No building shall hereafter be erected, used,
altered, converted, enlarged, added to, moved or reduced, wholly or
in part, nor shall any land be designed, used or physically altered
for any purpose or in any manner, except in conformity with this chapter.
Where a lot is formed from part of a lot already occupied by a building,
such subdivision shall be effected in such a manner as not to impair
any of the requirements of this chapter with respect to the existing
building and all yards and other open space in connection therewith
and so that all resulting lots have adequate dimensions consistent
with the requirements of the zoning district wherein it is located
and so that all lots have the minimum required frontage on a street.
[Added 6-2-2008; amended 2-2-2009]
A. Purpose:
(1) To provide appropriately located, well-planned areas
for large-scale retail and commercial uses.
(2) To establish design guidelines for development within
the PCD Zone that will contribute and improve the attractiveness and
character of the Town of Millsboro.
(3) To encourage an orderly and systematic development
design providing the rational placement of activities, parking and
auto circulation, pedestrian circulation, ingress and egress, loading,
landscaping, and buffer strips.
(4) To encourage commercial development which is consistent
with the Millsboro Comprehensive Plan.
B. Principal permitted uses:
(1) General personal and professional services:
(a)
Professional, medical and business offices.
(d)
Dry cleaners pickup locations and not a plant
serving more than one location.
(e)
Dressmaking, tailor and clothing repair establishments.
(h)
Banks and financial institutions, including
drive-through.
(i)
Barber shops, beauty parlors.
(2) General merchandise stores:
(a)
Building material stores.
(g)
Candy, ice cream and confectionery stores.
(h)
Meat, fish, or poultry stores.
(i)
Liquor store - off premises.
(j)
Camera and photographic supply stores.
(l)
Drug stores and pharmacies.
(n)
Office and school supply stores.
(o)
Stationary and card stores.
(s)
Clothing rental establishments.
(3) Restaurants and other food service establishments:
[Amended 9-7-2010]
(a) Restaurants, subject to the requirements of §
210-45.
(b) Drive-through restaurants. (See the definition–includes no
bar area).
(c) Eateries. (See the definition–includes no bar area).
(4) Civic services.
(a)
Fire and emergency services.
(b)
Municipal administrative.
(c)
Public utility buildings.
(d)
Public water works or reservoir.
(g)
Public parks and playgrounds.
(5) Educational services and public assembly:
(d)
Clubs, lodges, fraternal organizations.
(e) Colleges; universities; research facilities.
[Added 6-1-2009]
(6) Commercial recreation.
[Added 6-1-2009]
(a)
Permitted uses.
[1]
Golf courses, public or private.
[3]
Public or private swimming pools.
[4]
Amusement parks; water parks.
(b)
Conditional uses.
[1]
Purpose. The purpose of this subsection is to provide for commercial
recreational purposes which may not be well adjusted to the environment
and the particular location with full protection offered to surrounding
properties without an exercise of planning judgment on location, combination
of uses and site plan. To this end, it is recognized that rigid application
of the overall district or chapter regulations may not be fully applicable.
It is recognized that such conditional uses may bring benefit to the
Town and the surrounding community by their existence so long as they
are subject to the requirements and regulations of the PCD District.
[2]
Conditional uses enumerated. The following buildings, structures,
and uses may be approved by the Town Council as conditional uses in
the PCD District in accordance with the chapter and in accordance
with the procedures and standards of this section, provided that the
location is appropriate and that the public health, safety, morals
and general welfare will not be adversely affected, and that necessary
safeguards will be provided for the protection of the surrounding
property, persons and neighborhood values, and further, provided that
the additional standards of the PCD District are met. Unless otherwise
specified in this section or specified as a conditional approval,
the height limits, yard space, lot area and sign requirements shall
be the same as for other uses in the PCD District in which the conditional
use is located.
[a] Horseracing track with the following accessory
uses which are customarily incidental to the principal conditional
use located on the same premises therewith.
[i]
Stables, which shall not be located nearer than 500 feet from
any adjoining property line.
[iv]
Video lottery terminal lounges.
[v]
Casino, as defined in the Delaware Code.
[b] Convention or conference center.
[d] Traditional neighborhood.
[3]
Accessory uses customarily incidental to the principal conditional
use located on the same premises therewith shall be a conditional
use.
