Laserfiche WebLink
Agenda Item 7: Draft revisions to Zoning Code chapter 14.07 – commercial zoning districts <br /> <br />DRAFT - 14 - DRAFT <br /> <br /> <br />14.07.03. Commercial Building Design in the Commercial Community [C-1] Zoning District <br /> <br />A. Purpose <br />The purpose of this section is to create a framework for ensuring that the design of commercial buildings will <br />either meet minimum design standards adopted by the community or be subject to public review by the <br />Planning Commission. This section further seeks to maintain good civic design and arrangement within the <br />commercial corridors and neighborhoods of the city, thereby assuring a desired aesthetic environment and a <br />stable economic environment. It is the intent of this section to promote the development of commercial <br />buildings that: <br />1. Are designed to be in visual harmony with buildings either in the same vicinity or along the same <br />commercial corridor; <br />2. Express individual design and creativity without detracting from the visual environment to the point that at <br />which the values of adjoining properties will be negatively recognized. <br />3. Are appropriate to the context in which they are located; and <br />4. Generally, do not detract from the aesthetics of the location, area, and community as a whole. <br />B. Procedures for Obtaining a Building Permit <br />Persons desiring to obtain a building permit for the construction of a new building or the renovation or <br />expansion of an existing building may do so by choosing one of the following two options. <br />1. Option 1: Applicants who meet all of the following conditions may apply for a Standard Commercial <br />Building permit through the normal administrative procedures. <br />a. The design of the building conforms to the design standards outlined in subsection D. below; and, <br />b. The footprint of the primary building does not exceed, in square footage, that of primary buildings on <br />adjoining properties by more than fifty percent (50%); and, <br />c. The primary building is not more than two (2) stories in height. <br />2. Option 2: Applicants who do not meet the specifications above must submit an application for a Non- <br />Standard Commercial Building Permit no less than ten (10) days before the next planning commission <br />meeting. The application shall contain the following, as a minimum: <br />a. All information required for a standard commercial building permit; and, <br />b. Front and side elevations of all structures; and, <br />c. Materials list for front and side facades, roof structures, and trim; and, <br />d. Any other material supporting the proposed design of the building. <br />C. Review of Building Permits for Non-Standard Commercial Buildings <br />The Planning Commission shall review the proposed design during the next Commission meeting and allow <br />public review of and comment on the proposed design. Public comments shall be allowed although an <br />advertisement for a public hearing is not required. The Commission shall authorize the Code Enforcement <br />Officer to issue a building permit only after reviewing the proposed submittal and determining: <br />1. The proposed design represents an innovative use of non-standard building materials to the extent that it <br />is in harmony with the visual aspects of the location, area, and community as a whole; and, <br />2. No discernible public benefit would be gained by requiring an alternative design; and, <br />3. The size and bulk of the proposed building is comparable to other buildings within the immediate area; <br />and, <br />4. The proposed construction meets the spirit and intent of this section of the zoning code. <br />D. Design Standards <br />Adherence to the following standards shall qualify a proposed structure as a Standard Commercial Building. <br />1. The finished façade of front visible side of the building shall be composed of acceptable building <br />materials. This includes any side of the building that fully faces a public street or the front of a building <br />facing any other fire apparatus access lane that is also used for public access. The visible side of the <br />building shall mean the forward eight feet of any side perpendicular to a street and all of a side or an <br />angle of less than ninety degrees (90º) as measured from the street or fire apparatus access lane to the