(A) Purpose and intent. The single family design standards are intended to protect and preserve the quality and character of the built environment for single family detached neighborhoods in certain zoning districts within the Town. More specifically, the purposes of this section are to:
(1) Encourage high quality development as a strategy for investing in the Town’s future;
(2) Preserve and enhance the character of the parts of downtown Collierville not included within the Historic District;
(3) Establish standards for new residential development on lots located in portions of the Town that are not intended for development as attached residential; and
(4) Provide residential development standards for detached residential dwellings that are more reflective of the Town’s existing or planned character.
(B) Applicability. All detached residential structures permitted after (the adoption date of Ordinance 2011-05) within the TN Traditional Neighborhood District shall comply with the basic residential design standards established within this section unless required by the Historic District Design Guidelines, and all detached residential structures within a planned development overlay (See §§ 151.150 through 151.160, Planned Developments).
(C) Residential developments standards for single family detached dwellings.
(1) Building orientation. All new residential development shall be located parallel to the associated street or be consistent with existing development patterns rather than being sited at unconventional angles, unless irregular lot layouts require alternative orientations or the Planning Commission approves, on a final subdivision plat, special setbacks to implement a design theme along a block face.
This image depicts dwellings that are parallel to the street and consistent with one another.
(3) Facade standards.
(a) Primary facade materials shall not change at outside corners and shall continue along any side facade visible from a street right-of-way; however, materials may change where side or rear wings met the main body of the dwelling.
The dwelling on the left demonstrates appropriate exterior wrapping while the image on the right depicts a dwelling with inappropriate material changes at the corner of the building.
(b) Materials changes may occur along a horizontal line or where two forms meet. It is acceptable, however, that change of materials occur as accents around windows, doors, cornices, at corners, or as a repetitive pattern.
(c) Vinyl and aluminum siding are prohibited in the TN Traditional Neighborhood District.
This image demonstrates how material changes should occur along straight lines.
(4) Foundations.
(a) The average finished floor elevation of facades that face a street or an open space shall be a minimum of 18 inches above grade.
Residential structures incorporate raised foundations, as depicted in the photo to the right, to give a vertical orientation and well-proportioned appearance, as well as to provide privacy for occupants.
(b) Exposed foundation walls or piers shall be clad in face brick, stone, stucco, or some other masonry material accurately imitating these materials.
(c) In cases where piers are used, painted or stained latticework screening shall be installed between piers on front and side building facades.
(d) Nothing in this section shall prevent the use of slab foundations, provided:
1. The outer edge of the slab is clad in the materials required in this section; and
2. It extends to the minimum required height above grade.
(5) Porches. If porches are provided, they shall have a minimum useable depth of at least six feet.
(6) Windows.
(a) Windows on primary facades shall be vertically proportioned so that the vertical dimension is greater than the horizontal dimension, and vertically aligned between floors. Exceptions may be approved to accomplish a particular architectural theme, such as in the prairie style.
(b) Where used, shutters shall be proportioned to cover one-half the width of the window from each side or the total window from one side.
The drawing on the right demonstrates appropriate vertical alignment for windows.
(7) Materials.
(a) Single family detached dwellings located in a recorded subdivision shall use materials that are compatible with other dwellings within that subdivision.
(b) Materials shall meet the standards in § 151.006(D).
(c) Where two or more materials are proposed to be combined on a facade, the heavier and more massive elements shall be located below the lighter elements (i.e., brick shall be located below stucco). It is acceptable to provide the heavier material as a detail on the corner of a building or along cornices or windows.
These homes demonstrate how heavier materials (brick) should be located below lighter materials (wood siding).
(8) Chimneys. If visible from a street or alleyway, the exterior building material of chimneys shall meet the following.
(a) Chimneys located on an exterior wall shall match the building material of the foundation, or be stone or brick.
(b) Chimneys located on a roof may be of stone, brick, fibrous cement or stucco.
(9) Colors.
(a) Detached residential structures shall not use more than three main colors.
(b) Accent or trim colors shall not be included within the three color limit.
The detached residence above uses two main colors and one trim color.
(c) Overly bright, neon, or “day-glow” colors shall not be used as main or accent colors on a detached residential structure.
(10) Reverse frontage. Reverse frontage lots are discouraged in the TN Traditional neighborhood District and must be approved on a case-by-case basis. Any reverse frontage lots shall include a full streetscape along the nonaccessible side of the development, to include, at a minimum, street trees, fences and/or walls, evergreen shrubs, street furniture, and sidewalks. (See Landscape Plates in the Town of Collierville Design Guidelines.)
The image above shows how reverse frontage lots can be screened with evergreen landscaping and fencing.
(11) Primary entrance orientation.
(a) Dwellings shall be oriented so that the primary entrance faces either the street or an open space, such as a square.
The primary entrances to the dwellings above face an open space.
