To ensure attractive commercial/business development, the following design standards shall apply to all commercial/business development in the Neighborhood Commercial (NC), Broadway Business (B-1), and Highway Business (B-2) Districts.
(A) Visual interest and building materials.
(1) All new building fronts and refacing of existing buildings shall include a minimum of 3 of the following elements:
(a) Architectural detailing, such as cornice, awning, parapet, or columns;
(b) A visually pleasing primary front entrance that, in addition to doors, shall be accented a minimum of 150 square feet around the door entrance for single-occupancy buildings and a minimum of 300 square feet total for the front of multi-tenant buildings (this area shall be counted as 1 element). Entrances shall be clearly articulated and obvious from the street;
(c) A minimum of 30% window coverage on each front that faces a street or similar based on requirements in § 153.306(E)(1);
(d) Contrasting, yet complementary material colors;
(e) A combination of horizontal and vertical design features;
(f) Irregular building shapes;
(g) Other architectural features in the overall architectural concept.
(2) No wall shall exceed 50 feet in length without at least 1 visual interest element, such as windows, horizontal and vertical facade articulation, contrasting material colors, vertical or horizontal patterns.
(3) Accent materials. Accent materials shall be wrapped around walls visible to public view. Accent material shall consist of materials comparable in grade and quality to the primary exterior material. Such materials may include glass and prefinished decorative metal. Fiber cement may also be used as accent materials for the trim, soffit, and/or fascia.
(4) Major exterior materials of all walls including face brick, stone, glass, stucco, synthetic stucco, fiber cement vertical panel siding, architectural concrete, and precast panels shall be acceptable as the major exterior wall surface when they are incorporated into an overall design of the building. No more than 25% of any exterior wall on a building shall be fiber cement siding, wood, or metal accent material.
(5) Fiber cement seam lines shall be architecturally integrated into the building design so that they are not visible. Seam lines can be filled, covered by other accent material or other method thereby making the seam lines invisible. Color impregnated decorative block shall also be allowed as a major exterior wall material, and shall be required to be sealed. All materials shall be color impregnated with the exception of architectural concrete precast panel systems (only within the B-2 District) and fiber cement siding which may be painted.
(6) Restricted exterior materials. Unadorned pre-stressed concrete panels, whether smooth or raked, non-decorative concrete block, sheet metal or unfinished metal, and/or galvanized or unfinished aluminum surfaces (walls or roofs) shall not be used as exterior materials. This restriction shall apply to all principal structures and to all accessory buildings.
(7) Roofs. Roofs which are exposed or an integral part of the building aesthetics shall be constructed only of commercial grade shingles, wood shingles, standing seam metal, slate, tile, or copper. Flat roofs, which are generally parallel with the first floor elevation, are not subject to these material limitations.
(B) Screening.
(1) Rooftop mechanical equipment. The view of all rooftop equipment and related piping, ducting, electrical and mechanical utilities on buildings shall be screened from the ground level view of abutting streets. Screening may include parapet walls, penthouses, or other architecturally integrated elements. Wood fencing or chain link with slats shall not be used for screening. A cross-sectional drawing shall be provided that illustrates the sight lines from the ground level view.
(2) Ground mechanical equipment. Ground mechanical equipment shall be 100% screened from contiguous properties and adjacent streets by opaque landscaping, or a screen wall shall be provided that is compatible with the architectural treatment of the principal structure.
(3) Screening adjoining residential use. Wherever a commercial or non-residential use abuts, or is across the street from an R Residential District, a berm, fence, or screening comprised of compact evergreen trees or hedge or combination thereof, not less than 80% opaque at time of installation and not less than 6 feet in height, except adjacent to a street where it shall be not less than 3 feet and not more than 4 feet in height shall be erected or installed and maintained. The light from automobile headlights and other sources shall be 100% screened whenever it may be directed onto adjacent residential windows. All screening shall comply with § 153.146 of this chapter.
(4) Trash enclosure service structure. All trash, recyclable materials, and trash and recyclable materials handling equipment and compactors shall meet the requirements of § 153.257 and shall be screened from public view. All trash enclosure service structures shall be constructed of the same materials as the principal building.
(C) Pedestrian environment. Pedestrian connections to the surrounding neighborhood shall be incorporated into all commercial development.
(1) Pedestrian amenities shall be included in places where people typically gather, including but not limited to, transit stops, building entrances, street corners, or abutting bike or pedestrian trail connections. These spaces must include at least 2 of the following:
(a) Patterned materials on walkways (on-site);
(b) Bicycle racks;
(c) Trash receptacles (decorative);
(d) Pedestrian lighting;
(e) Fountains, sculptures, mobiles, kiosks, or banners;
(f) Flower boxes or container landscaping.
(2) Sidewalk connections shall be provided to and through the development to existing and planned trails, sidewalks, and adjacent properties, where access exists or reasonable connections are possible. Clear internal pedestrian circulation routes shall be provided on the site.
