The following standards shall apply to the exterior of buildings and properties within the CBD, except that this requirement shall not apply to the rear wall of the building when that wall is used only for loading and service doors and service areas, and when that wall is effectively screened from public view by fencing, mounding, and/or landscaping in accordance with a plan approved by the Planning Commission, or where allowed, the ARC.
(a) Any wall surface(s) that face streets or contain a primary public entrance, shall incorporate, along no less than sixty percent of their horizontal length, at least two elements such as the following:
(1) Incorporating clearly pronounced recesses and projections;
(2) Introducing clearly pronounced wall plane off-set;
(3) Subtle changes in texture, color or material of wall surfaces;
(4) Use of windows;
(5) Use of ground level arcades, entryway overhangs or second floor balconies; and
(6) Other equivalent techniques that reduce the apparent mass of a building.
(b) All other wall surface(s) longer than one hundred feet shall incorporate, along not less than twenty-five percent of their horizontal length, at least one element such as the following:
(1) Incorporating clearly pronounced recesses and projections;
(2) Introducing clearly pronounced wall plane off-sets;
(3) Subtle changes in texture, color or material wall surfaces;
(4) Use of windows;
(5) Use of ground level arcades, entryway overhangs and second floor balconies; and
(6) Other equivalent techniques that reduce the apparent mass of a building.
(c) Roof lines shall show variation to add visual interest. Buildings shall incorporate architectural elements such as the following:
(1) Overhanging eaves;
(2) Multiple roof planes; or
(3) Parapets of like wall materials reasonably concealing flat roofs and rooftop equipment, such as HVAC units, from public view.
(d) Each building on a site shall have a clearly defined, highly visible customer entrance(s) incorporating at least two elements, such as the following:
(1) Canopies, awnings or overhangs;
(2) Overhangs;
(3) Recesses/projections;
(4) Peaked roof forms;
(5) Arches;
(6) Outdoor patios or seating areas;
(7) Display windows;
(8) Architectural details such as tile work and moldings which are integrated into the building structure and design;
(9) Planters or wing walls that incorporate landscaped areas and/or places for sitting; or
(10) Any equivalent techniques that clearly define the customer entrance.
(e) Exterior Building Materials. This section establishes materials to be used with all building design standards in this Section. A minimum of one-third (33%) of any vertical surface visible from the right-of-way shall be composed of these materials.
(1) Permitted Building Wall Materials. Predominant exterior building wall materials shall be high-quality materials. These include, but are not limited to:
A. Brick;
B. Wood;
C. Natural stone, cut stone, field stone, cast stone;
D. Split Faced Concrete Masonry Unit;
E. Architectural Masonry C.M.U.;
F. Glass; and
G. Exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) or equivalent product when 36 inches above grade and not within an entryway.
(2) Prohibited Predominant Exterior Wall Materials. Predominant exterior wall building materials shall not include the following:
A. Gray/painted smooth-faced tilt-up concrete panels;
B. Wood sheet goods; and
C. Metal sheet goods.
(3) Additional Building Materials. Deviations from the approved building materials listed in subsection (e)(1) above shall require approval by the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) provided that such materials are compatible with surrounding properties and harmonious with the building materials listed in subsection (e)(1) above.
(4) Compatible Material and Design. All sides of the building shall include compatible materials and design characteristics consistent with those on the wall containing primary building entrance(s). The degree of consistency required will be in proportion to the visibility of the side to the public or to an adjacent residential district.
(f) Maintenance. Buildings and the surrounding property shall be properly maintained by the owners of the property. Such maintenance shall include painting, cleaning, and structural soundness, so there is no aesthetic detriment or hazard to the surrounding area.
(Ord. 2007-41. Passed 12-6-07; Ord. 2014-26. Passed 11-20-14; Ord. 2018-53. Passed 1-24-19; Ord. 2023-09. Passed 2-9-23.)