17.59.050 Building and Site Design.
A. Building Setback.
1. Except as allowed by this ordinance, buildings shall maintain a zero setback from the sidewalk or property line.
2. Exceptions to the setback requirements may be granted to allow plazas, courtyards, dining space, or rear access for public pedestrian walkways.
B. Building Design.
1. Buildings should have massing and configuration similar to adjacent or nearby historic buildings on the same block. Buildings situated at street corners or intersections should be, or appear to be, two-story in height.
2. Where buildings will exceed the historical 60 feet in width, the façade should be visually subdivided into proportional bays, similar in scale to other adjacent historic buildings, and as appropriate to reflect the underlying historic property lines. This can be done by varying roof heights, or applying vertical divisions, materials and detailing to the front façade.
3. Storefronts (that portion of the building that faces a public street) should include the basic features of a historic storefront, to include:
a. A belt course separating the upper stories from the first floor;
b. A bulkhead at the street level;
c. A minimum of 70 percent glazing below the transom line of at least eight feet above the sidewalk, and 40 percent glazing below the horizontal trim band between the first and second stories. For the purposes of this section, glazing shall include both glass and openings for doorways, staircases and gates;
d. A recessed entry and transom with transparent door; and
e. Decorative cornice or cap at the roofline.
4. Orientation of rooflines of new construction shall be similar to those of adjacent buildings. Gable roof shapes, or other residential roof forms, are discouraged unless visually screened from the right-of-way by a false front or parapet.
5. The primary entrance to a building shall open on to the public right-of-way and should be recessed.
6. Windows shall be recessed and not flush or project from the surface of the outer wall. In addition, upper floor window orientation primarily shall be vertical.
7. The scale and proportion of altered or added building elements, such as new windows or doors, shall be visually compatible with the original architectural character of the building.
8. Buildings shall provide a foundation or base, typically from ground floor to the lower windowsills.
C. Building Materials.
1. Exterior building materials shall consist of building materials found on registered historic buildings in the downtown area including block, brick, painted wood, smooth stucco, or natural stone.
2. The following materials are prohibited for use on visible surfaces (not applicable to residential structure):
a. Wood, vinyl, or aluminum siding;
b. Wood, asphalt, or fiberglass shingles;
c. Structural ribbed metal panels;
d. Corrugated metal panels;
e. Plywood sheathing, to include wood paneling such as T-111;
f. Plastic sheathing; and
g. Reflective or moderate to high grade tinted glass.
3. Exterior building colors shall be of low reflective, subtle, neutral or earth tone color. The use of high intensity colors such as black, neon, metallic or florescent colors for the façade of the building are prohibited except as may be approved for building trim. (Ord. 4797 §1, 2003).