The North Hempstead Town Board finds that the establishment
of an overlay zoning district for its central business area would
further the goals and objectives of the adopted Shared Vision Plan
for the Port Washington Peninsula.
The Overlay District will serve to advance the following goals
as initially established in the Vision Plan:
A. To create a vibrant pedestrian-friendly area.
B. To enhance the aesthetics and overall image.
C. To improve public safety.
D. To generate economic activity.
The following guidelines are recommended, but not mandatory,
design elements for properties within the Overly District:
A. Storefronts.
(1)
Designs should emphasize the role of the storefront as the focus
of the building facade. A storefront should act as the unifying element
within the block by creating strong horizontal elements such as continuous
display windows, a consistent design frieze and use of colorful awnings.
(2)
Main entrances should be recessed and inviting, allowing for
views into commercial areas.
(3)
Storefront designs should maximize window exposure and include
at least one display window. At least 60% of the ground floor facade
should be transparent.
(4)
Architectural features and details such as projecting storefront
cornices, decorative below-window panels, prominent display windows,
etc., are encouraged.
(5)
Landscape treatment to establish an attractive link between
rear building entrances and parking areas.
B. Building facades.
(1)
Upper floor windows should be vertically oriented to reflect
the prominent facade treatment found in many buildings on Main Street.
(2)
Varied roof forms involving use of gables, dormers and decorative
cornices are encouraged.
(3)
Building materials are to be compatible with nearby structures.
Use of brick, stucco, stone and clapboard is appropriate in this regard.
(4)
Facade articulation using bay windows, setbacks, pilasters and
other features are encouraged to create architectural interest and
to maintain a human scale along the street.
(5)
Improved rear building entrances that should consider recessed
doorways and installation of protective canopies and awnings.
C. Roofs and rooflines.
(1)
Peaked roofs are encouraged as a means to promote architectural
variety and streetscape quality.
(2)
To reduce stormwater runoff, reduce heat sinks, and to promote
energy efficiency, the use of green roofs and rooftop gardens is encouraged.
(3)
All mechanical equipment, television antennas, satellite dishes,
or other communications antennas shall be screened from view from
the street or adjoining properties.
D. Signs.
(1)
The design of wall signs should be consistent in terms of materials
and colors with the architectural character of the associated building.
(2)
The use of natural materials such as wood is encouraged.
(3)
Signs should have a minimum of information in order to avoid
clutter and confusion. The use of bold, easily recognized symbols,
logos and simple illustrations that identify a business or activity
is encouraged.
(4)
Signs should have dark background colors with light-colored
letters since this minimizes the apparent size of signs within the
streetscape. The number of colors used in a sign should be limited
to three unless used in an illustration.
(5)
Wall signs should not obscure or cover architectural features
of the building facade.
(6)
Lettering styles should complement the style and period of the
building on which they appear. Traditional block and curvilinear styles
which are easy to read are preferred. No more than two different type
styles or fonts should be used on the same sign to avoid a cluttered
appearance.
(7)
The use of pedestrian-scale hanging signs is encouraged and
should be designed to illustrate the use of the building or products/services
offered. Hanging signs should be limited to a maximum of six square
feet in area and should be located at least seven feet six inches
above the sidewalk level.
(8)
Window signs, painted or attached to the inside surface of a
window, should be limited to 25% of the total glass area. Temporary
window advertising signs should be limited as much as possible.
E. Awnings.
(1)
Awnings and canopies should complement the scale and proportion
of buildings with colors or patterns that enhance the materials used
on facades.
(2)
Awnings should be of traditional form; curvilinear ("waterfall")
forms are not permitted.
(3)
Awnings should be made of nonglossy, weather-resistant fabric
(such as canvas).
(4)
Lettering should be focused on awning aprons. Any signage on
awning fronts should be limited to the store name or to a logo/symbol
that identifies the business or activity.
F. Loading and service areas.
(1)
Any loading and maneuvering of service vehicles and all other
related service activities necessary for the construction or operation
of the development shall be accommodated entirely within lot lines
and shall not impede traffic on adjacent streets.
(2)
All service areas shall be adequately screened from view from
adjacent streets and from neighboring residential units.
(3)
There shall be no outdoor storage of materials, refuse, garbage,
or unlicensed vehicles. Garbage dumpsters, where approved, shall be
screened from public view at all times.
G. Outdoor lighting.
(1)
Lighting should be of a height and intensity to ensure a pleasant
and safe sidewalk for pedestrians.
(2)
The use of light-emitting diodes or other alternative to high-pressure
sodium or metal halide is preferred.
(3)
Lighting should be shielded to ensure a minimum amount of light
is directed towards the sky or creates off-site glare.
H. Landscaping and pedestrian walkways.
(1)
All land not covered by structures or parking areas shall be
landscaped with lawn, vegetative ground cover, shrubs, trees, or appropriate
pedestrian walkways or amenities.
(2)
To minimize water consumption, xeriscaping and/or the use of
indigenous or drought-resistant species is preferred.
To qualify for mixed-use occupancy as authorized in §
70-140B, development plans must include a minimum of 65% of the following elements:
A. Storefront.
(1)
Contains strong horizontal elements.
(2)
Contains continuous display windows.
(3)
Main entrance is recessed.
(4)
Main entrance allows for views into the interior.
(5)
Contains at least one display window.
(6)
At least 60% of the ground floor facade is transparent.
(7)
Projecting cornices at the storefront.
(8)
Decorative below-window panels.
(9)
Display window(s) are prominent.
(10)
Other architectural features that enhance window design.
B. Rear of building and parking area.
(2)
Rear doorway is recessed.
(3)
Rear doorway protected by canopy or awning.
C. Building facades.
(1)
Upper floor windows vertically oriented.
(3)
Materials are compatible with nearby structures.
(5)
Use of building setbacks.
(7)
Other features of architectural interest.
D. Roof and roofline.
(2)
Use of green roofs or rooftop gardens.
(3)
Equipment and utilities are screened.
E. Signs.
(1)
Wall signs.
(a)
Materials and colors consistent with architectural character.
(b)
Use of natural materials.
(c)
Use of easily recognized symbols, logos or illustrations.
(d)
Use of dark background colors with light lettering.
(e)
No more than three colors.
(f)
Sign does not obscure architectural features.
(g)
Use of easy-to-read block and curvilinear styles.
(h)
No more than two different styles or fonts.
(2)
Hanging signs.
(a)
Indicates products/services offered.
(b)
Maximum area of six square feet.
(c)
At least seven feet six inches above sidewalk.
(3)
Window signs.
(a)
Not greater than 25% of the total glass area.
F. Awnings.
(2)
Constructed of nonglossy, weather-resistant fabric.
(3)
Lettering only located on awning apron and limited to store
name or logo.
G. Loading and service areas.
(1)
Does not impede traffic on adjacent streets.
(2)
Screened from streets and adjacent properties.
(3)
Material storage is enclosed.
H. Outdoor lighting.
(1)
Appropriate height and intensity.
(2)
Use of alternative lighting methods and materials.
I. Landscaping and pedestrian walkways.
(1)
Landscaping and/or pedestrian walkways are provided.
(2)
Use of xeriscaping, indigenous or drought-resistant species.
In the event that any section or provision of this article is
declared to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity
of the article as a whole or any part thereof shall not be affected
thereby.