Diamond City Zoning Code
ARCHITECTURAL AND
LANDSCAPE REQUIREMENTS
§ 151.135 EXTERIOR CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS FOR COMMERCIAL STRUCTURES.
(A) Purpose. The minimum commercial architectural standards established in this section are designed to increase the structural integrity and fire resistance of such buildings and structures, to enhance the aesthetic value of such buildings and structures, and to promote property values within the village.
(B) Applicability. New and existing commercial structures, additions, alterations, reconstructions and replacements of existing structures. The standards and requirements set forth below shall apply to all new buildings and structures constructed within the village for which building permits are required, provided, however, that alterations or additions to buildings or structures in existence as of February 14, 2006 and located in commercial or industrial zoning districts of the village shall be constructed with exterior finishes that are architecturally consistent with the presently existing portions thereof, except that if any such building or structure is wholly destroyed by fire or other casualty, or is damaged to an extent greater than 50% of the replacement value. No building permit shall be issued, or, if issued inadvertently, shall be valid or effective, unless the plans and other submittals included with the application therefor demonstrate compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
(C) Requirements.
(1) Commercial buildings or structures. Commercial buildings or structures located in any commercial zoning district within the village and which are the primary building or structure on a given lot shall be constructed with exterior finishes consisting of stone material, brick material, concrete masonry units, concrete panel construction, glass walls or composite material covering 100% of the aggregate total area of all exterior walls, exclusive of doors, windows, and associated trim. All chimneys constructed on any such building or structure shall have exterior finishes consisting exclusively of stone material or brick material from grade level to the caps thereof, where such chimneys are located on an exterior wall of any such building or structure from grade level to the top of such chimney, but any such chimney located within the interior of such building or structure and having exposed exterior surfaces located only above the lowest part of the roof of such building or structure shall not be required to be constructed exclusively of stone or brick material as aforesaid, but shall instead be required to be surfaced with materials that are architecturally compatible and harmonious with the overall design of such building or structure. All permitted accessory buildings or structures located in any commercial zoning district within the village shall also comply with the provisions of this chapter.
(2) Industrial buildings and structures. Industrial buildings and structures located in any industrial zoning district within the village, including any permitted accessory structures shall be constructed with exterior finishes consisting of any of the exterior finishes defined in division (C)(1) above (commercial building architectural standards), exclusive of doors, windows and associated trim.
(3) Agricultural buildings and structures. Agricultural buildings and structures located in any agricultural zoning district within the village, including any permitted accessory structures, shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
(4) Governmental buildings and structures. Governmental buildings and structures which are owned, occupied, leased or constructed by any unit of government and located in any zoning district within the village shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
(5) Institutional buildings and structures. Institutional buildings and structures located in any zoning district shall comply with architectural standards for commercial construction detailed in division (C)(1) above.
(6) Amusement, sports or recreation auditoriums, stadiums or arena buildings or structures of 65,000 square feet or larger. Amusement, sports or recreation auditoriums, stadiums or arena buildings and structures of 65,000 square feet or larger shall be exempt from the architectural standards for commercial construction detailed in division (C)(1) above provided the following requirements are met:
(a) The building or structure is a clear span design;
(b) The building or structure shall be constructed with exterior components consisting of architectural steel and aluminum panels or metal composite material panels (subject to approval of the Site Plan Review Committee, front elevations may be constructed with decorative materials other than those specified in this section);
(c) Wall panels shall be corrugated or flush;
(d) Fastener systems shall be concealed; and
(e) Exterior finish shall be baked on enamel painted to the manufacturer’s standards.
(D) Review and approval.
(1) New commercial and industrial construction shall be approved through the site plan review process detailed in § 151.210.
(2) Variations from these standards may be granted by the village if procedures in accordance with the provisions of § 151.206, Variations, are followed.
(Ord. 2015-08, § 11.01, passed 6-23-2015; Am. Ord. 2019-07, passed 3-26-2019)
§ 151.136 EXTERIOR STANDARDS FOR NEW RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES.
(A) Purpose. The minimum residential architectural standards established in this section are designed to provide a higher level of protection against wind and hail damage, increased fire resistance, and to enhance the aesthetic value of such buildings and structures, and to promote property values within the village.
(B) Enforcement. No occupancy permit shall be issued for any residential building unless and until the provisions of this chapter and all other relative ordinances are complied with.
(C) Requirements.
(1) For all residential subdivisions, the final subdivision plat for which are approved by the village after the 2nd day of March, 2007, the front elevation of all 1-family dwellings, 2-family residential structures, and townhomes shall be constructed with 50% of the front elevation comprised of masonry material from the ground level (the building foundation) to the building’s eaves (excluding gables, dormers, openings for windows and doors). For 2-family and townhome structures, the masonry material and roofing shall be consistent (i.e., same brick type/color for each unit within a building).
