The following commercial design section shall apply to commercial land plats designated B-1 Community Business and B-2 Highway Business District.
(A) Design guidelines.
(1) The massing (volume and shape) of a building should complement the massing of existing surrounding buildings.
(2) The scale of the building (including height, size, bulk, aesthetics, and intensity) should blend in with the existing area.
(3) Architectural design should create visual interest through the use of building materials, colors, and textures.
(4) (a) When large structures are required, mass should be broken up through setbacks, building effects, varied heights, and other architectural design techniques.
(b) The Zoning Administrator shall have the authority to recommend a building’s mass and its compatibility to surrounding buildings.
(5) Monotony of design in single and multiple building projects is discouraged.
(6) Architectural treatments (e.g. building material, colors, facade design, roof lines, and screening) shall be consistent and compatible on all sides. The design of all walls in a single color with little or no detailing is discouraged.
(7) Exterior mechanical, electrical, rooftop equipment, generators, and the like shall be screened from public view.
(8) Dumpsters are to be located behind the structure and are required to be surrounded by a trash enclosure. The trash enclosure material shall be compatible to the site design.
(B) Construction materials and exterior facade requirements:
(1) All exterior walls shall consist of a minimum of 60% masonry and/or a combination of glass and masonry on each face. Masonry materials include concrete masonry units (cmu), brick, and natural stone. In addition, all exterior walls from ground level to a minimum of 6'0" above ground level must consist of masonry and/or glass. Smooth faced units are not permitted unless as an accent. All concrete masonry units shall be integrally colored (no standard grey block materials are permitted).
(2) Other materials including synthetic stone, cast stone, EIFS, metal for detailing, copper, slate, and plaster stucco will be allowed as accent materials only.
(3) Exterior construction materials not allowed are: synthetic materials (vinyl siding, vinyl wrapped details including gutters and downspouts), plastics, corrugated metal and aluminum siding, unfinished concrete, wood shingles, rough sawn or untreated wood.
(4) No transition in material can be made at an outside corner of a building. All materials must turn the corner to a point where the corner looks solidly finished. Material changeover at corners gives a look of thinness and should be avoided.
(5) The Zoning Administrator has the authority to recommend or deny any additional construction materials upon review.
(C) Existing structures, remodels, and expansions.
(1) Any existing commercial building addition or expansion that exceeds 50% of the existing square footage shall follow the requirements of this section for both the addition and the existing building.
(2) Additions and expansions of less than 50% of the existing building shall follow the first three divisions of the design guidelines of this section. These addition and expansion plans will also need to be submitted to the Zoning Administrator for review and approval.
(Ord. 1121, passed 4-21-14)