[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of St. Joseph 5-13-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-07.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 81,
Design Regulations, adopted 4-12-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-1.
A.
Purpose. This chapter was adopted by the Town Board after its receipt
of a formal written recommendation from the Town Plan Commission to
adopt the chapter and after a public hearing preceded by a Class 2
published notice. The purpose of this chapter is to regulate design
standards for new construction and adaptive reuse, alteration, or
expansion, of intensive development in the Town of St. Joseph ("the
Town"), St. Croix County, Wisconsin ("the county"). This is to ensure
development is in context with surrounding development, meets the
Town's comprehensive plan vision and goals, and preserves the
Town's rural characteristics while allowing for design innovation.
It is not the intent of these standards to limit new construction
or building alterations to one particular design style, but to create
and enhance an aesthetic whole. Intensive development shall include
commercial, industrial, mixed-use, multifamily residential, public,
civic, institutional, utilities, and agricultural tourism development.
B.
Intent. The specific intentions of this chapter are to:
(1)
Provide guidelines for the determinations of the Plan Commission,
which is charged with the responsibility for design review of intensive
development and to avoid decisions based on individual tastes and
preferences in the review and approval of plans.
(2)
Establish clear and easily understood design criteria to guide property
owners and their architects and engineers in the appropriate design
of new construction and building expansions of intensive development.
(3)
Ensure development in the Town is built to a human scale.
(4)
Achieve the Town's comprehensive plan vision and goals.
(5)
Provide safe and enjoyable environments for persons of all ages.
(6)
Represent the best balance between the architectural heritage, character
of the Town and surrounding areas, existing architecture and engineering,
and the natural constraints of the land.
(7)
Incorporate lighting, planting, parking, signage, and site amenities
such as fountains, sculpture and street furniture into the design
of buildings and development areas.
(8)
Require site development to relate to a specific theme and be consistent
regarding materials and design elements.
(9)
Require development to be sensitive to development demands, pedestrian
and bicycle traffic patterns, the existing natural environment, and
the needs of residents, merchants, visitors, owners, and tourists.
C.
Applicability.
(1)
This chapter shall apply to all intensive development, as defined in § 81-2, that occurs or is proposed to occur, including expansions of intensive development within the geographic limits of the Town of St. Joseph. The development of land in the Town is also under the concurrent jurisdiction of other Town ordinances and St. Croix County ordinances.
D.
Liberal construction. In their interpretation and application, the
provisions of these regulations shall be held to be the minimum requirements
for the promotion of the public health, safety, and general welfare.
The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally and broadly construed
in favor of the Town of St. Joseph to promote the purposes for which
they are adopted and shall not be construed to be a limitation or
repeal of any other power now possessed or granted to the Town of
St. Joseph.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Includes but is not limited to a structure having a roof
supported by columns or walls used or intended to be used for the
shelter or enclosure of persons, animals, equipment, machinery, materials,
goods, supplies, or any type of vehicles or semi-tractor-trailers.
Development of a size, shape, and layout that is appropriate
and reasonable for all people. This relates to design, architecture,
and development layout. Human scale development allows people to feel
comfortable, safe, and enjoy their surroundings.
Intensive development shall include, but not be limited to,
commercial, industrial, mixed-use, multifamily residential, group
living, utilities, agricultural tourism, public, civic, and institutional
development. This includes the entire site, including all buildings,
accessory buildings, internal streets, landscaping, utilities, stormwater
management systems, parking, etc.
Development larger than five acres in area.
Includes but is not limited to erection or construction such
as a building, tower, masts, pole, boom, sign, permanent decoration,
carport, stationary machinery, and equipment and sight barrier.
Purpose. There is strong sentiment shared by the citizens of
the Town of St. Joseph to preserve the rural character of the townscape,
have development that is economically sustainable for the Town, and
meet the purpose of this chapter, while being sensitive to the diversity
of land uses envisioned in the Town of St. Joseph Comprehensive Plan.
These architectural standards and guidelines have been formulated
to assist in reducing the potential for adverse impacts that shall
arise from the uncoordinated construction of development in the Town.
Each requirement strives to better integrate both new construction
and expansions within the existing landscape and neighborhood context.
A.
General standards (including outbuildings).
(1)
Prominent entrance.
(a)
Intent: to ensure that building entrances are welcoming and
easily identifiable from streets and sidewalks.
(2)
Massing.
(a)
Intent: To reduce the visual bulk of multistory buildings and
single-story buildings 15 feet or more in height, and maintain scale
by providing a sense of base, middle, and top.
(b)
Requirements:
[1]
Buildings shall have a distinct base at the ground level, using
articulation and materials such as stone, masonry, or decorative concrete.
Distinction shall also occur through the following:
[2]
The top of the building shall emphasize a distinct profile or
outline with elements such as a projecting parapet, cornice, upper
level step back, or pitched roofline.
[3]
The middle of the building shall be made distinct in contrast
to the base and top by change in material or color, windows, balconies,
step backs, and signage.
(3)
Ground level details.
(a)
Intent: To enhance the character of the streetscape by requiring
the greatest amount of visual interest along the ground level of buildings
facing streets.
(b)
Requirements. Ground-floor, pedestrian street-facing facades
shall incorporate at least five of the following elements:
[1]
Lighting or hanging baskets supported by ornamental brackets.
[2]
Medallions.
[3]
Belt courses.
[4]
Plinths for columns.
[5]
Kick plate for storefront window.
[6]
Projecting sills.
[7]
Tilework.
[8]
Pedestrian-scale sign(s) or sign(s) painted on windows.
[9]
Planter box.
