(A) The Waterfront Development Corporation, in interpreting the design standards established by this subchapter shall consider the following design principles:
(1) Functional requirements. A design shall meet the basic criteria for satisfying its program. Relationships between parking and buildings, for example, shall meet accepted standards of design for engineering and accessibility.
(2) Systems relationships and continuity. The project shall be integrated into other projects and planned systems, such as pedestrian ways, landscaping patterns, lighting concepts, and traffic movements.
(3) Visual relationships and continuity. The way one sees the project in relation to its context is important. Such considerations as the view from the road, from the river, or from other vantage points such as from above, in vista or panorama, at day or night, or in different seasons may be of consequence.
(4) Aesthetic and symbolic meaning. The style and form should relate a project to the historic setting or to the unique qualities of its city waterfront location.
(5) Architectural and landscape composition. Scale, form, and materials are the basic elements of building and site design. The relationships between buildings and the relationship between projects and their settings are significant. A project should be expressive of contemporary thinking in design. Questions of style should be focused on relationships of form and material rather than replication of historic architectural periods.
(6) Pedestrian activity and scale. The quality of experience for the individual or for groups in varying activities is of great importance. Land use, architectural design, landscape design and public art combine at the human scale to contribute to quality places for people.
(B) The following general standards shall apply in the WRO District.
(1) Views:
(a) Maintaining and improving views of the river is desired. Structures should be designed to allow views of the river from adjacent streets; massing and placement of buildings should maximize a cone of vision that includes a view of the riverfront and does not obscure the view from other developments.
(b) Treatment of river edges should be visually appealing from the river vantage point as well as from the shore.
(2) Landscape and grading:
(a) Continuity of landscape concept and harmony between development parcels is expected.
(b) Design concept, materials selection, and detailing of public spaces should have a harmony and unity expressive of an overall scheme. In the absence of a detailed “master” site plan, the Corporation shall look for overall continuity and theme among projects.
(d) Surface areas used for parking should be landscaped to partially screen such areas from view from access streets, freeways, adjacent properties, and from the waterfront. Parking structures should include perimeter landscaping. Berms (in combination with plantings or low walls) screening parking are appropriate and desired, with variations in contours achieving either a natural or cultivated appearance as best relates to the land use it adjoins.
(e) When the top level of parking structures is used for parking and is readily seen from public streets or residential or hotel structures, rooftop landscape treatment shall be reviewed for its design quality.
(f) In highly visible surface parking lots, use of alternative surfaces such as paving blocks or “grass-crete” is encouraged.
(g) Where landscaping is selected for screening purposes, the seasonal density and buffering capabilities of selected plan material shall be reviewed. Seasonal variety of color and form should be an important consideration in the choice of materials for aesthetic intent.
(3) Circulation (pedestrian and vehicular):
(a) Pedestrian systems and street crossings that encourage trips on foot, particularly from the downtown to the waterfront area, should be provided.
(b) The quality of the sidewalk environment should be enhanced by means of appropriate landscaping, lighting, graphics, street furniture, and design; concrete paving in compliance with the CBD sidewalk standards, or finish material such as brick or stone pavers, should be provided.
(c) Internal pedestrian circulation systems should coordinate with the parkway plans and river’s edge plans and standards for walks, bikeways, jogging trails, and other movement systems or patterns.
(d) Parking lots, storage areas and similar uses should be located away from the river’s edge and on unobtrusive sites. In areas characterized by buildings along the street line, parking lots should be located behind or on the side of buildings, whenever possible.
(e) Designated public pedestrian access ways between River Road and the river’s edge should be encouraged.
(f) The public river walkway should be continued along the river’s edge throughout the District. Its design should be sensitive to the character of the surrounding waterfront development.
(g) The pedestrian systems (walks, jogging trails) and bicycle paths should be developed along the parkway and in accordance with plans for River Road.
(h) Public transit service, through access to TARC routes, should be provided and should include shelters and waiting areas for appropriate group sizes, in public and private developments.
(4) Building design, materials, and colors:
(a) The use of unfinished common concrete block, cinder block, or corrugated panel as the main facing material for exterior walls is discouraged.
(b) Construction should be of quality finish materials such as brick, stone masonry, and
architectural concrete and should be in harmony with the surrounding character of the waterfront development.
(c) Simulated materials such as conventional residential vinyl and aluminum siding should be avoided.
(d) Predominant exterior colors should be of natural materials or those that are complimentary and harmonious to the character of the surrounding waterfront development.
(e) Bright colors should not dominate but may be permitted as a compatible accent.
(f) Large areas of blank walls (including parking garage frontage) should be avoided. Pedestrian and active-use areas at street level are encouraged. Special treatment with screening, landscaping, and the like, is desired where such conditions are unavoidable.
