The Greater Downtown overlay district standards for the Greater
Downtown commercial and industrial corridors in the Rail and River
Districts begin to implement goals of the Greater Downtown Plan to
(i) improve the visual impact of development along the corridors;
and (ii) promote higher quality architectural treatment and site design
as new development and redevelopment occurs along the corridors. The
visual features identified below define the concepts proposed along
the corridors and, as implemented as new development and redevelopment
occurs, will shape the desired character of the built environment.
The features are grouped into three categories: architectural features;
building materials; and streetscape and site design.
(Ord. 4572, 3-20-13)
Streetscape features along the primary corridors within the
Rail and River Districts in Greater Downtown also help establish the
visual character of the corridors. Examples of the desired characteristics
are illustrated below.
(a) Building Placement.
Buildings are encouraged to be brought
forward on a site to the street or sidewalk.
(b) Landscaping.
Many of the streets within the Rail and
River Districts do not have, nor are planned to have, a sidewalk.
However, streetscape interest can be created through landscaping,
encouraging use of xeriscape concepts.
(c) Streetscape Design.
An urban streetscape is desired
that includes hard surfaces, tree grates and street trees. This design
concept exists along some of the corridors in the Rail and River District.
The urban streetscape along the street can be blended with the site
design of the adjacent parcel so that on-site landscaping complements
and enhances the existing streetscape.
(d) Detached Sidewalks.
Where possible, detached sidewalks
are desired along the commercial and industrial overlay corridors
and already exist along some streets. The park strip between the curb
and sidewalk can provide the landscape relief for an abutting developed
property.
(e) Outdoor Storage, Display and Operations.
Minimize the
visual impact of outdoor storage, display and operations areas through
placement on a site behind a building, to the rear of the property
or otherwise screened.
(Ord. 4572, 3-20-13)