[4]
Area, bulk and yard requirements:
[a] Height limits shall not exceed 85 feet in the PCD
District for any conditional use.
[b] Impervious coverage shall not exceed 85% of the
area of a parcel or phase.
[c] No single parking area shall exceed 200 spaces
unless divided into two or more subareas separated from each other
by landscaping, access drives or public streets, pedestrian walkways,
or buildings.
[d] For parking, a drive aisle of 24 feet is permissible.
[5]
Signage requirements shall be as established through the PCD regulations in this §
210-21.
[6]
Time.
[a] A conditional use approved pursuant to this section
shall be valid for a maximum of 20 years if no time limit is specified
and no abandonment occurs.
[b] Any conditional use shall expire upon abandonment
or expiration of the use.
[c] Any approval of a conditional use under this section
shall become null and void unless construction or use is substantially
under way during the first year following approval by the Town Council,
or unless an extension of time, not exceeding one year, is approved
by the Town Council for good cause shown and application for such
extension is made before the expiration of said first year. A maximum
of two one-year extensions may be granted. However, the Town Council
shall not grant more than two such one-year extensions.
C. Accessory uses permitted:
(1) Uses accessory and incidental to the operation of
approved uses listed heretofore shall be allowed.
(2) Use of storage trailers as an accessory use is not
permitted.
(6) Student and/or faculty housing as accessory use to colleges, universities
or research facilities.
[Added 6-1-2009]
D. Area and yard requirements, except as may otherwise
be provided in this chapter:
[Amended 6-1-2009]
(1) Minimum lot area and yard requirements.
(a)
The minimum lot area in the PCD Planned Commercial
District shall be 15 acres.
(b)
Minimum lot frontage: 500 feet.
(c)
Minimum lot depth: 500 feet.
(d)
Setback from U.S. Rt. 113: 100 feet.
(e)
Setback from other state roads: 75 feet.
(f)
Setback from all other roads: 50 feet.
(g)
Side yard setback: 30 feet.
(h)
Rear yard setback: 75 feet.
E. Building height, except as may otherwise be provided
in this chapter: The maximum permitted height of a structure in this
district shall not exceed 40 feet in height.
[Amended 6-1-2009]
F. Nonconforming uses: nonconforming uses within the Planned Commercial District, Article
V, §
210-39.
G. Planned Commercial District; general design elements.
The Town considers the following design features to be desirable elements
of planned commercial development, and the standards and guidelines
set forth in subsequent sections of this article are intended to facilitate
the incorporation of as many of these features into a proposed project
as feasible and appropriate.
(1) Visual compatibility with development on adjacent
sites.
(2) Building scale and mass that is compatible with adjacent
or nearby development, especially residential.
(3) Preservation of natural site features.
(4) Landscaping and screening of parking areas with extensive use of shade trees shall be subject to the regulations of Article
V, § 210.41A, landscaping and buffering.
(5) Significant landscape and hardscape (e.g., decorative
pavers) elements throughout the entire site.
(6) Use of quality exterior building materials (e.g.,
stone and brick), surfaces, and textures and avoidance of large stretches
of unadorned stucco, or concrete block.
(7) Articulated building forms and massing with significant
wall articulation and variation (e.g., insets, canopies, wing-walls,
trellises).
(8) Multiplaned, pitched roofs with meaningful overhangs,
covered walkways, awnings and arcades.
(9) Step-down of building scale adjacent to pedestrian
routes and building entrances.
(10)
Pedestrian-oriented ornamentation and detail
at ground level.
(11)
Building locations that provide significant
pedestrian courtyards, plazas, or other common gathering areas with
coordinated site furniture and lighting.
(12)
Incorporation of man-made water features such
as fountains, etc., as a prominent site amenity.
(13)
Provisions of clearly delineated pedestrian
circulation system including walkways along buildings of sufficient
size to accommodate potential outdoor dining and desired hardscape
improvements.
(14)
Connect on-site pedestrian/bicycle and cartway
circulation system with adjoining off-site sidewalks, bikeways, and
other trails.
(15)
Prominent access driveways with clear visibility
of entrances.
(16)
Master parking and access plans that provide
for cross access between adjoining sites and minimize the number of
curb cuts of collector and arterial roads.
