(A) Prohibited construction. No building shall be constructed of steel (except horizontal steel lap siding), iron, sheet aluminum, corrugated aluminum or plain, flat, unpainted concrete block (walls or roofs), except in association with farming activities and as allowed in this section below.
(B) Compatibility with surrounding property. Buildings in all zoning districts shall maintain a high standard of architectural and aesthetic compatibility with surrounding properties to ensure that they will not adversely impact the property values of the abutting properties or adversely impact the community's public health, safety and general welfare.
(C) Commercial standards for the B-1 District.
(1) Purpose. The purpose of the commercial design standards for the B-1 District are to:
(a) Create a community identity using common styles and themes;
(b) Preserve the City of Le Sueur's historical architecture; and
(c) Allow for individuality.
(2) Standards.
(a) Historic structures shall be preserved and maintained whenever possible.
(b) New development shall be designed to be compatible with the historic nature of the B-1 District.
(c) The first level of a commercial structure shall have a minimum of 40% windows on the facade along the front facing the street.
(d) Upper levels of buildings shall not exceed 50% glass.
(e) Windowsill height on the base level shall be no less than 12 inches and no more than 36 inches above the interior finished floor elevation.
(f) Architectural elements such as cornices and parapets shall be used to enhance the roof line and give the appearance of a flat roof. The roof surface and any mechanical equipment shall not be visible from the right-of-way.
(g) Colors shall be harmonious with other structures and shall only use compatible accents.
(h) Awnings and other similar projections and projecting signs are permitted to project into the public right-of-way up to four feet with a minimum of seven feet clearance.
(i) Building materials shall be consistent with the following materials or similar:
1. Brick;
2. Stone;
3. Stucco or synthetic stucco;
4. Pre-cast concrete units and concrete block, provided the surfaces are molded, serrated, or treated with a texture material in order to give the wall surface a three-dimensional character; and
5. Wood and tile are permitted only as accent materials.
(D) Standards for the B-2 District. Within the B-2 District, all exterior wall surfaces may be a combination of materials including brick, dimensioned stone, rock faced block, decorative concrete panel, architectural concrete block, cast-in-place concrete, stone, stucco, wood, or glass. An average of said materials shall constitute no less than 90% of the exterior wall façade less windows, doorways, roof, and/or garage doors. These standards shall also apply to any non-residential uses within residential zoning districts.
(E) Standards for the PI, I-1, and I-2 Districts. Within the PI, I-1, and I-2 Zoning Districts, all exterior walls may be a combination of materials including brick, dimensioned stone, rock faced block, decorative concrete panels, architectural concrete block, cast in place concrete, stone, wood, glass, or metal panels. Metal panels shall not encompass more than an average of 75% of all building elevations combined. Street-facing sides of all buildings shall not have metal panels that encompass more than 75%. Buildings in the Airport Overlay District are not subject to the PI standards described herein.
(Ord. 583, passed 8-26-2019; Ord. 594, passed 6-13-2022)