The following Ordinance is put forth in an effort to aid future development, redevelopment and alterations of Windsor Heights by identifying desirable aesthetic qualities. This Ordinance provides assistance in articulating the vision of Windsor Heights as established in the Comprehensive Plan and other plans as adopted by the City Council. This Ordinance will replace existing design standards as outlined in the Zoning Code and will become a comprehensive guide derived from all past completed plans and studies. This Ordinance will act as an overlay and shall operate in conjunction with any underlying zoning district; all other applicable regulations will remain in effect. If provisions of this Ordinance conflict with the underlying zoning, this Ordinance shall prevail. The overall objective is to have an atmosphere that is safe, convenient, vibrant, and attractive through the integration of uses and eclectic architecture, and to creatively handle stormwater drainage issues in an environmentally sound manner. Where a question of interpretation arises between a proposed project in relation to the Ordinance, the Administrative Official shall provide for the determined interpretation. The intent of the Design Standards is:
1. Public Space. To preserve, enhance, or create a variety of forms of publicly accessible open space, such as parks, plazas, tree-lined streets, and community gathering area.
2. Compact Mixed Use. To create a compact concentration of land uses within each development through multiple uses in a single building or in the same general area.
3. Street Aesthetics. To encourage an attractive and aesthetically pleasing environment, which will draw customers and residents and will help enhance and maintain the City’s safe and superior quality of life.
4. Attract new business and enhance property values that are viable to the citizens of Windsor Heights for the present and future.
5. Healthy Living. To promote healthy living through trail enhancement and pedestrian connectivity.
6. “Green” Friendly. To reduce the amount of impervious parking in general and the amount of visible impervious parking specifically by utilizing shared parking, pedestrian pathways, permeable paving alternatives and creative, attractive landscaping.
7. Design. To achieve a unique aesthetic design through high quality architecture and construction with attention to placement, relationship and orientation of structures to provide a greater compatibility with surrounding land uses and create a feeling of permanence.