A. These standards are intended to provide a framework for future commercial developments. This framework requires a basic level of architectural variety, compatibility of scale with surrounding uses, pedestrian and bicycle access, and recognition of the historical context of the village of Sherman. These standards are not to be interpreted as limiting architectural or planning creativity, but are intended to promote commercial development that is both aesthetically and commercially successful.
1. Architectural Review Commission: As part of the building permit review process, all applicants for permits for commercial development shall submit samples of building materials (brick, stone, roofing, etc.), color selections, and color renderings along with the building plans to the architectural review commission for approval.
The village president, village architect and village administrator shall serve on the architectural review commission.
2. Large Commercial Uses: In order to promote a desirable land plan for a large commercial site, the applicant should be aware how the structures shall be viewed from the access roads leading to the proposed development and have addressed the following:
a. Access road traffic shall be clear and unencumbered by parking stalls. Such access shall provide for all necessary traffic lanes.
b. Access points shall be minimized.
c. The perimeter of the property shall provide for a thirty foot (30') minimum landscape strip.
d. The perimeter of the site adjacent to a street shall provide for commercial outlots, if possible.
e. Parking for all outlots shall be placed away from the access roads.
f. Parking for all outlots shall be screened from the adjoining street system by the building and shall be provided on the exterior ring road or between buildings, but not on access road frontage.
g. All entrances to the development shall be allowed to provide for a large monument sign. (1 per entrance and sign can be up to 20 square feet in size, per village ordinance.)
3. Street Orientation:
a. Facades shall be articulated to reduce long unbroken lines and provide interest. Facades greater than one hundred feet (100') in length should incorporate wall plan projections or recesses.
b. Ground floor facades that front on public streets shall have arcades, display windows, entry areas, awnings, or similar features.
c. Buildings shall incorporate architectural features and patterns that provide visual interest, at the scale of the pedestrian.
d. The elements noted herein shall be an integral part of the building rather than superficially applied trim, graphics, or paint.
e. Building facades must include a repeating pattern that shall include no less than two (2) of the elements noted in these standards. At least one of the elements shall repeat horizontally. These elements shall include:
(1) Color change.
(2) Texture change.
(3) Material module change.
4. Building Style:
a. Building design and architectural style should create and enhance a district's character for pedestrians and motorists. Diversity in building design should be encouraged, but designs shall be consistent with the area's overall character.
(1) A range of architectural styles is encouraged in all districts. Architectural style is not restricted. Evaluation of appearance shall be based on quality of design and relationship to surroundings.
(2) Harsh, plain, incompatible and/or bizarre building designs are not allowed.
(3) Unarticulated, flat front, all glass, or metal, futuristic style buildings are not allowed.
(4) All buildings are to be designed with common architectural elements, including: open glass storefronts; clearly defined entrances to ground and upper floors; sign bands and awnings incorporated into the design and scale of the building; upper floor windows placed in proportion to building width and height; and cornices and parapets.
(5) Adjacent buildings shall have component parts in good proportion with one another. Similar design linkages shall include placing window lines, belt courses, and other horizontal elements in a pattern that is harmonious and reflects the same elements on neighboring buildings.
(6) Large structures shall be designed to reduce perceived height and bulk by dividing the building mass into small scale components (i.e., height of a wall, cornice, or parapet line should match that of adjacent buildings).
(7) Buildings with ground level retail and office space shall include open, clear glass windows to allow views into building interiors and to reinforce a positive, active shopping environment.
(8) Reflective glass is not allowed.
(9) Architectural design must articulate and enhance buildings, especially those located at street corners due to their prominence and visibility. Where appropriate, features such as cupolas, atriums, clock towers, and/or varying rooflines should be incorporated to add visual interest to the street.
(10) Monotony of design in multiple building projects by repetition of units is not allowed. Variation of detail, form and siting shall be employed to provide interest. Buildings of the same design or exterior elevation are not allowed on adjacent lots.
(11) Historic buildings and existing buildings that display distinct design styles and elements of the past shall be preserved.
(12) Solid windowless walls must be avoided. If such walls are necessary to the function of the building, they should incorporate arches, piers, columns, landscaping and other elements that reduce building scale and add visual interest.
(13) Direct advertising of a property or business shall be limited.
(14) Where possible, display windows shall be installed on the sides of buildings adjacent to pedestrian paths, plazas, outdoor cafes, and parking lots.
(15) Existing exposed sides and rears of buildings shall be improved with steam cleaning, power washing, tuckpointing, accent painting, and limited graphics.
(16) All graphics on blank, exposed side and rear walls shall be limited to ten percent (10%) or two hundred (200) square feet, whichever is less, of the blank exposed wall area.
(17) New buildings shall incorporate interesting architectural details or features to provide layers of interest and variety.
(18) Eccentric and protruding facade designs that do not relate to the street or limit future tenant changes are prohibited.
5. Building Materials:
a. High quality, durable materials, which do not require frequent maintenance (brick, stone, and glass) shall be used for all facades, as well as, the sides and/or rears of buildings that are visible from streets and parking lots.
b. Decorative block, smooth/textured synthetic plaster (exterior insulation and finish systems [EIFS]), and wood trim shall be used only for decorative accent purposes and limited in their use on building facades and visible walls.
c. Cinder block, concrete block, stucco, metal, plywood, vinyl siding, wood siding, precast concrete, poured in place concrete, aggregate stone/rock and glass block windows shall not be used on building facades or on walls that are visible from streets, sidewalks, and parking lots.
d. Wall materials shall be the same for all elevations or if more than one is used, they shall be harmonious. Facade treatment with face brick at the front elevation and common brick at the other elevations is not acceptable.
