A. Access, Circulation, and Loading Areas.
1. In the C-2 zone, primary vehicular and pedestrian access shall be from a street with a General Plan classification of Collector or higher, unless the Director determines that no other access is possible.
2. Minimum driveway widths shall be as directed by the Fire Department.
3. Circulation shall be designed for both vehicle and pedestrian use. Pedestrian access from the street and the parking lot to the main door of the businesses they serve shall be designed to avoid conflict with vehicular traffic. Pedestrian paths shall be clearly delineated with pavement materials and/or markings and signage.
4. Dead-end parking aisles shall be avoided unless the size or shape of a development site allows for no other configuration, as determined by the Director.
5. Where physically possible, reciprocal parking area access between shopping centers shall be required.
6. Loading areas shall be designed and located generally to the rear of a property and out of view of public rights-of-way, and shall be designed to avoid conflicts with interior pedestrian and vehicular circulation and to minimize noise and other impacts on adjacent uses.
B. Commercial Shopping Centers - Site Design and Design Treatments.
1. To the maximum extent practical, as determined by the Director, buildings shall be oriented as close to the street as possible, with parking toward the rear of the site.
2. Shopping centers shall be identified by monument signage and may include a logo. Landmark monuments are encouraged (such as bell towers, clock towers, water features, etc.). Any signs and monuments provided shall be designed and integrated into the architectural theme of their respective complexes.
3. A unified architectural theme shall be applied to all structures within the center and associated signage.
4. The entry area shall complement the development through paving texture and color.
5. Plant materials shall be used to accentuate and distinguish the center from the adjacent streetscape. The planting of annual or perennial color shall be used to distinguish the entries.
C. Scale and Massing.
1. The scale and massing of structures shall achieve a street-level environment accommodating to pedestrians.
2. Structures shall be designed to avoid long, monotonous, plain facades. Techniques such as staggered building planes, variation of facades, recessed entries, and arcades shall be used to create variety and interest.
3. Commercial structures adjacent to residential uses shall incorporate sensitive transitions in scale and massing.For example, structure mass shall be broken down using height step-backs, articulated sub-volumes, and horizontal and vertical facade articulation.
D. Architectural Treatment.
1. A unified architectural and design theme shall be applied to all structures within a development.
2. Roof lines and materials shall be compatible with the architectural style of the structures.
3. Quality and definable treatment shall be applied to all facades exposed to public view. Blank end walls shall be avoided. Treatments shall include architectural features, landscaping, or art elements that tie into the overall design theme.
4. Particular consideration to color and material shall be given to the design and treatment of roofs because of their potential visual impact. Roof flashing, rain gutters, down spouts, vents, and other roof protrusions shall be screened from view or finished to match adjacent materials and/or colors of the structure.
5. Additions to structures shall be designed to match the roofline, style, and colors of the original structure. Where the original structure has limited design quality, the addition shall include design features that add texture and architectural interest.
6. Building entrances shall be readily identifiable through the use of varied height, color, or building planes.
E. Walls and Fences.
1. Wall and fencing materials and patterns shall be compatible with the style and themes of the structures. Unfinished precision block walls are specifically prohibited.
2. Where walls are erected in locations visible from a public right-of-way, the use of full dimension caps, pilasters, and changes in wall surfaces (staggering) shall be applied.
3. In locations where walls might invite vandalism or graffiti, landscaping shall be provided along the walls.
F. Landscaping. Landscaping, at a minimum, shall be provided in all required setback and all yard areas that face a public right-of-way or private street, within required parking areas pursuant to Chapter 10.30 (Off-Street Parking and Loading), and as otherwise may be required through the Site Plan Review process or any required discretionary approval.
(Ord. 935 § 3 (part), 2015)