This section is intended to provide consistent high-quality general design standards for the community.
1 Purpose. The purpose of this section is to ensure high-quality development to enhance community image and quality of life.
2. Requirements for All Districts. The following requirements shall be observed for development in all districts:
A. Building design shall be visually harmonious and compatible with the neighborhood character.
B. Buildings located on property with double frontages shall have similar wall design facing both streets.
C. Buildings shall have a consistent architectural style throughout the development on each lot, as defined by repetition of exterior building material and colors, and architectural elements.
D. Except for RS RD,R-MH and ID districts, color schemes shall be primarily based on earth tones. Earth tone colors include colors from the palette of browns, tans, greys, greens, and red. Earth tone colors shall be flat or muted. Building trim and accent areas may feature non-earth tone and brighter colors. In any district, the use of high intensity colors, neon or fluorescent color and neon tubing is prohibited.
E. Special attention shall be taken to incorporate external mechanical equipment into the design such that it does not detract from the aesthetics of the site and building.
F. Except in the R-MH district, a minimum roof pitch of 5:12 shall apply to gable, hip, or shed roofs and there shall be a minimum roof overhang at the eves of 12 inches. This does not apply to portions of a roof that are separate from the structure’s primary roof. Metal roofs shall not be corrugated or similar appearance. The color of the roof shall be visually harmonious and compatible with the building color scheme.
G. Roof top equipment shall be screened.
H. Reflective surfaces that may cause glare or traffic hazards are not acceptable.
3. Requirements for Non-Residential (including mixed-use) Development in Residential Districts. The following requirements shall be observed for all non-residential development in the RS, RD, RM and ID districts:
A. Minimum required masonry on front and corner side yard building elevations is 60%. Required masonry does not apply to accessory structures.
B. For exterior walls not composed of masonry products, wall coverings shall be wood and/or vertical or horizontal grooved siding or lapped siding, or materials of similar appearance.
4. Requirements for Development in Commercial Districts.
A. Commercial zoning districts are intended to enhance public welfare by providing for safe, convenient, high quality pedestrian-oriented commercial centers that contribute to community identity as energetic and attractive focus points. Through development and redevelopment within these districts, the city recognizes the importance of creating high quality development areas to the quality of life for residents of the city, the impact quality development has on the image of the community, and the need to provide restrictions and guidelines to enhance visual appearance and functionality. The objectives addressed through these regulations include the following:
(1) Design. To achieve appealing aesthetic design through high quality architecture and construction, with attention to placement, relationship, and orientation of structures and amenities to provide both internal cohesiveness and compatibility with surrounding uses.
(2) Walkability. To achieve overall development patterns that encourage walking and reduce dependence on the automobile to travel from one business to another, and so reduces the dominance of the automobile within the development.
(3) Human-scale Activity. To achieve a sense of place by emphasizing pedestrian interaction with commercial uses rather than sprawling automobile-dominated designs, both in building architecture and public or private outdoor areas.
(4) Compatible Uses. To achieve the right blend of uses, compact and well-designed, that complement each other and provide cohesive overall developments.
B. The following requirements shall be observed for all development in commercial districts:
(1) Site Layout Requirements.
(a) Pedestrian Areas. Each development shall provide a complete network of paths, plazas, and open spaces that interconnect building entrances, parking, sidewalks, other properties, and other pedestrian amenities. These pedestrian areas are expected to constitute a significant portion of development area, and may include plazas, special paving areas between parking and entrances, and outdoor eating patios. Additionally, portions of pedestrian areas should be at least partly covered so that users are protected from rain and intense sun. New developments will be required to connect to paths and sidewalks established by previously-approved developments.
(b) Outdoor Infrastructure Design. Each development shall provide outdoor lighting fixtures, integrated street pavers or patterns, and landscaping that reinforces quality building design and blends with previously-approved developments, when appropriate. Design elements may include decorative lighting, seating with benches, low walls, planters, enhanced paving techniques, and other features complimentary to the development.
(c) Parking Areas. Parking areas shall consist of areas that are aesthetically pleasing, landscaped to screen public views, and located so as not to be the dominant feature along any street or within any development. The use of alternate materials to designate pedestrian areas within or adjacent to parking lots is encouraged, and pedestrian areas shall be separated from vehicular traffic with landscaping, decorative posts, special paving, or other measures to clearly define the pedestrian spaces. Property owners are encouraged to establish shared parking zones among uses on one or more lots.
(2) Building Materials and Design Requirements.
(a) Materials. Minimum required masonry on all building elevations is 60%. Exterior walls not composed of masonry products shall not be covered with ribbed metal siding commonly referred to as corrugated metal.
(b) Design. Buildings and building features shall be sized and detailed appropriately for pedestrian use. Projected or recessed doorways and windows, awnings, and other architectural features may be used to achieve this design. Traditional strip-retail type frontages featuring long flat frontages with regularly spaced doors and unbroken expanses of concrete approaching the storefronts are specifically disallowed. Side and rear elevations shall be comprised of the same materials and reasonably similar in character and quality as the front elevation unless screened from view from all public streets and residential areas by topography differences, landscaping materials, or other screening devices, in which case building material may be concrete block or tilt-up concrete panels.
5. Requirements for Development in Industrial Districts. The following requirements shall be observed for development in the industrial districts:
A. Minimum required masonry on front and corner side yard building elevations is 25%. Notwithstanding the foregoing, buildings on lots abutting Penn Street shall be composed of not less than 90% masonry products on the entire wall(s) facing Penn Street. If the building is canted or angled on the lot, both sides facing Penn Street shall be composed of not less than 90% masonry products. If the building is located on a corner lot with one side abutting Penn Street, the building wall facing the side street shall meet the 25% masonry requirement in addition to the 90% Penn Street requirement. In all cases, building sides facing exterior lot lines and not composed of masonry shall be heavily screened with trees and shrubs.
B. For exterior walls not composed of masonry products, stucco, wood siding, premium-grade vinyl siding if installed horizontally, or other materials similar in appearance are preferred.
6. Requirements for Development in the Public District. The following requirements shall be observed for development in the public district:
A. Minimum required masonry on front and corner side yard building elevations is 25%. Notwithstanding the foregoing, buildings on public works campuses screened from public view are not subject to the 25% required masonry.
B. For exterior walls not composed of masonry products, stucco, wood siding, premium-grade vinyl siding if installed horizontally, or other materials similar in appearance are preferred.