Village of Bellevue, WI Multifamily Development Standards

Note: This chapter shall function in combination with Parts 500-200, 500-500, 500-1900 and all other chapters of the Zoning Code. Please refer to these for additional requirements and limitations.

§ 500-1601 Purpose.

This chapter is intended to regulate development to:

Promote and to protect the public health, safety, comfort, convenience and general welfare;

Promote the orderly development of the community in accordance with the Official Village Comprehensive Plan or any of the component parts thereof;

Secure safety from fire, panic, and other dangers;

Improve the visual image of the Village while maintaining scenic values;

Lessen congestion in the streets;

Provide adequate standards of light, air and open space;

Maintain the aesthetic appearances and prevent the overcrowding of land;

Mitigate urban heat islands;

Protect existing development and improve upon it;

Provide adequate public infrastructure and street and highway capacity;

Encourage alternative modes of transportation and minimize the visual, physical and environmental impacts of a motor vehicle dominated transportation system;

Minimize light pollution and the creation of sky glow;

Recognize the physical, environmental, social and psychological benefits of good design of all aspects of the built environment including but not limited to building construction, site improvement, signs and landscaping;

Foster a rational pattern of relationship among agricultural, residential, business, commercial and manufacturing uses for the mutual benefit of all.

§ 500-1602 Applicability and additional zoning requirements.

This article shall function in harmony with Part 500-1500, Site Plan Review, and all other chapters of the Village of Bellevue Zoning and Municipal Codes. In the event of a conflict, the stricter of the regulations shall apply. The following requirements are applicable to the approval and construction of all new multifamily residential projects, additions, remodeling, reconstruction, and rehabilitation as appropriate.

§ 500-1603 Architectural standards.

Building materials. Exterior building materials shall be allowed in three steps each with unique requirements above and beyond the other requirements listed below:

Step 1.

The minimum materials shall consist of 80% brick/masonry/stone, 20% siding/shake or other alternative materials as approved by the CDRT.

Vinyl siding shall have a minimum thickness of 0.044.

A minimum of a two-foot offset in building design for both walls that are considered front or rear facades and roofs shall be incorporated a minimum of every 50 feet subject to review and approval by the CDRT.

Walls that are considered front or rear facades shall incorporate wall plane projections or recesses a minimum of two feet and shall be repeated every 50 feet.

Buildings shall have distinctive roof profiles and provide a variation in roof lines.

Architectural features shall be used to break up the plane of the wall such as wall treatments, siding/brick/stone design, accent panels, or other design as reviewed and approved by the CDRT.

Architectural details such as wall treatments, siding/brick/stone design, accent panels, colors, textures, or other design shall be incorporated to further articulate walls, as reviewed and approved by the CDRT.

Windows shall be defined by a border or molding with a minimum width of 2 1/4.

The roof shall utilize asphalt shingles, or other material as approved by the CDRT.

A shed roof shall not be considered an architectural feature.

Step 2.

The minimum materials shall consist of 60% brick/masonry/stone, 40% siding/shake or other alternative materials as approved by the CDRT.

Vinyl siding shall have a minimum thickness of 0.044.

Vinyl shake must make up at least 10% of the vinyl allotment with design to be reviewed and approved by the CDRT.

A minimum of a two-foot offset in building design for both walls that are considered front or rear facades and roofs shall be incorporated a minimum of every 30 feet subject to review and approval by the CDRT for application.

Walls that are considered front or rear facades shall incorporate wall plane projections or recesses a minimum of two feet and shall be repeated every 30 feet.

Buildings shall have distinctive roof profiles and provide a variation in roof lines.

Architectural features shall be used to break up the plane of the wall such as wall treatments, siding/brick/stone design, accent panels, or other design as reviewed and approved by the CDRT.

The first story of building shall be distinguished from the second story by means of a horizontal lintel, material change, overhang or setback.

Windows shall be defined by a border or molding with a minimum width of 2 1/4.

