(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section of the chapter the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
“APPEARANCE.” The outward aspect visible to the public.
“APPROPRIATE.” Sympathetic, or fitting, to the context of the site and the whole community.
“APPURTENANCES.” The visible, functional objects accessory to a part of a building.
“ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT.” The basic aesthetic idea of a building, or group of buildings or structures, including the site and landscape development, that produces the architectural character.
“ARCHITECTURAL FEATURE.” A prominent or significant part or element of a building, structure, or site.
“ARCHITECTURAL STYLE.” The characteristic form and detail, as of buildings of a particular historic period.
“ATTRACTIVE.” Having qualities that arouse interest and pleasure in the observer. Beautification Commission The Beautification Commission of the village.
“BERM.” (See also “BERM,” § 159.003) A raised form of earth to provide screening or to improve the aesthetic character.
“CODE.” The Zoning Code (Ordinance No. 780, passed 4-1-81, as amended)
“COHESIVENESS.” Unity of composition between design elements of a building or a group of buildings and the landscape development.
“CONSERVATION.” (See also “CONSERVATION AREA” and “CONSERVATION EASEMENT”, § 159.003 of this chapter) The protection and care that prevent destruction or deterioration of historical or otherwise significant structures, buildings, or natural resources.
“EXTERIOR BUILDING COMPONENT.” An essential and visible part of the exterior of a building.
“EXTERIOR DESIGN FEATURE.” The general arrangement of any portion of a building, sign, landscaping, or structure and including the kind, color, and texture of the materials of such portion, and the types of roof, windows, doors, lights, attached or ground signs, or other fixtures appurtenant to such portions as will be open to public view from any street, place, or way.
“GRAPHIC ELEMENT.” A letter, illustration, symbol, figure, insignia, or other device employed to express and illustrate a message or part thereof.
“HARMONY.” A quality that represents an appropriate and congruent arrangement of parts, as in an arrangement of varied architectural and landscape elements.
“LANDSCAPE.” Plant materials, topography, and other natural physical elements combined in relation to one another and to man-made structures.
“LIGHT CUT-OFF ANGLE.” An angle from vertical, extending downward from a luminary, which defines the maximum range of incident illumination outward at the ground plan level.
“LOGIC OF DESIGN.” Accepted principles and criteria of validity in the solution of the problem of design.
“MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT.” Equipment, devices, and accessories, the use of which relates to water supply, drainage, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and similar purposes.
“MISCELLANEOUS STRUCTURES.” Structures, other than buildings, visible from public ways. Examples are: memorials, stagings, antennas, water tanks, water towers, sheds, shelters, fences, walls, kennels, transformers, and drive-up facilities.
“PLANT MATERIALS.” Trees, shrubs, vines, ground covers, grass, perennials, annuals, and bulbs.
“PROPORTION.” Balanced relationship of parts of a building, landscape, structures, or buildings to each other and to the whole.
“SCALE.” Proportional relationship of the size of parts to one another and to the human figure.
“SCREENING.”(See also “SCREENING,” § 159.003) Structure of planting that conceals from view from public ways the area behind such structure or planting.
“SHRUB.” A multi-stemmed woody plant other than a tree.
“SITE BREAK.” A structural or landscape device to interrupt long vistas and create visual interest in a site development.
“STREET HARDWARE.” Man-made objects other than buildings that are part of the streetscape. Examples are: lamp posts, utility poles, traffic lights, traffic signs, benches, litter containers, planting containers, letter boxes and fire hydrants.
“STREETSCAPE.” The scene as may be observed along a public street or way composed or natural and man-made components, including buildings, paving, planting, street hardware, and miscellaneous structures.
“STRUCTURE.” Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires permanent or temporary location on or in the ground.
“UTILITARIAN STRUCTURE.” A structure or enclosure relating to mechanical or electrical services to a building or development.
“UTILITY HARDWARE.” Devices such as poles, cross-arms, transformers and vaults, gas pressure regulating assemblies, hydrants, and buffalo boxes that are used for water, gas, oil, sewer, and electrical services to a building or a project.
“UTILITY SERVICE.” Any device, including wire, pipe, and conduit, which carries gas, water, electricity, oil, and communications into a building or development.
“VILLAGE.” The Village of Romeoville, Illinois.
(B) Appearance standards.
