The design standards described in the Design
Overlay District are limited to the area identified on the District
Boundary Map provided below, are consistent with the guiding policies
of the Village Comprehensive Plan, and represent a district where
traditional form is essential to the character of the community.
As used herein the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
PUBLIC REALM
All streets, sidewalks, rights-of-way, waterways, parks and
other publicly accessible open spaces, and public and civic buildings
and facilities.
The following principles shall guide all development
and redevelopment in the Design Overlay District and provide additional
regulatory criteria for the Planning Board in its site plan review
process:
A. Create, maintain and/or reinforce pedestrian-oriented
and human-scaled streetscapes that promote safe pedestrian movement,
access and circulation, and a pleasant experience for pedestrians.
B. Encourage and promote direct visual and physical access
to and from the Erie Canal and Main Street.
C. Promote the design of buildings and sites to be an
integral part of the public realm with identifiable buildings entrances,
active storefronts, attractive parking areas, and an effective/efficient
circulation system.
D. Encourage and promote the design of buildings, sites
and public spaces through the use of design elements, details, architectural
styles and materials or treatments that reflect traditional Village
character.
E. Locate off-street parking areas to the side or rear
of the structure and encourage the use of existing public lots whenever
possible and, in cases where parking is adjacent to the street or
sidewalk, provide clear separation with the use of landscaping, knee
walls, fencing, or other methods viewed as appropriate by the Planning
Board.
F. Utilize landscaping to soften hard edges and buffer
adjacent properties whenever possible.