(17)
Signage which complements and is in scale with
the building architecture.
(18)
Screening of any visible outdoor storage, loading,
or equipment areas.
(19)
Exterior lighting that confines light spread
and minimizes glare.
H. Building and parking area location/orientation.
(1) The height, scale, and mass of buildings should be
compatible with the neighboring area especially when located near
residential development.
(2) Where surrounding development is of a smaller scale,
larger-scale buildings should be located internal to the site and
transition down in scale to the outer edge of the site.
(3) Adjacent buildings of different architectural styles
shall be made compatible by such means as screens, sight breaks, and
materials.
(4) Attractive landscape transition to adjoining properties
shall be provided.
(5) Multiple buildings in a single project shall create
a positive functional relationship to one another. Where possible,
multiple buildings shall be clustered to achieve a "village" scale.
This creates opportunities for plazas and pedestrian areas while preventing
long "barracks-like" rows of buildings. When clustering is impractical,
a visual link shall be established between buildings with the use
of an arcade system, trellis, colonnade, covered walkways, landscaping,
enhanced paving, building articulation and detailing, or similar features.
(6) Orienting buildings closer to the street to screen
parking in the interior of the site and providing strong pedestrian
connections to buildings is encouraged where appropriate (e.g., does
not negatively impact any abutting residential areas).
(7) If the design of a site does not lend itself to a
functional storefront along the street(s), the building facade facing
the street shall be designed with enhancements comparable to that
of the primary facade. Design enhancements may include real and/or
faux windows, awnings/pedestrian arcades, outdoor seating/public plaza,
landscape features, or other design elements that meet the intent
of this guideline.
(8) Position entries to buildings so they are easily identifiable
from the interior drives and parking lots.
(9) Parking lot areas should be located away and well-screened
and buffered from any adjacent or nearby residential areas.
(10)
Parking setbacks from all streets should be
adequate to allow for all required buffering or screening.
(11)
Parking should be placed at the side or rear
of the lot and screened from view whenever possible. Break the parking
areas up into groups of no more than 35 spaces per area separated
by landscaping areas.
I. Parking area design.
(1) Large-surface parking areas and other expansive areas
of paved surfaces should be designed with a series of smaller parking
fields. Smaller parking fields can be incorporated by physically separating
parking areas with buildings and plazas, and may also be delineated
with an on-site circulation system that utilizes uninterrupted drive
aisles, landscape islands and planters, pedestrian walkways, or any
combination thereof.
(2) Parking areas shall be partially screened from view
from public roads using plantings, building wall extensions, berms,
or other innovative design means.
(3) Designs that provide for on-street parking in front
of buildings may be considered if appropriate given the layout and
general location of the site.
(4) Parking lots should have direct pedestrian connection
to the building entry points, especially if the parking is located
along the side and/or behind the buildings. Designated pedestrian
access shall be provided from all parking areas to the primary building
entrances.
(5) Design parking lots to avoid dead-end aisles.
(6) Separate parking areas from buildings by a landscaped
strip whenever possible or a raised concrete walkway or pedestrian
plaza.
(7) Orient parking aisles perpendicular to buildings so
pedestrians walk parallel to moving cars. Minimize the need for pedestrians
to cross multiple parking aisles and landscape areas.
(8) Avoid aligning all travel lanes in parking lots in
long straight configurations. The maximum length of any row of parking
shall be 10 parking spaces.
(9) Provide landscaping islands at the ends of all rows
of parking.
(10)
Use curbed landscaping islands to designate
a change in direction of parking stalls and aisles.
(11)
Provide cross-access easements between adjacent
lots to facilitate the flow of traffic between complementary users.
(12)
The required number of safe and conveniently
accessible parking spaces should be provided for the physically handicapped
in accordance with ADA standards. Locations shall be near building
entrances and where parking space sides abut landscape islands.
(13)
Applicants may request that the Town consider
designs that provide for shared parking between different uses with
staggered peak parking demand in order to reduce the total number
of spaces within the development.
(14)
Applicants may request that the Town consider
the use of properly designed grass or pervious paved overflow parking
areas for developments that have only periodic parking demand.
J. Architectural design.
(1) Building scale, massing, and forms.