(g) When the first or street level of a structure is used for parking, storage, or is a vacant area, appropriate treatment of masonry, finish material, screening, or landscaping should be provided to minimize unsightliness.
(h) Mechanical equipment or utility equipment located on the exterior of a building should be appropriately screened from public view or designed as an integral part of the overall exterior appearances the building facade.
(i) Service areas, refuse collection areas, storage areas, and loading docks should be located away from or screened from public view.
(5) Preservation of historic structures and sites:
(a) Projects which provide for adaptive reuse of historic buildings and sites eligible for the National Register of Historic Places are encouraged.
(b) All buildings are recognized as products of their own time. Contemporary design is encouraged except where such design would clearly detract from the design compatibility within a group of historically significant structures. Alterations, additions, and new developments should be sympathetic to and harmonious with the historic context, and not seek to mimic an earlier style.
(c) The distinguishing original qualities of a property should not be diminished through alteration or removal of distinctive architectural features. When replacing original material, new material should be complementary in composition, design, color, texture, and other visual qualities.
(d) If cobblestones are located within the proposed development, they are to be collected and either reincorporated into the project’s design or given to the city. Cobblestones are considered historical artifacts and are the property of the city. Cobblestones are best used on vertical surfaces.
(6) Lighting:
(a) Exterior lighting should enhance the site and building design.
(b) Specialized lighting is permitted to accent landscape features.
(c) Lighting should be restrained to prevent excessive brightness and undue glare on adjacent properties, roadways, and the river.
(d) Lighting levels and color shall be designed in consideration of the overall effect on patterns, repetition, focal points, and rhythm within the panorama of the waterfront.
(7) Utilities:
(a) All utility services (telephone, electrical, cable, and the like) are encouraged to be installed underground.
(b) Utility components required to be above ground (transformers, meters, and the like) shall either be screened by landscaping or decorative wall or located in the most inconspicuous location possible.
(8) Retaining walls, fencing and railing:
(a) Retaining walls should be faced with masonry or other decorative screening or landscaping to minimize the blank appearance of such walls.
(b) Fence and rail design should be compatible with the surrounding character of the waterfront development.
(c) Proposed fencing should not limit physical or visual access to the waterfront, except where necessary for safety or security. Fencing material visible from publicly accessible areas should compliment surrounding architectural materials; chain link fencing is inappropriate in these areas.
(d) When determined that screening is necessary, fencing, if used as screening, shall be solid, and shall include vegetation. To the extent possible, landscaping used for screening shall form a complete year-round opaque screen.
(9) Flood plain:
(a) A flood control system shall be integrated within the development’s design. Physical and visual barriers to the waterfront are discouraged.
(b) The design of lower levels, exposed to flood elevations, shall be integrated with the structure so it will not be unsightly or unrelated to either the habitable portion of the building or the surrounding landscape.
(10) Signage:
(a) Signs should be designed to enhance the area’s visual appeal and ability to attract the public. The size, height, number and design of signs shall be reviewed for their ability to achieve these goals as well as their impact on traffic safety.
(b) In general, attached signs should be designed to fit within the architectural space intended for signage and not cover architectural features.
(c) Signs seen in relation to other signs should be designed to be compatible in location, shape, style, graphics, size, material, illumination, and color. Uniformity should be maintained in certain characteristics while other characteristics should be varied to permit individual expression and identification.
(d) Outdoor advertising signs (billboards), pennants, streamers and temporary signs are not appropriate in the Waterfront area except for special events, building openings, and the like which shall be subject to expedited review under § 162.45(B)(1).
(C) The following standards shall apply only within the WRO sub-areas:
(1) Standards specific to Areas A-1, A-2, and A-3:
(a) Strong access connections between Main Street and the waterfront should be maintained.
(b) The urban grid of streets and sidewalks should be extended into the areas in a logical and appropriate manner to achieve a physical and perceptual relationship between the waterfront and surrounding areas.
(c) Individual buildings and structures should be situated in relation to the existing urban grid and historic context.
(2) Standards specific to Area B: Dock construction should be developed to meet recreational needs, with floating docks using pillings designed as an integral part of the overall appearance. Covered slips should not be permitted for the typical boat slips.
(3) Standards specific to Area C-1:
(a) Landscape and/or siting shall screen industrial and other uses from River Road and the river’s view.
(b) Chain link fence may be used for security reasons but shall be sufficiently landscaped where visible from public areas and the river.
(D) The Corporation, or any body to which it has delegated responsibility for technical reviews of development plans under this subchapter may adopt additional standards consistent with the policies and standards established herein for the purpose of interpreting and supplementing the policies and standards established by this subchapter.
(Lou. Metro Ord. No. 66-2004, approved 6-3-2004; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 265-2007, approved 11-26-2007; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 194-2018, approved 10-30-2018)