The following standards and guidelines shall apply to all nonresidential,
multiple-family (over four units), and mixed-use development within
the Town.
The purpose of these design guidelines and standards is to describe
the desired future development pattern, form, massing, site layout
and architectural detailing for nonresidential development within
the Town of Manchester. It is important for the Town to have established
design standards that guide development and ensure safe and efficient
circulation in both its rural and small-town development contexts,
from the vast expanse of agricultural lands to denser activity areas
in Port Gibson and near to the Villages of Manchester, Shortsville,
and Clifton Springs. Given the varied character of the Town, there
is a need for clear standards that meet the goals and objectives of
the community while still allowing for flexibility and creativity.
These standards will provide the necessary regulatory guidance and
framework for high-quality development while still allowing flexible
design alternatives.
The purpose of these design guidelines and standards is to preserve
and promote the unique character of the Town by ensuring future development
is consistent with the following objectives:
A. Create inviting, attractive buildings, sites, open spaces, and streetscapes.
B. Develop office and industrial parks to resemble a campus-like environment
that incorporates open space and pedestrian amenities where appropriate.
C. Require that future private development positively contribute to
the public realm and ensure compatibility with surrounding developments
so as not to detract from the overall streetscape and character of
the area.
D. Utilize good site planning techniques that provide visual interest
and accommodate multimodal travel such as varying building massing,
emphasizing street corners, highlighting points of entry, and integrating
site circulation and access between uses.
E. Encourage the development of buildings consistent with the goals
of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.
F. Ensure that new development building and site design does not negatively
impact adjacent residential uses, respecting their existing scale
and character.
Site planning standards primarily address the organization of
a project's components. They are intended to address the location
of buildings and site features such as parking lots, open space, and
service areas, as well as the organization of circulation patterns
for vehicles and pedestrians.
A. Site layout. The layout of all improvements must be designed to generally
follow the existing topography of the site. The layout of roads, walkways
and building footprints must be aligned with existing contours where
practical, with limited connecting streets or walkways aligned perpendicular
to existing slopes.
B. Sense of entry. Intersections create natural opportunities for gateways,
which can be enhanced through a combination of landscaping, welcome/identity
signage, framed views, and focal points. Signage and focal points,
if included, must be used in ways that complement rather than obstruct
or detract from important views.
C. Views. The Town's rural viewsheds play an especially large role
in shaping the character of the community. Existing view corridors
should be respected and protected. New construction and landscaping
must take into account how views may be affected. Protecting views
experienced from points of entry to the Town and along major roadways
is important. The Planning Board shall help determine the significance
of a view corridor or viewshed as part of site plan review.
D. Projects with multiple buildings.
1) Projects with multiple buildings, such as plazas with out-lot or
outparcel development, shall be sited with pedestrian connections
between structures, parking areas, and adjacent uses.
2) Multiple structures shall be placed in a fashion that creates a well-organized,
accessible, and functional site. The Town encourages site layouts
that create a unique sense of place and do not result in large parking
lots lacking landscaping or pedestrian accommodations.