[10]
An element not listed here that meets the intent.
(4)
Screening blank walls.
(a)
Intent: To ensure that buildings do not display blank, unattractive
walls to the abutting street, public areas, and residential areas.
(b)
Requirements:
[1]
Walls facing streets visible from public roadways and public
areas, or visible from residential areas where windows are not provided,
shall have at least four of the following architectural elements incorporated
into any such ground-floor, street-facing facade:
[a]
Masonry (but not flat concrete block).
[b]
Concrete or masonry plinth at the base of the wall.
[c]
Belt courses of a different texture and color.
[d]
Projecting cornice.
[e]
Projecting metal canopy.
[f]
Decorative tilework.
[g]
Trellis containing planting.
[h]
Medallions.
[i]
Change of paint color.
[j]
Opaque or translucent glass.
[k]
Artwork.
[l]
Vertical articulation.
[m]
Lighting fixtures.
[n]
Recesses.
[o]
An architectural element not listed above, as approved, that
meets the intent.
[2]
Building facades not facing a street, but facing a public area
or residential area shall incorporate at least three of the above-mentioned
items.
(5)
Service and utility areas.
(a)
Intent: To ensure that accessory buildings, auxiliary structures,
mechanical equipment, trash areas, and service areas are designed
to follow the theme of the principal structure and are not unsightly.
(b)
Requirements:
[1]
Service and utility area buildings that require large, bulky
components such as warehouses or multibay garages shall place these
structures as a separate mass in the back behind the main "front-office"
building. The main building, even if it is smaller, will help to shield
it from view.
[2]
Parking lots, garage doors, and drive-through facilities shall
be screened, making them out of sight from the street.
[3]
Service and utility areas shall be located away from the street
and concealed from building entrances, pedestrian areas, and adjacent
residential buildings.
[4]
Service areas and related mechanical equipment shall be screened
100% with materials to match the primary exterior materials, or fenced
and landscaped with a dense evergreen planting. Such screening of
service areas and accessory buildings shall be maintained in perpetuity.
[5]
Trash compactors and dumpsters shall be located adjacent to
truck loading areas and screened 100% with the primary exterior materials,
or fenced and landscaped with a dense evergreen planting. Other solid
waste or materials stored for recycling, such as shipping pallets
or bundled cardboard, shall also be enclosed and screened.
[6]
All above-grade utility connections, vents, and other projections
shall be located along exterior walls away from high visibility areas
to the extent possible unless required for health or safety reasons,
such as front facades or pedestrian areas. This includes, but is not
limited to, air-conditioning units, air exchangers and underground
utility vaults.
[7]
The screening shall be of a permanent, durable, building material
which provides visual masking of the equipment and resembles the construction
of the primary building.
[8]
Where dumpsters are not fully screened by the overall building
envelope, the following standards shall be applied:
[a]
To the extent possible, dumpsters shall be screened on all sides,
with the operable side facing away from street view or adjacent residential
areas. The screening of dumpster enclosures not located next to buildings
shall be enhanced with year-round landscaping on three sides.
[b]
Dumpster enclosures shall be compatible in design with the architectural
style of the primary building in terms of its scale, exterior materials
used and color.
[c]
Dumpster enclosures shall not violate the building setback and
parking requirements of the zoning district in which the enclosure
is located.
(6)
Recognizing historical context.
(a)
Intent: To promote building design that is sensitive to the
overall character of the Town of St. Joseph. This includes requiring
building design that is similar to the historical building design
located in the Town.
(b)
Requirements:
[1]
New intensive development shall incorporate architectural elements
that reinforce the established character of the Town of St. Joseph.
The following elements constitute potential existing features that
could be reflected in new buildings:
[2]
When rehabilitating existing, historic buildings (Wisconsin
Architecture and History Inventory or National Register of Historic
Places), property owners shall follow the Secretary of the Interior's
Standards for Rehabilitation and applicable state laws.
[a]
If original details and ornamentation are intact, they shall
be retained and preserved.
[b]
If original details are presently covered, they shall be exposed
and/or repaired.
[c]
If original details are missing, missing parts shall be replaced
to match the original in appearance.
[d]
Remaining pieces or old photos shall be used as a guide.
B.
Additional standards for large and mixed-use development.
(1)
Connections to adjacent development.
(a)
Intent: To create a network of safe, convenient, and attractive
internal linkages for pedestrians and bicyclists between on-site retail
and mixed-use development and also between other development and residential
areas. Large development consists of development larger than five
acres in area.
(b)
Requirements:
[1]
Pedestrian connections shall be clearly defined in a combination
of at least two of the following ways:
[a]
A six-inch vertical curb in combination with a raised sidewalk.
[b]
A trellis, special railing, bollards, and/or other architectural
features to visually accent the sidewalk at key points.
[c]
A continuous landscaped area that is a minimum three feet wide
on at least one side of the sidewalk, except where sidewalks cross
vehicular travel lanes. Where sidewalks abut a public right-of-way
and/or driving aisles, the landscaped area shall be provided between
the sidewalk and the public right-of-way or driving aisle.
[d]
Where landscaped areas are provided, plant material shall include
of a mixture of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs. No plant
material shall be over 20% of all plant material to provide year-round
color, texture, and/or other special interest. Use of native vegetation
such as prairie plants is encouraged. Shrubs shall be maintained at
a maximum three feet height allowing for good visibility. Ground covers
shall be evergreen varieties.
[e]
Pedestrian connections shall be reinforced with pedestrian-scale
lighting, bollard lighting, accent lighting, or a combination thereof
to aid in pedestrians' wayfinding.
