(A) Purpose and Applicability.
(1) The purpose of this chapter is to promote development in the City of West Carrollton that contributes to it as a unique place that reflects its historic past, physical character and community identity. These regulations serve as a basis to promote creative and appealing architectural design; to enhance the longevity, overall integrity, and economic value of the built environment; and to strengthen the City's image.
(Ord. 3419. Passed 4-28-09.)
(2) This chapter shall apply to new construction of and major façade alterations to non-residential and multi-family residential buildings in the following zoning districts. Additions to existing buildings may continue with a similar exterior design to maintain architectural continuity.
(a) R-4 Multiple-Family Residential District.
(b) R-5 Multiple-Family Residential District.
(c) R-PUD Planned Development District.
(d) O-R Office Residential District.
(e) O Office District.
(f) B-1 Convenience Commercial District.
(g) B-2 General Commercial District.
(h) OD Olde Downtown District.
(i) CC City Center District.
(j) M-1 Business Park District, excepting the following uses: light manufacturing; warehousing/wholesaling/distribution facilities.
(k) M-2 Manufacturing District, excepting the following uses: heavy manufacturing; warehousing/wholesaling/distribution facilities.
(l) M-3 Rural Manufacturing District, excepting the following uses: heavy manufacturing; warehousing/wholesaling/distribution facilities.
(m) PUD Planned Unit Development District. (Ord. 3616. Passed 9-12-17.)
(3) The Planning Commission shall review the architectural design of all buildings regulated by this chapter in accordance with the requirements specified herein. All applications for design approval shall contain a written description of the proposed improvements as well as architectural elevations showing the color, dimensions, and materials of all improvements, at a minimum, and all other materials necessary for consideration of the request.
(B) Definitions.
(1) Brick. A solid masonry unit of clay or shale, formed into a rectangular prism while plastic and burned or fired in a kiln. No manufactured brick shall be permitted.
(2) Major façade alteration. Any material change in external architectural features including but not limited to walls, roofs, windows, siding, awnings/canopies, doors, and entrances, but not including painting, affecting more than fifty (50) percent of the total exterior wall area.
(3) Stone. Granite, marble, limestone, slate, river rock, field stone, and other hard and durable naturally occurring all-weather stone. Cut stone is acceptable. No manufactured stone shall be permitted.
(C) Building Design and Mass.
(1) Architectural elevations for all buildings shall be that the design, massing, materials, shape, and scale, of all buildings shall create a unified design on the premises and shall be visually compatible.
(2) All architectural elevations of principal buildings shall consist of a base, a body, and a cap.
(a) The base shall occupy the lowest portion of the elevation, and shall have a height no less than eight (8) percent of the average wall height.
(b) The body shall occupy the middle portion of the elevation, and shall have a height no less than sixty (60) percent of the average wall height.
(c) The cap shall occupy the highest portion of the elevation, excluding the roof, and shall have a height no less than eight (8) percent of the average wall height, not to exceed the height of the base. The cap shall consist of at least one of the following architectural features: a cornice, parapet, awning, canopy, or eaves.
(d) The base and cap shall be clearly distinguishable from the body through changes in color, material, pattern, profile, or texture. The cap and base shall have different materials than body unless otherwise approved by the Planning Commission.
(3) Blank building walls in public view are prohibited. Buildings shall incorporate architectural elements which serve to break up the horizontal emphasis of the elevation. Roofline changes, material or color changes, horizontal and vertical wall offsets, projections, recesses, pilasters, awnings, building entrances, true or faux windows, and other similar features are examples that may be utilized.
(4) All building rooftop mechanical equipment shall be screened from public view from all directions with architectural features (roof forms or parapet walls) of each building. Metal screening will not be accepted.
(D) Building Materials.
(1) Base: full-sized clay brick, natural stone, or textured concrete block are permitted as siding materials for the base of the building.
(2) Body: full-sized clay brick or natural stone are permitted as siding materials for the body of the building.
(3) Cap: full-sized clay brick, natural stone, textured concrete block, natural wood, or applied materials such as exterior insulation finish system (E.I.F.S.) or other synthetic materials are permitted materials for the cap of the building.
(4) The following materials may be permitted for limited use on the building base or cap with the specific approval of the Planning Commission: textured concrete block, masonry product, steel, architectural metal, natural wood, HardiPlank (fiber cement siding), or other similar building material.
(E) Colors. All exterior building colors shall be of low-reflectance, subdued earth tones. The use of black or high-intensity metallic or fluorescent colors is prohibited. Any building color or color combinations whose major function is to convey visual information or to attract visual attention is considered a sign and shall be subject to the requirements of Chapter 153: Signs.
(F) Other.
(1) Pitched roofs, especially gable and hip roofs, are encouraged. The height of any pitched roof shall not exceed one-half (1/2) of the overall building height. Permitted materials for pitched roofs include wood, slate, fiberglass reinforced asphalt roof shingles and standing seam or terned metal. Except when used on flat roofs that are not generally visible, roll roofing, built-up tar and gravel, metal panel or corrugated metal, plastic, or fiberglass roofing materials other than fiberglass reinforced asphalt roof shingles shall be prohibited.
(2) Service station canopies and columns, and freestanding ground or monument signs shall be clad in full-sized clay brick or natural stone matching the material and color of the principal building.
(3) Dumpster enclosures shall be clad on three sides in full-sized clay brick or natural stone matching the material and color of the principal building, with a locking powder-coated black opaque aluminum gate.
(G) Waivers. Alternatives to these requirements shall be reviewed and evaluated by the Planning Commission on the basis of whether the request will contribute to the enhancement, longevity, safety, utility, and overall integrity of a proposed structure. (Ord. 3419. Passed 4-28-09.)