(a) Purpose and Application.
(1) The purpose of these site design guidelines is to establish development criteria for the following zoning districts: P-I, GB, O and PMU. The criteria are intended to provide standards for the development of the various portions of the site, including but not limited to sidewalks, parking, site furniture, lighting, signs, and landscape.
(2) The primary objectives of these site design guidelines are:
A. To promote site planning that creates visually attractive facilities appropriate to their surrounding neighborhood context.
B. To enhance the City by ensuring well-planned and constructed developments.
C. To create a pleasant built environment through sound land use planning and design principles.
D. To ensure a harmonious relationship and design continuity between uses through architecture, signage, and landscaping.
(3) Application. These site design standards shall apply to all new site development and site expansion projects requiring a development plan review in the P-I, GB, O and PMU zoning districts.
(b) Site Layout.
(1) Building location and orientation should provide visually attractive focal points that are appropriate to their surroundings.
(2) When a development site features multiple integrated buildings and other structures, a visual link between separate buildings and structures should be established, by various means, including stamped concrete walkways, arcade systems, trellises or other open structures.
(3) Buildings should be sited to minimize conflicts between pedestrians and vehicle traffic. Buildings can be linked to adjoining street sidewalks with textured paving, landscaping and trellises.
(4) Outdoor spaces between buildings should be recognized as outdoor “rooms” that have clear recognizable shapes, as opposed to being considered as “left over” areas. These spaces can be used to provide important pedestrian amenities such as benches, trellises, fountains, artwork, etc.
(c) Vehicular Access. Access drives to the buildings and parking areas should be located so their construction results in minimal disruption of the streetscape landscaping and utilities. Vehicular access drives should be coordinated with adjacent lots so as not to impact the efficient flow of peak period traffic. Consideration should be given to adequate separation of adjacent access drives and the use of common drives.
(d) Parking. On-site parking shall be provided in accordance with off-street parking standards as set forth in Chapter 1149
of this Zoning Code. Adequate and convenient parking should be provided adjacent to tenants in proportion to their parking requirements. Parking lots should be configured to provide convenient vehicular access, and arranged to support safe and efficient pedestrian movement from the parking areas to the user’s destination.
(1) Parking lot construction standards shall be in compliance with all applicable codes of the City.
(2) Handicapped parking shall be provided in accordance with applicable codes. All sidewalks shall include handicapped ramps at curbs designed in conformance with barrier free design code requirements (“ADA”).
(e) On-Site Paving and Hardscape Standards. All on-site exterior paving areas including, but not limited to, pedestrian walkways, hardscaped gathering areas, and other paved or hardscaped areas on a site shall be broom finished concrete; slate; pre-cast unit pavers; brick, stone. All parking, drive access and loading / unloading area paving shall be exempt from this requirement and shall satisfy the parking lot standards set forth in this section and Chapter 1149
.
(f) Ancillary Structures. Ancillary structures, service areas, and trash enclosures should be carefully planned as part of the project, and placed in locations on the site featuring low visibility from the public view. All applicable standards for accessory structures and landscaping and screening shall be satisfied.
(g) Loading and Unloading.
(1) All loading and unloading operations shall be conducted in the rear or side of the building and shall be sufficiently screened from view from any public or private roadway and the adjoining properties as determined by the Planning Commission to be necessary to conceal the loading and unloading operations from public or private view.
(2) Adequate vehicular circulation should be provided so that loading and unloading activities do not conflict with normal onsite traffic flow.
(3) Loading docks or service areas should be adequately screened so as to minimize visibility from neighboring properties and all public rights-of-way.
(h) Site Utilities.
(1) All utilities including drainage systems, sewer, gas and water lines, electrical, telephone, and communications should be installed and maintained underground.
(2) Electric transformers, utility pads, cable TV and telephone boxes should be located underground or screened with walls, fences or landscape vegetation in a manner harmonious with the overall character of the development and adjacent parcels.