(D) Parking and vehicular circulation. Parking areas in all commercial districts shall be subject to the following design standards and requirements in § 153.132:
(1) Parking orientation shall minimize visual and noise impacts on adjacent properties.
(2) To the maximum extent feasible, parking shall be located behind or to the side of a building in a landscaped parking area and screened from view from public rights-of-way through landscaping, berms, or low walls. Structured parking, integrated with the building’s architectural design, is encouraged.
(3) Parking areas shall be safe and convenient for both the movement of vehicles and customers.
(4) Vehicle circulation on-site shall be clearly organized to facilitate movement into and throughout parking areas.
(5) On corner lots, parking shall not be located on the corner.
(6) Service access areas shall be located in the rear of the property, outside of view from public rights-of-way. Buildings within a development should share services areas to the extent practical.
(7) Circulation and parking for service areas shall be designed to minimize disruption to the flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
(8) Development sites where uses require multiple deliveries shall provide separate customer and service access drives where possible.
(E) Exterior storage. All exterior storage of material and equipment related to, located on, and used by any business shall be stored within a building or screened, as required herein, so as not to be visible from streets, highways, or neighboring property, with the exception of the following:
(1) Merchandise being displayed for sale or rental;
(2) Materials and equipment currently being used for construction on the premises;
(3) Merchandise located on service station pump islands and along front length of the building.
(F) Neighborhood Commercial design standards. In addition to the minimum design standards applicable to all commercial districts, Neighborhood Commercial Districts shall also be subject to the following standards to reflect the character of the Neighborhood Commercial District. The design standards are explained in further detail and illustrated in the Forest Lake Commercial Design Manual.
(1) Building design. New buildings adjacent to existing buildings or residential neighborhoods shall appear to have similar scale and design elements as the neighboring buildings at a residential scale and character. Buildings fronts shall include 3 of the following elements:
(a) Articulation of facades into house-size segments;
(b) Residential scale building modules similar to adjacent buildings;
(c) Similar facade proportions to those on neighboring buildings;
(d) Residential scale building components such as porches, patios, decks, columns and balconies;
(e) A roof configuration which reflects traditional residential structures and is pitched such as gable, hip, or shed;
(f) Display windows a minimum of 6 feet in height shall exist along at least 50% of the linear length of the building front.
(a) Incorporate unique and significant existing trees into the landscape design. See § 153.295.
(b) Use a wide variety of plants in informal arrangements.
(c) Landscaping shall be arranged and grouped to signify key site locations, such as building and site entrances, walkways, and around monuments.
(d) Use layering to promote informality with a variety of plants with differing mature heights.
(e) Use of plants or trees that have seasonal color.
(3) Lighting. In addition to the lighting requirements presented in § 153.185, lighting in the NC District shall be subject to the following regulations:
(a) Decorative style lighting a maximum of 14 feet in height shall be used to illuminate all site areas with the exception of parking areas.
(b) Shoe-box style lighting shall only be permitted in parking areas.
(c) Decorative lighting appropriate to this district is illustrated in the Commercial Design Manual.
(d) Lighting fixtures shall be compatible with the architecture of the building.
(e) Wall mounted lighting shall be used on building fronts to illuminate entry points and highlight architectural features.
(4) Signage. In addition to the sign requirements presented in § 153.205, signs in the NC District shall also be subject to the following requirements:
(a) To reduce visual sign clutter, signage shall be distinct and minimal.
(b) Monument sign bases shall be constructed of similar materials, style, and color as that of the principal building.
(c) Signage shall be designed in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of this chapter and as illustrated in the Forest Lake Design Requirement Manual.
(G) Broadway Business (B-1) District design standards. In addition to the minimum design standards applicable to all commercial/business districts, the Broadway Business District shall also be subject to the following standards to reflect the character of the district. The design standards are explained in further detail and illustrated in the Forest Lake Commercial Design Manual.
(1) Site layout.
(a) Orient and consolidate structures to complement existing, adjacent development and to create a coordinated and visually attractive commercial district setting.
(b) Site planning shall respect the relationship of the site to existing and proposed buildings and streets.
(c) Buildings with frontage on a primary street shall orient front facades to parallel the primary street.
(d) Align the building front facade with adjacent buildings to promote visual continuity from the public right-of-way, unless site or use constraints are prohibitive.
(e) Buildings shall have a clearly defined primary pedestrian entrance at street level.
(f) Parking orientation shall minimize visual and noise impacts on adjacent properties.
(g) To the maximum extent feasible, parking shall be located behind or to the side of a building in a landscaped parking area and screened from view from public rights-of-way and adjacent residential districts.
(h) On corner lots, parking shall not be located on the corner.
(2) Building design. Bay widths of more than 24 feet shall be designed with architectural detailing to achieve an appearance of bay widths of no more than 24 feet. Building articulation, column spacing, width of window bays, placement of windows, and variation in roof height lines and setback and similar design can be used to achieve this requirement.
(a) Use predominately native materials and well-adapted plant species to create an attractive environment along the edges of each development parcel.