[2]
Pedestrian sidewalks shall include clear sight lines to building
entrances and shall not be less than four feet wide.
[3]
Landscaping shall be carefully planned and selected as to not
obstruct the vision of vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians for safety
and vision triangles.
(2)
Orientation to street.
(a)
Intent: to ensure that buildings and access to buildings add
to the liveliness of streets and the overall community character.
(b)
Requirements:
[1]
Buildings, along with trees and landscaping, shall be predominant.
Parking lots and freestanding signs shall be secondary features.
[2]
Pedestrian access to the building shall be visually and functionally
clear and shall offer a convenient alternative to walking through
driveway entrances and exits.
[3]
People traveling along arterial streets shall be able to see
storefronts, windows, merchandise, and other aspects of business activity.
(3)
Setbacks.
(a)
Intent: To ensure the visibility of businesses and establish
active, lively uses should be within close proximity to the sidewalk.
This includes limiting large parking lots located between buildings
and the street.
(b)
Requirements:
[1]
Commercial buildings shall be set as close as possible to the
sidewalk.
[2]
Portions of buildings shall be set as close as possible to the
sidewalk or front-yard property line, which can be accomplished in
various ways. For instance, major portions of single buildings shall
abut the sidewalk. In multibuilding developments, one or more buildings
shall be set to the sidewalk.
(4)
Expression at entrances to large developments.
(a)
Intent: To provide a reference point at the end of a block of
facades, and to mark intersections and entrances to developments larger
than five acres by providing visual interest at their principal entrances
to public streets.
(5)
Weather protection.
(a)
Intent: To provide weather protection for pedestrians. This
allows people to continue to comfortably shop, recreate, and take
part in their daily lives during inclement weather.
(b)
Requirements:
[1]
Where buildings are immediately abutting a public sidewalk,
canopies or awnings shall be provided. The minimum depth of any canopy
or awning shall be five feet unless limited by the Building Code.
The vertical dimension between the underside of a canopy or awning
and the sidewalk shall be at least eight feet and no more than 12
feet.
[2]
Weather protection for pedestrians can be combined with the
method used to achieve visual prominence at entrances.
(6)
Roofline expression and concealing rooftop equipment.
(a)
Intent: To ensure that rooflines present a distinct profile
and good appearance for the building and express the neighborhood
character. To screen views of rooftop mechanical and communications
equipment from the street level.
(b)
Requirements:
[1]
Buildings shall include extended parapets and projecting cornices
to create a prominent edge when viewed against the sky. Sloping roof
elements are allowed but not required, as long as the massing general
design standards are met.
[2]
Mechanical equipment shall be screened by extended parapet walls
or other roof forms that are integrated with the architecture of the
building.
[3]
Communication equipment shall be blended in with the design
of the roofs, rather than being merely attached to the roof deck.
[4]
Rooftop mechanical equipment on buildings shall be screened
100% from public view, as measured from grade elevation and from a
minimum distance of 500 feet from the building, regardless of grade.
Each plan (including remodeling existing buildings) will be reviewed
individually based on location, finished grade elevation and the surrounding
terrain to determine the view of rooftop mechanical equipment.
[5]
Roof-mounted solar panels are allowed and do not need to conform
to the requirements.
(7)
Roof pitch (minimum/maximum).
(a)
Intent: To maintain the scale and character, and to reduce visual
bulk.
(b)
Requirements:
[1]
Pitched roof forms shall have slopes between 4:12 and 12:12.
[2]
Roof-mounted mechanical equipment located on the exterior of
the roof shall be located within wells or pockets to preserve the
visible rooflines. The mechanical well floor would not be subject
to the slope requirement. However, in no event shall such roof-mounted
equipment project above the building's roof line.
[3]
If applicable, gables facing the street are required.
[4]
Dormers shall be used to break up long lengths of roof.
(8)
Drive-through businesses.
(a)
Intent: To reduce the impact of car-oriented drive-through businesses
on pedestrian and bicycle activity and to reduce the visual impact
of such businesses on adjacent properties and the street.
(b)
Requirements:
[1]
When the drive-through window or stacking space/lane is located
on the street side of a building, screening shall be required between
the driving lane/drive-through window and the street.
[2]
If possible, areas adjacent to drive-through stacking spaces
and lanes shall be landscaped with vegetation.
(9)
Articulation of walls and windows.
(a)
Intent: To provide visual variety along the street facade and
have human-scale design. Design shall help create a lively and active
street face.
(b)
Requirements:
[1]
Buildings shall include articulation along the facades facing
and visible from public rights-of-way. Flat blank walls are not allowed.
[2]
All horizontal facades longer than 30 feet shall be articulated
into smaller units, reminiscent of the residential scale. At least
two of the following methods shall be included:
[3]
With buildings that require or normally have windows, windows
shall be provided in facades facing streets, comprising at least 20%
of the facade area. Sliding glass doors can be used to help meet this
requirement where appropriate.
[4]
Windows shall have visually prominent trim, at least three inches
in width.
[5]
A variety of window sizes and shapes that contribute to overall
composition are required.
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to give developers,
property owners, and other applicants requirements of what is an acceptable
layout for intensive development in the Town of St. Joseph. These
site organization and layout standards have been formulated to assist
in reducing the potential for adverse impacts that could arise from
the uncoordinated construction of development. Each requirement strives
to better integrate both new construction and building alterations
into the context of the existing landscape and neighborhood. In addition,
the purpose of these standards is to avoid the linear appearance portrayed
by some strip malls. The Town's desired type of street system
moves traffic relatively equitably among all the streets, gives drivers
alternative routes to reach their destinations, and establishes a
sense of community by connecting community focal points. These site
organization and layout standards are in addition to applicable Town
subdivision and zoning standards.