(a)
Nonresidential buildings shall be designed with
an architectural style and/or theme. The intent of this guideline
is to ensure that nonresidential development incorporates architecturally
valid design of each building and architectural compatibility within
an integrated development. Not all building elevations of a structure
will have the same level of detailing and articulation in order to
avoid monotony.
(b)
The design of all buildings shall employ textured
surfaces, projections, recesses, color, window patterns, overhangs,
reveals, changes in parapet heights, and similar architectural devices
to avoid monolithic shapes and surfaces and to emphasize building
entries. Designs shall avoid the use of long, unbroken, flat walls.
(c)
Building facades greater than 80 feet in length,
measured horizontally, shall incorporate wall plane projections, articulation
or recesses having a depth of at least 3% of the length of the facade
(or at least two feet) and extending at least 20% of the length of
the facade. No uninterrupted length of any facade shall exceed 80
horizontal feet.
(d)
Building facades shall also include a repeating
pattern of one or more of the following design elements/features:
(e)
Facades.
[1]
Design building entries and street-side facades
with elements that enhance pedestrian comfort and orientation while
presenting features with visual interest that invite activity.
[2]
Ground floor facades that face public streets
or proposed promenade or pedestrian walkways shall have arcades, display
windows, entry areas, awnings, canopies, or other such features. Landscaping
and architectural detail at the street level should be used to soften
the edge of the building and enhance the pedestrian scale and streetscape.
[3]
Each principal building on a site shall have
clearly defined, highly visible customer entrances featuring one or
more of the following:
[e] Raised corniced parapets over the
door.
[i] Architectural details such as tile
work, moldings, stone or brick integrated into the building structure
and design.
[j] Integral planters or wing walls
that incorporate landscaped areas and/or places for sitting.
[k] Special paving patterns and materials.
(f)
Designs that emphasize floor lines or that express
rhythms and patterns of windows, columns, cornices, dormers, and other
architectural features are encouraged.
(g)
Building components such as windows, doors,
eaves, and parapets shall have good proportions and relationships
to one another which are compatible in size and design.
(2) Roof forms and materials.
(a)
Avoid roof lines running in continuous planes
wherever appropriate.
(b)
Appearance of a flat roof is prohibited.
(c)
Views of flat roof sections are prohibited.
(d)
Roof materials should be of high quality, durable,
and consistent with local architectural themes.
(e)
Design roof forms to correspond to and denote
building elements and functions such as entrances, arcades, and porches.
(f)
Roof forms should relate to adjacent buildings
or developments.
(g)
Screen rooftop mechanical units from view with
architecturally integrated screening units, roof parapets, or sloped
roof forms.
(3) Building materials.
(a)
Exterior building materials shall be of high
quality and include at least one of the following as the predominant
exterior building surface:
[3]
Tinted, textured concrete masonry units.
(b)
Predominant building materials should not include
the following:
[1]
Highly reflective materials such as bright aluminum
and glass.
[3]
Plain unfinished concrete block or large expanses
of unarticulated stucco.
[4]
Prefabricated steel panels.
(c)
Utilize materials in their natural texture and
color.
(d)
Use heavier materials such as natural stone
and masonry on the lower levels of buildings to visually anchor them
to the ground.
(e)
Do not use plexiglass, glossy metal and backlit
vinyl awnings.
(4) Building colors.
(a)
The use of high-intensity, metallic, fluorescent,
or black colors is prohibited.
(b)
Choose color palettes for new buildings that
are compatible with the colors of adjacent structures.
(c)
Architectural detailing should be painted to
complement the facade and coordinate with adjacent buildings.
(d)
Roof colors shall be compatible with the dominant
building color.
K. Pedestrian amenities.
(1) All commercial developments with multiple buildings
or tenants shall be designed to include:
(a)
Pedestrian plazas and courtyards that are of
such scale, design and/or locations to be a focal point of activity
and/or interest. Such areas should not just be aesthetically pleasing,
but they should also be designed (e.g., providing ample covered/shaded
areas) to serve as truly functional and desirable places of public
interaction and enjoyment.
(b)
Outdoor dining areas and sidewalk cafes should
be used to bring activity to plans and courtyards, and should be placed
at the edge of open spaces, or located along building and street frontages.
Where feasible, create a sense of enclosure for such outdoor dining
areas.
