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HomeMy WebLinkAboutChapter 2 Design-Standards-Final 2a� I Applicable Zoning Districts: • Urban Medium Density Residential (MDR) • Urban High Density Residential (HDR) Both the 1-94 Corridor and Old Village are expected to experience growth in the form of high density residential development. This growth will be com- prised of single-family attached (townhome) devel- opment and multi-family residential development, '' , rr including apartments and condominiums. For - � residential development, the intent of the design standards is to provide housing of a high aesthetic \ _ )� k quality with open or recreational spaces integrated a �I directly into the site. A. Site Design Common open or recreation spaces should be located to BuildingPlacement _ the interior or rear of the site. " Goal:Structures should be located and oriented in a entryways, landscaping, porches, patios and - manner that allows for pedestrian accessibility and other amenities that may be utilized by resi- provides visual interest from the public right of way. dents and provide visual interest or a sense of place. ��� a. Buildings are encouraged to be located as d. Recreational and common spaces should be ; close to the public street as possible while still located at the interior or rear of the site to pro- meeting the setback requirement. In addition, mote access and safety for residents. Keep- 4, the setbacks of adjacent residential buildings ing these spaces out of the front of the site r are encouraged to be varied slightly to contrib- also helps maintain visual interest and attrac- ute to an interesting streetscape, avoiding mo- tive sight lines. notonous facade or wall depth. e. Some provision of open or common space on b. Buildings should be easily accessed from the the site is required to maintain Lake Elmo's street, particularly near commercial or mixed- open space character. This provision can use development. be found in §154.454 of the Lake Elmo City Buildings are encouraged to l sited closer to public streets c. The area fronting the main public street, or Code. front-yard setback area, should be utilized for to promote access and visual interest. CITY OF LAKE ELMO - DESIGN GUIDELINES & STANDARDS 7 HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT Landscaping Goal: To enhance the visual aesthetic of the built environment and reduce impervious surface, 7 . '� s'•� '� thereby aiding storm water management practice. ..",�� ► .' . e" a. Shade and ornamental trees and other plant material should be installed within the front 7111A . 'Y setback area. `� •" `��, �. 'y b. Bare soils should be planted or mulched with bark, stone or other suitable material to avoid .♦ .9 `~r� unnecessary runoff. 1 `/ � ''' ♦ -_'� 1 ; c. Plant species are encouraged to be native, low- t maintenance and suitable to the Lake Elmo cli- �w 4 ,. ! mate. d. Making use of similar plant materials as adja- ' ' cent properties and public spaces is encour- Decorative fencing provides a nice transition from the public right of way to the entryway. aged to create continuity. e. Mature trees located on building sites should a. Sidewalks shall be provided parallel to public be retained whenever possible. streets in order to ensure pedestrian accessi- f. Service, storage, utility and parking areas _ bilit and circulation. Y should be buffered by plantings to reduce vi- �` b. Sidewalk materials should be attractive and sual impact. low-maintenance, such as concrete or decora- g• Parking areas should include landscaped is- tive pavers. lands or plant beds to reduce the visual im- t7, c. Boulevard areas should planted with turf grass pact, break up monotonous hardscape and t� - and/or other attractive, low-maintenance retain storm water. ground cover. In addition, boulevard trees should be provided in regular intervals. d. Site furnishings such as benches, pedestrian- scaled lighting,decorative fencing,trash recep- At left:Pedestrian amenities contribute to an inviting and tacles and other amenities are recommended. functional streetscape. Applicants are encouraged to utilize design el- StreetsCape ements and site amenities from the Lake Elmo Goal: Residential streetscapes should provide for pedestrian accessibility and safety while offering Branding&Theming Study. aesthetically pleasing environments. e. Paths and access points/entryways should be clearly visible and well lit at night. 