A.
General standards.
(1)
Style.
(a)
Intent: To ensure that development in the Town is created at
human-scale and is safe and accessible for pedestrians, bicyclists,
and motorists. Intensive development in the Town shall be designed
to create a sense of place, enhance community and social interaction,
and complement adjacent properties, no matter the adjacent use.
(b)
Requirements:
[1]
Intensive development shall be laid out to encourage walking,
biking, and use of public transportation, in addition to the use of
the car.
[2]
Intensive development shall be located in the appropriate districts as established in the Town's Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 170.
[3]
Commercial buildings shall be located close to the street, grouped
together, and have pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular connectivity
to residential areas where applicable.
[4]
Multiple structures on the same site shall be clustered to form
an enclosure of outdoor space, thereby creating a greater "sense of
place" within the development. Common sitting areas and sidewalks
are required inside the established space.
[5]
Interconnected streets shall be laid out as a grid or modified
grid.
(2)
Lots and setbacks.
(a)
Intent: to ensure that all development in the Town is built
to a human scale and is sensitive to and promotes pedestrians and
bicyclists.
(b)
Requirements: There are no required minimum building setbacks
from the right-of-way for intensive development under this chapter.
Intensive development shall not be set back from the right-of-way
in a manner that reduces safe and accessible connectivity for pedestrians
and bicyclists. Topography, lot configuration, and other factors shall
cause the Plan Commission to exercise some discretion with this standard.
B.
Transportation, bicycle, and pedestrian standards. General requirements:
(1)
Intent: This section is intended to give applicants a sense of what
they need to consider within their proposals related to roadways,
sidewalks, alleys, and other common landscaped areas. Where applicable,
all new developments shall provide bicycle and pedestrian trails and
paths that connect to the existing loop trail identified in the Town's
Comprehensive Plan.
(2)
New developments will work with Town of St. Joseph Plan Commission
to comply with the Town Parks, Trails and Recreation Plan to ensure
the development of interconnected trails and paths that allow Town
residents to easily walk and bicycle safely and connect to as many
points as possible in the community.
(3)
Requirements:
(a)
Use setbacks, curb cuts, landscaping, and signage controls to
raise the visual quality of the Town and provide safe and efficient
traffic movement.
(b)
Provide cross-access between properties and joint access to
roads to minimize disruption of highway traffic, especially where
land uses are similar or compatible.
(c)
Use roadways, sidewalks, and landscaping to control and separate
vehicle and pedestrian movements.
(d)
Use existing roads and lanes where feasible.
(e)
Development shall create a sense of community by providing pedestrian,
bicycle, and vehicular links to nearby neighborhoods, parks, schools,
and other public destinations.
(f)
Paths that provide dual usage for bikes and pedestrians are
required where allowable.
(g)
Interconnecting roads and walkable blocks are required. The
use of cul-de-sacs and dead-end roads are not allowed. Provide proper
roads/easements between adjacent lots whenever feasible.
(h)
Development shall have a limited number of driveway access points,
a safe vehicular and pedestrian circulation system, and provide clearly
defined points of entry and exit into a site.
(i)
Parking lots and driveways for adjacent parcels/developments
shall be shared whenever possible. Heavy duty, reinforced concrete
sidewalks shall continue through driveways uninterrupted.
(j)
The number of access drives per parcel shall preferably be limited
to one and is subject to review by the Plan Commission through site
plan review. The exception to this shall occur for gas stations or
if a parcel has physical limitations requiring two points of access/egress,
or to separate types of traffic for safety reasons.
(k)
Large undistinguished curb cuts are not allowed. Ingress/egress
driveways shall be located to maximize the distance to the nearest
street intersection.
(l)
Developers shall include a comprehensive pedestrian pathway
system within a site and between adjacent sites, linking all buildings,
parking areas, and green spaces. This network shall also connect to
any nearby pedestrian pathways when applicable.
(m)
Sidewalks shall be constructed of concrete or other durable
surface materials such as pavers, bricks, etc., acceptable to the
Plan Commission.
(n)
Sidewalk material shall be consistent throughout the development.
(o)
Sidewalks shall also feature adjoining landscaped areas no less
than three feet in width that include trees, grass, shrubs, benches,
flower beds, ground covers, or other such materials for no less than
50% of their length.
(p)
Sidewalks no less than eight feet in width shall be provided
along any facade featuring a customer entrance and any facade abutting
public parking areas.
(q)
New sidewalks shall link into existing sidewalks when possible.
(r)
Bike paths and pedestrian sidewalks shall connect buildings,
parking lots, entrances/exits to adjacent developments and existing/future
bikeways, paths and trails where possible.
C.
Parking and parking lots.
(1)
General requirements.
(a)
Intent. The primary purpose of off-street parking and loading
requirements is to reduce traffic and congestion and to minimize hazards
by providing for adequate and sufficient parking, loading, and unloading
of motor vehicles outside public rights-of-way. The secondary purpose
is to minimize potential land-use conflicts with neighboring uses.
(b)
Requirements:
[1]
Large expanses of paved parking shall not be permitted. Applicants
shall break up larger parking areas into smaller blocks defined by
landscape islands and, where feasible, place parking behind the building.
A minimum of 20% of the parking areas shall be landscaped, and include
one shade tree per 30 feet of road frontage. Such newly planted trees
shall be 2 1/2 inches caliper at breast height. Parking areas
shall be landscaped around the periphery of the lot to buffer the
visual impact of the parking lot from the roadway and adjacent properties.