(c)
Walkways and breezeways that provide connections
between buildings and other site amenities. When located along storefronts,
walkways should be of sufficient width to accommodate potential sidewalk
cafes and shall be primarily covered with building overhangs, trellises,
awnings, or a combination thereof.
(d)
Water bodies that serve as a site amenity both
in terms of design (e.g., size/shape/use of fountains) and interaction
with other pedestrian amenities (e.g., outdoor dining areas and walkways).
(e)
Restrooms/changing areas.
(f)
If the applicant does not propose one or more
of these features, a statement must be provided indicating what conditions,
if any, inhibit their inclusion in the project. Failure to provide
adequate justification for not including the features listed above
shall be grounds for denial of applications.
(2) Aggregate open space areas for pedestrian use. Do
not distribute them in low-impact areas, such as building peripheries,
areas behind structures, or where barely visible.
(3) Delineate areas of pedestrian activity with the following
features:
(a)
Accent paving. Such paving should be used to
highlight plazas, courtyards, walkways, breezeways, and building entrances.
(b)
Landscaping. Lush in-ground plantings should
be provided around pedestrian amenities to enhance aesthetic appeal
and provide ample shading. Project landscaping should also include
wall and/or raised planter boxes, vases/pots, and flowering vines
both on walls and arbors.
(c)
Fountains, gazebos, artwork, and other similar
features. Such features should be located to draw attention to and
stimulate interest in pedestrian amenities.
(d)
Decorative lighting. Such lighting should be
of relatively low intensity and not produce any glare. Wall-mounted
decorative lighting fixtures should complement the architecture of
the building to which they are affixed. Decorative lamp-posts should
also complement the architecture of the overall project and be in
scale with their surroundings.
(e)
Furnishings. Pedestrian areas should be furnished
with chairs, tables, benches, and trash containers. Such furnishings
should be compatible in terms of design, color, and quality of materials
used (no plastic) with the overall development in which they are located.
L. Vehicular access and circulation.
(1) Locate site access points as far as possible from
street intersections to provide maximum vehicle stacking room.
(2) Minimize the number of street access driveways by
combining curb cuts servicing adjacent uses.
(3) Locate and design site entries to minimize pedestrian/vehicular
conflicts.
(4) Design entrances to align with focal points within
the development.
(5) Driveway entrances shall not directly line up with
head-in parking.
(6) Design internal roadways/driveways to incorporate
design elements of gateway entries including use of pavers, landscaping,
and lighting. The provision of tree-lined drive aisles should be emphasized.
(7) Avoid conflicts between adjacent parking lots by maintaining
similar directions of travel and parking design.
(8) Design drive-through lanes to allow for vehicle stacking
distance that accommodates anticipated demand without impairing traffic
circulation.
(9) Drive-through facilities and stacking lanes shall
not be located within the front yard setbacks and shall be adequately
screened from view.
(10)
Locate drop-off points near building entries
and plaza areas.
(11)
Traffic patterns shall be designed to accommodate
emergency vehicles.
M. Pedestrian and bicycle circulation.
(1) Provide separate vehicular, pedestrian, and cart path
circulation systems where applicable with a strong emphasis on pedestrian
linkages between uses. Separation of systems should be created through
design elements such as changes in grade, materials (e.g., decorative
pavers), landscaping screens, structures/barriers, etc.
(2) Link developments with surrounding areas and uses
by extending sidewalks, bike paths, cart paths and other trails directly
into and across the development, and across property lines, thereby
providing convenient, direct pedestrian and bicycle access to adjoining
development.
(3) Continuous internal pedestrian walkways, no less than
five feet in width, shall be provided from the public sidewalk or
right-of-way to the principal customer entrance of all principal buildings
on the site. Out parcels shall be connected to each other, to the
main shopping center and to the public sidewalk system by pedestrian
walkways.
(4) Internal pedestrian walkways shall provide weather
protection features such as awnings or arcades within 30 feet of all
customer entrances.
(5) Provide well-identified connections from perimeter
sidewalks and bike paths to the primary pedestrian and bicycle paths
within the development. Pursuant to ADA requirements, all developments
shall be designed with a minimum of one designated pedestrian path
from each abutting street to the primary entrance(s) of the development.
(6) Align walkways directly and continuously to connect
pedestrian destinations.