6. Building Colors:
a. Building colors shall be generally compatible with the area's context. Primary colors are not allowed unless used sparingly for subtle trim accents. Earth tones, red/brown masonry are allowed.
b. Compatible, consistent color schemes for future developments and/or redevelopments are required.
7. Building Entrances And Windows:
a. Building entrances and windows shall be oriented to the street and designed to be easily accessible. If a building has a parking lot in the rear, clearly defined rear entrances are required to provide access. Safety and security issues, as well as, aesthetic and visibility considerations shall be addressed regarding the use of rear building entrances.
(1) Primary entrances should be located along the street, with secondary entrances located behind the building or along a secondary street.
(2) Building windows and doors shall be clear glass oriented to the street and proportionate to the building scale.
(3) All building entrances shall be designed so that doorways and vestibules are easily seen by shoppers and visitors, easily distinguished by tenants and use, and open and visible from the sidewalk.
(4) Reflective glass is not allowed.
(5) Each principal building on a site shall have a clearly defined, highly visible public entrance(s) featuring at least three (3) of the following:
(A) Canopies or porticos.
(B) Overhangs.
(C) Recesses/projections.
(D) Arcades.
(E) Peaked roof forms.
(F) Arches.
(G) Outdoor patios.
(H) Display windows.
(I) Architectural details such as tile work and moldings that are integrated into the building structure and design.
(J) Integral planters or wings that incorporate landscape.
8. Building Awnings:
a. Unattractive and oversized awnings detract from the attractiveness of a building, as well as, the streetscape and shall not be permitted.
(1) Building awnings shall be consistent and complementary in color and style with the building facade and awnings of adjacent buildings.
(2) Excessively bright and brilliant awning colors are not allowed.
(3) Letter style on awnings for multi-tenant buildings shall be consistent.
9. Building Lighting:
a. Special building lighting shall be required to add visual interest and increase nighttime visibility and safety.
b. Building lighting shall be carefully planned and integrated into the design/style of the building and streetscape.
c. Electrical conduit and mechanical equipment for building or signage lighting shall be hidden from view or carefully integrated into building design.
10. Roofs:
a. Variations in roof lines shall be used to add interest to and reduce the massive scale of large buildings.
b. Roof features shall complement the character of adjoining neighborhoods.
c. Roofs shall have no less than two (2) of the following features:
(1) Parapets concealing flat roofs and rooftop equipment (i.e., HVAC) units from public view. Such parapets shall feature three- dimensional cornice treatments.
(2) Overhanging eaves on sloping roofs are required.
11. Mechanical Equipment:
a. Mechanical or utility equipment on the ground or on roofs or other parts of a building that cannot be located out of view shall be screened by walls constructed of materials similar to those of the primary facade. Screening shall be effective in all seasons.
b. Mechanical equipment along the front or visible side facade is not allowed. Corner buildings shall not locate mechanical equipment on the secondary street frontage.
c. All vents, gutters, downspouts, flashing, electrical conduit and similar appurtenances shall be hidden, screened or at the least painted to match the adjacent surface.
d. Rooftop mechanical equipment shall be located in the center or a rear corner of a building away from the street elevation and screened from public view or located as not to be conspicuously visible.
12. Signage:
a. Sign colors and materials shall be consistent with the colors and materials of the building and awnings.
b. Business signage shall be simple and incorporated into a building's architecture. Such signs shall serve to identify a business while contributing to the attractiveness and pedestrian friendly orientation of the street. The quality, size, placement and look of signs shall all be considered in the overall design of the building.
c. Sign materials, size, color, lettering, lighting, location, and arrangement, shall be harmonious with the building design and shall be compatible with signs on adjoining buildings. Signs shall have good proportions. Materials used in signs shall be weather retardant.
d. Window lettering, either vinyl applied or painted, is encouraged to add interest to storefronts. Temporary pinups, fliers and signs should be avoided and limited in their use.
e. Business signs shall not obstruct or obscure architectural details or significant architectural elements.
f. Decorative overhanging or blade signs are encouraged for row buildings along the street with the size controlled and coordinated with a building's facade design. Decorative "icon" signs such as coffee cups, barber poles, toothbrushes, and ice cream cones if such signs provide visual interest may be permitted. Sign brackets, hardware, and lighting systems shall be kept to a minimum and screened wherever possible.
g. Decorative overhanging or blade signs must not exceed six (6) square feet in size with a maximum height of three feet (3') and placed at a minimum ten feet (10') above the sidewalk. They shall not extend more than four feet (4') from the face of the building and must comply with the signage ordinance.
h. Business signs shall be placed on a building so they are oriented for viewing by pedestrians.
i. Text on business signs shall be simple and easy to read.
j. Billboards shall not be placed on top of buildings, or on blank sidewalls, in vacant lots, or parking areas.
k. To avoid visual clutter along the street, redundant signage or multiple external signs shall not be permitted.
l. Business signs shall not be placed at or above the cornice or roof lines of buildings.
m. Signs shall be constructed of high quality durable materials. Sign colors shall be used harmoniously and with restraint.
n. Business signs shall be placed on the front of buildings only, unless the building is located on a corner or has a rear or side entrances.
o. Overhanging signs shall be limited to one sign per business, including "icon" signs unless the business is located on a corner.
p. Sign lighting shall be carefully considered in the building design. If direct lighting is used, flare, brightness, visible hardware and maintenance issues shall be addressed. Strategically placed lamp fixtures that are compatible with the sign design and building architecture are required for illuminating signs. When external spot or flood lighting is used, it must be arranged so that the light source is shielded from view.
q. Neon signage and lighting shall be limited to one sign per business. Neon lighting and signage that outlines the entire window is not permitted. (Ord. 2011-8A, 5-17-2011)