A. 
The following design standards apply to buildings and accessory structures (including signs) located on all RC Rural Commercial properties where buildings and accessory structures are visible from public roads and adjacent residential properties. Design standards are intended to help ensure that commercial buildings outside Town Centers are compatible with the rural character of the countryside while remaining economical to build and maintain. Specific design requirements are as follow:
1. 
Exterior siding for all sides of buildings and accessory structures shall be limited to brick, wood, vinyl or aluminum horizontal or vertical board that has the appearance of wood, shingles, stucco and split face block. Uncovered cinder block is not permitted. Metal siding is permitted provided that foundation plantings include, in addition to low-growing plants, one tree or shrub at least six feet tall at time of planting for every 20 feet of siding visible from a public road or adjacent residential use. Plantings shall be a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs.
2. 
Main roof pitch: 6/12 to 12/12. Hipped roofs may have shallower pitch. False mansard roofs are not permitted. The Planning Commission may grant modifications based on the size of the building provided that the appearance of a pitched roof is maintained.
3. 
Colors and tones on walls and roofs shall be muted. Bright and/or shiny colors, if used at all, shall be used as accents only.
4. 
All mechanical equipment shall be screened from view using materials that are architecturally integrated with the design of the building.
5. 
All of the design elements on the building shall be kept in scale with the building.
6. 
All of the design elements on the building shall be in the same architectural style as the overall style of the building.
7. 
All of the design elements that are associated with a building (fences, storage sheds, etc.) shall be in the same architectural style as the overall style of the building.
8. 
Large disparities between the height, width, and length of the building shall be avoided.
9. 
Large disparities between the height, width, and length of a building in relation to buildings on adjacent parcels shall be avoided.
10. 
Building mass shall be broken up into smaller components.
11. 
Walls that are adjacent to sidewalks or roadways shall include some combination of the following features along no less than 70 percent of the horizontal length: recesses, projections, awnings, arcades, display windows and entry areas.
12. 
False windows shall not be permitted.
B. 
Properties zoned EC Employment Center shall comply with the Appearance Code for the adjacent Town Center Sub-area. The Planning Commission or its designee may request a recommendation from the Town Center Architectural Review Committee prior to approval of the proposed development.
[Amended 5-12-2009]
[Amended 6-9-2020 by Ord. No. 14-20]
A. 
Building elevations, demonstrating that the above criteria have been met, shall be submitted with all Category I detailed site development plans for review and approval by the Planning Commission's designee.
B. 
Building elevations, demonstrating that the above criteria have been met, shall be submitted with all Category II detailed site development plans for review and approval by the Planning Commission's designee.
C. 
Projects that are subject to architectural review and approval shall obtain the necessary approvals for all applicable exterior elements (except for signage), prior to receiving final detailed site development plan approval.