(7) Internal pedestrian walkways should be designed to
avoid the crossing of drive-through lanes and service drives.
(8) Locate bicycle parking spaces near both customer and
employee building entrances but be careful not to obstruct said entrances
or the flow of pedestrian traffic.
(9) All sidewalks and pedestrian ways should be designed
to be compliant with ADA requirements and recommendations.
N. Landscaping design. All applicable requirements of §
210-41, Performance standards, must be met, in addition to the following:
(1) Landscaping should be designed as an integral part
of the overall site plan with the purpose of enhancing building design,
public views and spaces, and providing buffers, transitions, screening,
and shade.
(2) Existing desirable landscape elements and topographical
features on the site should be incorporated into the design.
(3) Perimeter landscaping along all adjacent public right-of-ways
and other abutting development shall be provided. The intent of such
landscaping is to soften and help beautify the appearance of the overall
development but not to totally screen the development from any public
view. Landscaped buffers are required along all public rights-of-way
which incorporate a combination of landscaping, berms, and/or low
walls made of concrete, masonry, or other similar material and not
exceeding a maximum height of three feet.
(4) Landscaping shall be provided adjacent to and within
parking areas using landscaped islands and medians to screen vehicles
from view, provide shade, and minimize the expansive appearance of
parking lot fields. The extensive use of shade trees shall be required
when landscaping any area of a site where vehicles will be parked.
(5) Landscaping should be provided along all building
facades facing a parking lot or street. Anchor it to the surrounding
environment and soften the appearance of the structure. In-ground
landscaping should comprise the majority of the landscaping requirement.
Raised planters are acceptable when designed to accentuate the architecture
and/or enhance pedestrian areas.
(6) Unity of design shall be achieved by repetition of
certain plant varieties and other materials.
(7) Plant material shall be selected for interest in its
structure, texture, and color and for its ultimate growth. Plants
that are indigenous to the area and others that will be hardy, harmonious
to the design and good appearance shall be used.
(8) Plants shall be protected by appropriate curbs, tree
guards, or other devices when susceptible to injury by pedestrian
or motor traffic.
(9) Dense landscaping and/or architectural treatments
should be provided to screen unattractive views and features such
as storage areas, trash enclosures, utility cabinets and other similar
elements.
(10)
Landscaping and accent paving should be used
to help define and beautify main project entrances. Entries to multitenant
projects should be designed as special statements reflective of the
character and scale of the project in order to establish identity
for tenants, visitors, and patrons. Landscaping consisting of natural
vegetation should be the predominant component of the design of such
entries versus hardscape components such as walls, fountains, and
signage. Planting design should have focal points at project entries,
plaza areas, and other areas of interest using distinctive planting
and/or landscape features.
(11)
The site design for projects located at street
corners should provide special landscape treatment at street intersections
to anchor the corner while taking into account sight-line issues.
Improvements should complement driveway entry landscaping and enhance
the character/design of the overall development.
O. Exterior lighting.
(1) Parking area light fixtures should be designed with
a concealed/recessed light source that shields light downward and
confines light spread within a site's boundaries and does not adversely
impact any adjoining residential areas.
(2) Site lighting should provide consistent levels of
illumination, avoiding pockets of very high or low levels of illumination.
(3) All building entrances and other areas of special
security concern should be well lit.
(4) A photometric lighting plan is required for all proposed
commercial developments to ensure adequate and appropriate light levels
are provided for each site condition.
(5) Lighting sources shall be color-correct types such
as halogen or metal halide.
(6) The same type poles and fixtures should be used throughout
a multibuilding project site and be compatible with those found on
adjacent residential properties.
(7) The maximum height of parking lot poles is 30 feet,
measured from grade. The maximum height of poles within plazas and
other pedestrian areas is 20 feet, also measured from grade. The use
of shorter height poles than the maximums listed above shall be encouraged,
provided illumination levels meet all intensity and safety requirements.
(8) Parking lot poles should be located in medians or
perimeter buffer areas wherever possible. Landscaping improvements
should not conflict with the location of poles.
(9) Provide separate pedestrian-scale lighting for walkways.
(10)
Decorative lighting fixtures mounted directly
on structures may be allowed when utilized for walkways or plazas
near buildings provided the level of illumination is of relatively
low intensity.
