(a) Purpose and Application.
(1) The purpose of these architectural design guidelines is to establish building design criteria for the following zoning districts: P-I, GB, O and PMU. The criteria are intended to provide standards for the design and construction of the buildings and structures proposed for a site.
(2) The primary objectives of these architectural design guidelines are:
A. To enhance the City by ensuring well-designed and constructed buildings and other structures.
B. To create a pleasant built environment through sound land use planning and design principles.
C. To ensure a harmonious relationship and design continuity between uses through architecture, signage, and landscaping.
(3) Application. These architectural design standards shall apply to the following scenarios:
A. All new site development and site expansion projects requiring a development plan review in the P-I, GB, O and PMU zoning districts.
B. All existing establishments located in a P-I, GB, O and PMU zoning districts seeking to make any structural improvements, facade improvements or changes to any glass features. The Building Commissioner shall have the authority to review all proposed improvements to existing buildings and may provide a design waiver when the application of one or more design guidelines are physically unable to be satisfied.
(b) Building Design.
(1) Building massing. Building massing and heights should be in harmony with adjacent structures and the overall development.
(2) Windows and skylights.
A. Window mullions should be designed to carry through a pattern and reflect a specific style.
B. Window and wall penetration spacing should be in keeping with the established style.
C. Clear, tinted and low-E glass shall be preferred for windows. Reflective glass or blue tinted glass is prohibited.
D. Skylights, if utilized, should be designed as an integral part of the roof and with a location and form compatible with the building.
(3) Building design elements and details.
A. Architectural detailing and moldings consistent with the established architectural style should be incorporated into the design at parapets, eaves and soffits. Moldings and details should complement the overall color scheme.
B. Cap and cornice elements should be detailed with integral drips, etc. to eliminate water staining of building surfaces.
C. Quality materials for base treatments shall be utilized to enhance the building both visually in tying the building to the ground plane and functionally by reducing damage due to impact and weathering.
D. Exposed pipe columns or applied veneers on columns should be avoided.
E. All flashing, sheet metal, vent stacks should be finished to match adjacent building surfaces.
(4) Roof design elements.
A. Well designed sloped roofs with a minimum 5/12 pitch are preferred.
B. Roof ladders, and related elements shall be located internal to the building. Where required to be exposed, these various elements shall be designed and painted in order to blend with the building’s architecture and compliment the color scheme of the building’s trim and detail.
(c) Roof Penetrations and Mechanical Equipment.
(1) To the degree practicable, all roof vents, pipes, antennas, satellite dishes, and other roof penetrations and equipment (except chimneys) shall be located on the rear elevations of a building or configured to have minimal visual impact as seen from any public right-of-way or other public area.
(2) Wall mounted mechanical, electrical, communication equipment, downspouts, gutters, service doors, and other building-mounted utility fixtures, shall be painted and maintained to match the building or be screened from view.
(3) Mechanical equipment such as transformers and HVAC units shall not be located in front yards.
(4) All mechanical equipment, including both ground-mounted and roof-mounted equipment, shall be screened from view from adjacent public and private rights-of-way, as well as from all property zoned or used for residential purposes.
(5) Screening elements shall include walls (same material and color as principal structure), landscaping, mounds, parapets or enclosures constructed of the same materials used on the majority of the principal structure or any combination or as otherwise approved or required preliminary plan review.
(6) The screening of mechanical equipment will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis based upon the following determinations:
A. Site location relative to adjacent properties and public rights-of-way.
B. Topography of the subject site relative to adjacent properties and public rights-of-way.
C. Whether the subject screening creates visual inconsistencies with surrounding areas.
D. Whether the screening substantially meets the overall intent of these non-residential and institutional architectural guidelines.
E. Ground mounted mechanical equipment is also subject to landscaping and screening requirements found in Chapter 1151.
(d) Exterior Building Materials and Colors.
(1) Exterior building materials.
A. Buildings and other structures shall use the following exterior materials for a minimum of sixty percent (60%) of each building facade: Brick, stone and cultured stone. The remaining forty percent (40%) of each building facade may utilize the following materials: traditionally applied stucco, metal and cement siding products.
1. For the purpose of determining the sixty percent (60%) exterior material requirements, all glass located on any building wall facade shall be removed from the calculation to determine the sixty percent (60%) required primary materials. For example, if a building wall face features glass equal to 1,000 square feet out of a total wall face area of 10,000 square feet, sixty percent (60%) of the remaining 9,000 square feet of wall area shall utilize those permitted primary exterior materials.
2. Applicant must show the specific percentages of each exterior material proposed on the submitted plans. The applicant shall also provide the CAD, or similar format, file for the building to allow the City to verify the exterior material percentage break down.
B. Natural wood clapboard, wood shingles, and wood board and batten may be used as a building trim detail.
C. The following exterior building materials are prohibited: vinyl or aluminum siding, plywood, corrugated metal panels, and EIFS.
D. Brick used in building additions must be similar in color, size and texture of brick and mortar joint detail to the surrounding structures. Brick on any existing or proposed building shall not be painted unless the building has been previously painted prior to the effective date of this design standard.
E. Slate, copper, wood or standing seam metal roofs are preferred; however, asphalt or fiberglass shingles may be used as well. Flat or shallow pitched roofs are permitted only when ornamented with shaped parapets or cornice treatments. Gambrel roofs are prohibited within these commercial districts.
F. Exterior building materials having natural durable, low maintenance surfaces such as natural and cultured stone, brick, tile, pre-cast concrete, curtainwall, glass and metal should be used. Materials with non-integral finishes are discouraged.
(2) Exterior building colors.
A. Exterior building colors should be used as a unifying theme compatible with the architectural style, natural site setting and surrounding buildings.
B. Exterior brick products used in new building construction shall be in the red, brown and buff color ranges or other color as approved by the City Architect.
(e) String Lights in Windows.
(1) Any light garland, lighted rope, or string lights shall not be used to outline or otherwise be displayed on the inside or outside of any window.
(2) Holiday lighting exempted. The temporary display of light garland, lighted rope or string lights placed on the inside or outside of a window, erected on a seasonal basis in celebration of religious, national, or state holidays, which are not intended to be permanent in nature and which contain no commercial advertising material shall be permitted. Such seasonal holiday lighting shall only be permitted for a period of not more than sixty consecutive days nor more than ninety days in any one calendar year.
(f) Window Tinting. Window tinting is prohibited for any building or establishment located in the GB or PMU zoning districts. Minimal window tinting equal to thirty percent (30%) tinting or less may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Planning Commission.
(g) Site Design and Architectural Design Waiver. The site design and architectural design guidelines set forth in Sections 1137.09
and 1137.10
and 1131.19
shall be eligible for consideration of a design waiver through the Design Review Board following the same application procedure and standards of review found in Section 1131.12
.
(Ord. 2022-24. Passed 5-24-22; Ord. 2023-6. Passed 6-27-23.)