8 CITY OF LAKE ELMO- DESIGN GUIDELINES & STANDARDS HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT d. Access to parking areas should be designed in B. Building Design a way that does not impede pedestrian traffic. e. Parking should be screened from adjacent Form and Facade _ structures with landscaping strips not exceed- Goal: Standards are intended to ensure high qual- ing 4 feet in height in order to ensure pedes- ity design, encourage creativity and promote visu- trian safety. ally appealing development, thereby cultivating a { f. Lighting must be provided in parking areas sense of place and identity. at night for safety purposes. However, direct glare, spillover or other forms of light pollution a. Blank facades without windows and doors are directed at adjacent properties are prohibited. discouraged. All sides of the structures shall g. Parking facilities must be ADA compliant when have architectural treatments. deemed necessary. b. Window and door styles should reflect the pre- vailing architectural style of the structure. _ Delivery, Service, Storage and Utility Areas c. Window sills and trim are required for all exte- Lighting should be down-cast and shielded to prevent glare Goal: To minimize the visual impact of storage and rior windows. or spill-over onto adjacent properties. utility areas within residential developments. d. Flat panel exterior and garage doors are dis- Parking couraged. a. Exterior storage and utility areas should be e. Garages should be recessed from the facade Goal: accommodate automobile parking in a located in low trafficked areas and screened of the principal structure whenever possible to destrimannerr that reduces visual impact, supports pe- from adjacent properties. draw visual attention away from parking areas. along the e public right of way,circulation and maintains good sight lines b. Trash enclosures should be located so that f. If there are multiple garages within a struc- long th noise and odor do not affect nearby residents ture, they should be varied in their location to or adjacent properties. minimize the visual impact of a row of garage a. Parking areas should be located to the rear,side c. Screening of storage and utility areas may in- doors. or within primary buildings whenever possible. clude landscaping and architectural features b. Structured or underground parking is encour- that match the primary structure. - aged. d. Storage areas should match the architectural c. The linear measurement of surface parking ar- design of the primary structure. eas parallel to the public street may not exceed A e. Utilize directional signage for storage and trash A 1 1 n n more than 50% of primary street frontages. areas when appropriate. Sites or projects that are unable to meet this requirement will be required to install berms P w and/or additional landscaping to buffer areas of surface parking adjacent to the primary street frontage. Attached units on a public street benefit from individual entries. CITY of LAKE ELMO - DESIGN GUIDELINES & STANDARDS 9 HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT g. Detached garages shall be architecturally con- as they are balanced and consistent. sections. sistent with the principal structure. e. Primary building materials for residential struc- c. Architectural elements,such as dormers,deco- h. Finished exterior materials shall be applied tures should include brick, finished wood, rative windows and trim, porch details, decora- to all wall facades above 18 inches from the stone, quality metals, glass, cast-stone, or pre- tive shutters, and wainscoting, can reduce the finished grade line, where unfinished exterior cast concrete panels with aggregate, banding, appearance of bulk and mass by providing vi- foundation may be visible. testuring, or other similar decorative finish. sual interest. i. Ground level of multi-family structures should f. Exposed exterior building materials such as d. Building mass should be broken up with mul- be distinguished architecturally from upper brick, stone, wood, or stucco should be au- tiple roof and ridgelines perpendicular with one levels to provide human-scale elements for pe- thentic. Simulated materials may also be used another. destrians. if demonstrated to be of high quality and ap- e. Structures of two-stories or higher should have j. Living space below the main building level, proved by the City. articulated facades to minimize the appear- such as a walkout structure, may not be visible g. Materials which are prohibited as the primary ance of mass, as well as multiple roof lines from the front side of the structure facing the facade material include the following: with corresponding gables. main public street. • Vinyl siding f. Scale should be reduced by utilizing "step- k. Split entry type structures are discouraged. • Unpainted galvanized metal down" methods towards the public street. I. Where individual units face a public street, • Corrugated metal, plastic, or fiberglass Porches, entries, window-bays or bump-out are each unit should be designed with a walkway • Plain, unpainted, or painted concrete effective in this regard. from the sidewalk to the front entry feature. block m. Entryways to individual units should contain an • Prefabricated concrete