A. SITE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
The combined appearance and character of contiguous building site developments will have a major impact on the character of Galena's Highway 20 corridor. Site designs set the tone for the development cluster and individual buildings, as well as the direct experience of the user. Site development also affects neighboring properties and the area's environment.
The Building Site/Small Area Development Design Standards are applicable to all project proposals that affect the appearance of the Highway 20. Projects proposed in the Rural Mixed-Use District, Hilltop Commercial/Industrial District, and the Southeast Hilltop District within 1,200 feet, unless otherwise specified, of the centerline of Highway 20 must adhere to the following standards.
Projects proposed for the Downtown Transition District must meet the requirements of the following design standards as well as the standards of the National Register Historic District.
Site Development Standards
1. Siting of Buildings.
2. Driveways and Parking.
3. Site Signage and Lighting.
4. Landscaping.
5. Site Features.
6. Storm Water Management Features.
1. Siting of Buildings
The siting of buildings will have a major impact on the character of Highway 20 and adjacent cross streets. Siting affects the functionality of the site, the impact of parking areas, as well as the visibility of a building's activity areas, building entries and service areas. A well-sited building will have a presence on the street, help to define edges of sites, create a desirable site composition, and allow access for maintenance.
Required
Nodal area building setbacks from Highway 20 right-of-way: 10 to 20 feet.
Nodal area building setbacks from cross street right-of-way: 10 feet (without parking) to 80 feet (with parking).
Internodal area building setbacks from Highway 20 right-of-way: 150 to 175 feet.
Internodal area building setbacks from cross street right-of-way: 10 to 80 feet.
Preferred
Grouped buildings (in a multiple building development) that create internal spaces, break up parking areas, and are connected by a walkway system.
Corner buildings that frame streets and intersections.
Discouraged
Linear "strip commercial" development pattern.
2. Driveways and Parking
Driveways and parking areas are a necessary functional component of a new development site and can also adversely affect a site's visual character and experience of a site's users. Well-located drives and parking areas do not detract from the landscape character neither do they detract from the intended focus of a development site the buildings and site amenities.
Required
Parking area setbacks from cross street and access road right-of-way: At least 8 feet.
Accommodation of emergency vehicles.
Preferred
Parking area setbacks from Highway 20 right-of-way: At least 20 feet.
Parking area frontage on Highway 20 or cross street 120 feet or less.
Safe, efficient, and convenient vehicular and pedestrian site access.
Shared access to adjacent development parcels.
System of walkways and crosswalks providing safe pedestrian access through parking areas.
Discouraged
Parking area setbacks from Highway 20 right-of-way: 10 to 20 feet.
Parking area frontage on Highway 20 or cross street: 120 to180 feet.
Prohibited
Parking area setbacks from Highway 20 right-of-way: Less than 10 feet.
Parking area frontage on Highway 20 or cross street: More than 180 feet.
3. Site Signage and Lighting
Signage and lighting have a major impact on site character. Signage sets the tone of a commercial area and is often the first impression a visitor has of a highway corridor. The appearance of lighting structures and fixtures, as well as the lighting quality itself can add or detract from a site's character. Lighting can "pollute" the night sky and overwhelm neighboring properties if not well designed. The following standards are concerned with signage location and design style as well as lighting scale and appearance. Consult §§ 154.801 through 154.815 regarding size and additional design requirements for signage as well as §§ 154.601 through 154.605 concerning lighting glare and trespass.
Required
Monument style signage (See §§ 154.801 through 154.815 for size requirements) consistent with architecture of building.
Signage material and design to be compatible with architectural design character.
Preferred
Local stone or brick signage base (easily visible above grade and plantings).
Pedestrian-scaled ornamental lighting at parking areas, walkways and building entries.
Black or earth tone colored light structures and fixtures.
Maximum of one monument sign on Highway 20 per nodal corner.
Maximum of one monument sign on cross street or access road.
Discouraged
High mast lighting (over 30 feet in height).
Brightly colored light structures and fixtures.
Prohibited
Pole-mounted signage.
4. Landscaping
Landscaping affects the visibility of site features and parking areas and the setting for the building. It also affects the relationship to adjacent sites, vistas to the surrounding landscape, the climactic comfort, and the overall attractiveness, character and identity of a site.
Preferred
Retained mature landscaping where possible.
Limited and consistent palette of plantings.
Plant material form and texture compliments site design.
Low growing shrub plantings (evergreen species - only as high as necessary to screen parking areas, utilities, waste storage, etc.).
Ground cover and/or floral beds at front yards, parking areas, etc.
Trees that enhance and frame views, yet, do not block vistas.
