(a) Purpose. The City's intention is to ensure transitions between nonresidential uses to promote development patterns similar in size, scale, and building characteristics, and to provide for pedestrian friendly connectivity.
(b) Transitions Between Nonresidential Land Uses.
(1) Applicability. Transitions shall be required to help coordinate new buildings with their surroundings creating context sensitive structures and sites that meet the other requirements of these standards.
(2) Methods of transition. The following methods of transition shall be employed as applicable:
A. Architectural transitions. Nonresidential development shall employ a minimum of four of the techniques described below to create compatibility with surrounding and adjacent developments. (See Figure 40.) However, in a case where the existing adjacent buildings are nonresidential structures that are not in conformance with the site or architectural standards, new structures shall be designed to conform to the more restrictive elements of these standards and not reiterate inappropriate elements incorporated in existing structures.
1. Use similar building setbacks.
2. Use similar building height.
3. Use similar building width.
4. Use similar window styles, rhythm, and alignment.
5. Use similar roof form, building materials, or building color.
6. Use similar facade articulation on large nonresidential buildings.
7. Use front-to-front, or side-to-side building orientation, especially with nonresidential uses that are pedestrian-intensive, for example restaurants and banks.
FIGURE 40
To the maximum extent practicable, commercial development shall employ transition techniques to ensure compatibility with surrounding development, including adjacent residential development.
B. Green transitions.
1. Use small green spaces such as courtyards, squares, parks, plazas, and other similar spaces that can function as community gathering places and neutral uses.
2. Use existing natural features such as natural topography (not retaining walls), streams, existing stands of trees, and other similar features.
C. Multiple structure development transitions. When office, small-scale retail, pedestrian-intensive retail or service, civic, or public uses are planned as part of the same development containing larger-scale or more intensive retail or industrial uses, the applicant shall site the less intense uses closer to the adjacent low intensity (residential) uses to provide a transition.
D. Orientation of bothersome or nuisance features.
1. Bothersome or nuisance features shall be oriented away from neighboring uses or toward similar features on adjacent properties. For example, avoid placing garages, parking lots, or services areas facing the fronts of residential or other nonresidential structures.
2. The City may impose conditions upon the approval of development applications to ensure that new nonresidential development will be compatible with existing uses, including but not limited to:
a. Placement of trash receptacles;
b. Location of delivery and loading zones; and
c. Placement and illumination of outdoor vending machines.
(Ord. 2014-27. Passed 8-5-14.)