Borough of Paramus, NJ Superstore Retail Establishments

Building facades greater than 100 feet in length, measured horizontally, shall incorporate wall plane projections or recesses having a depth of at least three feet, the total length of all projections shall be equivalent to at least 20% of the length of the building facade. No uninterrupted length of any building facade shall exceed 100 horizontal feet.

The ground floor of building facades that face public streets shall have arcades, display windows, entry areas, awnings, or other such features along no less than 30% of their horizontal length.

Where a building facade faces adjacent residential uses, a berm, no less than six feet in height, containing at a minimum evergreen trees planted at intervals of eight to 10 feet on center, or in clusters or clumps, shall be provided. Trees shall be a minimum planted height of eight to 10 feet.

Roofs.

Variations in rooflines should be used to add interest to, and reduce the massive scale of, large buildings. Changes in rooflines shall be consistent with required intervals of facade projections and recesses and shall be not less than once for every three facade variations.

Parapets concealing flat roofs and rooftop equipment from public view. The average height of such parapets shall not exceed 15% of the height of the supporting wall, and such parapets shall not at any point exceed 1/3 of the height of the supporting wall. Such parapets shall feature three-dimensional cornice treatment.

Overhanging eaves, extending no less than three feet past the supporting walls.

Material and colors.

Exterior building materials should be aesthetically pleasing and compatible with all building elevations. To provide consistency in design, there shall be not less than one building material incorporated into all four building facades of the structure.

Predominant exterior building materials shall be high quality materials. These include, without limitation: brick, sandstone, other native stone, wood and concrete masonry units that are tinted and textured.

Building facades shall be of low reflectance, subtle, neutral or earth tone colors. The use of high intensity colors, metallic colors, black or fluorescent colors is prohibited.

(4)

Building trim and accent areas may feature brighter colors, including primary colors.

(5)

Predominant exterior building materials should not include the following: smooth-faced concrete block, tilt-up concrete panels and prefabricated steel panels.

Entryways.

Entryway design elements should give a definitive orientation to the building entrance. Large-scale buildings should feature multiple entrances. Any building with a building facade of 300 feet or more in length shall have not less than two entrances. Multiple entrances reduce walking distances from cars and provide greater access from public sidewalks.

Each principal building on a site shall have clearly defined, visible customer entrances featuring no less than two of the following: overhangs, canopies or porticos; recesses/projections; arcades; raised corniced parapets over the door; peaked roof forms; arches; outdoor patios; display windows; architectural details such as tile work and moldings which are integrated into the building; integral planters or wing walls that incorporate landscaped areas and/or places for sitting.

Pedestrian circulation.

Public sidewalks and internal pedestrian circulation systems should provide user-friendly pedestrian access as well as pedestrian safety, shelter and convenience.

Sidewalks at least eight feet in width shall be along all sides of the lot that abut a public street.

Internal pedestrian walkways provided in conformance with the information below shall provide weather protection features, such as awnings or arcades, within 30 feet of all primary customer entrances.

(4)

Continuous internal pedestrian walkways, no less than eight feet in width, shall be provided from the public sidewalk or right-of-way to the principal customer entrance of all principal buildings on the site. At a minimum, walkways shall connect focal points of pedestrian activity such as, but not limited to, transit stops, street crossings, building and store entry points, and shall feature adjoining landscaped areas that include trees, shrubs, benches, flower beds, ground covers, or other such materials.

(5)

Sidewalks, not less than eight feet in width, shall be provided along the full length of the building along any facade featuring a customer entrance, and along any building facades abutting public parking areas, Not less than 1/2 of all such sidewalks shall be located at least 10 feet from the building facade to provide adequate areas for planting and foundation landscaping. Such sidewalks shall be located at least six feet from the facade of the building to provide planting beds for foundation landscaping, except where features such as arcades or entryways are part of the facade.

(6)

All internal pedestrian walkways and crosswalks shall be distinguished from driving surfaces through the use of durable, low-maintenance surface materials such as pavers, bricks, or scored concrete to enhance pedestrian safety and comfort, as well as the attractiveness of the walkways.

Loading, outdoor storage and trash collection.

Areas for outdoor storage, truck parking, trash collection or compaction, loading or other such uses shall not be located on a facade facing a public street.

No areas for outdoor storage, trash collection or compaction, loading, or other such uses shall be located within 20 feet of any public street, public sidewalk, or internal pedestrian way, which setback area shall be planted with landscape material acceptable to the Planning Board (or Board of Adjustment, if applicable).

Loading docks, truck parking, outdoor storage, utility meters, HVAC equipment, trash dumpsters, trash compaction, and other service functions shall be incorporated into the overall design of the building and the landscaping so that the visual and acoustic impacts of these functions are fully contained and out of view from adjacent properties and public streets. The use of screening materials that is no different from or inferior to the principal materials of the building and landscape shall be required.

(4)

Nonenclosed areas for the storage and sale of seasonal inventory, if permitted by ordinance, shall be permanently defined and screened with walls and/or fences. Materials, colors, and design of screening walls and/or fences shall conform to those used as predominant materials and colors of the building. If such areas are to be covered, then the covering, shall conform to those used as predominant materials and colors on the buildings.

Multiple stores within a principal building or structure. Where the principal building or structure of a superstore retail establishment is comprised of multiple stores of less than 25,000 square feet of floor area with separate exterior entrances for customers, in addition to complying with all other regulations applicable to superstore retail establishments, such proposed building(s) and/or structure(s) shall comply with the following:

The street level building facade of such stores shall be transparent between the height of three feet and eight feet above the walkway grade for no less than 60% of the horizontal length of the building facade of such stores.