Town of New Windsor, MD Article IX Design Guidelines and Standards

[Added 1-5-2011 by Ord. No. 12-01-10A ]

§ 175-23 Purpose.

The Town of New Windsor has a rich architectural heritage, with certain distinct building styles, and a characteristic small town ambiance. The purpose of the design guidelines and standards is to provide a resource for developers, homeowners, and builders as they create new communities, or rebuild or expand existing properties. The goal is that the new or altered properties fit with the overall character and appearance of the Town, particularly the older areas generally designated as Village-Center, and reinforce the traditional architectural character of the Town of New Windsor.

§ 175-24 Projects subject to design guidelines and standards.

In all districts other than in the Light-Industrial and the Employment Campus Districts, all new commercial, institutional or residential construction and all accessory buildings and structures associated with residential, institutional, or commercial buildings that require a building permit, including additions to existing residential, institutional, and commercial buildings or to associated accessory buildings that alter the footprint or height of an existing building, and therefore require a building permit, are subject to these design guidelines and standards.

§ 175-25 Application and review process.

A. The Zoning Administrator shall review the building application for all construction and all accessory buildings and structures that require a building permit, but do not need a subdivision or site plan review. The Zoning Administrator may refer any such permit application to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review. In the event of a dispute between the applicant and the Zoning Administrator, that permit application shall be submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

B. New construction and additions, which require subdivision or site plan review, will be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission for compliance with the guidelines and standards.

C. All such applications shall include photographs of the existing site, drawings of existing and proposed construction, and a materials list detailing proposed exterior finish materials.

D. All design standards approved as part of a building permit, subdivision plat or site plan by the Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission shall run with the land and shall be maintained in good repair and condition by all subsequent owners of the property. Substantive changes shall require approval of the Zoning Administrator or the Commission.

§ 175-26 General design standards in residential districts and Village-Center District.

A. For the purposes of this section, any side of the building(s) facing a public street, public access easement, or residential property is defined as a facade. All facades of a building that are visible from adjoining properties and/or public streets shall contribute to the community integration by featuring characteristics that reflect the architectural style of the buildings in the vicinity and shall include the following:

(1) The proportions and scale of principal facades of new buildings, additions, and accessory structures must be compatible with the principal facades of neighboring buildings and other buildings on the property.

(2) Facade color should be compatible with those of the surrounding properties. The use of high intensity colors, such as fluorescents, is discouraged.

(3) Facade building materials should be compatible with those of neighboring properties and may include brick, wood, native stone or tinted/textured concrete masonry units when practicable.

(4) Height of front facades should vary no more than one story from the front facades of neighboring properties.

(5) Persons constructing, enlarging or modifying buildings are encouraged to examine the various building styles in the Town, including styles of ornamentation when preparing their plans and permit applications. Such construction should be compatible with existing styles in the area whenever possible.

B. Orientation of new buildings should be compatible with the orientation of neighboring properties. The main entrance of new buildings should be oriented to the public street. Some architectural elements shall define the main entrance to residential properties.

C. All exterior lighting, including street lighting, should meet the standard, in the "Carroll County Design Expectations, Section V, Lighting."

D. Awnings shall be soft, retractable, and flame-proofed. Awnings shall not interfere with street trees, lampposts, etc., and shall terminate against the building at a height not higher than one inch below the second-floor window sill.

E. When possible, parking facilities shall be designed and provided so that the facade or front of any garage or carport shall be to the rear of a principal building. When possible, driveways and garages should be accessed from the side or rear of the property.

§ 175-27 Additional design standards for new commercial districts and Neighborhood Business and Conservation/Public Use Districts.

A. In the Neighborhood Business and Conservation/Public Use Districts and any new commercial districts created after the adoption of these guidelines and standards, the following design standards are also applicable:

(1) Commercial properties shall have a clearly defined and highly visible customer entrance with features such as canopies or porticos, arcades, wing walls, and integral planters. Weather protection features shall be provided as appropriate and practical near all customer entrances.

(2) Variations in rooflines must be incorporated at intervals of 20 feet or at each break in retail frontage, whichever is less. Rooftop mechanical equipment must be fully screened from view. Variations should incorporate roofline elements similar in character to nearby structures.

(3) Solid or permanently enclosed or covered storefronts will not be permitted, and all elements of the storefront, including awnings, signs, show windows, etc., shall be located within the area between the pavement and the second-story windowsill line.

B. Parking.

(1) For commercial or any nonresidential or mixed-use building, no off-street parking shall be permitted between the front facade of the principal building and the primary abutting street. One row of parallel or angled parking spaces is permitted between one side facade of the principal building and a secondary abutting private street, provided that a sidewalk is constructed between the parking spaces and the building. Bicycle parking areas should be included.

(2) In some circumstances, it may be appropriate for parking facilities to be shared. Upon approval of the Planning Commission, development incorporating one or more residential uses and one or more office of similar commercial uses may, in a common parking facility, share up to 50% of the parking spaces required for each use.