20.25N.080 Design guidelines.
In addition to the decision criteria in LUC 20.30F.145, the following guidelines apply:
A. General Guidelines. Each structure and all proposed site development must comply with the approved MDP. If an application for Design Review (when required) contains elements inconsistent with the approved MDP, the Director may not approve the Design Review until the required MDP is amended to include those elements.
B. Site Design Guidelines.
1. Develop site improvements and amenities consistent with the phasing approved in an MDP.
2. Provide visual and functional connections between uses within the CCC District by incorporating areas of vegetation, outdoor spaces and pedestrian connections.
3. Consider surrounding vegetation, topography, street patterns, parking configuration and building massing in order to result in a compatible fit between proposed development and adjacent non-CCC residential development.
4. The largest CCC buildings with the largest bulk (size, height) shall be located to minimize impacts on adjacent residential uses. See Footnote (4)(d) under LUC 20.25N.050.
5. Maximize the retention of existing significant (see LUC 20.50.046 – Significant Tree) vegetation to soften visual impacts on adjacent residential areas.
6. Design vehicular access to the site so that traffic is not directed through an abutting residential district.
7. Minimize the visual impact of parking facilities by integrating parking facility structures and lots into the site, and by providing landscape screening where surface parking is located adjacent to residential uses or within setback areas.
8. Locate vehicle drop-off areas in close proximity to building entries.
9. Consider the following in designing outdoor spaces interior to the site:
a. Orientation. Orient to sunlight to the maximum extent feasible.
b. Provide good physical and visual access from the interior space to sidewalks and walkways, so that the space is perceived as an extension of the sidewalk or walkway.
c. Ensure ready physical as well as visual access to the interior space, with special attention to elevation differences.
10. Innovative techniques for impervious surface may be considered per LUC 20.20.460.G.
C. Building Design Guidelines – All Uses.
1. Materials, finishes, and details should be complementary to each other and be consistent with the design intent of the MDP;
2. Locate service areas for trash dumpsters, loading docks and mechanical equipment away from public rights-of-way and residentially zoned property where possible. Screen views of those elements if they cannot be located away from public frontages;
3. Incorporate weather protection and pedestrian amenities for transit facilities; and
4. Design rooftop mechanical equipment to be architecturally integrated with a building.
D. Building Design Guidelines – Retail/Service/Commercial Uses. In addition to the building design guidelines in subsection C of this section, buildings intended to house retail, service, or commercial uses shall comply with the following design guidelines:
1. Provide ground floor building elements that are accessible and comfortable to pedestrians through use of human-scale design elements, such as recessed entries, entrance canopies, planters, benches, variations in paving materials, and lighting features;
2. Consider weather protection in the site interior through use of sheltered walkways or sidewalks; and
3. Design entries to be clearly identifiable from public rights-of-way adjacent to the CCC District or from a pedestrian walkway connected to a public right-of-way. (Ord. 6190, 11-3-14, § 1)