(A) The Downtown Business District includes the area bounded by 10th Street and 15th Street and 21st Avenue and 32nd Avenue, all public right-of-way or portions thereof located within these boundaries, and all buildings or structures abutting, adjoining or bordering the same.
(B) The city has set forth these guidelines as minimum standards whereby properties in the Downtown Business District can be improved or built upon; it is in the best interest of the city and its residents to have a downtown that is pleasing to walk, drive through and conduct business in while maintaining an environment that preserves, to a reasonable extent, the heritage and history of the city. Any improvement or building project should be undertaken with care and consideration of these goals.
(C) A majority of the commercial buildings in the city downtown retain their original form and ornamentation in the upper stories. Out of the total of 127 properties in the Downtown, 101 are considered architecturally and historically significant. The majority of the commercial buildings were built between 1910 and 1919 with most of the remaining being built from 1930 to 1946.
(D) The Downtown Building Standards are the regulating document for development within the downtown of the city. The Downtown Building Standards recognize the historic character of the downtown and identifies a special set of development standards, allowed use regulations, and other special use regulations that, when applied to new construction and qualifying remodel/s expansions will ensure that the historic character is positively complement. These guidelines apply to any portion of the commercial and/or institutional properties visible to pedestrians and/or motorist within the Downtown Business District.
(E) Building should work together to create a “wall of buildings” effect associated with traditional downtown areas. New construction and infill building must maintain the alignment of façades along the sidewalk edge; exceptions may be granted if the setback is pedestrian-oriented and contributes to the quality and character of the streetscape, or if the lot size, shape and the intended use of the building require substantial associated onsite parking.
(F) (1) A minimum of 30% of the ground level front façade and 20% of the ground level sides of buildings adjacent to public rights-of-way shall consist of any combination of windows and doors with large glass panels, as shall a building’s rear fagade if it faces public right-of-way, parking area or open space.
(2) Windowless upper floors are not permitted and the windows should be vertically oriented. Arched tops, columns framing and window and decorative lintels, where appropriate are encouraged.
(G) Infill construction should reflect some of the detailing of surrounding buildings in building massing, window shape, cornice lines and brick work.
(H) For the first 20 feet above street level, street façades shall be constructed of durable materials such as stone, brick, tile or glass, or similar materials such as precast concrete, or poured in place concrete are required as the primary exterior material facing streets. Other high-quality materials may be proposed to and approved by the Chief Building and Code Official.
(I) Faux brick products (not made of fired clay) are prohibited. Metal is not suitable primary material for building exteriors in the downtown area.
(J) With the exception of existing, the following materials are not permitted for use on the façades or sides of buildings adjacent to public right-of-way:
(1) Brick larger than four inches in height, 12 inches in length;
(2) Aluminum, vinyl or fiberglass siding;
(3) Concrete masonry units, other than limited use of split faced block which may be considered accent lines or the emulation of foundation stone if appropriate;
(4) Materials that attempt to mimic traditional materials (an example would be fiberglass panels that are molded to look like brick); a singular exception to this is the judicious use of cultured stone; and
(5) Stucco or synthetic stucco is prohibited below the 12-foot level but may be substituted above that level for the durable materials described above. Exception stucco maybe approved by the building official below the 12-foot level if the structural integrity of the brick has been compromised.
(K) If a new commercial building is constructed within the Downtown Business District its design should complement its environment and should include design elements, proportion, colors and the like.
(L) Tile, stone, glass block, copper flashing, metal and wood are among the type of materials that should be considered for accents to buildings. Preference is for a high level of design and architectural detail.
(Ord. 23-09, passed 8-21-2023)