It is the purpose of the MU District to provide
the opportunity and encouragement for the creation of a planned development
containing a mix of housing types, small-scale retail, office, personal
service and/or other compatible uses.
[Amended 10-7-2014 by L.L. No. 6-2014]
It is the objective of these guidelines to establish
a general design framework for creating and/or preserving the desired
architectural character and scale of buildings in Mixed-Use Districts
and, when there is a residential component, Business A Districts;
to help assure that such areas will be visually attractive and will
blend landscaped open space and structures in a manner that relates
harmoniously to the existing and/or planned character of the MU and
Business A Districts and nearby portions of the Village; and to create
visual interest and variety in the treatment of architectural surfaces.
A. Overall site design shall be appropriately related
to other existing, proposed, planned and/or future surrounding development
and topographical conditions to effectuate the purpose of this article.
B. Building and site design shall be planned to enhance
the pedestrian experience.
C. Sites shall be designed in accordance with the objective stated in the first paragraph of §
575-120 above. On portions of the site which are primarily residential in use, parking lots shall generally be avoided. Parking lots shall be divided into relatively small areas framed by buildings and landscaping.
D. Buildings shall be harmonious and compatible with
other existing, proposed, planned and/or future neighboring structures
in terms of the following exterior design elements:
(1) The nature and use of surface materials.
(2) The height of cornices, lintel and sill levels, articulated
floor levels and other horizontal building features.
(3) The spacing and proportion of columns, piers and other
elements of the basic structural grid.
(4) The spacing and proportion of window and door openings,
bays or other aspects of building fenestration.
(5) Colors, textures and the general nature of exterior
materials and treatment, including building ornament and trim.
(6) Treatment, screening and/or enclosure of all utility
and mechanical installations.
E. Building facades shall present a varied appearance
at street level and be designed to give individual identity to each
building and/or use, as well as to help achieve the planned pedestrian
scale.
F. The design of building facades shall reflect the scale
of other existing, proposed, planned and/or future building development
through modulation of vertical and horizontal elements by features
such as:
(1) Variation in roof heights.
(2) Changes in the predominant wall plane and/or in facade
elements, such as window openings and balconies.
(3) Use of horizontal projections or recesses in the building
facade, such as bay windows, cornices, balustrades, etc.
(4) Use of pitched roofs and other roof elements, such
as cross gables, dormer windows and turrets, to provide visual interest,
reduce the scale of continuous roofs and break the line where the
building meets the sky.
G. Treatment of the sides and rear of proposed buildings
shall be in a manner substantially consistent in appearance, amenity
and quality of materials to the treatment given to their street frontage.
H. A coordinated landscape plan shall be prepared incorporating
the landscape treatment of open spaces, walkways, access roads and
parking areas into a cohesive and integrated design. Attractively
landscaped open spaces, plazas and recreational areas, designed as
gathering places and intended for maximum usability by on-site residents
and workers, shall be provided in appropriate locations. All open
spaces, pedestrian walkways, parking areas and access drives shall
be planned as an integral part of an overall site design, properly
related to existing and proposed buildings.
I. The coordinated landscape plan shall include a mix
of shade trees and other plant material, such as ground cover and
shrubs, with proper regard to factors such as micro-climate, function
of area, existing plantings and required maintenance in determining
the species, scale and planting pattern.
J. Walkways and other surface areas of paving material
shall offer a variety of pigments and textures which are in harmony
with other nearby existing, proposed, planned and/or future buildings
and other paved surfaces and are safe for pedestrian traffic, including
the handicapped.
K. Walkways shall be planted with regularly spaced, salt-tolerant
shade trees, selected with regard to the scale of the area in which
they are located as well as the height and spacing of streetlighting.
L. All landscaping as shown on the approved site plan
shall be maintained in a healthy growing condition throughout the
duration of the use or uses being served. Any plants not so maintained
shall be replaced by the property owner with healthy new plants of
comparable size, type and quality at the beginning of the next immediately
following growing season.
M. All signage shall be carefully integrated with other
site design elements. Signage shall be designed so that it is visible
and informative at the pedestrian scale. Signs shall not be mounted
above the eave line of any structure or be placed in or attached to
any window.
N. Freestanding project identification signs shall be
permitted at certain access drives connecting to the external public
road system. Necessary small-scale informational and directional signs
shall also be permitted, as required.
O. All exterior lighting shall be of adequate illumination
for safety and security purposes. It shall be of such type and location
and shall have such shading as will prevent the source of light from
being visible from any adjoining streets and properties and shall
prevent glare from spilling onto other properties or streets. Lighting
shall be limited in its hours of operation, as determined appropriate
by the Village Board, and shall be coordinated with building design
and landscape plans. The height of lighting fixtures shall be limited
so as to be consistent with the planned pedestrian scale of development.