(h)

The roof shall utilize asphalt shingles, or other material as approved by the CDRT.

(i)

A shed roof shall not be considered an architectural feature.

Step 3.

The minimum materials shall consist of 40% brick/masonry/stone, 60% siding/shake or other alternative materials as approved by the CDRT.

Vinyl siding shall have a minimum thickness of 0.044.

Vinyl shake must make up at least 20% of vinyl allotment with design to be reviewed and approved by the CDRT.

A minimum of a two-foot offset in building design for both walls that are considered front or rear facades and roofs shall be incorporated a minimum of every 20 feet subject to review and approval by the Site Plan Review Commission for application.

Walls that are considered front or rear facades shall incorporate wall plane projections or recesses a minimum of two feet and shall be repeated every 20 feet.

Buildings shall have distinctive roof profiles and provide a variation in roof lines.

Architectural features shall be used to break up the plane of the wall such as wall treatments, siding/brick/stone design, accent panels, or other design as reviewed and approved by the CDRT.

Variations in roof height and orientation shall be incorporated into the building design.

The first story of building shall be distinguished from the second story by means of a horizontal lintel, material change, overhang or setback.

(h)

Windows shall be defined by a border or molding with a minimum width of 2 1/4.

(i)

The roof shall utilize asphalt shingles, or other material as approved by the CDRT.

(j)

A shed roof shall not be considered an architectural feature.

Building design. The building exterior shall complement other buildings in the vicinity, and shall be of a design and color determined appropriate by the Village:

The building shall employ varying setbacks, heights, broken roof lines and other roof features, doorways, window openings, and other structural or decorative elements to reduce apparent size and scale and to visually enhance the building, while maintaining the residential character.

A one or more stall garage shall be provided for each unit, of which no less than 50% shall be attached to each building.

Carports are prohibited.

Roofs with particular slopes may be required by the Village to complement existing buildings or otherwise establish a particular aesthetic objective. There shall be no flat roofs or roofs with a slope of less than four vertical to 12 horizontal.

Buildings shall incorporate patios and balconies with roofs.

All rooftop mechanical equipment and vents over eight inches in diameter or square dimension are prohibited. Color of venting shall be consistent with surrounding material colors. All venting shall be submitted for review and approval by the CDRT.

A minimum of 20% of the structure's facades that are visible from a public street shall employ actual protrusions or recesses with a depth of at least six feet. No uninterrupted facade shall extend more than 100 feet.

Building entrances. Public building entryways shall be clearly defined and highly visible on the building's exterior, and shall be emphasized by on-site traffic flow patterns.

Two or more of the following design features shall be incorporated into all public building entryways:

Canopies or porticos, overhangs, projections, arcades, peaked roof forms, arches, outdoor patios, distinct architectural details.

Building color. In order to promote a cohesive aesthetic throughout the Village, an acceptable palette of colors for primary buildings and accessory structures is herein established.

The Village bases the acceptable palette of colors on a universal fan deck with six to eight color chips per color and with values ranging from light to dark:

On a six-chip per card deck, the light value range is considered to be comprised of the first two (lightest) color chips, the mid-value range is comprised of the third and fourth color chips and the dark value range is comprised of the fifth and sixth color chips.

On a fan desk with eight color chips per card, the light value range is considered to be comprised of the first three (lightest) color chips, the mid-value range is comprised of the fourth and fifth color chips and the dark value range is comprised of the sixth, seventh and eighth color chips.

The darkest color value of any color on a universal fan deck shall be used by the Village to determine whether the color is neutral, muted and de-saturated, or whether it is unacceptably bright or fluorescent. The CDRT shall have unilateral discretion over the interpretation of these color guidelines.

For the brick facades of primary buildings and accessory structures this palette consists of muted, light-to-mid value neutrals and muted, light-to-mid value earth tones.

Acceptable colors are whites, creams/beiges, and pale to mid-toned gray, muted yellows and pale golds, light terra cotta, light and mid-value browns, and tans.

