(A) Intent. Development standards should promote the health safety and welfare and preserve the character and pedestrian scale of the village. Development standards should reflect the existing size, scale and massing of structures and pedestrian orientation and interconnectivity of the streets.
(B) Boundaries and exemptions. The Village Overlay District (V-OL) shall apply to Spring Lake and village areas as designated on the Official Zoning Map of Hancock County.
(C) Uses. All uses permitted in the underlying district(s) are permitted in the Village Overlay District. All uses that are special exceptions in the underlying district(s) are special exceptions in the Rural Village Overlay District.
(D) Development standards. All development within the boundaries of the Village Overlay District shall comply with the following development standards. Under conditions where a strict interpretation of the design and development standards cannot be met, a modification to the development plan may be proposed to maintain the spirit rather than the letter of the law. In addition, developments with distinct and unique architectural designs may be considered. The request of modification shall be submitted to the Planning Commission for review.
(1) Applicability. This overlay, unless otherwise noted, shall apply to all public, private, and institutional development. Unless specified, requirements and development standards of the CN: Commercial Neighborhood District shall apply.
(2) Review. Development plans in this zoning classification shall be subject to review by the Area Plan Commission and/or its designees in accordance with the procedures in § 156.107.
(3) Streets. Public streets and alleys shall be designed to the standards set forth in the Hancock County Thoroughfare Plan as approved by the County Highway Engineer. If a town thoroughfare plan exists, then the streets and alleys shall be designed to the standards set forth in the town thoroughfare plan within the town jurisdiction.
(4) Architectural.
(a) Scale and massing. The architectural design of development shall reflect scale and massing of development within the district. Similar massing can be achieved by respecting existing setbacks, proportionate sizing of windows, doorways, rooflines and similar use of exterior and landscape materials. One-story buildings along the street elevation shall incorporate architectural elements such as three-dimensional cornices, dormers, windows and parapet walls to provide the illusion of an additional one-half to one story.
(b) Setbacks.
1. Front. Setbacks shall be equal to the average setbacks for buildings on the same side of the street within 100 feet. Where there are no such buildings, the minimum front yard setback is determined by the classification of the adjoining road as noted on the Thoroughfare Plan.
2. Side. Setbacks shall be equal to the average setbacks for buildings on the same side of the street within 100 feet, or the minimum sideyard setback as stated in the applicable underlying zoning district, which ever is less.
(c) Facades. Architectural design shall be in context with existing development. All siding shall be natural materials such brick, stone, wood, or fiber cement plank siding, decorative precast panels, E.I.F.S. or a combination of these materials. Color should be subtle, neutral hues and of low reflectance. Building materials shall not include smooth-faced concrete block or concrete tilt-up panels. The street level facade should be at least 60% transparent to discourage blank unarticulated facades. The rear elevation of the building will be consistent in finish with the front facade of the building; however, the high degree of architectural detailing and articulation seen on the front will not be required.
(d) Entries. Entryways shall be clearly defined and contain such features as canopies, porticos, arcades, raised corniced parapets, arches, awnings, integral planters, etc.
(e) Roofs. Roofs shall have at least two of the following features:
1. Parapets. Parapets shall not exceed 30% of the height of the supporting wall and must conceal flat roofs.
2. Cornice. Cornices shall be three dimensional.
3. Eaves. Eaves and overhangs shall be a minimum of three feet past the supporting walls.
4. Cupolas.
5. Dormers.
6. Roof pitch. Roof pitch shall be a minimum of 5:12 pitch on a sloped roof; a facade gable shall be a minimum of 8:12 pitch.
(f) Service areas. All delivery service areas shall employ walls or landscaping to screen views.
(g) Mechanical equipment. Ground, building and roof-mounted mechanical equipment shall be screed from view. Landscaping, fences, walls and parapet walls on roofs can be used.
(5) Parking.
(a) On-street parking shall be permitted in this district and shall count towards required parking.
(b) Shared parking. Cooperative provisions for off-street parking may be made by contact between two or more adjacent property owners. The parking area provided on any one lot may be reduced to not less than 75% of the number of required parking spaces for the use occupying such lot.
(c) To the extent that developments make joint use of the same parking spaces at different times, up to 1/2 of the parking spaces may be credited to both uses if one use is a church, theater, professional offices or assembly hall shoes peak hours of attendance will be at night or on Sundays, and the other use or uses are ones that will be closed at night or on Sundays.
(6) Landscaping. A premium shall be placed on the preservation of existing mature plant material and credit shall be given towards in-kind required landscaping. Landscaping requirements for commercial zoning districts as set forth in §§ 156.060 et seq. shall apply.
(7) Lighting. Decorative lighting shall be used for streets, parking lots, buildings and landscaping.
(8) Site amenities. Plazas, mini-parks, water features, flagpoles, public art, and coordinated site furniture are encouraged.
(a) Signage shall be designed to be an integral part of the site context and architectural features. The scale, colors and materials of signs shall be compatible and harmonious with existing development.
(b) Sign shall be visible to both motorists and pedestrians.
(c) Signs shall be externally illuminated. No signage illumination shall be so designed, located or directed to cast glare or direct light onto adjacent public roadways.
(Ord. 2007-1B, passed 2-5-07; Am. Ord. 2007-6A, passed 6-4-07; Am. Ord. 2014-8C, passed 8-5-14; Am. Ord. 2021-7A, passed 7-20-21)