(b) Use landscaping to buffer objectionable views, to break up the apparent size and monotony of parking areas, and to screen service areas and ground mechanical equipment. Parking shall be screened from the public right-of-way through landscaping, berms, or low walls.
(c) Window boxes, hanging flower baskets, and planters shall be used to identify primary entrances.
(4) Lighting. In addition to the lighting requirements presented in § 153.185, lighting in the B-1 District shall be subject to the following regulations:
(a) Decorative style lighting a maximum of 14 feet in height shall be used to illuminate all site areas with the exception of parking areas.
(b) Shoe-box style lighting shall only be permitted in parking areas.
(c) Decorative lighting appropriate to this district is illustrated in the Forest Lake Design Requirement Manual.
(d) Lighting fixtures shall be compatible with the architecture of the building.
(e) Wall mounted lighting shall be used on building fronts to illuminate entry points and highlight architectural features.
(5) Signage. In addition to the sign requirements presented in §§ 153.205 et seq., signs in the B-1 District shall also be subject to the following requirements:
(a) To reduce visual sign clutter, signage shall be distinct and minimal.
(b) Monument sign bases shall be constructed of similar materials, style, and color as that of the principal building.
(c) Signage shall be designed in a manner that is consistent with code requirements and as illustrated in the Forest Lake Design Requirement Manual.
(H) Highway Business (B-2) District design standards. In addition to the minimum design standards applicable to all commercial/business districts, the B-2 District shall also be subject to the following standards to reflect the character of the district. The design standards are explained in further detail and illustrated in the Forest Lake Design Requirement Manual.
(1) Site layout.
(a) Building entries shall face the primary street adjacent to the project and face the parking areas serving the site.
(b) Decorative and/or landscaped cart corrals should be placed throughout the parking lot so that parking spaces are not used to store shopping carts.
(c) Multiple entries to the site should be consolidated.
(d) The majority of parking shall be located in the front and side of the lot. Employee parking and loading shall be in the rear.
(2) Lighting. In addition to the lighting requirements presented in § 153.185, lighting in the B-2 District shall be subject to the following regulations:
(a) Decorative style lighting a maximum of 14 feet in height shall be used to illuminate all site areas with the exception of parking areas.
(b) Shoe-box style lighting shall only be permitted in parking areas.
(c) Decorative lighting appropriate to this district is illustrated in the Forest Lake Design Requirement Manual.
(d) Lighting fixtures shall be compatible with the architecture of the building.
(e) Wall mounted lighting shall be used on building fronts to illuminate entry points and highlight architectural features.
(3) Signage. In addition to the sign requirements presented in §§ 153.205 et seq., signs in the B-2 District shall also be subject to the following requirements:
(a) To reduce visual sign clutter, signage shall be distinct and minimal.
(b) Monument sign bases shall be constructed of similar materials, style, and color as that of the principal building.
(c) Signage shall be designed in a manner that is consistent with code requirements and as illustrated in the Forest Lake Design Requirement Manual.
(I) Limited Industrial (B-3) District design standards. In addition to the minimum design standards applicable to all commercial/business districts, the Limited Industrial Business District shall also be subject to the following standards to reflect the character of the district. The design standards are explained in further detail and illustrated in the Forest Lake Design Requirement Manual.
(1) Site layout.
(a) Building entries shall face the primary street adjacent to the project. An additional entry should face the parking lot.
(b) The majority of parking shall be located on the side of buildings or in front. Employee parking and loading shall be in the rear.
(c) Landscaped cart corrals should be placed throughout the project so that parking spaces are not used to store shopping carts.
(d) Multiple entries to the site should be consolidated.
(2) Lighting. In addition to the lighting requirements presented in § 153.185, lighting in the B-3 District shall be subject to the following regulations:
(a) Decorative style lighting a maximum of 14 feet in height shall be used to illuminate all site areas with the exception of parking areas.
(b) Shoe-box style lighting shall only be permitted in parking areas.
(c) Decorative lighting appropriate to this district is illustrated in the Forest Lake Design Requirement Manual.
(d) Lighting fixtures shall be compatible with the architecture of the building.
(e) Wall mounted lighting shall be used on building fronts to illuminate entry points and highlight architectural features.
(3) Signage. In addition to the sign requirements presented in §§ 153.205 et seq., signs in the B-3 District shall also be subject to the following requirements:
(a) To reduce visual sign clutter, signage shall be distinct and minimal.
(b) Monument sign bases shall be constructed of similar materials, style, and color as that of the principal building.
(c) Signage shall be designed in a manner that is consistent with the code requirements and as illustrated in the Forest Lake Design Requirement Manual.
(J) Compliance.
(1) All new construction shall fully comply with the requirements in § 153.324.
(2) Complete building face lift combined with a building addition shall fully comply with the requirements in § 153.324.
(3) Other existing building and site improvements shall comply with the standards in § 153.054.
(Ord. 596, passed 2-8-2010; Am. Ord. 658, passed 7-25-2016)