panels entryway feature, such as a porch or portico. h. Roofing materials should consist of composition shingles, wood shakes, or clay or stone tiles. Building Materials Metal used as a roofing material must incorpo- Goal:To offer variety of attractive and quality build- rate ribs or standing seams to be acceptable. ing materials that will shape the identity and visual interest of residential development in Lake Elmo. Scale and Mass - Goal: To establish parameters for building horizon- tally and vertically with a human scale in mind. ' building materials. b. Changes in facade building materials should a. Building volume should be broken up with re- occur at clean horizontal and vertical separa- cesses and projections such as balconies, bay tions,such as at building levels or architectural windows,dormers, porches,and other features =c�_ features. that provide variation and identity. c. Siding materials should emphasize horizontal lines b. Mass should be reduced through facade artic- Building Mass is reduced by breaking the building up into to reduce the appearance of height and mass. smaller sections and"stepping-back"levels above the d. Multiple facade colors are encouraged as long ulation, breaking up the wall area into smaller ground floor.Source:www.minnpost.com 10 CITY of LAKE ELMO- DESIGN GUIDELINES & STANDARDS HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT Roof Design are encouraged to include porches, covered Signage Goal: To break up monotonous roof lines, add ar- recesses or covered stoops. Goal: Residential signage should be subtle in na- chitectural detail and screen rooftop equipment. e. Ground floor residences that adjoin a public ture and utilized to promote building identity and to street or open space shall have direct access properly direct automobile and pedestrian traffic. a. All rooftop equipment and must be screened to the public street or open space. using materials consistent with the overall ar- f. For units with individual exterior entries, small, a. Signs shall be consistent with the architectural chitecture, particularly on roofs that are visible landscaped private entry yards afford an at- style of the building on which they are placed, in- from adjacent buildings. tractive appearance on the street side and al- cluding scale, lighting levels, color and material. b. Multiple peaks and ridgelines are encouraged low residents to take pride in these areas. b. Signs shall be constructed of quality materials. to promote greater visual interest. c. All signage should be illuminated and clearly c. Dormers are encouraged to break up continu- Lighting visible after dark. ous rooftop. Goal: To provide for safety and visual interest, d. Signs are encouraged to be creative in the use d. Providing architectural detail on soffits and fas- while respecting the City's dark sky ordinance. of two and three-dimensional forms, lighting cias are encouraged. and graphic design, and use of color, patterns, a. Lighting should be provided in all common ar- typography, and materials. Entries eas, including parking, vehicular and pedes- e. Interior vehicle and pedestrian routes should Goal: To encourage entryways of high architectural trian entries, walkways and common facilities be clearly marked. quality that emphasize access, safety, and a hu- (mailboxes, pools, etc.). f. All buildings are encouraged to incorporate el- man scale. b. Lighting height shall be consistent with the ements of community theming in appropriate City's exterior lighting standards. signage, supporting district and city identity. a. Primary building entries shall be visible and c. Service area lightingshall be confined within the connected to the street sidewalk by the most service yard boundaries and enclosure walls. direct route practical. However, some cur- d. Spill-over light from storage or service areas vature in design for aesthetic purposes is al- is not allowed. Lights at service or exit doors lowed. shall be limited to low wattage, downcast or b. Each building should have one or more clear- low cut-off fixtures that remain on throughout ly identifiable "front doors" that address the the night. street and include signage denoting property e. Accent lighting should be used to draw interest address. to architectural features or entryways and not c. Building entries should incorporate design ele- to exhibit or advertise buildings. Architectural ments or architectural treatments, such as aw- lighting must be downcast and shielded to pre- nings, columns or cornices to emphasize the vent light pollution. primary entryway. f. Bare bulb or exposed neon lighting is not al- d. Primary communal entryways are encouraged lowed for accentuating building form. to be recessed to offer shelter from inclement weather. Units with individual exterior entries CITY of LAKE ELMo - DESIGN GUIDELINES & STANDARDS 11