Landscaping areas in parking lots must consider stormwater management
techniques (use of curbs, drainage areas to collect water above ground).
Drainage areas shall be located behind or to the side of structures
whenever possible. For some parking lots, landscaped islands are appropriate.
[2]
Parking lot landscaping features shall be included in all site
designs. A landscaping plan with a planting schedule will be a requirement
for any site plan.
[3]
Any landscaping or fencing presented to the Plan Commission
as part of the landscaping plan shall be maintained in good order
to achieve the objectives of this section.
[4]
Parking areas shall provide safe, convenient, and efficient
access. Parking areas shall be distributed around large buildings
in order to shorten the distance to other buildings and public sidewalks
and to reduce the overall scale of the paved surface. New development
and redevelopments shall strive to minimize total paved surface. Surfaces
shall be dust-free. Proper drainage shall be provided. When possible,
paved surface areas shall be constructed in phases to meet existing
and future expansion requirements.
[5]
New development and redevelopments shall provide adequate parking that conforms to the Town's Zoning Ordinance standards, Chapter 170.
[6]
Parking lots shall be behind, below, or between structures and
away from highways. Shared and interconnected parking lots are encouraged.
[7]
Communal access roads and parking lot entrances shall be used
where possible.
[8]
Pedestrian paths and sidewalks shall be required to separate
vehicle and pedestrian movement.
[9]
No parking shall be allowed on access roads. Drive-through businesses
such as banks or restaurants shall have car stacking areas limited
to the rear and sides of the building, and avoid layouts that cause
the crossing of traffic patterns between car stacking and parking
areas and driveway entrances. Clear signage and striping shall be
provided for safe and efficient traffic movement.
[10]
Where parking is visible from streets and abutting properties,
a landscape buffer of trees, hedges, walls and/or berms shall be provided
in accordance with § 81-5D.
[11]
Parking lots shall be uniformly lighted in accordance with § 81-5E.
[12]
Parking lots and access roads shall be properly maintained and
repaired on an as-needed basis. Surfaces shall be kept free of snow,
ice, dust, debris, and potholes.
[13]
Loading requirements vary with the specific uses proposed. Loading
requirements shall ensure, to the extent feasible, that a vehicle
can unload cargo in a manner that does not interfere with pedestrian
and automobile traffic. Requirements for the number and location of
loading facilities shall be established during site plan review based
upon:
[a]
The expected maximum number of vehicles using the
loading facilities at times of peak usage.
[b]
The type of business, size of the structure, and
size of vehicles to be servicing the structure.
[c]
The need to ensure pedestrian and automobile safety
by separating loading operations from pedestrian and automobile circulation.
[d]
The need to screen vehicles and loading facilities
from publicly accessible areas as well as from abutting properties,
including the need for vegetative screening, buffers, and/or fencing.
[e]
The desirability of requiring service roads or
alleys to achieve the purposes of this section.
[f]
Applicable planning and engineering standards,
adapted to meet the needs of the particular business use proposed.
[g]
Other relevant operational characteristics of the
business or physical characteristics of the site.
[14]
On-street parking along the front property line of a lot shall
be used to meet the minimum parking requirement for nonresidential
or multifamily uses on that lot.
[15]
Required parking for a nonresidential use can be located in
a common parking facility or on an abutting lot, provided such spaces
are located within 200 feet of the nonresidential use.
(2)
Mixed-use requirements.
(a)
Intent: in mixed-use development, controlling the location,
orientation, and appearance of garages, parking lots, and off-street
parking spaces is critical for creating a sense of community and a
walkable neighborhood. Mixed-use development areas require specific
garage, parking lot, and off-street parking requirements based on
different land uses.
(b)
Requirements:
[1]
Off-street parking areas shall be located to the side and/or
rear of nonresidential buildings, unless there is an additional and
larger building on the lot between the proposed parking/building and
the primary, public street.
[2]
Off-street parking areas shall not be located between buildings
and streets, unless there is an additional and larger building on
the lot between the proposed parking/building and the street.
[3]
Off-street parking shall be visually screened from existing
and proposed streets by hedges, walls, buffer plantings, or similar
site elements. The visual screening should be between two feet and
four feet high unless safety reasons prevent it from being within
this range.
[4]
Parking areas on abutting nonresidential lots shall be interconnected
by access driveways, thereby allowing traffic to move from one parking
lot to the next instead of traveling back onto the street.
[5]
Each nonresidential lot shall provide easements for its parking
areas and access driveways guaranteeing access and use to all other
nonresidential lots within the tract.
[6]
Garage doors in nonresidential buildings shall not face any
existing or proposed street.
[7]
Nonresidential parking lots shall be set back at least 10 feet
from residential lots within the mixed-use development and at least
10 feet from street rights-of-way.
(3)
Multifamily residential.
(a)
Intent: to retain an historic village character. Garages shall
not be dominant features from the street.
(b)
Requirements:
[1]
Multifamily housing is only allowed to have side-loaded garages,
front-loaded garages set back at least 10 feet from the front facade,
garages in the rear of homes, or garages that are accessed from alleys.
[2]
Parking for townhouses can be arranged a variety of ways, depending
on whether a townhouse is an interior unit or an end unit. On end
units, the parking shall be to the side or rear. Side-loaded garages
are permitted. For interior units, parking garages may face the street
but shall comprise no more than 30% of the total area of the front
facade elevation.
[3]
For apartment buildings, off-street parking shall be located
to the side or rear of the building. If located to the side as surface
parking, the parking area shall be screened with a wall and landscaping.
(4)
Bicycle parking.
