§ 9. Architectural and site design standards.

No building shall be erected or more than 50 percent of an existing building altered that does not address the following development guidelines:

(1)

A minimum of 50 percent of each exterior wall shall consist of one or more of the following materials:

a.

Stone material used for masonry construction that may consist of granite, sandstone, slate, limestone, or other hard and durable all-weather stone material.

b.

Brick material used for masonry construction which shall be composed of hard fired (kiln fired) all-weather common brick or other all-weather facing brick.

c.

Stucco or similar exterior insulated finish system (EIFS).

d.

Decorative metal panel systems that offer a function and durability that is equivalent to the materials listed above.

(2)

Building rooftops shall have the following features:

a.

Parapets, screens, false facades or other architectural treatments that conceal flat roofs and roof top equipment and fixtures.

b.

Overhanging eaves, recessed entrances or similar structures or architectural treatments defining the pedestrian areas of the facade and at least partially protecting entrances and walkways from the weather.

(3)

The treatment of walls in excess of 1,500 square feet of exposed exterior area shall avoid treatment with a single color or texture, minimal detailing and lacking architectural treatments. Architectural wall treatments shall be utilized on such walls to create visual interest through the use of texture variations, multiple complementary colors, shadow lines, contrasting shapes, applied features and related architectural devices.

(4)

The overall size, shape and proportion of the elements of a building, the building as a whole, the building's relationship to other structures, the site, open space and site improvements shall be consistent or compatible with like measures and features of existing developments in the surrounding area. Where large structures are proposed with overly-long facade walls, and the horizontal dimension exceeds the perpendicular dimension in excess of a ratio of 2:1, the building mass shall be articulated with variations in the building wall planes and wall height and through the use of other architectural design or site planning features such as, but not limited to, towers, monuments, pergolas, artwork, entablatures, porticos, texture, shadow lines, landscaping, etc.

(5)

Architectural treatments and the use of screening devices shall be consistent and compatible on all facades of all buildings visible from off site and throughout the site.

(6)

The following approaches shall be considered for all large-scale developments to further enhance the pedestrian experience and the visual appearance of buildings from all sides:

a.

Configure the facades of large uses or tenants that are over 100 feet long with smaller uses, tenant spaces or secondary access points that physically express internal functions or departments of large users or tenants to break the architectural massing of the long, tall and blank walls that are common of larger tenants.

b.

Building front facades in excess of 30 linear feet shall incorporate design features such as specially enhanced pedestrian oriented areas, generous landscaping, retaining walls and raised planters, variations in building wall planes, materials and color, towers, monuments, pergolas, artwork, entablatures, porticos, texture, shadow lines, and other features that help define the human scale. Long, tall, continuous wall planes should be avoided.

(7)

Landscaping shall be used to complement and enhance a building's design, color and material. All landscaping areas shall be irrigated to promote the longevity and a healthy appearance and utilize native or acclimatized species that thrive in the environments in which they are planted.

(8)

Screening in excess of 80 percent to a height of six feet above the grade, landscape buffering and open space must be utilized wherever a commercial development abuts a residential, recreational, institutional or similar area of lesser density/intensity. Visual and sound screening from upper levels of adjoining parcels and structures must be provided in the planning and design of landscaped areas and structural screens.

(9)

Roof and ground-mounted equipment, including ventilators, cooling towers, HVAC equipment, antennae, generators, trash and grease receptacles, etc. shall be screened from view (100 percent opacity) or isolated so as not to be visible from adjoining public rights-of-way, parcels and structures. The appearance of structural screening shall be architecturally coordinated with the building to maintain a unified appearance.

(10)

Loading docks, trash enclosures, approved or authorized outdoor storage and sale and similar facilities and uses shall be incorporated into the overall design of the building and site, shall generally be located near the service entrances of buildings and shall be 100 percent screened from view from adjoining rights-of-way and residential uses with vegetation or structures in a manner that is architecturally compatible with the development.

(11)

Community gateway features are encouraged in all developments and shall be incorporated into the design on any site that has been identified as a gateway location. Gateway design features may consist of monument structures, distinctive building design elements, unique landscaping, lighting, public art, or similar features. Entrance, gateway or decorative features shall be incorporated into the site's design, coordinate with the architecture of the site and establish the identity of the development. Such design features may consist of monument structures, distinctive building designs, unique landscaping, lighting, public art, or similar features and may be located within the right-of-way provided that they do not create a hazard to pedestrians or drivers, do not interfere with anticipated future roadway work, are within proper maintenance easements to the property owner and are approved by the jurisdiction having authority over the right-of-way.

(Ord. No. 09-03, § 1, 1-12-09)