Section 175-98.5        SITE AND DESIGN STANDARDS.

A.  Outside storage/display of goods:  Outside storage or display of goods, except automotive and similar large item sales, shall be completely screened from the view of the corridor roadway.

 

B.  Utilities: Utility lines, including electric, cable and telephone, to serve the development project shall be installed underground.  All junction and access boxes shall be screened.  All utility pad fixtures, meter boxes, etc. shall be shown on the site plan and integrated with the architectural elements of the site.

 

C.  Fences: Fences exceeding four (4) feet in height shall be located in the side and rear yards only.  Chain link fences, including those with slats, are discouraged, particularly where visible from the public right-of-way.  No chain link fence shall be permitted in the front yard in the EC.

 

D.  Mechanical equipment: Mechanical equipment shall be shielded and screened from the public view and designed to be perceived as an integral part of the building.

 

E.  Integrated development: All buildings within the property shall be developed as a cohesive entity, ensuring that building placement, architectural treatment, vehicular and pedestrian circulation and other development elements work together functionally and aesthetically. Architectural treatment shall be designed so that all building facades of the same building (whether front, side, or rear) that are visible from the public right-of-way, shall consist of similar architectural treatment in terms of materials, quality, appearance and detail.

 

F.  Orientation: Building facades and entrances should be oriented in a manner toward the primary means of vehicular access.

 

G.  Building bulk and mass:  All buildings and parking areas should be designed with treatments to break up the mass and bulk.  The treatment of buildings shall include vertical architectural treatment at least every 25-30 feet to break down the scale of the building into smaller components.  Any facade with a blank wall shall be screened in a manner consistent with the requirements of environmental planting screens in Section 148-44.  Architectural details shall continue on all facades visible from the public right-of-way.  Large expanses of blank walls facing the street are inappropriate.

 

H.  Scale and proportion: New construction should relate to the dominant proportions of buildings in the immediate area.  The ratio of height to width and the ratio of mass (building) to void (openings) should be balanced.  The scale and mass of a proposed project should relate to nearby buildings or the streetscape.

 

I.  Materials: Building materials shall be typical of those prevalent in Front Royal/Warren County, including, but not limited to, stucco, brick, architectural block, wood siding and standing seam metal roofs.  Inappropriate materials include reflective glass and metal wall panels.  No facade visible from the adjoining property or the roadway shall be constructed of unadorned cinder block, unadorned concrete, corrugated metal or sheet metal.

 

J.  Color: The permanent color of building materials (to be left unpainted) shall resemble the predominate tones, primarily earthen tones, prevalent in the historic areas of the community. Garish and striking colors shall be avoided.

 

K.   Adjoining Historic Properties: New construction on properties that adjoin designated historic properties should seek to incorporate the scale, massing and treatment of the historic property into the new construction.  Efforts shall be made to relate to the building height, when in proximity to the principle historic structure.  New construction shall not overshadow the adjoining historic property.

 

L.  Lighting: All outdoor lighting fixtures shall be down-directed, with light trespass not to exceed 0.5 foot-candles at the property line.  All island canopy ceiling fixtures shall be recessed.


(Ord. No. Z-7-99 Added Entire Section 10-11-99-Effective Upon Passage)