The purpose of this section is to establish architectural and building design standards for the downtown area of Mount Vernon to preserve the urban characteristics of downtown with clear and objective guidance. Furthermore, it is the purpose of this chapter to:
(a) Safeguard the architectural integrity of the City's existing built environment and allow for future construction, expansion, and renovation of buildings that reflect the predominant massing, form, scale, and height of downtown buildings without requiring the construction of historic styles;
(b) Afford the widest possible scope of continuing vitality through private renewal and architectural creativity within appropriate controls and standards;
(c) To encourage the use or appropriate development of vacant properties, as applicable, in accordance with the character of downtown Mount Vernon;
(d) To encourage investment in historic resources and strengthening of the City's economy;
(e) To enhance the environmental and aesthetic quality of downtown;
(f) To encourage the preservation and continued use of historic public buildings; and
(g) To protect public health, safety, convenience, comfort, prosperity, and general welfare. (Ord. 2024-032. Passed 7-22-24.)
(a) Any new construction of principal buildings within the CB District shall be subject to the regulations of this chapter. This shall include any expansion of buildings that exist with the CB District on the effective date of this
(b) This chapter shall apply to the construction or expansion of any accessory building in the CB District where the building has 200 square feet of floor area or, after construction, will exceed 200 square feet of floor area.
(c) The requirements of this section may be modified or waived upon specific review and approval by the MPC as part of an alternative equivalency review during the review process. See Section 1103.04.
(d) The review of these standards shall take place as part of a zoning permit application for buildings in the CB District.
(Ord. 2024-032. Passed 7-22-24.)
Any buildings subject to the requirements of this chapter shall be designed with the following guidelines in mind:
(a) Materials should be appropriate for the use of building, for weathering and for relationship to other materials, including those used on adjacent buildings.
(b) Colors and textures should be appropriate for the size and scale of the building, for weathering and for relationship to the site and adjacent buildings.
(c) Architectural details and ornaments should be meaningful to the overall design and appropriate for the size and scale of the building and for weathering.
(d) Mechanical equipment should be considered as it affects rooftop appearance, sidewall openings, sound levels, smoke and other nuisance aspects. Also, mechanical equipment shall be considered as it relates to overhead wires, gas and electric meter stations, and any other visible appurtenances.
(e) Commercial or mixed-use buildings are the principal building type in downtown Mount Vernon. New construction should contain the basic components as illustrated in Figure 1110-A, although the size, shape, style, materials, and details may vary depending on when the building was constructed.
![]() |
Figure 1110-A: Typical storefront components of commercial buildings.
(Ord. 2024-032. Passed 7-22-24.)
Loading...