A. Method Of Measurement: Except as provided elsewhere in this title, height shall be measured as follows:
1. Fences, walls, and hedges shall be measured from the average finished grade of the fence, wall, or hedge line.
2. Where there is a difference in the grade of the properties on either side of a fence or wall located on the boundary line of a lot or parcel, the height of a fence or wall shall be measured from the upper grade of the adjoining properties wherein the measured height may equal six feet (6') at the upper grade.
3. Measurement of height of an accessory building shall be as outlined in subsection 9-10-040A of this title.
B. Additional Height Allowed: The provisions of this title shall not apply to restrict the height of integral architectural features that are not used for human occupancy, including but not limited to spires, towers, belfries, cupolas, domes, monuments, chimneys, water tanks, elevator bulkheads, or properly screened mechanical appurtenances located on the roof of a building. In the TC zone additional height may be approved by the planning commission per the standards of subsection 9-11-090(D)(2)(a). No additional height is allowed for buildings in the CN zone. In all other commercial zones the zoning administrator may approve additional height for integral architectural features of buildings in compliance with the following standards:
1. The overall proposed height of the architectural feature shall not exceed fourteen feet (14') above the applicable building height limitations of the zone.
2. The architectural feature shall not create a detrimental impact to public health, safety, or general welfare.
3. The overall area of the architectural feature may not exceed ten-percent (10%) of the gross floor area of the uppermost story of the building.
4. The architectural feature shall not create additional habitable area or usable building floor space.
5. The overall building design shall include one or more of the following:
a. Architectural details that emphasize the pedestrian level of the building, including but not limited to, a cordon or belt course, sign band, awnings or porticos, a change in building materials, or a change in window shapes;
b. Architectural detailing of the façade that includes a projecting cornice at the roofline and cordons or belt courses between floors, or accentuated building façade zones, as fitting to the architectural style of the building; or
c. Other architectural features at the roof level that create a distinctive form or skyline, including, but not limited to, rooftop gardens, viewing platforms, shading or daylighting structures, renewable energy systems, and other similar features.
C. Minimum Height Of Main Buildings: No dwelling shall be erected to a height less than one story above grade, except that the planning commission may authorize dwellings designed to be completed with earth mounds when all applicable building and safety code regulations are met.
D. In zones where the maximum building height is less than thirty-five feet (35') a permitted Municipal Use, Franchise Municipal Use, Government Service, and Operations Center may be erected up to thirty-five feet (35') in height if the building is set back from each property line an additional one foot (1') for each additional one foot (1') of building height above the standard height limit for the zone. Additional height of integral architectural features subject to the provisions of 9-27-120(B) shall not be included in the additional setback calculation. (Ord. 1132, 2-17-2015; amd. Ord. 1535, 5-3-2022)