Shade trees in parking areas (where they do not block vistas).
Discouraged
Trees that block business signage or views.
Invasive or exotic species.
Synthetic or artificial plant materials.
5. Site Features
Site features include site furniture, special design elements, and features that are not considered accessory structures (see Architectural Building Standards: Accessory Structures) or a part of the building architecture.
Preferred
Patios and other activity areas.
Walkways with high-quality materials at building entry and approaches.
Bicycle parking.
Bench seating.
Low fencing (painted or finished (no bare materials).
Stone, brick, rural wood fencing.
Features that "tell the story" of Galena's history and natural setting.
Discouraged
Unscreened mechanical/utility equipment (visible from on or off-site).
Chain link fencing.
Tall fencing.
Alternative energy equipment that is not integrated with site design.
Prohibited
Outdoor storage.
6. Stormwater Management Features
Stormwater management features, necessary for storm water infiltration and detention, can add or detract from the appearance and character of a site. Careful site planning and design can locate and configure these features to benefit the project.
Required
On-site infiltration and detention as required by code.
Preferred
Stormwater facility integrated with other site design elements.
Stormwater and detention structure utilized as a site amenity.
Discouraged
Large banks of hard surface or rip-rap materials.
Visible engineered structures.
B. ARCHITECTURAL BUILDING STANDARDS
The combined appearance and architectural character of new buildings has a major impact on the character of Galena's Highway 20 Corridor. Overall building form, roof character, facade design, use of materials and colors, location and configuration of windows, building detailing, and the handling of equipment and accessory needs on-site are all factors. All combined, they can add or detract from the quality of the corridor, the success of businesses, and the user's experience.
Projects proposed in the Rural Mixed-Use District, Hilltop Commercial/Industrial District, and the Southeast Hilltop District within 1,200 feet, unless otherwise specified, of the centerline of Highway 20, must adhere to the following standards. Projects in above said Districts located between 1,200 and 2,400 feet of the centerline of Highway 20 shall be exempt from the requirements of the standards listed below, except for Standard 5, Wall Materials and Colors.
Architectural Building Standards
1. Building Form and Architectural Style
2. Roofs
3. Facade Configuration
4. Windows and Doors
5. Wall Materials and Colors
6. Detailing
7. Service Areas, Utility Equipment
8. Accessory Structures and Features
1. Building Form and Architectural Style
Building forms and styles have a major impact on the character and impact of new development. New structures should relate harmoniously to the landscape surrounding Galena's Highway 20 Corridor and to the traditional building forms of the city and farmsteads of the countryside. The landscape is primarily rural in character with gentle rolling hills with horizontal lines. Buildings are simple in form with well proportioned facades and architectural elements.
Preferred
Building form and massing that responds sensitively to site conditions, especially topography.
Midwest regional character.
Traditional character and simple building forms.
Rectangular configuration.
Low and horizontal profiles.
Traditional and simple building forms.
Vertical tower at corner and/or building entry.
One-story arcade or porch on highway, street, and building entry facades.
Discouraged
Styles that mimic Galena's Historic District structures.
"Disneyesque" architectural character.
"Post-modern" styles with architectural symbols not in character with Galena area.
Contemporary character.
Corporate trademark building designs.
Monolithic forms.
Shed-like building forms.
Angular walls as dominate feature.
Curved or complex building forms.
Removal or inappropriate alterations to historic structures.
Prohibited
Bold, non-rectangular forms (e.g. A-frames, geodesic domes).
2. Roofs
Roofs have a major influence on the character, style, scale and proportion of a new structure. Roofs should be in character with preferred building form and styles. Similarities in roof form create a visual continuity in the corridor.
Preferred
Gable and hip roof forms.
Moderately pitched roofs (6:12 to 12:12 slope).
Articulated roof elements (dormers, towers) that enhance the overall building form and architectural style.
Gutters and downspouts integrated as architectural features.
Exposed gutters and downspouts painted to match color of adjacent roof or wall.
Flashing and protruding stacks and pipes to match color of adjacent building surface.
Earth tone color roof materials.
Overhangs at eaves and rakes.
Flat lying shingles and standing-seam metal roof materials.
Discouraged
Unscreened roof-mounted mechanical equipment.
Shallow or steep roof pitches (less than 6:12 or more than 12:12).
Flat roofs without parapet.
Contemporary modem roof lines and detailing.
Exposed (back and side) false roofs.
Mansard roofs.
Shed roofs (except as attached to primary building mass).
Stylized roof materials (e.g. Mediterranean tiles).
