1. Applicability. The design requirements in this Section apply to all new construction and significant exterior renovation of existing structures within the Village's B-1, B-2, and VC Districts, with the exception of single-unit dwellings, two-unit dwellings, and townhouses. See § 156.06.H, § 156.06.I, and § 156.06.J for additional design requirements specific to each commercial zoning district.
2. Design Requirements.
a. Facade Design.
(1) Defined Base, Middle, and Top. Multi-story buildings shall be designed with a distinct base, middle, and top. The ground story (base) of the building shall be defined from the upper stories by an expression line, which is a decorative, three-dimensional linear element protruding or indented at least two inches from a building facade.
(2) Vertical Facade Articulation. Architectural or structural elements shall be incorporated at intervals of no less than 35 feet to vertically divide large flat planes along all street-facing facades in excess of 50 feet. Examples of such elements include color change, texture change, material change, or wall articulation change, such as an offset, pilaster, column, reveal, or vertical expression line, of no less than six inches.
b. Building Details. Pedestrian-scale elements, such as decorative lighting not more than nine feet in height, planters, and awnings, shall be included in the facade on any building elevation fronting a public right-of-way.
c. Roof Design. Green roof, white roof, and blue roof designs are encouraged.
d. Materials.
(1) Ground Story Allowed Materials. The following materials are allowed on the ground story facade: durable and natural materials, such as stone, brick, stucco, metal, concrete, burnished concrete masonry units, and non-reflective glass, unless otherwise limited by § 156.06.G.2.d.(2). (Limitation on Materials).
(2) Limitation on Materials. The following materials may only be utilized for trim or architectural details, and shall not exceed 20% of the total facade area: utility brick, or metal siding, metal wall panels, exposed aggregate (rough finish) concrete wall panels, exterior insulation and finishing systems, fiberglass, plastic, untreated wood, non-burnished concrete masonry units, and mirror glass. The painting of brick, limestone, or other natural stone is prohibited; such materials shall retain their natural colors.
(3) VC District Materials. In addition to the materials standards of § 156.06.G.2.d.(l). (Ground Story Allowed Materials) and § 156.06.G.2.d.(2). (Limitation on Materials), any building facade visible from a public right of way, excluding alleys, shall not be less than 70% brick or limestone (excluding windows).
3. Explanation of Table Requirements. The following information explains the commercial design requirements established in Tables 156.06.H-A, 156.06.I-A, and 156.06.J-A. Refer to Figure 156.06.G-A. Design Requirements and Figure 156.06.G-B. Design Requirements.
a. Minimum Street Frontage. Proportion of street frontage that must be occupied by the principal building's front facade. The requirement in each table establishes the minimum percentage of the front lot line that must be occupied by the front facade of the principal building.
b. Parking Location. The yards in which an off-street parking lot is allowed.
c. Minimum Transparency. The amount of transparency (highly transparent, non-reflective glass) required as a percentage of the total area of the street-facing ground story facades. Transparency improves the visual interest of the physical environment and its aesthetic appeal. Tinting in excess of 20% of the transparent area is not allowed. Single and two-unit dwellings shall be exempt from this requirement.
d. Principal Entrance Location. The facade on which the principal building entrance must be located.