(i) Fence, Railing and Wall Standards.
(1) Fences, railings, and walls shall be constructed of decorative metal, brick, or stone. Vinyl plastic or wood-based fencing may be approved by the Building Commissioner on a case-by-case basis only.
(2) Chain link fencing shall be prohibited.
(3) Fences, railings, and walls should be designed to complement the adjacent principal building architecture through the use of similar exterior materials, colors, finishes, and architectural details.
(4) Fences and railings shall be a minimum of fifty percent (50%) open.
(5) Any other applicable wall or fence regulation as set forth in Section 1157.05.
(j) Lighting.
(1) Lighting goals. Lighting and lighting system components and hardware should be compatible and harmonious throughout the entire development or site. Site lighting should be in keeping with the specific function or task and building type served.
(2) The lighting standards set forth in Section 1147.07 shall be satisfied.
(3) Site lighting design. Site lighting visible from streets and adjacent property should be indirect or incorporate full cut-off shielded type fixtures. All site lighting should be designed and located to confine all direct light distribution to the premises. Any glare, hot spots and inconsistencies should be avoided.
(4) Street frontage light pole and fixture specifications. Street frontage lighting shall be provided within ten feet from the public right-of-way for each site. One light pole shall be provided for every seventy-five feet or fraction thereof along the frontage of the site as approved by the Planning Commission.
A. Light fixture specifications. The street frontage light fixture shall be the Sternberg Lighting Old Town Series (A850 SRLED) in either textured black or dark bronze finish based upon specifications sheets provided by the Building Commissioner. The cap may be either the all glass or metal style. Light fixture specifications: PT Fitter is BD5; PT Light Source is -12L30T3-MDI008; PT Fixture is Clear Acrylic.
B. Light pole specifications. The street frontage light pole shall be the Sternberg Lighting 4200 Augusta Series ornamental pole with a five-inch straight fluted shaft in either textured black or dark bronze finish based upon specifications sheets provided by the Building Commissioner. Pole specifications: 4212FP5-.188.
(5) Site lighting specifications. The type and style of site lighting for all areas of the site, not including the street frontage lighting area, shall be approved by the Planning Commission on a case-by-case basis.
(6) Pedestrian walkway lighting. Along pedestrian walkways, the use of low-mounted bollard height or similar lighting features which reinforce pedestrian scale, and clearly identifies the direction of travel are encouraged.
(7) Parking lot and driveway lighting. Parking areas, drive and building service areas should be illuminated to ensure the public safety. Lighting fixtures should be designed and located so as to not cast direct rays of excessive brightness upon an adjoining property or cause glare hazardous to pedestrians or to drivers of motor vehicles on adjacent streets.
(8) Landscape accent lighting. Landscape accent lighting should reinforce the overall organization of the site and reflect an appropriate hierarchy of features.
(9) Building lighting.
A. Flood lighting of any parts of the site or of any building is prohibited.
B. Architectural lighting is encouraged that articulates the building design, facilitates building identification and promotes vehicular and pedestrian safety. Such lighting including wall washing (uplights or down lights), should be provided by a concealed light source not visible from a public right-of-way or other surrounding public areas.
(k) Trash and Refuse Collection.
(1) Garbage, trash and refuse should be stored in garbage containers located within a minimum six foot high enclosure.
(2) External enclosure surfaces should be designed to blend with the building architecture. Trash and refuse collection enclosures are regulated by Section 1151.08.
(l) Signs. Signs in the O, GB and PMU zoning districts shall be designed, erected, altered, moved or maintained, in whole or in part, in accordance with Chapter 1153
.
(m) Site Landscaping. The entire development site shall be landscaped with a combination of trees, shrubs and grass following the procedures and guidelines set forth in Chapter 1151
.
(Ord. 2022-24.Passed 5-24-22; Ord. 2023-6. Passed 6-27-23.)