The multi-family development and design guidelines are intended to assure quality developments and to provide a pleasant residential environment within the context of higher density development in the city. Multi-family buildings shall contribute to the sense of community by carefully relating to the scale and form of adjacent properties, and by designing street frontages that create architectural and landscape interest for the pedestrian and neighboring residents. The guidelines established in this chapter will be applicable to all multi-family development in R-2, R-3, and R-4 zoning districts.

(Ord. No. 694, § 1, 4-13-2021)

Site planning shall be broken up into the following categories:

A.

Building siting:

1.

Clustering of multi-family units shall be a consistent site planning element. Large projects shall be broken up into groups of structures with no more than eight residential units per building.

2.

Buildings shall be generally oriented to the street with varying setbacks to provide visual interest and varying shadow patterns.

3.

Buildings shall be oriented to promote privacy to the greatest extent possible.

4.

Buildings shall be located so that buffer zones are created from neighboring properties.

B.

Circulation and parking:

1.

Principal vehicular access into multi-family projects shall be through an entry driveway.

2.

All site entrances shall be visible from a public street and well lighted.

3.

Special accents, such as monuments, public art, ornamental features, decorative, special textured paving, flowering accents, walls, shrubs, and the use of specimen trees, shall be used to generate visual interest at entries.

4.

Entry drives shall have sidewalks on both sides.

5.

Cross circulation between vehicles and pedestrians shall be minimized. A continuous clearly marked walkway shall be provided from parking areas to main entrances of buildings.

6.

Walkways shall be located to minimize the impact of pedestrians on the privacy of nearby residences or private open space. Avoid siting a walkway directly against a building. A landscaped planting area between walkways and building facades is strongly encouraged.

7.

Parking areas shall be covered and divided into a series of smaller parking courts located within the interior of the development and shall not be visible from the street. No parking along street frontages is permitted.

8.

Carports, detached garages, and accessory structures shall be designed as an integral part of the architecture of the project. They shall be similar in material, color, and detail to the principal buildings of a development.

9.

Parking areas shall be treated as an important public space whose character is clearly and coherently delineated by landscaping, lighting, building massing, and pedestrian/vehicular circulation.

(Ord. No. 694, § 1, 4-13-2021)

Architectural design for multi-family residential development is a desirable concept to make the buildings more attractive and fit into the surrounding community. There are a number of desirable architectural concepts such as Mediterranean, Spanish Mission, Craftsman, Spanish Colonial Revival and Victorian that would match in with existing commercial and residential development within the city. Prior to receiving a development permit for multi-family residential projects the developer must submit photos or a prepared rendition of the multi-family residential structures for review and approval by the planning commission. Architectural elements that should be incorporated into multi-family structures are:

1.

Bays,

2.

Bay windows,

3.

Recessed or projecting balconies,

4.

Verandas,

5.

Porches,

6.

Mixed exteriors.

As well as other elements that add visual interest, scale and character to the neighborhood and community are encouraged.

(Ord. No. 694, § 1, 4-13-2021)

Color is an important element in establishing a buildings character and architectural style. The following shall be considered when establishing a color for the structures:

1.

The predominant color of the building and accessory structures shall be a muted, non-garish tone.

2.

Color shall be used as an important accent in the project's appearance. More than one predominant paint color is encouraged. Compatible accent colors shall be used to enhance important architectural elements and features.

3.

Bright or intense colors shall be used very sparingly, and shall typically be reserved for more refined or delicate detailing.

4.

Materials such as brick and stone shall be left in their natural colors.

(Ord. No. 694, § 1, 4-13-2021)

Landscaping and lighting provide a unifying element within a project and provide security to occupants and their guests. The following features shall be incorporated into the landscaping and lighting of multi-family residential units:

1.

Landscaped areas shall incorporated plantings using a three-tier system of grasses and ground covers, shrubs and vines, and trees.

2.

Landscaping around building perimeters is required.

3.

Shrub areas shall have weed mat placed in unplanted areas and shrub and bare dirt areas must be covered with rock, bark or alternative coverings approved by the planning commission.

4.

All landscaped areas must have automatic irrigation systems installed that comply with the city's water efficient landscape regulations.

5.

All lighting areas shall be arranged to provide safety and security for residents and visitors but prevent direct glare of illumination onto adjacent units or parcels.

6.

All entry ways and pedestrian travel ways must be lite with appropriately scaled lighting.

(Ord. No. 694, § 1, 4-13-2021)