Architectural & Urban Design Standards

Jackson Zoning Ordinance § 711
in effect
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Architectural & Urban Design Standards A variety of architectural features and building materials is encouraged to give each building or group of buildings a distinct character. In order to achieve harmonious design throughout the TND District, architectural design guidelines for the residential commercial, office, civic and institutional uses shall be submitted to the Planning Board along with the Rezoning application and Development Plan. 1. Height--New structures within a TND shall be no more than three (3) occupied stories for single-family residential, or five (5) occupied stories for commercial, multifamily residential or mixed-use buildings 2. Entries, Facades, Windows, Doors and Roofs A. The architectural features, materials, and the articulation of a facade of a building shall be continued on all sides visible from a public thoroughfare. B. The front facade of the principal building on any lot in a TND shall face onto a public thoroughfare. Corner lots are required to face onto one public thoroughfare. C. The front facade shall not be oriented to face directly toward a parking lot. D. Porches, roof overhangs and other similar architectural elements shall define the front entrance to all residences. E. For commercial buildings, a minimum of fifty (50%) percent of the front facade on the ground floor shall be transparent glass, including window or door openings allowing views into and out of the interior. F. Structures on opposite sides of the same thoroughfare should follow similar design guidelines. This provision shall not apply to buildings bordering civic sites. G. Building and parking placement within the Town Center should be arranged to create appropriately scaled continuous building facades with as few non- pedestrian oriented breaks as possible. H. Walls along thoroughfares shall be made of brick or block and stucco, or other material to match the facade of the principal building. I. Windows shall use clear glass panels. J. Flat roofs shall be enclosed by parapets to completely conceal mechanical equipment. 3. Commercial and office development within the TND shall have an architectural design compatible with the design of residential buildings. 4. Utilities--All utilities shall be placed underground 5. Guidelines for garages and secondary dwelling units—Garages and secondary dwelling units may be placed on a single-family detached residential lot within the principal building or an accessory building provided that the secondary dwelling unit shall not exceed 800 square feet or 50% of the heated square feet of the principal residence, whichever is less. Garage doors shall have a minimum setback of twenty (20) feet when accessed from the front property line, and shall have a minimum of setback of nine (9) feet when accessed from a rear alley. 6. Guidelines for Exterior Signage—Comprehensive sign guidelines are required for the entire TND which establishes a uniform sign theme. Such guidelines shall be submitted to the Planning Board. Signs shall share a common style, as to shapes, and materials. 7. Guidelines for Lighting—Lighting along thoroughfares including pedestrian scale lighting, shall be provided. Generally, more frequent, smaller lights, as opposed to fewer, high-intensity lights, should be used. Lights shall be installed on both sides of streets at intervals of no greater than seventy-five (75) feet apart. 8. Guidelines for Landscaping and Screening Standards--Overall composition and location of landscaping shall complement the scale of the development and its surroundings. In general, larger, well-placed contiguous planting areas are preferred to smaller, disconnected areas. 9. Trees Along Thoroughfares A. Trees shall be placed along thoroughfares in accordance with the street standards of the Subdivision Ordinance. B. Trees should be located between the sidewalk and the curb in the amenity area, within the landscaped area of a boulevard or in tree walls installed in pavement or concrete. 10. Parking area landscaping and screening A. All parking and loading areas fronting public thoroughfares of sidewalks, and all parking and loading areas abutting residential districts or uses, shall provide a landscaped area of at least five (5) feet along the public thoroughfare of sidewalk; screening at least three (3) feet in height and not less than fifty percent opaque; and one (1) tree for each twenty-five (25) linear feet of parking lot frontage. B. The corners of parking lots, “islands”, and all other areas not used for parking or vehicular circulation shall be landscaped. Vegetation may include grass, perennial flowering plants, vines, shrubs or trees. Such spaces may include architectural features such as benches, kiosks or bicycle parking. C. For all parking lots with more than six (6) spaces, the landscaped area shall be comprised of a minimum of twenty (20) percent of the total parking lot area. D. In large parking lots containing more than 200 parking spaces, an additional landscaped area of at least 200 square feet shall be provided for each twenty-five (25) parking spaces, containing one (1) shade tree or canopy tree. The remainder shall be covered with grass or other flowering plants, vines or shrubs.