3. Facade Configuration
Facades are the "faces" that create the primary impression of a building's character. Configuration issues such as articulation of exterior facades, building entries, drive-up facilities, etc. are covered in this section. Other facade elements, including windows, doors, materials, colors, and architectural detailing are covered in following sections.
Preferred
One-story arcades or porches or awnings on street facing and prominent sides of building.
Articulation of facades with bays, recesses, building setbacks.
Clearly defined, highly visible customer entries (indicated by arcades, canopies, overhangs, roof forms, detailing).
Public entry visible from street and parking.
Discouraged
Continuous flat walls without projections, recesses, etc.
Service entries visible from street and parking.
Drive-up facilities on highway side of building.
Building mounted signage (restricted size and type) not integrated with architectural elements.
4. Windows and Doors
Window and door size, placement, and character affect the character of building facades and the visibility of a building's activity. Windows and doors are the major architectural elements that create interest, rhythm, pattern, scale, and transparency of a facade.
Required
30-70% of wall surface transparent windows and doors on street-facing, prominent, and parking facades.
Preferred
Individual or small groups of window units (versus banded).
Window and door style compatible with architectural style.
Limited palette of window types.
Discouraged
Continuous bands of windows.
Moderate to highly reflective glass.
Strongly colored or daddy tinted glass.
False windows.
5. Wall Materials and Colors
Material and color selections for exterior walls have a major impact on the visual appearance of a new structure. Materials and colors should complement the architectural style of the building and should be in keeping with the historic palette of the Galena area. Select a simple palette of high-quality materials.
Preferred
Medium to dark value brick (approved color palette) as primary wall material on all street-facing and prominent facades.
Local stone (approved stone type and color palette) as wall or accent material.
Clapboard siding on secondary facades.
Stucco and EIFS as secondary material.
Material changes occurs at changes of wall plane.
Consistent use of materials throughout the building.
High quality materials.
Historic and earth tone colors for brick, siding, and trim.
Non-reflective finishes.
Limited number of trim and accent colors.
Discouraged
(Within 1,200 Feet of the Centerline of Highway 20)
Vinyl and aluminum siding.
Rough wood siding.
Stucco and EIFS as primary material.
Smooth concrete block on prominent facade.
Black (except as trim), primary, high-intensity, metallic, and neon colors.
Bright corporate trademark colors.
Prefabricated metal and concrete panels.
Faux material siding.
Unfinished, exposed concrete block.
Metal and concrete panels.
Large scale metal siding.
* See Footnote 5, Table X.1
Discouraged
(Between 1,200 and 2,400 Feet of the Centerline of Highway 20)
Prefabricated metal and concrete panels.
Faux material siding.
Unfinished, exposed concrete block.
Metal and concrete panels.
Large scale metal siding.
* See Footnote 3, Table X.1
6. Detailing
The quality of a building's detailing has a significant impact on the overall character of a new structure. Detailing should complement the architectural style and appropriately highlight the desired scale and design elements.
Preferred
Detailing that is compatible with architectural style.
Appropriately sized to scale of building, facade, and architectural elements.
Detailing that articulates "caps" and "bases" and "edges" of architectural elements.
Traditional (versus contemporary) in character.
Three-dimensional details (versus applied).
Detailing that adds architectural interest, texture to facades.
Quality detailing that will withstand effects of weather.
Discouraged
Detailing that mimics detailing of the historic district.
Inappropriate historical references.
Applied (versus three-dimensional).
7. Service Areas, Utility Equipment
Every building is served by deliveries, waste pick-up, utilities, and mechanical equipment. These service areas and pieces of equipment can detract from the primary uses and desired appearance of a building without proper placement and screening.
Preferred
Service and delivery areas located away from highway and building entry areas.
Screened mechanical and utility equipment.
Alternative energy equipment that is integrated with building design.
Discouraged
Service and delivery areas visible from highway and building entry areas.
Satellite dishes and antenna visible from highway.
Exhaust and vent stacks visible from highway.
Alternative energy equipment that is not integrated with building design.
Prohibited
Mechanical equipment visible from the highway.
8. Accessory Structures and Features
Accessory structures and features such as dumpster enclosures and utility equipment should be well integrated with the site and designed to have minimal impact on the character of the site and primary buildings.
Required
Trash enclosure large enough to conceal trash receptacles.
Preferred
Trash enclosure that compliments building In color, material, and style.
Discouraged
Unscreened utility equipment on highway frontage
Trash enclosure located near highway and building entry.
Trash enclosure that does not conceal trash receptacles.
Prohibited
Unscreened waste receptacles.
Metal or prefabricated storage sheds.