City of Nashua, NH: Applicability.

§ 190-170 Applicability.

This article applies to any application for site plan review that meets the elements prescribed in Subsections B and C below, or as further limited in the particular sections of this article.

This article applies to new construction, building additions, and alterations to buildings if those alterations would affect the exterior appearance of the building visible from a public street or right-of-way, or from neighboring residential properties.

This article does not apply to:

(1)

Single-family, two-family or three-family dwellings; or

(2)

Routine repair or maintenance of structures; or

(3)

Any work on the interior of a building; or

(4)

Any existing structures for which no exterior alterations are proposed; or

(5)

Modifications solely for the purpose of providing safe means of egress or access in order to meet requirements of the Building Code.[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: See Ch. 105, Building Construction.

(6)

Minor site plan amendments. (See § 190-131.)

A waiver or appeal from the requirements of this section may be filed with the Planning Board pursuant to § 190-148.

§ 190-171 Multifamily dwelling units.

Applicability. This section applies to any application for site plan approval for a multifamily building that includes at least four dwelling units.

Submittal requirements. The applicant shall submit the external elevations depicting architectural design of the proposed development to ensure that it complies with the goals of harmonious existence with the neighborhood and the environment. Application materials shall be supplemented by photographs, material samples, color charts, sketches, models, or other materials that will assist the Board in gaining a visual understanding of the application.

Standards. Materials, colors, and building facades shall be compatible with the character of the neighborhood.

§ 190-172 Nonresidential buildings.

Applicability.

(1)

This section applies to any nonresidential building.

(2)

This section applies to all building facades and exterior walls that are visible from adjoining public streets or properties. These standards are intended to reduce the massive scale of large buildings which, without application of these standards, would be incompatible with the City's desired character. These standards are also intended to ensure that buildings incorporate architectural features and patterns that provide visual interest at the pedestrian scale, reduce massive aesthetic effects, and reflect the local character.

Facades.

(1)

Facades exceeding 150 feet in length, measured horizontally, shall incorporate wall plane projections or recesses having a depth of at least 3% of the length of the facade and extending at least 20% of the length of the facade. No uninterrupted length of any facade shall exceed 150 horizontal feet.

(2)

Ground floor facades that face public streets shall have arcades, display windows, entry areas, awnings, or other such features along no less than 50% of their horizontal length.

Roofing. The following standards are intended to foster variations in rooflines to add interest to, and reduce the massive scale of large buildings, and to ensure that roof features complement the character of adjoining development. Roofs shall have the feature in Subsection C(1) below and one other of the following features:

(1)

Parapets concealing flat roofs and rooftop equipment, such as HVAC units 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 exceed, at any point, 1/3 of the height of the supporting wall. Such parapets shall feature three-dimensional cornice treatment and shall not be of a constant height for a distance of greater than 150 feet.

(2)

Overhanging eaves, extending no less than three feet past the supporting walls, for no less than 30% of the building perimeter.

(3)

Sloping roofs that do not exceed the average height of the supporting walls, with an average slope greater than or equal to one foot of vertical rise for every three feet of horizontal run and less than or equal to one foot of vertical rise for every one foot of horizontal run.

(4)

Three or more roof slope planes.

Materials and colors. Applicants shall comply with the following standards in order to respect the historic design vernacular of the City:

(1)

The following elements shall be integral parts of the building fabric, and not superficially applied: trim, graphics, paint, color changes, material changes, texture changes and relief features (such as offsets, projections and reveals).

(2)

Exterior building materials shall include, without limitation:

Brick;

Wood;

Sandstone;

Concrete block or split-faced block except as provided in Subsection D(4) below;

(e)

Other stone masonry native to the State of New Hampshire; or

(f)

Other materials of similar appearance and durability as determined by the Planning Board.

(3)

Facade colors shall be low reflectance, subtle, neutral or earth-tone colors. The use of metallic, black or fluorescent colors is prohibited. Building trim and accent areas may feature brighter colors, including primary colors.

(4)

Predominant exterior building materials shall not include the following:

(a)

Smooth-faced concrete block;

(b)

Smooth-faced tilt-up concrete panels; or

(c)

Prefabricated steel panels.

(5)

Industrial park areas may use fabricated metal wall panels and undressed concrete or cinder block as well as reflective glass.

Entryways. Buildings shall include multiple entrances because they reduce walking distances from cars, facilitate pedestrian and bicycle access from public sidewalks, and provide convenience where certain entrances offer access to individual stores, or identified departments of a retail establishment. Multiple entrances also mitigate the effect of the unbroken walls and neglected areas that often characterize building facades that face bordering land uses.

(1)

All sides of a principal building that directly face an abutting public street shall feature at least one customer entrance, except where pedestrian access is not practical. Where a principal building directly faces more than two abutting public streets, this recommendation would apply only to two sides of the building, including the side of the building facing the primary street, and another side of the building facing a second street.

(2)

Applicants are encouraged to provide entryway design elements and variations which provide orientation and aesthetically pleasing character to the building. The following standards identify desirable entryway design features. Each principal building on a site shall have clearly defined, highly visible customer entrances featuring not less than three of the following:

(a)

Canopies or porticos;

(b)

Roof overhangs;

(c)

Recesses/projections;

(d)

Arcades;

(e)

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 structure and design; or

(k)

Integral planters or wing walls that incorporate landscaped areas and/or places for sitting.

Mechanical appurtenances. Mechanical appurtenances shall be located within the structure, except as provided herein. External mechanical appurtenances such as heating and air-conditioning equipment may be located on the exterior portion of the structure, but shall be screened and finished to match the colors of adjacent building materials. Mechanical appurtenances shall include any necessary sound buffer and/or noise attenuation equipment sufficient to reduce sound levels to 50 decibels during the daytime hours (7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) and 45 decibels during the nighttime hours (8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) along any lot line abutting a residential zoning district.

Purpose: The purpose of the building design standards is to:
•	Provide for high-quality architecture which respects universal design principles, enhances the appearance of Nashua, reinforces pedestrian character where appropriate, and is sensitive to neighboring buildings, the broader setting, and natural and cultural resources.
•	Protect and enhance the positive visual qualities of Nashua's downtown, residential neighborhoods, commercial corridors, industrial parks, and scenic and rural landscapes.
•	Encourage design that is compatible with the traditional character of Nashua and New England.
•	Enhance property values and foster civic pride.
•	Minimize potential aesthetic conflicts between residential and nonresidential uses and between single-family and multifamily uses.
The Planning Board finds and determines that many national and regional chain businesses seek to build a standard design across the country or region without regard to local conditions. However, the Planning Board will evaluate all proposed designs for their compatibility with the unique community character of Nashua and for conformance with the goals of these regulations. This section requires applicants to develop designs that are compatible with our community character; the City need not make adjustments to accommodate these template designs.
This article is adopted pursuant to the City of Nashua Land Use Plan and New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated Sections 674:21 (Innovative Land Use Controls) and 674:44 (Site Plan Review Regulations).
This section implements the following Master Plan recommendations:
•	Enhance existing commercial areas with improved landscaping, aesthetics, signage, nighttime light pollution, architectural design, traffic flow and coordination with abutting land uses whenever the opportunity presents itself.