Facades should be articulated to reduce the massive scale and the uniform, impersonal appearances of large retail buildings and provide visual interest that will be consistent with the community’s identity, character and scale.
(a) No large retail establishment shall be designed, modeled or constructed after franchise or formula based architecture. All large retail establishments constructed in the city shall be original in design unique only to the city, except franchise businesses may advertise corporate logos on permitted signage.
(b) Building facades must include a repeating pattern that shall include no less than three of the following elements: color change; texture change; material module change; and expression of architectural or structural bay through a change in plane no less than 24 inches in width, such as an offset, reveal or projecting rib. All elements shall repeat at intervals of no more than 30 feet to give the structure an appearance of several individual attached bays developed with internal common walls.
(c) Facades greater than 100 feet in length, measured horizontally, shall incorporate wall plane projections or recesses having a depth of at least 3% of the length of the facade and extending at least 20% of the length of the facade.
(d) Ground floor facades that face public streets shall have arcades, clear glass display windows, entry areas, awnings or other features along no less than 60% of their horizontal length.
(e) Facades and walls must have a recognizable base with (but not limited to):
(1) Thicker walls, ledges or sills;
(2) Integrally textured elements such as stone or other masonry;
(3) Integrally colored and patterned elements such as smooth-finished stone;
(4) Lighter or darker colored elements, mullions or panels; and
(5) Planters.
(Ord. 2006-81, passed 8-28-2006)