The color of building facades shall be constructed and maintained in compliance with this paragraph and the approval of the CDRT.

For primary buildings and accessory structures, building trim and architectural accent elements shall be within the color palette of Subsection D(1) and (2) for building and accessory structure facades or may feature black or somewhat more intense mid-to-dark value colors, but those colors shall still be understated, neutral desaturated colors, muted in tone and in keeping with the established aesthetic.

Acceptable colors are understated, de-saturated neutral and muted tones of whites, creams/beiges, grays and blues, yellows and golds, terra cotta, browns, tans, greens, and dark reds.

The finish on trim and architectural accents shall be non-metallic, non-fluorescent, and non-reflective and shall not be specific to particular uses or tenants.

The color of building trim and architectural accent elements shall be constructed and maintained in compliance with this paragraph and the approval of the CDRT.

All sides of the building shall include materials consistent with those on the front.

[Added 3-11-2020 by Ord. No. ZOA 2020-0001]

Accessory structures, including but not limited to storage, maintenance facilities and dumpster enclosures, shall be architecturally compatible, including masonry, with the primary buildings they serve. The percentage of masonry shall be consistent with the step utilized for the primary buildings within the development.

[Added 3-11-2020 by Ord. No. ZOA 2020-0001]

§ 500-1604 Site design standards.

Screening.

All ground and roof-mounted mechanical equipment, refuse and recycle containers and any permitted outdoor storage shall be fully concealed from on-site and off-site ground level views, with materials identical to those used on the building exterior.

Refuse and recycle containers shall be generally located in the rear or interior of the development, not visible from adjacent streets. Approval of an alternative location shall be at the discretion of the Community Development Director or his/her designee.

[Added 11-14-2018 by Ord. No. O-2018-12]

Gates and fencing may be used for security and accent, but shall be of high aesthetic quality.

Decorative metal picket, vinyl or wrought iron fencing is acceptable.

Chain link, wire mesh or wood fencing is unacceptable.

Decorative, heavy-duty wood gates may be used.

Parking.

Parking lot design shall employ interior, curbed landscaped islands at all parking aisle ends.

The parking lot shall provide landscaped islands within each parking aisle spaced at intervals no greater than one island per every 20 spaces in that aisle. Islands at the ends of aisles shall count toward meeting this requirement.

Each required landscaped island shall be a minimum of 400 square feet in landscaped area for a double row of parking stalls, or 200 square feet in landscaped area for a single row of parking stalls.

All parking abutting lower density residential lands or adjacent to public rights-of way shall be screened from view by the use of berms and landscaping.

[Amended 3-11-2020 by Ord. No. ZOA 2020-0001]

The parking lot shall be set back a minimum of 20 feet to allow for the use of berms and landscaping. Plant materials used for screening purposes shall be staggered and sufficient in size to meet this standard within three years of planting.

The required number of parking stalls per unit is pursuant to Part 500-1900, Off-Street Parking Regulations.

All parking and storage areas shall be maintained so that the pavement/hard surfacing is structurally sound, clean and free of dust, mud or trash and striped to Village standards. All pavement repair, striping, reconstruction, or restoration work shall be done in accordance with Village standards.

[Added 3-11-2020 by Ord. No. ZOA 2020-0001]

Vehicular traffic facilities.

All projects shall have direct access to an arterial street, or to a collector level street deemed appropriate by the Village.

The Village looks favorably at meandering streets; however, street patterns shall allow for a feasible system of street addressing for emergency response.

Connectivity to Village Trail System. The development shall provide connectivity to the Village Trail System where available.

Outdoor storage uses and areas. With the exception of communal garbage/recycle enclosures, there shall be no outside storage of vehicles, equipment, containers, crates, pallets, materials, fork lifts, and all other such items; or outside parking of boats, campers, recreational vehicles, service vehicles, trailers, equipment, fork lifts, and all other such items.

Natural resources protection. In general, existing natural features shall be integrated into the site design as a site and community amenity.

