In addition to the requirement of this Chapter, single family developments and dwellings contained therein shall be designed and sited according to the criteria established below:
(a) Unity in groups of single family cluster dwellings shall be created through use of common architectural and design elements such as color, building mass, roof lines, facade treatment, color, landscaping, setbacks and related features, However, these same elements shall also be used to prevent uniformity in design elements within a cluster.
(b) Visual monotony created by excessive block lengths shall be avoided.
(c) Architectural and/or landscape elements that provide a logical transition to adjoining uses shall be provided.
(d) Where practical, existing landscape features shall be incorporated into the design of clusters. Where these existing features are not available, landscape design shall be used to create interesting and varied streetscapes and living areas.
(e) Visual access shall be provided for drivers backing from garages or driveways into the adjacent street. On corner lots, buildings, landscaping and appurtenances shall be situated and set back to provide unobstructed visual clearance at intersections.
(f) Cluster units and adjacent open space networks shall be designed to provide views of the open space from the street.
(g) Cluster units shall be designed with consideration for visual and acoustic privacy, adequate light and air, and the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces, whether private or common.
(h) Each cluster unit shall be designed to include private outdoor space. Private outdoor space shall be located and designed to maximize its utility and privacy to the unit it serves, especially in relation to adjacent units. Particular care must be given to outdoor privacy when two-story cluster units are used. Private open space shall be provided at the minimum rate of 100 square feet per cluster dwelling unit.
(i) In addition to its other uses, landscaping shall also be used to lessen the intrusion of appurtenances such as transformer housings, cable pedestals, condensers, heat pumps, mailboxes and related items. Fire hydrants shall be located to be visually prominent.
(j) Garages shall be designed and located so that they are not the dominant visual element of the building or streetscape. All attached garages shall comply with one of the following:
(1) The garage door shall be set back a minimum of two feet further from the primary access street, whether public or private, than the front wall of the main living area, or
(2) The garage door shall be oriented perpendicular, or mainly perpendicular, to the access street.
All attached garages shall be fully integrated into the building mass.
(k) Doorways shall be defined and articulated with architectural elements such as lintels, pediments, porches or overhangs. Doorways shall be compatible with the building as a whole and with the doors themselves.
(l) The common open space shall be designed according to the criteria established below:
(1) Open space shall be available and accessible to all residents of the single family cluster development, and shall be designed primarily for their use. Common open space shall be exclusive of all streets, non-recreational buildings and individually-owned land. Each dwelling unit within the single family cluster development should be designed, to the extent possible, to abut common open space areas.
(2) In order to insure that all portions of the open space network are useful for that purpose, no portion of the common open space shall have a dimension of less than fifty feet, subject to modification by the Commission for smaller sections which are particularly well-designed and meet the objectives of this Chapter 1163.
(3) Significant natural amenities, such as outcroppings, tree stands, ponds, ravines and stream channels should be left in their natural state and considered part of the required open space, subject to these standards.
(4) Public open space and the adjacent circulation system should be designed to limit through traffic on local streets. Public open space which is to be developed as a major activity center such as a swimming pool or recreation center should be located on a thoroughfare designed to accommodate the resulting trip desires and traffic volumes.
(5) Common open space shall be designed as a network of spaces offering pedestrian access throughout the subdivision and to maximize the number of homes which are adjacent to the open space. Common open spaces shall also include street frontage, particularly in cluster areas, to relieve the streetscape and to allow views into the open areas from the street.
(6) Storm water detention areas may receive full credit towards any open space requirement in 1163.14(h) if they are designed and improved for an appropriate open space or recreation use (such as a lake or play-field) in addition to storm-water detention; single purpose detention basins shall be excluded from the minimum open space requirement.
(m) When the single family cluster development is improved in phases, open space in each phase shall meet the minimum percentage required for each phase, counting all other phases already developed and the open space already conveyed to the homeowners association.