(a)
Intent. Provide accessible and high-quality bicycle parking.
(b)
Requirements:
[1]
All parking lots containing fewer than 20 parking spaces shall
provide adequate bike parking for at least four bicycles.
[2]
Parking lots containing more than 20 parking spaces shall provide
adequate bike parking for at least four bicycles, plus room to accommodate
two additional bicycles for each additional 10 spaces in the lot.
No more than 50 bicycle parking spaces shall be required.
[3]
Bicycle racks shall be placed within 50 feet of the primary
entrance of the building they are intended to serve.
D.
Landscaping: General requirements.
(1)
Intent: To develop a landscaping plan that enhances the overall aesthetics
of the project, retain as much natural landscaping as possible, preserve
the rural characteristics of the Town, and when developing and creating
new landscaped areas, reduce the impact on adjacent neighbors and
the view from the roadway. Special emphasis shall be placed on landscaping
that reinforces views along the highway and brings about consistency
along the roadways in the Town's intensive development areas.
It is the intent of the Town to preserve environmentally sensitive
or significant natural areas, including woodlands and wetlands, with
respect to specific site development to retain and incorporate, as
far as practical, substantial stands of healthy, disease-free vegetation
into the landscape development.
(2)
Requirements:
(a)
All intensive development is required to have a landscape plan.
All site design plans shall attempt to preserve and retain the natural
landscape (topography, soil, trees, and plant life) on the site. Site
designs shall minimize the indiscriminate clearing of healthy, quality
vegetation at the edges of the roadway and include adequate tree installation
to improve visual aesthetics of the corridor as well as the generation
of shade. Remnant patches of existing landscape areas shall not be
indiscriminately paved to avoid maintenance; rather those areas shall
utilize the spreading of low maintenance landscaping materials such
as mulch. The development of former farm fields, devoid of trees and
shrubs, shall include trees and large shrubs in its landscape plan
as part of the approval process.
(b)
Trees or hedges between the road and the development or sidewalk
shall provide natural screening of intensive development. For retail
establishments, a roadway view of the business is encouraged.
(c)
Invasive species are not allowed. At least 50% of the proposed
landscape vegetation shall be native vegetation. Salt-resistant plants
are required near roadways or parking areas.
(d)
Landscaped buffer zones shall be maintained or created to separate
intensive development from residential areas or to create a pleasant
transition between site elements. This can include an arrangement
of trees, shrubs, and other landscaping that shall constitute a visual
softening between intensive development and non-intensive development.
(e)
Nonretail businesses, such as wholesale or distribution centers,
not dependent on public view of the facility, shall utilize berms
and natural or landscaped screening. Developers must be cognizant
of all state regulations related to stormwater issues and concerns
when creating berms.
(f)
Tree lawns are strips of land between the road and the sidewalks
inside a development. Tree lawns shall be included on all new developments
and be a minimum of 10 feet in width. Grass shall be established continuously
for the full length of a tree lawn with mulch rings or planting beds
around new and existing plants or trees. Tree-lined roads provide
an attractive neighborhood setting.
(g)
Service delivery areas, loading docks, and HVAC equipment shall
be reasonably fenced, landscaped, and screened from adjoining property
owners to sufficiently obscure objectionable aspects from their view.
Screening shall include solid fencing or an evergreen planting of
more than a single row of plants with spacing that adequately blocks
the view. If visible from adjacent property, screening structures
shall be made of similar materials as the principal structure.
(h)
Stormwater retention ponds shall be treated as an amenity with
landscaping enhancements such as rocks, plantings, and fountains when
applicable. The use of vegetated stormwater management measures, such
as rain gardens, integrated with a site's landscaping also helps
to protect surface waters by managing stormwater runoff on site.
E.
Lighting: General requirements.
(1)
Intent: Ensure the use of high-quality, energy-efficient, and appropriate
outdoor lighting while avoiding undesirable side effects including
glare, sky glow, and light trespass onto adjacent properties. Lighting
fixtures shall add to the character of the building, improve the business
image, provide safety and security, and enliven the street. Fixtures
and their illumination qualities shall complement and enhance the
architectural character of buildings and surrounding area. Lighting
provides adequate light for the intended task but never over-illuminates.
(2)
Requirements:
(a)
A lighting plan is required when outdoor lighting is part of
the development proposal.
(b)
Full downward cutoff luminaries or recessed lighting fixtures
shall be used and the source of illumination shall not be visible.
(c)
Luminaries shall be aimed away from and include shields that
prevent the light source from being visible from adjacent properties
or roadways.
(d)
The illuminance on any surface shall meet Illuminating Engineering
Society (IES) standards.
(e)
All wiring for new site lighting shall be underground.
(f)
Each outside lighting installation and each illuminated sign
shall be controlled by a twenty-four-hour timer that decreases the
amount of illumination to the minimum amount required for safety,
security, advertising, and wayfinding during hours when not in operation.
(g)
The poles and mounting heights for luminaries installed on poles
and buildings shall be at human scale and not be any higher than any
minimum requirements for safety and security.
(h)
Luminaries are not permitted in buffer areas between adjacent
properties and in buffer areas adjacent to roads.
(i)
Floodlights and spotlights are not permitted for general lighting
purposes.
(j)
Areas around gas station pump islands and under gas station
canopies shall be uniformly illuminated.
(k)
Exterior gas station canopy lights shall be recessed within
their housing so as to aim their illumination 100% directly downward.
(l)
Lamp styles which allow gas station canopy lights to illuminate
the surroundings beyond the pumping area are not allowed.