§ 500-1605 Landscaping and greenspace standards.

On-site landscaping shall be provided at time of building occupancy and maintained per the following landscaping requirements:

A landscaping plan shall be submitted to the Village for approval, as part of the site plan.

For approved tree plantings and specifications, see the most recently adopted Village of Bellevue Arboricultural Specifications Manual.

[Added 11-14-2018 by Ord. No. O-2018-12[1]]

Editor's Note: Pursuant to this ordinance, former Subsections B and C were redesignated as Subsections C and D, respectively.

Building foundation landscaping is required for all building frontages to provide visual breaks in the mass of the building.

Such foundation landscaping shall be placed along 30% of the building's total perimeter, predominately near and along entrances and along street sides.

One ornamental tree with a minimum 1.75 inches, caliper and four shrubs at a minimum height of 18 inches tall shall be planted for every 25 linear feet of building foundation planter area.

[Amended 11-14-2018 by Ord. No. O-2018-12]

One street tree a minimum of 1.75 inches, caliper shall be planted at fifty-foot centers (for low- to mid-growth trees) and sixty-foot centers (for large-growth trees).

Trees shall be located five feet behind the curb and four feet from sidewalk or sidewalk reserve area of all public and private streets and drives, including parking lot connections, circulation drives and loading areas (except as determined unfeasible by the Village Forester).

[Amended 11-14-2018 by Ord. No. O-2018-12]

Such tree plantings shall be planted along the circulation drives adjacent to a public or private street, and along both sides of internal drives.[2]

Editor's Note: Former Subsection C(3)(c), which named specific tree types, was repealed 11-14-2018 by Ord. No. O-2018-12.

One shade tree at a minimum of 1.75 inches caliper shall be planted on each parking lot peninsula and island.[3]

[3]

Editor's Note: Former Subsection C(4)(a), which named specific tree types, was repealed 11-14-2018 by Ord. No. O-2018-12.

Coniferous trees must be a minimum of 48 inches in height at the time of planting.[4]

[4]

Editor's Note: Former Subsection C(5)(a), which named specific tree types, was repealed 11-14-2018 by Ord. No. O-2018-12. This ordinance also repealed former Subsection C(6), which referred to the Village's approved planting guidelines. Former Subsections C(7) through C(13) were redesignated as Subsections C(6) through C(12), respectively.

All landscaped areas where low-to mid-growth trees are planted shall be a minimum of eight feet in diameter; all landscape areas where large shade trees are to be planted shall be a minimum of 10 feet in diameter.

All required trees shall be allowed to grow to their natural size and shape with pruning only as necessary to maintain good tree health.

(8)

All parking abutting lower density residential lands or adjacent to public rights-of-way shall be screened from view by the use of berms that shall be planted with a mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs, and shall be an effective and pleasing barrier.

[Amended 3-11-2020 by Ord. No. ZOA 2020-0001]

All deciduous trees shall be a minimum of 1.75 inches caliper when planted; evergreen trees shall be a minimum of four feet high when planted.

Plant materials used for screening purposes shall be staggered and sufficient in size to meet this standard within three years of planting.

(9)

General landscaping shall be provided and maintained to aesthetically enhance the overall development.

[Amended 3-11-2020 by Ord. No. ZOA 2020-0001]

Dead or terminally diseased plant materials, as determined by the Village Forester, shall be removed and replaced with healthy plant materials of comparable size and species that meet the original intent of the approved landscape design within 45 days upon determination, unless seasonal conditions prohibit removal and replacement. In such case, the removal and replacement shall occur within a reasonable period of time approved by the Village.

Failure to replace dead or terminally diseased plant materials within a reasonable period of time, as specified in Subsection C(9)(a) above, shall be considered a violation of the site plan approval and is subject to the enforcement and penalty provisions of this Code.

(10)

All deciduous trees shall be a minimum of 1.75 inches caliper at six inches above the ground when planted. All evergreen trees shall be a minimum of four feet high when planted.

