(A) Purpose. The historic fabric of a community is recognized as an asset of the city and is a principal focal point of the community providing a distinct economic resource and a center for community orientation. It is in the interest of the city to protect and enhance these features of public interest in such business districts by:
(1) Preventing the deterioration of property and the extension of blighting conditions;
(2) Promoting redevelopment activities to occur in such a fashion to complement the existing historic mixed use character and architecture of the District;
(3) Encouraging and protecting private investment which improves and stimulates the economic vitality and social character of the area; and
(4) Preventing the creation of influences adverse to the physical character of the area.
(B) Characteristics. The Downtown Reading Mixed Use District shall be an area that has a substantial historic value to the city that encompasses a concentration of residential dwellings and retail and service-oriented commercial establishments serving as a principal business activity center for the neighborhood, community, and region. This area has also received or has been approved for substantial public investment.
(C) Uses.
(1) Principally permitted uses. The following uses shall be principally permitted in this District:
(a) Neighborhood business.
(b) Retail business.
(c) Personal services.
(d) Professional services.
(e) Commercial entertainment; excluding sexually oriented businesses.
(f) Residential dwelling; when located on the second or third floor of a structure.
(g) Office.
(h) Government and municipal services.
(i) Restaurant; excluding drive- through facilities.
(j) Institutional uses.
(k) Municipal parking lot.
(2) Conditionally permitted uses. The following uses shall be conditionally permitted in this District:
(a) Tavern.
(b) Drive-through.
(c) Fences; however, fencing shall be limited to the privacy-type fencing and shall be limited to side and rear yards. Chain link, stockade, split rail and barbed wire fencing shall not be permitted in this district.
(D) Property development standards.
(1) Lot, height and yard requirements.
Downtown Reading Mixed Use Subdistrict-District | |
Minimum Lot Size | None required. |
Maximum Height | 35 feet, integrated architectural features may exceed the maximum height after review and approval from the Planning Commission. |
Minimum Front Yard Setback | Buildings shall be constructed at the front lot line unless the Board of Zoning approves a setback to accommodate an open space or public area. |
Minimum Side Yard Setback | Buildings shall be constructed at the side lot line. However, one side yard may be setback five feet to allow pedestrian movement between the front and rear of the property. |
Minimum Rear Yard Setback | None required. |
Floor Area Ratio | 3.0 |
Impervious Surface Ratio | 1.0 |
(2) Landscaping/buffering. Landscaping and buffering shall be as established in Chapter 1276, Buffering and Screening.
(3) Off-street parking and loading. This District shall be exempt from the off-street parking and loading requirements of Chapter 1280, Off-Street Parking. However the following shall apply:
(a) No off-street parking or loading space should be accessed directly from Reading Road. Access should be provided by means of an alley or from the rear of the property.
(b) No off-street parking or loading space shall be located in any front or side yard.
(c) No off-street parking or loading space shall be visible from Reading Road unless approved by the Planning Commission. Municipal parking lots shall be exempt from this provision.
(4) Signage. Signage shall be regulated as established in Chapter 1290, Signs and Billboards, and as follows:
(a) Signage shall be limited to the following structural types:
1. Awning.
2. Canopy.
3. Projecting.
4. Wall.
5. Window.
(b) The total sign face area for buildings in this district shall not exceed 120 square feet. Total sign face area shall be determined by the following formula:
Building frontage x 1.25 = total sign face area
(c) No sign structure or sign face shall extend above the roof line of the structure to which it is affixed.
(d) Signage shall be professionally manufactured or professionally hand-lettered by a sign company or by a company proficient in sign manufacturing.
(e) Signage should integrate features that ensure its design compatibility with building fenestration, architectural features, color and materials of the principal building which it is serving.
(E) Outdoor storage. Outdoor storage shall not be permitted in this District.
(F) Building development standards. All elevations of a building shall be subject to design review with respect to the following standards:
(1) Materials.
(a) The exterior use of cinder block, vinyl siding or metal siding shall be prohibited in this District where viewed from the public right-of-way.
(b) The exterior facades of any building in the Downtown Mixed Use District shall be primarily brick or natural stone.
(2) Orientation.
(a) All buildings shall provide a primary pedestrian entrance that is accessible directly from Reading Road.
(b) A building may be setback from the zero lot line if public or open space is established for outdoor dining, public plaza space or a similar use otherwise approved by the Zoning Administrator.
(c) Buildings erected at the corner of a street intersection shall provide a primary entrance that is visible from both streets.
(d) The front wall of the principal structure shall be parallel to Reading Road.
(e) All walls visible from the public rights-of-way shall include windows, doors or other architectural features to prevent blank walls on any story of the structure.
(f) Buildings incorporating flat roofs shall provide architectural features to break up the flat line created by the roof.
(3) Reuse of existing structures. The reuse of existing structures shall be preferred over the demolition and redevelopment of a parcel where the existing building architecture is compatible with the mixed use historic surrounding character of the district unless new construction ensures better design compatibility.
(4) Color. Exterior colors of buildings and structures be harmonious with the existing surroundings within the District and shall be approved by the Zoning Administrator prior to development/ redevelopment. The property owner shall submit accurate color schemes to the city that are to be used as a part of the project for review and approval. Recommended colors schemes include subtle earth tones or neutral colors as the primary color for buildings. Accents or trim can use bold or contrasting colors. Recommended primary colors include the following palettes or a similar palette from another manufacturer:
(a) Any Sherwin Williams color, with the exception of those in the “Energetic Brights” palette (swatches 121-139), shall be an acceptable color in this District.
(5) Roof. Flat roof lines shall use varying treatments to break up linear lines.
(Ord. 2010-58, passed 8-10-10)