(m)
Light sources or luminaries shall not be mounted on the top
or sides (fascias) of gas station canopies, and the sides (fascias)
of the canopy shall not be illuminated.
(n)
Security lights intended to illuminate a perimeter such as a
fence line shall include a motion sensor designed with lights to be
off unless triggered by an intruder located within five feet of the
perimeter.
(o)
All perimeter security lighting shall be shielded and aimed
so that illumination is directed only to the intended area and not
cast on other areas or adjacent properties or roads.
(p)
For illuminating building facades, full cutoff luminaries attached
to the building or recessed lighting in roof overhangs are required.
(r)
Parking lots shall be uniformly lighted and not shed light on
adjacent properties.
(s)
Landscape lighting shall use minimum power lamps to achieve
architectural objectives, and shall neither cause glare or light trespass,
nor create excessive sky glow.
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to give developers,
property owners, and other applicants requirements of what is an acceptable
layout for the expansion of intensive development in the Town of St.
Joseph. These standards have been formulated to assist in making sure
that expansion of existing development is done in a way that follows
the design requirements of the Town and meets the purpose of this
chapter.
A.
General standards: general requirements.
(1)
Intent: To ensure that when existing buildings and their accessory
uses are expanded that the new development meets the purposes of previous
sections.
(2)
Requirements:
(a)
If a new building is constructed on a parcel to expand the business's
capacity, the building shall conform to these architectural standards.
If an existing building is increased in size by more than 40% of the
existing building's square footage, the building shall conform
to the appropriate standards.
(b)
If normal repairs are being made to existing lighting fixtures,
modifications to conform to this standard are not required. If an
additional section of parking for more than 10 cars is created, new
lighting that is added shall conform to the lighting standards. In
any case, where new fixtures are added, the lighting standards shall
apply.
(c)
If additional adjoining property is added to a business parcel,
any additional parking lots, buildings, screening, landscaping, etc.
shall be subject to these standards.
B.
Existing structures. General requirements:
(1)
Intent. To ensure additions and renovations of existing buildings
are consistent with original architectural style where desired. Updating,
renovation, and expansion of existing buildings shall be done in a
manner compatible with the subject building's architectural style.
Alterations to an existing structure which are inappropriate to the
age and style of the building, or incompatible with the designs of
surrounding buildings, are not allowed.
(2)
Requirements:
(a)
When rehabilitating existing, historic buildings (Wisconsin
Architecture and History Inventory or National Register of Historic
Places), property owners shall follow the Secretary of the Interior's
Standards for Rehabilitation and applicable state laws.
[1]
If original details and ornamentation are intact, they shall
be retained and preserved.
[2]
If original details are presently covered, they shall be exposed
and/or repaired.
[3]
If original details are missing, missing parts shall be replaced
to match the original in appearance.
[4]
Remaining pieces or old photos should be used as a guide.
(b)
Designs shall include architectural detailing that complements
the significant surrounding buildings and neighborhoods through quality
materials, building details, and craftsmanship.
(c)
Additions to existing structures shall consider the entire building
to create a cohesive building design that enhances the most significant
architectural features of the building.
(d)
When altering an existing building, replacements (windows, doors,
cladding, etc.) shall match, to the greatest extent practical, original
details with respect to size, style, and configuration.
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide a design and site
plan review process that is valuable and beneficial for developers,
property owners, and other applicants. This process has been created
to reduce confusion for the public and provide a tool to allow the
Town to inform applicants of the requirements prior to any initial
work on projects.
B.
Initial concept plan consultation. All potential applicants shall
meet with the Town Plan Commission to review the applicant's
concept plan for the proposed project along with this chapter, checklist,
and application. An initial concept plan consultation will be helpful
before the design is fully developed. This will help the review process
go smoothly and in a timely manner. There is no fee for the initial
consultation.
C.
Application submittal. The applicant shall submit a completed design
and site plan review application, checklist, development design, and
appropriate fee to the Town Clerk/Treasurer. The fee shall be established
by the Town Board. A waiver application may also be submitted at this
time, if necessary.
D.
Preliminary review. The applicant shall have a meeting with the Town
Plan Commission for a preliminary review of the proposed development.
The Town Plan Commission will recommend to the applicant if any additional
information is needed for the application to proceed. Once such information
is provided, the application will be placed on the Town Plan Commission
agenda for a decision on the Plan Commission's recommendation
regarding the application to the Town Board.
E.
Town Plan Commission review and decision. The applicant shall attend
the Town Plan Commission meeting and present their application to
the Town Plan Commission. The Town Plan Commission will review and
will recommend the application to the Town Board for final approval,
approval with conditions, or denial.
F.
Town Board review.
(1)
Once approved by the Town Plan Commission, the application shall
proceed to the next possible Town Board meeting. Any changes that
were made by the Town Plan Commission as a requirement for approval
shall be included in the application to the Town Board. Attached comments
will not satisfy this requirement. The changes shall be incorporated
into the application document(s), which will be presented at the Town
Board meeting. The Town Board may establish other requirement or conditions
for approval, or may deny approval, if the Board determines that the
application does not meet the requirements of this chapter or other
applicable Town ordinances. Under no circumstances shall a building
permit be applied for until the Town Board meeting has been held,
the design has been approved, and a developer's agreement has
been created and approved by the Town Board and the applicant. The
Town will require letters of credit to ensure performance of all obligations
and requirements of the approved design and site plan, including,
but not limited to that landscape plantings survive for a full planting
season.
(2)
The initial Town Board meeting shall only be for design purposes.
The next step in the process is the developer's agreement. Details
worked out at the initial Town Board meeting shall not be treated
as a developer's agreement. However, the developer's agreement
shall include the design agreed to by the Town Board at the initial
Town Board meeting.
