23.75.145

A. Intent. The intent of the design standards in this Section 23.75.145 is to: 1. Enhance facades to provide visual interest, promote new development that contributes to an attractive streetscape, and avoid the appearance of blank walls along a street; 2. Foster a sense of community by integrating new pedestrian-oriented multifamily development with the neighborhood street environment and by promoting designs that allow easy surveillance of the street by area residents; and 3. Promote livability by providing a sense of openness and access to light and air. B. Application of provisions. This Section 23.75.145 applies to all structures that contain residential uses and do not undergo any type of design review pursuant to Chapter 23.41 . For those structures, the standards apply to regulated facades between finished grade and 50 feet above finished grade. C. For the purposes of this Section 23.75.145 , the facade includes all vertical and substantially vertical surfaces enclosing interior space, including gables and dormers. D. Façade articulation. 1. If a regulated façade exceeds 750 square feet in area, division of the façade into separate facade planes is required (see Exhibit A for 23.75.145 ). 2. In order to be considered a separate façade plane for the purposes of this subsection 23.75.145.D, a portion of the façade shall have a minimum area of 150 square feet and a maximum area of 500 square feet, and shall project or be recessed from abutting façade planes by a minimum depth of 18 inches. 3. Trim that is a minimum of 0.75 inches deep and 3.5 inches wide is required to mark roof lines, porches, windows and doors on all regulated facades. E. The Director may allow exceptions to the façade articulation requirements in this Section 23.75.145 , if the Director determines that the façade will meet the intent of subsection 23.75.145.A through one or more of the following façade treatments: 1. Variations in building materials and/or color, or both, that reflect the stacking of stories or reinforce the articulation of the façade; 2. Incorporation of architectural features that add interest and dimension to the façade, such as porches, bay windows, chimneys, pilasters, columns, cornices, and/or balconies; or 3. Landscaping elements such as trellises or modular green walls that accommodate vegetated walls covering a minimum of 25 percent of the façade surface. (Ord. 123963, § 26, 2012.)