(1) The purpose of these standards is to establish a checklist of those items that affect the physical aspect of the villiage’s environs as it relates to the development of concepts for single family residential, multiple family residential, business, commercial, industrial and manufacturing land uses. Pertinent to appearance is the design of the site, building and structures, plantings, signage, street hardware, and miscellaneous other objects that are observed by the general public.
(2) The standards are not intended to restrict imagination, innovation, or variety, but rather to assist in focusing on design principles, which can result in creative solutions that will develop a satisfactory visual appearance within the village, preserve taxable values, and promote the public, health, safety, and welfare.
(3) This section (in its entirety) shall apply to properties being developed or having landscaping renovation in excess of 40% of any existing individual lots. No department or village official shall issue a permit provided for herein in violation of the regulations set forth herein.
(C) Relationship of building(s) to the site.
(1) The site shall be planned to accomplish a desirable transition with the streetscape and to provide for adequate planting, safe pedestrian movement, and parking areas;
(2) Site planning in which setbacks and yards are in excess of zoning requirements. It is encouraged to provide an interesting relationship between buildings;
(3) Parking areas shall be treated with decorative elements, building wall extensions, plantings, berms, or other innovative means so as to screen parking areas from view from public ways;
(4) Without restricting the permissible limits of the applicable zoning district, the height and scale of each building shall be compatible with its site and existing (or anticipated) adjoining buildings; and
(5) Newly installed utility services, and service revisions necessitated by exterior alterations shall be underground.
(D) Relationship of building(s) and site to adjoining areas:
(1) Adjacent buildings of different architectural styles shall be made compatible by such means as screens, sight breaks, and materials;
(2) Attractive landscape transition to adjoining properties shall be provided; and,
(3) Harmony in texture, lines, and masses is required. Monotony shall be avoided.
(E) Landscape and site treatment. Landscape elements included in these criteria consist of all forms of planting and vegetation, ground forms, rock groupings, water patterns, and all visible construction except buildings and utilitarian structures.
(1) Where natural or existing topographic patterns contribute to beauty and utility of development, they shall be preserved and developed. Modification to topography will be permitted where it contributes to good appearance;
(2) Grades of walks, parking spaces, terraces, and other paved areas shall provide an inviting and stable appearance for walking and, if seating is provided, for sitting;
(3) Landscape treatment shall be provided to enhance architectural features, strengthen vistas and important axis, and provide shade. Spectacular effects shall be reserved for special locations only;
(4) Unity of design shall be achieved by repetition of certain plant varieties and other materials and by correlation with adjacent developments;
(5) Plant material shall be selected for interest in its structure, texture, and color and for its ultimate growth. Plants that are indigenous to the area and others that will be hardy, harmonious to the design, and of good appearance shall be used;
(6) In locations where plants will be susceptible to injury by pedestrian or motor traffic, they shall be protected by appropriate curbs, tree guards, or other similar devices;
(7) Parking areas and traffic ways shall be enhanced with landscaped spaces containing trees or tree groupings;
(8) Where building sites limit planting, the placement of trees in parkways or paved areas is encouraged;
(9) Screening of service yards and other places that tend to be unsightly shall be accomplished by use of walls, fencing, planting, or combinations of these. Screening shall be equally effective in winter and summer;
(10) In areas where general planting will not prosper, other materials such as fences, walls, and pavings of wood, brick, stone, gravel, and cobbles shall be used. Carefully selected plants shall be combined with such materials where possible; and
(11) Exterior lighting, when used, shall enhance the building design and the adjoining landscape. Lighting standards and building fixtures shall be of a design and size compatible with the building and adjacent areas. Lighting shall be restrained in design and excessive brightness avoided.
(F) Building design.
(1) Architectural style is not restricted. Evaluation of the appearance of a project shall be based on the quality of its design and relationship to surroundings;
(2) Buildings shall have good scale and be in harmonious conformance with permanent neighboring developments;
(3) Materials.
(a) Materials shall have good architectural character and shall be selected for suitability to the type of buildings and the design in which they are used. Buildings shall have the same materials, or those that are architecturally harmonious, used for all building walls and other exterior building components wholly or partly visible from public ways;
(b) Materials shall be selected for suitability to the type of buildings and the design in which they are used;
(c) Materials shall be of durable quality; and,
(d) In any design in which the structural frame is exposed to view, the structural materials shall be compatible within themselves and harmonious with their surroundings.