(11)

As part of the site plan review process, the Village Forester will determine the appropriateness of the landscape plan in its entirety and may make dimensional exceptions as necessary dependent on terrace widths, etc.

(12)

All trees, shrubs, bushes and landscaping, shall be implemented and maintained in perpetuity.

Greenspace. All sites must maintain a minimum of 50% of the total lot area as greenspace.

Greenspace is that portion of the site which is not occupied by principal or accessory structures, or by parking areas, sidewalks, patios, driveways, or other vehicular travel paths or facilities.

Green areas reserved for stormwater management facilities may generally be counted towards greenspace calculations pursuant to Subsection D(3) below.

Areas located in floodways, floodplains, wetlands, or drainage corridors may or may not be counted towards the greenspace requirement depending on their location and relationship to the site plan.

Property which is part of a lot, but which could be subdivided for use as a separate building site, may not be used towards meeting greenspace requirements.

§ 500-1606 Exterior lighting and illumination standards.

The intent of the following standards is to mitigate the impact of exterior illumination related to development on surrounding properties, particularly in areas proximal to residential uses, while providing safe, healthy and visually attractive nighttime environments. In order to achieve that, good lighting design shall be practiced. Good lighting design is characterized by:

Illumination levels appropriate for the visual task.

Reasonably uniform illumination levels on adjoining sites.

An absence of glare.

Consideration of the compatibility and aesthetics of illumination and the mechanical improvements that create it as those relate to surrounding properties and the character of the community.

Lighting and illumination. In order to insure that appropriate lighting design as determined by the Village, the following standards shall apply:

All exterior lighting fixtures shall be full cut-off luminaries as defined within Part 500-300 of the Village of Bellevue Zoning Code.

All such lighting shall be directed straight down to ensure no fugitive lighting occurs, to prevent glare, and to prevent illumination of the night sky.

Exceptions.

The Village may modify the cutoff fixture requirement for security lighting in areas where the exterior lights are not visible from a residential area or a public street.

Flag Lighting. United States, Sovereign State Flags, State of Wisconsin and Village of Bellevue flags are exempt from the down-lighting requirement. All other flags shall be down-lit.

Bollard lighting may be incorporated at discretion of the CDRT.

Illumination levels shall be appropriate for the intended improvement, area and/or function to be illuminated.

In general, illumination levels should follow the guidelines and recommendations of the IESNA.

In no event shall any exterior illumination exceed an average illumination level of 5.0 foot-candles for the surface to be illuminated unless approved otherwise by the Plan Commission as part of a planned development district or conditional use permit.

The illumination level at any side or rear property line shall not exceed 0.05 foot-candle above the ambient lighting conditions on a cloudless night.

(8)

In no instance shall an outdoor lighting fixture be mounted or oriented such that the lighting element is visible from anywhere off-site.

(9)

The following shall be the maximum mounting height for the respective lighting fixture. The mounting height shall be measured from the surface to be illuminated to the bottom of the light fixture:

Parking lot light fixtures shall be a maximum height of 18.0 feet.

Building or security lighting shall be a maximum of 10.0 feet.

Any other site lighting fixture 10.0 feet or as determined appropriate and consistent with the intent of this title by the CDRT.

(10)

The color and design of pole lighting standards shall be compatible with the building and any theme lighting required or approved by the Village in the area, and shall be uniform throughout the entire development site.

(11)

During the hours of 11:00 p.m. until dawn of each day, illumination of American flags, and flags in general, shall be reduced to 25% of its normal illumination level.

(12)

Neon tubing and similar types of strip lighting is prohibited.

(13)

Lighting intended to reflect off of building elements, components, amenities, or other items is prohibited. This standard is not intended to prohibit an aesthetic wash of light on a building facade or element.

(14)

A photometric plan and cut sheets for all proposed exterior fixtures shall be included with the application requirements of a site plan.

The photometric plan shall provide computer printout information that shows that the proposed lighting meets the requirements of the Code and shall include the uniformity ratios. Plans shall certify that design illumination is for initial luminance levels.

