with other structures in the Downtown District.
(4) Appurtenances related to new construction, including driveways, sidewalks, lighting, fences, and walls, should be visually compatible with the environment of the existing structures and sites to which they relate.
(J) Lighting. Illumination devices in the Downtown District should not flash or move and should remain appropriate with the historical era.
(K) Signage. Signs within the Downtown District may not rotate or move. As noted above, signs in the Downtown District must comply with the sign regulations division.
(L) Exterior materials. The exterior walls of buildings in the Downtown District should feature masonry construction. Recommended standards for masonry construction types are listed below:
(1) Stone material. Masonry construction using stone material may consist of granite, marble, limestone, slate, river rock, and other hard and durable naturally-occurring all weather stone. Cut stone and dimensioned stone techniques are acceptable.
(2) Brick material. Brick material used for masonry construction should be hard fired (kiln fired) clay or slate material which meets the latest version of ASTM Standard C2l6, standard specification for facing brick (solid masonry unit made of clay or shale), and shall be severe weather (SW) grade, and type FBA or FBS or better. Unfired or clay, sand, or shale brick should not be used.
(3) Concrete masonry units. Concrete masonry units used for masonry construction should meet the latest version of the following applicable specifications: ASTM C90, standard specification for hollow load bearing concrete masonry units; ASTM Cl45, standard specification for solid load bearing masonry units; ASTM Cl29, standard specification for hollow and solid nonload bearing units. Concrete masonry units should have an indented, hammered, split face finish or other similar architectural finish. Lightweight concrete block or cinder block construction should not be used as an exterior finish.
(4) Concrete panel construction. Concrete finish, pre- cast panel, tilt wall, or cementitious composition reinforced panel construction should be painted, fluted, or exposed aggregate. Smooth or non-textured concrete finishes should not be used unless painted.
(5) Glass and metal standards. Glass walls may include glass curtain walls or glass block construction. “Glass curtain wall” means an exterior wall which carries no structural loads, and which may consist of the combination of metal, glass, or other surfacing material supported in a metal framework.
(Ord. 03-2008-22, passed 3-25-08; Am. Ord. 01-2020-08, passed 1-28-20)