(4) Building components, such as windows, doors, eaves, and parapets, shall have good proportions and relationships to one another;
(5) Colors shall be harmonious and shall use only compatible accents;
(6) Mechanical equipment or other utility hardware on roof, ground, or buildings shall be screened from public view with materials harmonious with the building, or they shall be so located as not to be visible from any public ways;
(7) Exterior lighting shall be part of the architectural concept. Fixtures, standards, and all exposed accessories shall be harmonious with the building design;
(8) Refuse and waste removal areas, service yards, storage yards, and exterior work areas shall be screened from view from public ways, using materials as stated in the criteria for equipment screening; and
(9) Monotony of design in single or multiple building projects shall be avoided. Variation from detail, form, facade and siting, shall be used to provide visual interest. In multiple building projects, variable siting of individual buildings may be used to prevent a monotonous appearance. In any instance, specifically, single family residential dwellings hereinafter erected shall not be like or substantially like any neighboring building now in existence, or for which a building permit is sought if it fronts upon the same street, within five buildings, structures or units of the proposed building.
(G) Signage.
(1) Every sign shall have good scale and proportion in its design and in its visual relationship to buildings and surroundings;
(2) Every sign shall be designed as an integral architectural element of the building and site to which it principally relates;
(3) The colors, materials, and lighting of every sign shall be restrained and harmonious with the building and site to which it principally relates;
(4) The number of graphic elements on a sign shall be held to the minimum needed to convey the sign's major message and shall be composed in proportion to the area of the sign face;
(5) Each sign shall be compatible with signs on adjoining premises and shall not compete for attention;
(6) Identification signs of a prototype design and corporation logos shall conform to the criteria for all other signs;
(7) No telephone number, facsimile numbers or the like shall be incorporated into the sign;
(8) If sign is in compliance with the criteria established by this section and §§ 159.121 through 159.133 then the permit may be authorized by the Zoning Administrator, if not then it must be presented to the Beautification Commission for review with final consideration by the Village Board of Trustees; and
(H) Miscellaneous structures and street hardware.
(1) Miscellaneous structures and street hardware shall be designed to be a part of the architectural concept of design and landscape. Materials shall be compatible with buildings, scale shall be good, colors shall be in harmony with buildings and surroundings, and proportions shall be attractive; and,
(2) Lighting in connection with miscellaneous structures and street hardware shall meet the criteria applicable to site, landscape, buildings and signs.
(I) Maintenance - planning and design factors.
(1) Continued good appearance depends upon the extent and quality of maintenance. The choice of materials and their use, together with the types of finishes and other protective measures, must be conducive to easy maintenance and upkeep;
(2) Materials and finishes shall be selected for their durability and wear as well as for their beauty. Proper measures and devices shall be incorporated for protection against the elements, neglect, damage, and abuse; and
(3) Provision for washing and cleaning of buildings and structures, and control of dirt and refuse, shall be included in the design. Configurations that tend to catch and accumulate debris, leaves, trash, dirt, and rubbish shall be avoided.
(J) Factors for evaluation. The following factors and characteristics, which affect the appearance of a development, will govern the Beautification Commission's evaluation of a design submission:
(1) Conformance to ordinances and this section;
(2) Logic of design;
(3) Exterior space utilization;
(4) Architectural character;
(5) Attractiveness;
(6) Material selection;
(7) Harmony and compatibility;
(8) Circulation - vehicular and pedestrian; and
(9) Maintenance aspects.
(K) Submittal requirements.
(1) All exhibits required for the permanent file (noted in the following) must be reduced to 11" x 17" by folding, photo reduction, and the like. However, larger mounting boards, material samples, or other exhibits not meeting this criteria may be used for the Commission presentation.
(2) Three black or blue-line prints (one of which shall be colored) of the following required drawings shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator for presentation to the Commission.
(3) An adequate number of color photographs (polaroid type) are required to illustrate the site, including buildings and other existing features. Photos may also be used to illustrate installations on other sites that are similar to the applicant's proposal.
(L) Building construction, exterior remodeling, and additions submittal requirements (Including parking lots and landscaping).
