§ 3.4.3. General standards.

A.

The building mass shall consist of a simple composition of basic building forms that follow a clear hierarchy and should be oriented to the creation of great public spaces and responsive to the particular micro-climate of the site. For example, the principal structure and accessory buildings should be sited in a manner appropriate to their size and function. Roof lines shall be simple, utilizing parapets, gables, hips, and sheds, or combinations of these basic forms. Details such as doors, windows, eaves, railings, etc. should be carefully designed and constructed in order to contribute significantly to a building's visual interest and value.

B.

Each building should have at minimum a distinctive horizontal base, occupied middle, and eave, cornice and/or parapet line that complement and balance one another.

C.

Each building should have a clear and harmonious pattern of vertically-oriented façade openings including entries, windows, and bays and columns or other exposed vertical supports. Vertical articulations can be produced by variations in roof lines; window groupings; applied façade elements such piers or pilasters, bay windows and balconies; entrance stoops and porches; and subtle changes in materials and vertical planes that create shadow lines and textural differences. Vertical elements break up long, monolithic building façades along the street. Major vertical elements should be reflective of a typical 50 feet pattern reflecting the typical historic parcel increment of much of Midwestern downtowns and town centers.

D.

These standards specify an architectural aesthetic of load-bearing walls, regionally appropriate materials and climate responsive design. The standards also specify a range of certain details, such as window proportions, column spacing, storefronts, roof or cornice configurations and overhangs. Windows, wall panels, pilasters, building bays, and storefronts should be based on a module derived from the building's structural bay spacing. Features based on this module should be carried across windowless walls to relieve blank, uninteresting surfaces. All building materials to be used shall express their specific properties. For example, stronger and heavier materials like masonry may support lighter materials like wood, not the reverse.

E.

While only materials, techniques, and product types prescribed here are currently recognized, equivalent or better practices and products are encouraged. They shall be submitted for review and approval. Additional products, styles and approaches may be added to this article through an amendment to this Development Code.

F.

The color palette of the development should reflect the traditional materials and techniques of regional Midwest building practices.

G.

Many of these standards apply only in conditions where clearly visible from the street or other public spaces. Note that the definition of street and other public spaces includes parks, civic squares, and civic greens and the term "street" shall be inclusive. These controls therefore concentrate on the views from street and minimize interference in the private realm. For example, an architectural element that is visible only through an opening in a street wall is not clearly visible from the street.

H.

For buildings located at the intersection of two streets, the corner of the building at the intersection may be angled, curved, or chamfered. The distance from the corner shall not exceed 30 feet measured from the intersection of the right-of-way lines to the end of the angled or curved wall segment, unless a greater amount is required by the visibility triangles for traffic movement.

(Ord. No. 6016-07-16, 7-19-2016)