The following standards and guidelines apply to the residential areas shown in Figure 10 (orange areas). The standards and guidelines are intended to apply to new development or substantial redevelopment within the area. Substantial redevelopment is any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition or other improvements to the existing structure(s) on a site where the value of the improvement exceeds 50 percent of the fair market value of the building(s) before the start of construction.
(Ord. 4572, 3-20-13)
(a) 
The existing historic residential neighborhoods within the Downtown District will be stabilized and enhanced.
(b) 
The existing historic residential neighborhoods within the Downtown District will be preserved for residential uses, with no further encroachment by nonresidential uses.
(c) 
Where existing residential zoning allows, provide a diversity of housing types through development of multifamily housing that is in keeping with the character of the neighborhood (refer to multifamily development, GJMC § 24.12.130(c)).
(d) 
Enhance access to and improvements within existing public open spaces (e.g., parks and school grounds) within the downtown residential core.
Figure 10
(e) 
Maintain and enhance the historic character of the streetscape with emphasis on the following elements: street trees, landscaping rather than parking or other uses in the park strip between sidewalk and curb, street signs that identify the neighborhoods, lighting and detached sidewalks.
(Ord. 4572, 3-20-13)
(a) 
Architectural Considerations.
(1) 
Building Style and Character.
Maintain the existing character of the house styles within the residential neighborhoods in the Downtown District. New construction and alterations shall be compatible with key architectural characteristics and site elements of the area.
(2) 
Accessory Structure Setbacks.
The setback for accessory structures is a zero-foot setback from the alley and three feet from neighboring property line(s). Garages with overhead doors facing the alley must be set back a minimum of 25 feet from the far edge of the alley or the zoning setback, whichever is greater.
(3) 
Building Mass/Scale and Proportion.
New buildings or additions to existing buildings shall be visually compatible with the area. Visually compatible means compatible with adjacent and neighboring buildings including mass and scale, shape, windows, doors, openings, roof shape, roof pitch and orientation.
(4) 
Roof Shape.
The roofs of new buildings shall be visually compatible with adjacent buildings.
(5) 
Fenestration.
The pattern of windows and doors on structures shall be visually compatible with buildings in the area. Visually compatible includes the relationship of width to height, and the spacing of windows and doors. For example, tall evenly spaced rectangular windows are typical of many of the residential styles in the downtown area.
(6) 
Materials.
The exterior materials of all new buildings, additions and alterations shall be similar in size and appearance to area buildings.
(7) 
Setbacks.
On a corner lot, the front yard setback for that part of the yard that extends to and along the side property line on the street side may be reduced to 10 feet on properties within the Downtown District residential subareas. On corner lots where an existing parkway strip exceeds 10 feet in width between a sidewalk and the curb, the front yard setback on a side street may be reduced to five feet.
(b) 
Repealed by Ord. 4723.
(c) 
Multifamily Development.
Infill of new multifamily buildings may occur where zoning allows within the residential neighborhoods of the Downtown District. However, the site design and structures for this type of development must maintain a scale and character compatible with the residential neighborhoods in the Downtown District. In addition to the architectural considerations listed in subsection (a) of this section, multifamily development shall follow the standards below.
(1) 
Incorporate forms typical of the single-family residential architecture of the Downtown District including sloping roofs, porches, roof dormers and other architectural details.
(2) 
Break up the mass of larger buildings into forms that are similar in scale to the residential character.
(3) 
Facades must be composed of smaller sections, similar in scale and material finish to residential structures.
(4) 
Off-street parking for multifamily development shall not be located in the front yard setback. Parking shall be in the rear or side yards. If the property abuts an alley, the parking area shall take access from the alley. If the property has more than one street frontage, “behind the building” shall mean on the opposite side of the building from the front door or the main public door entrance to the building.
(5) 
Develop pedestrian links between the front sidewalk and building entrances and between parking and rear or side entrances.
(Ord. 4890, 11-20-19; Ord. 4812, 9-19-18; Ord. 4723, 10-21-16; Ord. 4572, 3-20-13)
(a) 
Demolition of existing historic homes in order to construct new residential structures is strongly discouraged.
(b) 
Maintain and enhance the pattern of landscaped front yards that gives the residential neighborhoods within the Downtown District a distinctive, friendly appearance.
(c) 
Each new building and addition should be located so that it aligns with existing buildings in the area. “Aligns” means elevation (e.g., horizontal lines of peaks of roofs, cornices and window sills) and plan (e.g., setbacks from the street and rear property lines and spacing between structures/setbacks from side property lines).
(d) 
Main entrances should open onto a street and should align with those of adjacent residential buildings. For example, on many of the downtown homes, raised foundations and steps that define the main entrance are prevailing characteristics. Door styles should be similar to those found on residential buildings within the area.
(e) 
New buildings and additions should have the same number of stories and a height which is compatible with buildings in the area.
(f) 
Park strips will be landscaped in a traditional style, including street trees, grass, and low plantings or a combination thereof. Park strip landscaping should include some live material – use of all nonliving material such as rock is discouraged. Use of drought-tolerant plants is encouraged.
(Ord. 4812, 9-19-18; Ord. 4572, 3-20-13)