(b) In the case of corner lots, the primary entrance shall face the street from which the structure derives its street address.
(c) Alternative orientations may be considered by the Development Director or his/her designee in cases where such alternative orientations are consistent with existing adjacent development.
(12) Garage standards. Attached and detached garages and carports shall incorporate exterior materials, design features, and roof forms compatible with the dwellings they serve, and shall comply with the following standards.
(a) Garage dimensions.
1. Individual garage doors intended for vehicles shall be at least nine feet in width.
2. The inside dimensions of garages shall be at least ten feet wide by 20 feet deep per vehicle.
(b) Street-facing garages.
1. Any street-facing garage shall include a minimum of at least three architectural features on the side including the garage door(s). Examples of such features include, but are not limited to, the following.
a. Carriage house garage doors (counts as two architectural features);
b. Garage detached from principal dwelling and behind the rear facade (counts as two architectural features);
c. Garage doors painted to match the main or accent color of the structure;
d. Ornamental light fixtures flanking the doors;
e. Arbor or trellis flanking garage doors;
f. Columns flanking doors;
g. Portico treatment;
h. Windows (equal to quantity of vehicle spaces within garage);
i. Dormers;
j. Overhangs over garage doors;
k. Eaves with exposed rafters and/or with a minimum six-inch projection from the facade plane;
l. Roof line changes;
m. Decorative gable vent covers; or
n. Dentil or other molding.
Street-facing garages that include a variety of architectural features help the garage blend with the dwelling and reduce garage-dominated views from the street.
2. Garages on corner lots with sides visible from a street right-of-way shall include architectural details and windows that mimic the features of the living portion of the building they serve.
3. Street-facing garage and carport facades shall not exceed 50% of the total area of the front facade elevation of the dwelling, as measured from the ground level to the eave of the roof. In the case of carports, the perimeter of the carport facade shall define the area measured, and shall not exceed 50% of the front facade elevation.
4. When multiple garage doors on the same facade are used, a minimum separation of at least one foot shall be provided between each garage door.
(c) Garage location. Street-facing garages shall be a minimum of 20 feet behind the front facade of the dwelling they serve.
This image demonstrates appropriate street-facing garage placement behind the front facade.
(d) Street-loaded lots. Street-loaded detached residential lots are lots where garages are accessed from a driveway extending from the street. These are often used for large lots, such as those greater than 50 feet in width, or when topography or other site constraints prohibit alleys.
1. Driveways for street-loaded residential lots shall be no wider than ten feet when in the front yard. Hollywood drives are encouraged. Houses on corner lots shall have access from a parking courtyard and shall screen parking areas from the street with hedges, fences or low walls.
2. Street-facing garages shall be a minimum of 20 feet behind the front facade of the dwelling they serve (excluding any porches, stoops or bay windows).
(e) Side-loaded garages.
1. Side-loaded garages shall be located a minimum of three feet behind the front facade of the dwelling they serve.
2. Side-loaded garages shall not be located between the primary entrance to the dwelling and the street providing access to the lot.
3. Side-loaded garages shall be oriented so that the vehicular entry (garage door) into the garage structure is perpendicular to the street providing access to the lot.
This image demonstrates appropriate side-loaded garage placement.
(f) Garages serving narrow lots. Alley-loaded residential lots are lots where garages are accessed from an alley rather than a front driveway, and are especially common where narrower lot widths, such as 50 feet or less, are desired. Garages serving detached dwellings on lots with a width of 50 feet of less shall be:
1. Located to the rear of the dwelling; and
2. Served by either an alley or a street-loaded driveway running beside the primary dwelling to the rear of the dwelling. If served by an alley, the garage door shall not be located between seven feet and 20 feet from the edge of the alley pavement to prevent vehicles parked between the garage and the alley from blocking the alley.
Alley-loaded garages should be located so as to ensure that parked vehicles do not encroach into the alley.
(g) Garage access. Regardless of the location or orientation of a garage, the paving area associated with the garage shall be sufficient to allow a vehicle to maneuver into or out of the garage.
(h) Garages in planned developments. In planned developments, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen may grant waivers from these standards to allow for side-loaded garages to be located between the primary entrance to the dwelling and the street providing access to the lot for no more than 50 of the lots. Such waivers should not be granted within the limits of the Downtown Collierville Small Area Plan or properties designated in the future land use plan with the mixed-use or traditional neighborhood place types.
(13) Corner lots. Corner lots shall be wider than lots interior to a block to allow the secondary facade of houses to have adequate building area for appurtenances, such as porches or bay windows. The width of corner lots shall be reviewed on a case-by-case basis through the Planned Development and/or subdivision process.
(Ord. 2011-05, passed 5-23-11; Am. Ord. 2019-05, passed 5-13-19; Am. Ord. 2021-13, passed 8-30-21; Am. Ord. 2021-16, passed 1-10-22)