Exceptions. Architectural lighting may be approved separately by the Community Development Director or his/her designee.

Exception. Alternatives to these standards may be proposed to incorporate the use of a particular architectural style or theme or to incorporate innovative or unique illumination techniques. Such alternatives shall be presented to the Village with supportive evidence sufficient to determine that the proposal is consistent with intent of the heretofore-established standards. Approval of an alternative illumination plan is at the discretion of the Village.

§ 500-1607 Signage.

Signage shall be complimentary and appropriately designed and pursuant to Part 500-1800, Signs.

Freestanding (pylon type) signs are prohibited. Monument signs shall be permitted.

The Village may require the use of muted corporate colors on signage if proposed colors are not compatible with the Village's design objectives for the area or the established aesthetic of the development.

Monument signs shall be coordinated and complimentary to the overall building and development through the utilization of similar materials, architecture and colors.

Landscaping shall be used at the base of signs to complement their design, obscure support structures, and to enhance overall site appearance.

§ 500-1608 Developer/owner provisions.

The developer/owner shall enter into a development agreement with the Village, which shall include the following:

The provision for payment of the design and installation of all utilities including, but not limited to water, stormwater, sanitary sewer, street infrastructure, and any other related appurtenance.

Payment of any applicable impact fees determined by the Village.

The provision for payment of off-site improvements as may be deemed necessary by the Village which shall be enumerated for purposes of the agreement.

A management operational plan to be approved by the Village including:

Management standards set forth in detail.

Maintenance standards set forth in detail.

Provision of a perpetual maintenance fund.

Provision of full time on-site manager(s), except as provided herein.

Exception: The Village shall have discretion to waive the on-site manager provision for smaller developments, and single building development, when there are sufficient other safeguards in place, and there does not appear to be a conflict with the best interests of the Village.

Letter of credit. Prior to issuance of a building permit, the developer/owner shall provide a letter of credit (LOC) or a certified check for the purpose of ensuring completion of all site work, landscaping and other elements of the project visible from public streets according to Village-approved plans.

In the event the Village deems a condition of nonconformance exists, after providing the developer/owner written notice of the condition of nonconformance, and an opportunity of 30 days to cure the nonconforming condition(s), it shall be agreeable that the Village has the authority and discretion to correct the condition(s) of nonconformance via withdrawal(s) from the LOC for any and all costs associated with correcting the nonconforming condition(s).

Where the development will take place over a period of time, such as in phases, the value of the specific construction phase shall be used to determine the amount of the LOC for that phase. Subsequent construction phases shall require subsequent LOCs. Each phase shall be administered separately from all others; however, if the Village determines that conditions warrant, an approval for a subsequent phase of development may be withheld until a previous phase is brought into compliance.

Construction phases shall be identified in the developer's agreement.

The LOC shall originate from a standard form provided by the Village, executed between the developer and a reputable commercial lending institution, in which the Village shall be named as the sole beneficiary.

The LOC or certified check value shall be equal to 5% of the overall value of project construction for the first $500,000 of project construction value, plus an additional 3% of the overall value of project construction for the value of project construction above $500,000, or of the assessed project value, whichever is greater.

The LOC shall inure for a period of up to 24 months.

These prohibitions and encumbrances shall be implemented through the developer agreement and by the recording of a Village-approved deed restriction with the Brown County Register of Deeds prior to issuance of a building permit for development.

Where the project will cause off-site public roads, intersections, or interchanges to function below Level of Service C, as defined by the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the Village may deny the application, require a size reduction in the proposed development, or require that the developer construct and/or pay for required off-site improvements.

Compatibility with Village plans. The applicant shall provide, through a written compatibility report submitted with the petition for the PDD District, adequate evidence that the proposed building and overall development project shall be compatible with the Village's Comprehensive Plan and any detailed neighborhood plan for the area. The compatibility report shall specifically address the following items: