(a) For the purpose of this Code, “façade” is defined as the portion of any building side facing a public street, private street, public alleyway, or public parking lot; with corner buildings required to apply these design standards to both façades.
(1) There must be a mixture of two or more predominant downtown finish materials (i.e., brick, clay, stucco (not Dryvit or a similar material), natural stone or ornamental concrete/fiber cement siding). The façade may be 100 percent brick, however the brick must contain design elements, such as cornices and soldier coursing.
(2) Transparent glass must account for at least sixty percent of the total wall area of the first-floor elevation, with the upper stories providing similar window openings corresponding with the overall design of building and adjacent existing structures. Storefronts must be maintained and repaired. When replacement is required or alterations are proposed, the new storefront must fill the entire historic storefront opening and maintain the same level of transparency. Sliding and glass block windows are prohibited.
(3) Exterior walls may not be covered with metal panels, EIFS (exterior insulation and finish system), vinyl siding, faux half timbering, logs, shakes, shingles, exposed aggregate, or split faced block.
(4) Preassembled clay brick panels, artificial stucco, decorative precast units resembling stone must match the appearance of natural materials.
(5) New construction must be compatible in size, scale and proportion, massing, and building materials are encouraged to fit with the rest of downtown designs.
(6) The size, scale, massing, and façade materials of new construction must complement the architectural character of buildings in a traditional downtown.
(7) Building façades must incorporate recesses or projections along at least twenty percent of the length of the façade.
(8) Decorative fencing must consist of wrought iron, vinyl, or ornamental aluminum.
(9) Building entries must be readily identifiable and accessible, with at least one main entrance that opens directly onto the public sidewalk.
(10) Building entrances must be clearly defined and recessed or framed by a sheltering element such as an awning (with no signage), arcade, or portico to provide shelter from the elements.
(11) Roofs (especially flat roofs) must be enclosed by parapets to conceal mechanical equipment.
(12) All exterior lighting must be decorative (wall pack type lighting is prohibited), in proportion to the architectural type and style of building, and compliant with Chapter 1221: Lighting.
(b) Exceptions. Projects exempt from these design standards are developments which are limited to the following:
(1) Interior remodels only.
(2) Normal or routine maintenance and repair of existing structures.
(3) Exterior/interior work that does not require a permit from the City.
(Ord. 2023-01. Passed 2-7-23.)