§ 152.560 ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER.

   Architectural character focuses on the specific details that greatly affect the overall appearance of a particular development. These architectural character standards in this section provide direction in aspects of color, facade materials, rooflines, and the enhancement of entryways. The primary goal is to define the ‘finishing touches’ that provide the development with a sense of permanence, style, and compatibility. The Town discourages proposals that have not taken these matters into account. The Town policy is that all development is compatible of surrounding areas and that it ensures privacy, safety, and visual coherency.

   (A)   General form.

      (1)   Each building shall have a primary façade that faces a public street , private street , or which has the main public entrance.

      (2)   The primary façade may have a clearly identifiable base, body, and cap with defining elements, or may have other architectural features that express quality design characteristics by providing other coherent and complete styles of architecture (See 152.560.1).

      (3)   Any building façade that is not the primary façade , and that has frontage along a private drive , parking area , or street , shall be considered a secondary façade .

       (4)   Secondary facades shall also have a clearly-identifiable design quality, using materials and architectural elements similar to the primary façade .

      (5)   Any façade that does not face a street , private drive , or parking area , but is adjacent to a primary or secondary façade , shall continue around the corner any required architectural elements of the adjoining façade for a distance equaling at least 20% of the length of the façade .

Figure 152.560.1

   (B)   Wall plane.

      (1)   Architectural elements can be used to define bays, add interest and variety; relieve the visual effect of long extensive walls; and split tall structures into human scale.

      (2)   Recesses and projections. All primary and secondary facades greater than 100 feet in length, measured horizontally, shall incorporate building wall offsets including recesses and projections along at least 20% of the length of the façade . Windows, awnings, and arcades shall total at least 60% of the façade length abutting a public street.

      (3)   Repeating design patterns. Facades greater than 100 feet in length, measured horizontally, shall incorporate a repeating pattern of change in color, texture, and material modules. All elements should repeat at intervals of no more than 30 feet, either horizontally or vertically.

      (4)   Rooflines, windows, doors, stairwells, porches, pilasters and breaks in the facades may be used to establish bays.

      (5)   Replacement of windows. Replacement of windows on the façade of an existing building shall be accomplished by using windows of the same trim, size, and character as the original or by using a different style of window that complements the architectural style of the building .

      (6)   Bays may project or recess four inches or greater.

      (7)   Landscaping may be used to give the sense of break in long facades . Berms with shrubs and trees of sufficient size to break up façade planted next to the building may be used. Landscaping should be shown on architectural rendering or elevation and meet the requirements of §§ 152.500 through 152.512, Regulations for Landscaping.

Figure 152.560.2 depicts acceptable method for breaking long façade and Figure 152.560.3 does not.

      

Figure 152.560.2                        Figure 152.560.3

      (8)   Canopies and awnings may be used and are encouraged.

      (9)   Another way to break façade is through a change of materials or textures.

(See Figure 152.560.4)

Figure 152.560.4

   (C)   Entryways.

      (1)   Required entryway features. Entryway design elements and variations shall provide orientation and aesthetically pleasing character to the building . The following standards identify desirable entryway design features. Each principle building on a site shall have clearly defined, highly visible customer entrances featuring no less than three of the following: (See also Figures 152.560.5 and 152.560.6 as examples)

         (a)   Canopies or Porticos;

         (b)   Arcades;

         (c)   Overhangs;

         (d)   Recesses/projections;

         (e)   Raised corniced parapets over the doors;

         (f)   Peaked roof forms;

         (g)   Arches

         (h)   Wing walls;

         (I)   Outdoor patio

         (j)   Display windows;

         (k)   Planters; and

         (l)   Architectural details such as tile work and moldings which are designed into the building structure and overall design.

      (2)   Sides facing abutting street . All sides of a principal building that directly face an abutting public street shall feature at least one customer entrance.

      (3)   Variations in color schemes are encouraged in order to articulate entryways and public amenities so as to give greater recognition to these features.

         

Figure 152.560.5                           Figure 152.560.6

      (4)   Building materials/colors.

         (a)   Each building shall be constructed with approved primary surface materials.

         (b)   Approved primary surface materials shall include:

            1.   Brick or glazed brick;

            2.   Wood;

            3.   Fiber Cement (Hardiplank);

            4.   Stucco or synthetic stucco;

            5.   Tinted and textured concrete masonry;

            6.   Concrete (Pre-Cast or Cast-in-place);

            7.   Glass;

            8.   Split face block; and

            9.   Concrete block may be permitted on interior sides and rears provided it matches the color of the corresponding surface materials.

         (c)   If renovating the structure, brick, stone, or wood facades shall not be covered or replaced with artificial siding or panels. Synthetic materials that resemble or match the original façade can be used.

