The purpose of these criteria is to establish a checklist of those items that affect the aesthetic and physical aspect of Frankfort’s environment. Pertinent to appearance is the design of the site, building and structures, planting, signs, street hardware, and miscellaneous other objects that are observed by the public.
(A) Relationship of buildings to site.
(1) The site shall be planned to accomplish a desirable transition with the streetscape, and to provide for adequate planting, safe pedestrian movement, and parking areas.
(2) Site planning in which setbacks and yards are in excess of zoning restrictions is encouraged to provide an interesting relationship between buildings.
(3) Parking areas shall be treated with decorative elements, building wall extensions, plantings, berms, or other innovative means so as to screen parking areas from view of public right-of-ways.
(4) The height and scale of each building shall be compatible with the site and existing adjoining buildings.
(B) Relationship of buildings and site to adjoining area.
(1) Attractive landscape transition to adjoining properties shall be required.
(2) Harmony in texture, lines, and masses is required. Monotony shall be avoided.
(C) Landscape and site treatment. Landscape elements included in these criteria consist of all forms of planting and vegetation, ground forms, rock groupings, water patterns, and all visible construction, except buildings and utility structures.
(1) Modification to topography will be permitted where it contributes to the quality of the overall appearance of the site.
(2) Landscape treatment shall be provided to enhance architectural features, strengthen vistas and important axes, and provide shade.
(3) Unity of design shall be achieved by repetition of certain plant varieties and other materials, and by correlation with adjacent developments.
(4) Plant material shall be selected for interest in its structure, texture, and color, and for its ultimate growth. Plants that are indigenous to the area and others that will be hardy, harmonious to the design, and of sufficient appearance shall be used. The use of artificial plants is prohibited.
(5) Parking areas and traffic ways shall be enhanced with landscape islands containing trees or tree groupings.
(6) Screening of service yards and other places that tend to be unsightly shall be accomplished by use of planting; screening shall be equally effective in the winter and summer.
(7) In areas where grass or ground cover will not prosper, other materials, such as paving of brick, stone and cobbles, should be used. Carefully selected plants should be combined with such materials where possible. The use of concrete and asphalt is not encouraged.
(Ord. 1818, passed 8-7-00) Penalty, see § 10.99