(11)
"Wall paks" are permitted only in loading and
service areas, and should be down-lit.
(12)
Consider highlighting entrances, art, terraces,
and special landscape features; however fixtures should be concealed
to prevent glare.
P. Signage, subject to §
210-44.
[Amended 4-4-2011]
(1) The primary function of signage for any commercial center shall be
to identify the location of businesses but not to serve as a supplementary
means of advertisement.
(2) All integrated commercial developments within the Planned Commercial
District (e.g., multiple tenants or buildings) shall establish a uniform
sign program to ensure compatibility between signs throughout the
project.
(3) Such sign programs may provide for the use of directional/reader
board signs to assist in the location of stores in commercial centers,
provided said signs are of compatible scale and architectural design.
(4) A signage plan shall be submitted to the Town for approval by applicant
prior to final plan approval.
(5) Every sign shall have good scale and proportion on its design and
in its visual relationship to buildings and surroundings.
(6) Every sign shall be designed as an integral architectural element
of the building and site to which it principally relates.
(7) The colors, materials, and lighting of every sign shall be harmonious
with the building and site to which it principally relates.
(8) All signs not on a building face shall be accompanied by landscaping
in scale to the size of the sign, and the sign shall not overwhelm
the landscaping.
(9) Permitted signs.
(a)
Signs permitted in all districts.
(b)
Each side of a commercial building facing a public street may
have one internally or externally illuminated or unlighted wall, awning,
projecting, or marquee sign.
(c)
Each commercial use may have one illuminated or unlighted window
sign.
(d)
One internally illuminated or unlighted ground/monument sign
is allowed for each side of a commercial unit that runs along a major
arterial or collector road.
(e)
Windblown displays as permitted in the MR District.
(f)
Conditional use. All integrated complexes in the PCD shall establish
a uniform sign program for compatibility between signs. Any proposed
complex of three or more principal structures located on one or more
contiguous properties, under common management and operation, is required
to submit an application for comprehensive signage approval. Such
application may be submitted for any commercial structure that has
more than 400 linear feet of frontage on a principal arterial street.
(g)
Complexes. Complexes shall meet the requirements of the regulations in §
210-18, Highway Commercial (HC) District, Subsection
H, Signs.
Q. Utilities, mechanical and telecommunications equipment.
(1) Install all permanent utility lines underground.
(2) Locate transformers away from major pedestrian routes
and outdoor seating areas.
(3) Buffer all transformers, telecommunication devices,
equipment switching boxes and other utility cabinets from street and
pedestrian areas with landscaping and/or architectural screens. Do
not leave meters exposed where visible to the public.
R. Storage, loading and service areas.
(1) Locate loading docks, storage and service areas away
from any public street in areas of low visibility, such as the rear
of buildings.
(2) Screen such areas from public view with walls and/or
landscaping. Such screens shall be of a color and material matching
or compatible with the dominant colors and materials found on the
facades of the primary building(s).
(3) Combine loading docks and service areas between multiple
sites.
(4) Clearly identify service entrances with signs to discourage
the use of main entrances for deliveries.
S. Trash/recycling facilities.
(1) Trash enclosures and containers shall be sized to
accommodate the volume of refuse but should also take advantage of
opportunities to centralize enclosures where there are multiple buildings
or users.
(2) Trash facilities shall be enclosed on three sides
and screened from view.
(3) Trash enclosures shall be located in low-visibility
areas.
(4) Trash enclosures shall be located so not to obstruct
drive aisles, pedestrian walkways, and access to parking spaces. They
must be located so as to be conveniently accessed by refuse haulers
and not infringe on any of the areas noted immediately above.
T. Maintenance factors.
(1) Continued good appearance depends upon the extent
and quality of maintenance. The choice of materials and their use,
together with the types of finishes and other protective measures,
must be conducive to easy maintenance and upkeep.
(2) Materials and finishes shall be selected for their
durability and wear as well as for their beauty. Proper measures and
devices shall be incorporated for protection against the elements,
neglect, damage and abuse.
(3) Provision for washing and cleaning of building and
structures, and control of dirt and refuse, shall be included in the
design. Configurations that tend to catch and accumulate debris, leaves,
trash, dirt, and rubbish shall be avoided.