         (d)   Secondary materials may be used to add architectural interest. They may consist of one or more primary materials. Metal is allowed as a secondary material in the MI zoning district only.

         (e)   Façade with main entrance may be glass (including windows and doors) or combinations of glass and materials listed in item division (C)(4)(b) of this section.

         (f)   Variations of materials and textures are encouraged with each storefront in multi-tenant buildings.

         (g)   It is recommended that primary surface materials shall be natural colors including primary colors, or have “earth” tones (i.e. gray, white, beige, brown, or brick) (See Figure 152.560.7).

         (h)   For secondary materials, additional colors may be used.

Figure 152.560.7

      (5)   Base.

         (a)   Each primary façade may have a clearly identifiable base, or the wall materials may extend to the floor slab or into the ground if the material is appropriate for ground contact (such as masonry or stone). Wood, glass, stucco, etc. will terminate above grade .

         (b)   Building yards . A landscaped building  yard may be used to define the base. The landscaped building  yard shall be consistent with Article 24 Regulations for Landscaping. (See Figures 152.560.8 and Figure 152.560.9).

      

Figure 152.560.8                      Figure 152.560.9

         (c)   Soldier course may be used to define the base.

            1.   Soldier course - often a complete course of brick laid on end vertically, with narrow side exposed in the face of the wall (See Figure 152.560.10 and Figure 152.560.11).

Examples of Soldier Course (Figures 152.560.10 & 152.560.11)

         

Figure 152.560.10                        Figure 152.560.11

         (d)   A change of materials may be used to define the base.

         (e)   A “water table ” may be used to provide a clear distinction between the base of the building and the middle (See Figures 152.560.12 through 152.560.14).

Examples of “water tables ” (Figures 152.560.12 through 152.560.14)

            

Figure 152.560.12            Figure 152.560.13            Figure 152.560.14

      (6)   Body.

         (a)   Each required façade shall have a defined body.

         (b)   The body should be the area between the base and the cap.

         (c)   The body of the building should be broken up in order to avoid long monotonous walls as described in division (B) of this section, Wall Planes, unless the wall is a design element.

         (d)   Structures in complexes, without street   frontage shall have their main entrance on a primary façade .

         (e)   Building orientation. To the maximum extent feasible, new buildings shall be oriented or designed to minimize shadows falling on public or semi-public spaces. New buildings should minimize the visual impact on Hwy 24 where possible.

         (f)   Exterior wall cladding. All exterior walls visible from a parking lot or public right-of-way in any zoning district except the MI (Light Industrial) shall be clad with the same material required for the front of the building .

      (7)   Roofs. The following standards are intended to foster variations in roof lines to soften and reduce the massive scale of large buildings :

         (a)   Roof lines shall be varied to reduce the scale of structures and add visual interest (See Figures 152.560.15 through 152.560.26)

         (b)   Roof shape (for example: flat, hip, mansard, or gable) and material shall be architecturally compatible with façade elements and the rest of the building. Can include cornices, fascias, dormers and overhangs (See Figures 152.560.15 through 152.560.18).

         (c)   Roof cornices. If roof cornices have been removed or damaged on an existing building , renovations of that building must include retaining, repairing, and replacing the roof cornices if previously removed.

         (d)   Flat roofs must be enclosed by a parapet that screens mechanical equipment from view by pedestrians at street level.

         (e)   The height of the parapet shall not exceed 1/3 of the height of the supporting wall and should not exceed a maximum height of six feet. Such parapet shall not be of a constant height for a distance of greater than 150 feet.

         (f)   Green roofs and solar panels are encouraged. Solar panels shall be at the same slope of the roof. Otherwise they should be located at the rear of the building or on the ground (See Figures 152.560.22 through 152.560.23).

Examples of Roof Options (Figures 152.560.15 through 152.560.18)

      Figure 152.560.15                  Figure 152.560.16

            

            

      Figure 152.560.17                   Figure 152.560.18

Examples of Roof Overhang (Figures 152.560.19 through 152.560.20)

    Figure 152.560.19                     Figure 152.560.20

      Figure 152.560.21

     Figure 152.560.22                     Figure 152.560.23

Examples of Solar Panels (Figures 152.560.24 through 152.560.25)

   Figure 152.560.24                     Figure 152.560.25

         (f)   Evidence of compliance. The Town Planner shall require such evidence of ability to comply with the building design standards as set forth in this article as the Town Planner deems necessary prior to issuance of a certificate of zoning compliance .

         (g)   Appeal. Appeals of the Town Planner’s interpretation of this subchapter shall be made to the Board of Adjustment.

(Ord. 2005-O3, passed 3-15-2005; Am. Ord. 2022-O11, passed 8-8-2022)