The Village Of Ponderosa is designed as a diverse community of commercial buildings and varied residential housing types and styles. Exhibits 32 through 38 on file in the city are illustrative examples of the architectural concepts. Additionally, on file with the city is a companion "pattern book" which provides more detail of the architectural concepts and options for the various buildings within the development. The pattern book is intended to guide architectural design to ensure compatibility. Specific architecture for all buildings, with the exception of single-family detached residential dwellings shall be evaluated as part of the site plan review and approval process. Architecture, materials, and colors for single-family detached residential dwellings shall be reviewed and approved by the Village Of Ponderosa design review board (VOP-DRB). Approval of the VOP-DRB shall be provided to the city in conjunction with the building permit application. Enforcement of the approved design of single-family detached dwellings shall be by the Village Of Ponderosa, not the city.
A. Building Design: All buildings within this development, except for single-family detached residential, shall accommodate the following in building design:
1. Form And Scale: Buildings shall be designed to relate specifically to the pedestrian in scale and variety as well as reinforce the "village" aesthetic/concept. The following techniques should be used to meet this objective:
a. Corporate architecture shall be prohibited. Building concepts should avoid the conventional commercial approach to design.
b. Buildings shall be organized to create a logical balance and relationship with the site, open spaces and circulation.
c. The building's design should meet context and site objectives such as providing gateways, creating linkages and framing or terminating views.
d. Variation in building height, mass and roof forms shall be provided while still maintaining an overall building continuity.
e. Shifts in building planes/facades and variation in exterior materials shall be incorporated to minimize long expanses of wall.
f. Variation in materials, material modules, expressed joints, textures, colors and details should be used to break up the mass of the buildings.
g. Variation in horizontal planes through the use of materials, color and projecting forms should be implemented to signify an entry and/or protect the pedestrian.
h. Ground floor retail areas should provide the maximum possible glazing toward sidewalks to provide pedestrians with visual interest. (Ord. 2093, 6-1-2015)
i. High density residential buildings adjacent to single-family attached or detached (areas 1B, 1C and 4B) should step down massing as illustrated in figure 7c of the architectural pattern book. (Ord. 2138, 2-22-2016)
j. Diversity in window systems through the use of clear and transparent glass as well as the use of applied vinyl window "super graphics" that express/relate to the interior's intended use should be incorporated. Said graphics are intended to add to the festivity of the area and aid in blocking interior views of not so desirable elements, activities, or functions. Said graphics shall not be used for advertising purposes and shall not identify the tenant's name.
k. A building's roof form and related details/materials are an integral part of the architectural design aesthetic. Roofs should not be designed as attention getting devices related to the reinforcement of signage or as an identifiable corporate image.
2. Material Quality And Detail: All sides to each building are to receive high quality materials and finishes (360 degree architectural treatment). There are no "backs" to a building. Materials should be durable, economically maintained and of a quality that will maintain their appearance over a prolonged time.
a. Primary building materials should include, but not be limited to, iron spot or reclaimed brick, limestone or cast stone, concrete and architectural metals.
(1) Composite building materials acceptable to the City, as determined as part of the site plan review process, may be incorporated in the design as a primary building material.
(2) Architectural metal and composite building materials shall be detailed with finished edges and have concealed fasteners.
b. The following materials shall not be used for cladding unless specifically approved by the city of West Des Moines:
(1) Natural wood or wood paneling.
(2) EIFS or synthetic stucco.
(3) Concrete masonry units.
(4) Tilt-up precast concrete systems that are structural in appearance.
(5) Materials that are intended for interior use.
c. Changes in materials should occur at either inside corners or where a detail is drawn to specifically accommodate a transition.
B. Single-Family Detached Residential: Architectural design for single- family units shall attempt to express a creative presentation of exterior building materials, exterior details and texture, treatment of windows and doors, and use of angles and multiplicity of planes within the wall and roof design. Homes shall have materials such as brick, natural stone, wood shakes, decorative molding and cornice treatments, or similar combination of material which represents a variation of architectural styles or elements. (Ord. 2093, 6-1-2015; amd. Ord. 2468, 5-3-2021)