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) 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.
(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)