All new development or redevelopment projects in the MMUD shall be subject to the design guidelines and review procedures established in Section 303.08. The following design criteria are also established to ensure that new development or redevelopment in the MMUD-1 complies with the purpose and objectives of this chapter, as set forth in Section 344.01.
(a) General Criteria.
(1) The proposal shall enhance and improve the character of the community and be appropriate and compatible with its surroundings in accordance with the intent, objectives and development requirements set forth in this chapter.
(2) Buildings, structures and landscaping should be designed and located on the site and be of a scale and massing to complement adjacent buildings and enhance the character of the surrounding area.
(3) Each building or unit of a multiple building development should have its own distinct identity, yet should also be compatible with adjacent units or buildings in terms of scale, proportion, color, and materials.
(4) Ingress and egress to drive-thru facilities, if permitted, should be from side streets, not from Euclid Avenue.
(b) Building Design, Walls and Materials.
(1) Building Design.
A. Building entrances should be oriented to Euclid Avenue where feasible.
B. Architectural style is not restricted, but the evaluation of the appearance of the project shall be based on the quality of its design and relationship to the prevailing design characteristics of the surrounding area.
C. Building components, such as windows, doors, eaves, and parapets, shall be composed on a facade of a building with harmonious proportions in relationship to one another and surrounding buildings.
D. Architectural features should be placed upon a facade of a building in a pattern that creates a building fenestration that has a constant rhythm and harmonious appearance.
(2) Building Walls.
A. When the wall of a non-residential building faces a public right-of-way or is within forty- five (45) degrees of facing a public right-of-way, a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of such wall area, on the ground floor, shall have display-type windows. The bottom edge of such window shall not be higher than three (3) feet above grade. A maximum of twenty percent (20%) of such windows may be opaque.
B. Walls shall have no more than twenty (20) feet of continuous wall length devoid of windows, on any ground floor, unless the wall includes architectural features such as piers, columns, defined bays or an undulation of the building, so that a pedestrian scale, rhythm, and visual interest is created.
C. Walls that meet the following criteria shall be exempt from the requirements of division (c)(2) above:
1. Two (2) walls face one another, are separated by not more than thirty (30) feet and the space between the two (2) walls is used for servicing the buildings; or
2. The wall faces an area devoted solely to loading and delivery and the wall is screened from view from all public rights-of-way, parking areas and abutting residential areas.
(3) Building Materials.
A. Buildings shall have finish materials on all sides, including brick, stone, decorative split face block or similar materials. Finish materials shall not include exposed concrete or cinder block or stucco (commonly known as “dryvit”) unless it is utilized with bands of accent color, recessed or protruding belt courses, wide reveals or combinations thereof.
B. A combination of materials, textures, colors, and finishes are preferred to create visual interest.
(Ord. No. 910-05. Passed 7-13-05, eff. 8-22-05)