A. Downtown Design Guidelines:
1. Purpose: The downtown design guidelines contained herein shall serve the built environment within the downtown by promoting the use of high quality materials; supporting a unified pedestrian oriented environment, a mix of land uses, and thriving public spaces; and promoting and enhancing the character of the downtown. The downtown design guidelines shall be in addition to code requirements found elsewhere in this chapter. For the purposes of this section, the "downtown" shall be defined as:
a. Properties located in the B-5 and B-5C zoning districts.
b. Properties located along Prospect Avenue from Central Avenue to William Street.
c. Properties located along East Lincoln Street from Maple Street to William Street.
2. Applicability: The downtown design guidelines shall be applicable to the following projects within the downtown:
a. Construction of new buildings.
b. Additions to existing buildings.
c. Facade improvements to existing buildings. Facade improvements solely consisting of replacement of windows and doors of like size and location are exempt from the guidelines of this section.
3. Building Design: The architectural design and details of the building shall meet the following objectives:
a. Linear Massing: Facades fifty feet (50') or greater in length facing a front or exterior side lot line shall vary the depth of the structure, by way of recesses and projection within the building's architecture. These details shall break up the massing of the structure in addition to any windows and building entrances along the facade.
b. Access: All buildings with a total width greater than fifty feet (50') shall have a minimum of one entryway at the front of the building, defined as the facade of the building which faces the front or exterior side lot line. Buildings constructed on a corner lot may choose the building's orientation; access may be from either the front or the exterior side.
c. Windows And Doors: The first floor of buildings shall have a minimum of twenty five percent (25%) of the facade area facing a front or exterior side be devoted to glass windows and/or doors. Windows and doors should be used as an opportunity to provide architectural interest which breaks up building massing and supports a pedestrian friendly environment. If solid, windowless walls are necessary to the building's function, architectural details shall be included to add visual interest.
d. Rooflines: The roofline of a building should include architectural details which add to its overall design, such as cornices, dormers, or parapet walls.
e. Materials: Durable, high quality building materials which do not require frequent maintenance, such as brick, stone, and glass, shall be used for facades which are visible from the street. Materials located along a single facade shall be harmonious in design and color.
f. Vertical Massing Of Multi-Story Buildings: Multi-story buildings shall be visually divided using architectural details such as differing building materials or stepbacks to reduce the sense of mass and highlight the first floor to a pedestrian scale.
4. Site Design:
a. Building Setbacks And Parking Lots: Building setbacks shall conform to section 14.905 of this chapter when applicable. Where possible, parking lots shall not be located between the street and the building's front facade.
b. Landscaping: Sites shall comply with the landscape provisions found in article XXIII of this chapter. The use of landscape planters, decorative fencing and similar treatments shall be encouraged in all outdoor areas where public gathering is desired, such as patio dining or other outdoor seating areas.
c. Pedestrian Access: All buildings shall have clear pedestrian access from a public walkway to the entrance(s) of the building. Sidewalks located on private property, to be utilized by the public, shall be a minimum of seven feet (7') in width.
d. Streetscape Improvements: Areas located immediately adjacent to Village right of way shall blend into the Village's existing streetscape improvement program where applicable.
e. Bicycle Facilities: Properties which incorporate parking lots shall also provide bicycle racks on site. Bicycle parking shall be provided at a minimum amount of ten percent (10%) of the vehicle parking provided on site. U-shaped racks, similar to those installed by the Village, are the preferred design.
B. Additional Design Standards: The following design standards are applicable to the entire Village:
1. Visual Expanse: Any structure over two hundred feet (200') in length shall be designed so as to stagger the building facades which face a right of way, parking lot, or adjacent residential property, in order to break up the visual expanse of the structure.
2. Screening Of Mechanical And Utility Equipment:
a. When feasible, mechanical equipment should be located within the principal structure in order to minimize exterior visual impacts.
b. All rooftop mechanical equipment shall be hidden when viewed from ground level as viewed from the public right of way or property line of any adjacent residentially zoned property. If screening is required, it shall be a continuous, permanent, sound attenuating and noncombustible screen of a color compatible with the principal structure. For new construction, the screen should be designed as an architectural component of the structure in the form of a parapet wall. The addition or modification of rooftop equipment on existing buildings shall be screened to the extent that is feasible, as determined appropriate by the community development director. If structural modifications are required to accommodate screening of mechanical equipment, it shall comply with the building code in effect at the time modifications are made.
c. All ground mounted mechanical and utility equipment that is six feet (6') or less in height shall be screened from view utilizing landscaping which will grow to the height of the ground based utility. Ground mounted mechanical and utility equipment taller than six feet (6') in height that is visible from the right of way or adjacent residential property shall be screened from view with an enclosure that is constructed to be consistent with the material of the principal structure, as determined appropriate by the community development director.
d. Screening of mechanical equipment shall be required when new equipment is installed. Screening shall not be required when replacing an existing, non-screened rooftop mechanical unit in the same place with a new unit that is either as tall as, or shorter than the existing unit. Normal maintenance of mechanical equipment shall not mandate the screening requirement. (Ord. 6286, 12-6-2016; amd. Ord. 3528, 9-2-2020)