For new construction or substantial improvements in the Commercial Zone, building elevations visible from any right-of-way shall meet the following standards:
(A) General facade standards. All building facades shall be covered with one or more of the following materials:
(1) Decorative block;
(2) Brick, which shall be standard, utility, closure, modular, oversize or jumbo;
(3) Stucco, cementious or synthetic;
(4) Shakes;
(5) Clapboard;
(6) Vertical board and batten; or
(7) Wood, vinyl, aluminum, metal, concrete or other materials which appear to be shakes, clapboard or vertical board and batten or stucco.
(8) Fenced areas shall be metal tube fencing and/or grill with a minimum of one inch by one inch pickets at five-inch on center minimum. Chain link may be used on the inside of tube fencing if colors are matching.
(B) Front facade standards. The following standards apply to the building frontage and all elevations facing US 158 or NC 12 for all commercial buildings.
(1) Architectural variation. For structures up to 100,000 square feet of gross floor area with building frontage of 100 feet or greater, architectural variations shall be required every 50 feet.
(a) Physical changes shall be provided in building design and roof line, covered sidewalks at least eight feet wide with a four-inch rise for each 12-inch run pitch roof.
(b) For structures with building frontage less than 100 feet, architectural breaks are required but can include or have the appearance of windows with a minimum width of 18 inches wide and minimum height of four feet.
(c) There shall be no neon lighting on the exterior of the structure or its roof line.
(d) Three years from February 28, 2001, all existing neon lighting as described in subsection (c) shall be removed.
(2) Architectural variation. For structures greater than 100,000 square feet of gross floor area: variations shall be required a minimum of every 75 feet. Of these variations 10% of the elevation shall be roof facade:
(a) Physical changes shall be provided in building design and roofline, covered sidewalks a minimum of eight feet wide with a pitch roof with four-inch rise for each 12-inch run will apply.
(b) Changes in wall plane a minimum of five feet wise and minimum eight inches deep with changes in materials and/or color at change in wall plan.
(c) Shutters and/or louvered panels.
(d) Roof facades meeting all of the following criteria:
1. Shall be constructed with one or more of the following roofs: hip, gable, or mansard; and
2. Shall have a minimum pitch of 4 in 12; and maximum pitch of 18 in 12;
3. Shall have a minimum overhang of ten inches; and
4. Shall have a minimum roof height of six feet measured from the top plate to the ridge.
(3) Glazing and glazing facade.
(a) Glazing and glazing facades shall comprise not less than 10% of the front facade area.
(b) Glazing and glazing facades shall comprise not more than 40% of the front facade area.
(c) All glazing and glazing facades shall be designed not to exceed a total of 15 feet in height.
(d) Mullions are encouraged but not required.
(C) Roof standards. All commercial buildings shall have a roof design as defined in subsection (1) and/or provide roof facades as defined in subsections (2) and (3).
(1) Roofs (as defined in § 153.002) shall meet all of the following criteria:
(a) Shall be constructed with one or more of the following roofs: hip, gable or mansard; and
(b) Shall have a minimum pitch of 4 in 12; and
(c) Shall have a minimum overhang of ten inches; and
(d) Shall have a minimum roof height of six feet measured from the top plate to the ridge.
(2) Roof facades on all elevations for commercial buildings up to 100,000 square feet of gross floor area, shall meet all the following criteria:
(a) Wall elevations for buildings up to 20 feet in height must be concealed behind a roof facade for a minimum of 50% of the entire wall elevation; wall elevations for buildings greater than 20 feet, up to 30 feet in height must be concealed behind a roof facade for a minimum of 35% of the entire wall elevation; and wall elevations for buildings greater than 30 feet in height must be concealed behind a roof facade for a minimum of 25% of the entire wall elevation; (the percentage concealed by roof facade is calculated from the soffit to the peak of the roof facade); and
(b) Wall elevation shall have no more than 15 horizontal feet without a roof facade projection; and
(c) Minimum pitch of roof facade projections will be no less than 4 in 12 and no more than 18 in 12.
(3) Elevations on building frontage and all elevations facing US 158 or NC 12 for commercial buildings greater than 100,000 square feet in gross floor area shall meet requirements of (B)(2) above.
(4) Roof facades for commercial buildings greater than 100,000 square feet in gross floor area on elevations other than listed in subsection (3) shall meet requirements of (B)(2) above with the following exception:
(a) Roof facade shall be an average of 10% of all elevation except the front;
(b) Roof facade pitch shall be a minimum of 4 in 12 and a maximum of 36 in 12.
(5) Exemptions:
(a) Detached canopies greater than ten feet from the primary structure are exempted from all roof standards defined herein. All canopies less than ten feet from the primary structure, including attached canopies, are not exempt from roof standards. If a roof facade is used on attached canopies it must have a minimum height of three feet.
(b) Ground level covered patios up to 1,500 square feet in area extending no more than 15 feet from the exterior wall of the main building to which the covered patio is accessory. The roof or roof facade of such patio may have a pitch less than 4 in 12.
(c) Steeples and cupola are exempt from the provisions of this division.
(D) Mechanical equipment standards.
(1) Mechanical equipment shall not be visible from any right-of-way.
(2) All mechanical equipment and appurtenances shall be screened.
(Ord. 91-08, passed 11-18-91; Am. Ord. 01-02, passed 2-28-01; Am. Ord. 02-01, passed 1-14-02; Am. Ord. 02-03, passed 1-14-02; Am. Ord. 02-05, passed 2-27-02; Am. Ord. 04-02, passed 3-24-04; Am. Ord. 10-21, passed 11-10-10; Am. Ord. 11-04, passed 4-11-11; Am. Ord. 14-08, passed 5-12-14; Am. Ord. 18-4, passed 6-14-21)