1244.11 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS.
Constructing infill housing offers a unique set of design challenges not only on the parcel level, but also on the neighborhood level and within the public realm. Therefore, it is important to consider the design elements of each small lot home and how it will enhance the overall neighborhood character and vitality of the larger public realm. This Section articulates design requirements to ensure infill development permitted by this Chapter is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.
A. The City's adopted Design Guidelines for Multi-Family and Attached Single-Family Infill Housing shall be considered in the design and layout of SLID projects, supplemented with the additional design principles in this section.
B. Public Realm. Each infill project, however small, must contribute to a vital and coherent public realm. To do so, each project should focus on the relationship between the proposed small lot subdivision and the public environment, with emphasis on: building orientation toward the existing public street, articulation of facades and entry ways, landscaping, lighting, building fenestration, pedestrian circulation, type and location of driveways and garages.
C. Building size and massing. Infill development should be compatible with other units within the Development Influence Area in regards to size, bulk, scale, mass, and rhythm. Dwellings shall either be similar in size and height, or if larger, be articulated and subdivided proportionally to the mass and scale of other residential buildings in the development influence area. The City Planning Commission may limit the height of dwellings based on prevailing height of existing dwellings in the Development Influence Area.
D. Orientation and Entrances.
1. Front Unit Orientation. Each front unit shall be oriented toward the existing street, and should have the primary entrance and main windows facing the street with direct access to the public sidewalk.
2. Rear and Courtyard Units. For units that are not adjacent to the public street, pedestrian circulation shall be provided in the form of private walkways or clearly delineated paths of travel from the public sidewalk to their entryway.
E. Screening, Privacy, and Landscape Design.
1. Screening along SLID site boundaries. To protect existing and future dwellings in the areas of the SLID site, side and rear yards of the lots in the new subdivision shall be separated and screened along common lot lines of the adjacent residential area with a solid wooden fence six (6) feet in height or with dense evergreen shrubs.
2. Interior spaces as well as doors and windows should be configured to provide privacy between dwelling units and adjacent property.
3. Shrubs and tree planting are encouraged to define private space and increase privacy between infill houses.
4. Adequate space to accommodate recycling and trash receptacles should be provided and appropriately screened.
5. All screening and fence material shall be attractive, durable and contribute to the quality of the residential landscape design.
6. All fences shall be erected so that the finished side faces the neighboring property.
F. Lighting.
1. Exterior lighting should enhance the overall design and increase safety.
2. All light fixtures should complement the architecture and landscape design.
(Ord. 18-25. Enacted 4-23-18.)