(A) Generally. These standards apply to apartment developments within the district(s) where they are permitted as set out in:
(1) Section 156.B.004, Residential District Development Standards; and
(2) Section 156.B.005, Nonresidential and Mixed-Use District Development Standards.
(B) Building massing and scale.
(1) Apartment buildings shall be designed such that the primary entrance and windows of all first-row buildings face a public street.
(2) Any portion of a building that is closer than 50 feet from a common property line that abuts a residential district or use shall be no higher than 12 feet above the highest point of the closest residential structures. This does not apply if the residential structure is located across the street from the development. An apartment building containing more than four dwelling units shall be designed to break up a rectangular floor plan and avoid a boxlike or monolithic appearance.
(3) The following or similar techniques shall be used to avoid the appearance of a box-like or monolithic building:
(a) Primary entrance treatments that are recessed or project from the main facade such as canopies and porte cocheres. Support columns and roofs of canopies and porte cocheres shall match or be consistent with the architectural design of the building.
(b) The use of dormers, bay windows, or other windows that create dimensions that break up the facade;
(c) Changes in wall planes of at least five feet at intervals of not more than 30 feet;
(d) Balconies that are used irregularly, some projecting, some recessed; and
(e) Varying roof lines.
(4) Elements such as eaves, rakes, cornice lines, or frieze boards shall be used to contribute to the visual interest of the building.
(C) Internalized design.
(1) Ingress to and egress from all dwelling units in an apartment development shall be made through the interior of the building rather than from direct outside entrances to each unit.
(2) Uncovered exterior stairways are prohibited.
(D) Awnings. Awnings, where installed, shall be constructed with fabric or metal coverings. Plastic coverings are prohibited.
(E) Balconies and railings. Balcony and railing materials may be different than the materials used on exterior walls.
(F) Pedestrian access. All fences and gates shall have appropriate connections to neighboring non-residential properties through the use of fence or gate door unless it can be shown that is not possible due to site constraints to promote walkability and connectivity.
(G) Parking location. Wrap-around design of multifamily buildings around a core parking structure is strongly encouraged to ensure the garage appearance is enhanced by additional architectural or landscape features.
(H) Attached garages. Attached street-facing garages shall meet one of the following standards.
(1) The garage doors shall not comprise more than 40% of the total length of the building’s facade; or
(2) Every set of two single-bay garage doors or every double garage door shall be offset by at least five feet from the front plane of an adjacent garage door.
(I) Detached garages. The building design and roof type of garage units shall be consistent with those of the principal building(s). Detached garage buildings that are adjacent to street rights-of-way shall include a Type B bufferyard (see § 156.F.004, Buffering) between the garage building(s) and street.
(J) Building elements. All buildings in a multiple-family development shall include a minimum of three of the following building elements.
(1) Visual interest. Elements such as outdoor gathering areas, porches, shutters, bay windows, or balconies shall be used to contribute to the visual interest of the building.
(2) Architectural features. Columns, eaves, rakes, cornice lines, or frieze boards shall be used to contribute to the visual interest of the building.
(K) Building variation and articulation. An apartment community with three or more buildings must substantially vary the buildings in heights, dispositions, scales (number of units), materials, and colors.
(L) Carports. Carports are permitted within the vehicular use areas of apartment developments, provided they do not encroach into any required yards or building setbacks or into any easements, and subject to the following standards:
(1) Openness. Carports shall be no less than 50% open on all sides, except for a side or sides that abut a wall of a principal building.
(2) No other storage. Carports shall not be used for storage of any items except motor vehicles.
(3) Height. Carports shall not exceed ten feet in height.
(4) Drainage. Drainage from carports shall be captured and conveyed on site and shall not impact adjacent properties.
(5) Construction. Carports and their support posts shall be firmly anchored to the ground and shall meet applicable building codes.
(6) Design. Carports shall be constructed so that all structural components, including support posts and roof forms, match or are consistent with the design elements incorporated into the principal building(s).
(M) Roofing systems.
(1) Covering. Sloped roofs shall be covered with quality materials, comparable to slate, concrete tile, dimensional shingles, metal shingles, or architectural metal seam roofing.
(2) Integrated solar arrays. Building-integrated solar arrays (solar panels that double as roofing) may be used on flat or pitched roofs.
(3) Projections. Roofs shall contain at least one projection for every 50 linear feet of building frontage. Roof projections may include cupolas, dormers, balustrade walks, chimneys, or gables.
Illustrative Application of Building Design Standards for Apartment Buildings |
 |
FIGURE NOTES: A = Breaking up building form | B = Breaking up roof form to avoid it appearing monolithic | C = Vertical articulation, such as a wall offset | D = Horizontal articulation, such as an expression line | E = Stairs shall be covered |
(Ord. 15039, passed 4-11-2022)