The following guidelines are to assist developers, residents, and village officials to work towards creative design solutions that heighten the visual appearance, as well as create a unique identity and sense of place within the village. These guidelines are not intended to make every building within the village look the same. To the contrary, a variety of architectural styles and details is desirable to provide a visual interest. This variety however must be organized within a unified framework that promotes a contextual and complementary language of architectural massing and composition that should be applied throughout the village.
(1) The front or side building elevation shall be oriented towards the street. The rear elevation of the building may not face a public street and must be screened from the public view.
(2) The apparent bulk and mass of a building must be reduced through articulation, windows, or other architectural and functional elements. Large featureless wall and roof planes are not permitted on elevations facing streets and parking areas.
(a) Articulation can include variations in wall height, wall plane, roof height, roof plane, material, texture, and color.
(b) Design elements should be consistent with the selected architectural style and appropriate for the scale of the building.
(3) Consistent design and detail on all elevations is encouraged.
(4) Traditional base-body-cap design is preferred.
(5) Exterior lighting shall be part of the architectural concept. Fixtures, standards and all exposed accessories shall be harmonious with the building design.
(B) Materials and finishes.
(1) General.
(a) Materials shall conform to the following standards; other materials of like architectural style, durability, and/or comparable quality may be submitted for review.
(b) Material finishes are to be matte or low gloss; reflective finishes are not permitted.
(2) Building.
(a) Use of preferred building materials and finishes is required on all buildings. Preferred materials shall constitute a majority of the exterior building elevation and shall include, but are not limited to: brick, stone, cast stone, architectural block, and architectural precast panels. EFIS/Dryvit and other like material may be used only as accent and trim details.
(b) Prohibited materials include:
1. Aluminum and vinyl siding; and
2. Unfinished materials.
(c) Transitions in material may not occur at an outside corner edge.
(d) Building materials are to be of comparable quality on all sides.
(3) Colors.
(a) Colors shall complement each other; simple color schemes are encouraged.
1. Contrasting colors may be used to accent architectural elements but should not dominate the color scheme.
(b) Colors should be muted and of low reflectance; fluorescent and neon colors are not permitted.
(C) Doors/windows/awnings.
(1) Entryways are to be emphasized through the use of awnings, canopies, or other design elements; recesses/projections are encouraged.
(2) Windows are to be provided on elevations facing streets and parking areas.
(a) Windows should create visual interest and spatially relate to other design elements.
(b) Glazing should be clear or slightly tinted; dark or reflective glass is not permitted.
(3) Transparent facades (>30%) are encouraged.
(4) Awnings must fit proportionately with the building and at no point extend above the roof line. Awnings must be metal, fabric, or marine canvas.
(D) Roofs.
(1) Flat roofs must be articulated with a parapet wall and/or a cornice (12-inch minimum).
(2) Use of preferred materials should also apply to all pitched roofs. Preferred materials are slate shingles, synthetic slate shingles, metal standing seam (matte finish), architectural grade asphalt shingles, and materials of like style, durability and quality.
(3) Pitched roofs must have eaves (12-inch minimum); dormers are encouraged.
(4) Rooftop mechanical must be screened from the public view and parking areas; faux pitched roofs are encouraged.
(E) Building systems and mechanicals.
(1) Building equipment (mechanicals and utilities) and service areas (loading docks) shall be located such that they are not readily visible from the street and/or parking areas.
(a) Roof and ground based equipment must be screened to the greatest extent possible using landscaping, and/or screen walls that are architecturally compatible with the principal structure.
(Ord. 19-O-20, passed 9-17-2019)