(1) Site plan. A site plan is required containing the following information:
(a) Scale and north arrow;
(b) Address of site;
(c) All property and street pavement lines;
(d) Existing and proposed contours;
(e) Gross area of tract stated in square feet and acres;
(f) If parking is involved, show calculations for determining the required number of off-street parking spaces as required by § 159.019. Give the number of spaces actually proposed. Give the maximum number of employees, customers, and office vehicles that would be at the facility at any one time;
(g) Proposed ingress/egress to the site, including on-site parking area(s), parking stalls, and adjacent streets. Delineate traffic flow with directional arrows and indicate the location of direction signs or other motorist's aids (if any);
(h) Calculations for determining the required number of trees to be placed within the proposed parking area must be shown, as well as the designation of required buffer screens (if any) between the parking area and adjacent properties;
(i) Location of all isolated trees having a diameter of six inches or more. (Tree masses may be shown with a diagrammatic outline and a written inventory of individual trees included);
(j) Existing landscaping that will be retained and proposed landscaping shall be differentiated and shown on the plan. The type, size, number, and spacing of all plantings must be illustrated; and
(k) Location of all existing (to remain) and proposed buildings on the site and all buildings within 50 feet of the site's boundaries.
(2) Elevations. Complete elevations of all proposed construction and related elevations of existing structures (if any) are required containing the following information:
(a) Scale;
(b) All signs to be mounted on the elevations;
(c) Designation of the kind, color, and texture of all primary materials to be used;
(3) Section profiles. Two section profiles through the site are required containing the following information:
(a) Scale;
(b) Building(s);
(c) Lighting fixtures and standards;
(d) Signage.
(4) Material samples. Material samples are required for all major materials.
(M) Free-standing ground signs submittal requirements:
(1) Site plan. A site plan is required containing the following information:
(a) Scale and north arrow;
(b) Address of site;
(c) All property and street pavement lines;
(d) Proposed ingress/egress to the site, including on-site parking area(s), parking stalls, and adjacent streets. Delineate traffic flow with directional arrows and indicate the location of direction signs or other motorist's aids (if any);
(e) Location of existing and proposed landscaping;
(f) Location and height of all buildings on the site and all buildings within 50 feet of the site's boundaries;
(g) Location and height of all existing (to remain) and proposed signs on the site, complete with route of electrical supply to signs. Show required setbacks for sign from property lines; and
(h) Location of all existing (to remain) routing of electrical supply.
(2) Elevations. An elevation is required of each face of the proposed sign showing the following information:
(a) All specifications including size of letters and graphics;
(b) Description of sign and frame materials and colors including supports;
(c) Planter box details (if provided), i.e. construction of box, materials, plant types, sizes, number, and spacing;
(3) Section profile. A section profile through the site is required containing the following information:
(a) Scale;
(b) Building(s);
(c) Lighting fixtures and standards; and
(d) Landscaping.
(4) Material samples. Material samples are required for all major materials.
(5) Detailed drawings showing the following:
(a) Footings;
(b) Electrical wiring diagram;
(c) Wind stress calculations.
(N) Wall sign submittal requirements:
(1) Sign drawing. A scaled drawing of each face of the proposed sign is required showing the following information:
(a) All size specifications, including the size of letters and graphics;
(b) Description of the sign frame materials and colors;
(c) Wall anchorage details (Note: anchorage must be interior to the sign or camouflaged).
(2) Elevation. An elevation drawn to scale of the entire wall of the building to which the sign is to be fixed, correctly locating the sign.
(3) Detailed drawings. Detailed drawings showing the following information will be required to be submitted to the Inspectional Services Division of the Fire Department for technical review:
(a) Electrical wiring diagram; and
(b) Wind stress calculations.
(O) Lighting submittal requirements:
(1) Site plan. A site plan is required containing the following information:
(a) Scale and north arrow;
(b) Address of site;
(c) All property and street pavement lines;
(d) Proposed ingress/egress to the site, including on-site parking area(s), parking stalls, and adjacent streets;
(e) Location of existing and proposed landscaping;
(f) Location and height of all buildings on the site and all buildings within 50 feet of the site's boundaries;
(g) Location and height of all existing (to remain) and proposed lighting standards, complete with routing of electrical supply and circumference area that will be lighted by each standard.
(2) Lighting standard drawing. A scaled drawing of the proposed lighting standard(s) is required and should contain the following information:
(a) All size specifications;
(b) Information on lighting intensity (number of watts, iso-foot-candle diagram, and the like);
(c) Materials and color; and
(d) Ground and/or wall anchorage details.
(Am. Ord. 06-0369, passed 2-1-06; Am. Ord. 07-0508, passed 2-21-07)