G.
Appeals. Any appeals of the decision of the Town Plan Commission
shall be heard by the Town Board.
A.
General standards. The Town Board shall hear requests for waivers
from the literal provisions of this chapter in instances where strict
enforcement would be impractical or unduly burdensome because of circumstances
unique to the individual property under consideration and only when
it is demonstrated by the developer/owner that the waiver would be
in keeping with the spirit and intent of this chapter.
B.
Required findings. For a waiver of design standards to be granted,
the following required findings shall be met:
(1)
That, because of the particular physical surrounding, shape or topographical
conditions of the land or because there are exceptional or extraordinary
circumstances or conditions applying to the land or building that
do not apply generally to land or buildings nearby or in similar zoning
classifications within the Town, the specified parcel of land or building
is unique.
(2)
The purpose of the waiver is not based exclusively upon a desire
to increase the value of the income potential of the parcel of land.
(3)
Granting of the waiver is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment
of substantial property rights possessed by other similar properties
in the vicinity and the alleged uniqueness or special circumstances
have not been created by any person having an interest in the parcel
of land.
(4)
Granting of such waiver will not, under the circumstances of this
particular case, materially adversely affect the health, safety or
general welfare of persons residing or working in the neighborhood
of the property and will not, under the circumstances of this particular
case, be materially detrimental to neighborhood aesthetics or injurious
to the property or improvements of the neighborhood.
(5)
A waiver cannot be based on a mere inconvenience, a financial hardship
or a self-created hardship for the developer/owner if the strict letter
of the regulation were carried out.
(6)
A waiver shall provide only the minimum relief necessary to alleviate
the hardship.
(7)
The waiver request will be consistent with the vision, goals, and
objectives of the Town of St. Joseph's comprehensive plan and
not violate the purpose and intent of this chapter.
(8)
The Town may also waive, exempt, or request a change in design in
order to protect public health and safety or ensure that a proposed
development or expansion meets Town, county, or state applicable health,
safety, and emergency preparedness codes or standards.
C.
Procedure.
(1)
At least 20 days before the Plan Commission meeting where the waiver application will be considered, the Town Plan Commission and the Town Board shall receive the completed waiver application from the developer/owner. The application shall be on a form available in the office of the Town Clerk/Treasurer and the submittals shall include all the appropriate documents and fees. As an alternative, a waiver form may be submitted to the Plan Commission as part of the design review process and will follow the process and timeline in § 81-6.
(2)
Application materials shall be complete in order to allow the Town
Clerk/Treasurer to publish the waiver proposal and to notify all adjoining
landowners of the nature of the waiver being considered at least 10
days before the Town Plan Commission meeting at which the waiver proposal
will be reviewed.
(3)
The application shall fully state all facts relied upon to support
the waiver and shall include drawings, studies, plans or other information
that will aid the Plan Commission and Town Board in reviewing the
decision.
(4)
The Town Board shall review and approve or disapprove the application
within 60 days of receipt based on compliance with this chapter and
any other relevant Town of St. Joseph Codes.
D.
Town Board decision.
(1)
The decision shall be in writing and explain the reasons for the
decision.
(2)
The decision shall receive the appropriate signatures and attachments
from the Town Clerk/Treasurer and be filed with the County Zoning
Administrator.
(3)
A copy of the decision shall be provided to the developer/owner.
The design standard application fees and waiver application
shall be set by the Town Board and may be changed from time to time.
This fee schedule shall be available in the office of the Town Clerk/Treasurer.
Failure to pay any fees at the appropriate time shall result in the
stoppage of the design review process.
Any activity that fails to satisfy the standards of this chapter
shall be a violation of the chapter, regardless of whether knowledge
of intent to violate was present, and shall subject the party or parties
who were responsible for noncompliance or who aided or abetted the
noncompliance to an injunction action which demands that the condition
constituting the violation be ceased or cured and that remedial actions
to achieve compliance be undertaken and/or to forfeiture in an amount
of not less than $500 nor more than $5,000. Each day during which
such violation exists is a separate offense. The Town may withhold
further Town permits to the violating party or parties until such
time that the Town Board determines that the violations have been
adequately cured or mitigated. Misrepresenting or failure to provide
accurate information during the design review and permitting process
shall constitute a violation.
A.
If a court of competent jurisdiction adjudges any section, clause,
provision or portion of this chapter unconstitutional or invalid,
the remainder of this chapter shall not be affected.
B.
If any application of this chapter to a particular parcel or lot
of land, building, structure, water, or air is adjudged unconstitutional
or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall
not be applicable to any other land, building, structure, water, or
air not specifically included in said judgment.
C.
The Town does not guarantee, warrant, represent, or hold itself liable
for any defects in plans or specifications, false information provided,
plan omissions, examination or inspection oversight, construction,
or any damage that may result in or after installation, and reserves
the right to order changes or additions if conditions arise making
this necessary.
D.
No statement or actions by any official, employees, agent or committee
of the Town should be construed or taken as a binding act except a
resolution, motion, or ordinance that has been adopted the Town Board
or Town Plan Commission at a lawfully conducted Town Board or Town
Plan Commission meeting or by the Town -adopted electorate at a duly
constituted Annual or Special Meeting within the limit of their powers.
This includes, but it not limited to, interpretation of this chapter.
E.
The Town expressly states that it has no responsibility whatsoever
for assuring that land and/or building sites sold in the Town are
in compliance with any ordinances, regulations, or rules. The Town
also assumes no responsibility for the suitability of any property
whose land division has been approved by the Town.