(2) For all multi-family residential structures, for which a building permit is issued after the effective date of this chapter, shall be constructed with 100% masonry material from the ground level
(the building foundation) to the building’s eaves (excluding gables, dormers, openings for windows and doors) on all elevations.
(D) Variation. Residential buildings or structures which demonstrate exceptional architectural merit and an intention to reflect the rural character of the village may, upon an application for a variation made to the Planning and Zoning Commission, be granted a variance from the provisions of this chapter requiring the use of particular materials for exterior finishes to allow the use of different materials or to allow the use of a different percentage or proportion of the materials otherwise required in the exterior finish of such a structure. The application for variation shall be reviewed in accordance with § 151.206, Variations, of this chapter.
(Ord. 2015-08, § 11.02, passed 6-23-2015)
§ 151.137 LANDSCAPE STANDARDS.
(A) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to require the appropriate buffering between land uses to protect and preserve the aesthetic appeal and character of the surrounding neighborhood and to provide a level of visual screening around permanent structures and parking facilities. Landscape provisions are also designed to enhance the overall visual character of the community as viewed from major roadways.
(B) Applicability. All new site developments, expansion of existing structures or reconstruction of structures shall conform to the following landscape provisions. Review of landscape plans shall typically occur during site plan review (see § 151.210).
(C) Requirements.
(1) Preservation of natural resources. The site design shall minimize disruption of existing natural features, and wherever possible integrate them into the overall design. The following areas should be preserved as open space or shall be appropriately mitigated:
(a) Wetlands as regulated by the Army Corps of Engineers;
(b) Areas falling within a designated floodplain or floodway; and
(c) Significant trees that measure 10 inches or larger in diameter measured 4-1/2 feet above grade.
(2) Buffers. Landscape buffers shall be provided between adjacent uses and along major roadways as follows.
(a) Buffer between uses. Landscape buffers shall be required for all commercial, office, industrial and multi-family sites that abut single-family use through the use of landscape berms, plantings
and/or fencing to achieve 100% screening year-round. Any berm shall be a physical barrier that blocks or screens the view similar to a hedge, fence or wall. Berms shall be constructed with proper and adequate plant material to prevent erosion.
(b) Buffer along major roadways. For the purpose of improving the safety, appearance and environment of the village, a landscape setback shall be provided and maintained along major roadways.
1. Landscape buffers shall be required as follows: Along Route 113: 20 feet east of Will Road and 10 feet west of Will Road; and
2. Where a greater setback is required by the zoning district regulations, or a planned development, the greater setback requirement shall apply.
3. The landscape setback shall comply with the following:
a. Except as otherwise provided, no parking or accessory buildings shall be permitted within the landscape setback area. Permitted signs and fencing are allowed within the landscape setback;
b. The setback shall be devoted entirely to landscape areas except for sidewalks and necessary paving of driveways to reach the building and parking areas provided such driveways are generally perpendicular to the front lot line; and
c. The groundcover of the landscape area shall contain at least 75% live landscaping of which at least 25% consists of shrubs, trees, flowering plants, or other plant materials over 12 inches in height.
(c) Street tree planting. Street trees are allowed to be planted within the right-of-way of State Route 113 (subject to IDOT approval). Such planting shall occur in conjunction with development of the property along the subject street frontage. The spacing of street trees shall be no less than 40 feet between plantings. Trees shall be planted a minimum of 4 feet from all curbs and sidewalks. No street tree shall be planted closer than 35 feet to any street corner, measured from the point of nearest intersecting curbs or curb lines. No street tree shall be planted closer than 10 feet to any fire hydrant. The Zoning Administrator may allow minor deviations in these requirements to accommodate unique site conditions.
(d) Site landscape standards. The following requirements shall apply to all commercial, manufacturing and multi-family development and are cumulative:
1. Multi-family. The applicant shall provide a minimum of 1 approved tree for each 1,000 square feet of landscape space.
2. Commercial and manufacturing.
a. The applicant shall provide a minimum of 1 approved tree for each 600 square feet of landscape space.
b. All required setback areas and areas of a site not proposed to be improved with structures, paved areas, walks or other approved landscaping shall be planted in grass sod or seed unless otherwise approved by the Site Plan Review Committee.
c. All parking lot areas shall be screened from view of adjacent properties and streets by approved trees that will attain a minimum height of 3 feet within 3 years or provide for a 3-foot undulating berm or low wall/fence.
d. Commercial and office developments shall incorporate required landscape islands that will correspond to an area of 1 parking space for every 7 actual parking spaces exclusive of required buffer yards and foundation approved tree areas.
e. Any required landscape islands shall be planted with a minimum of 2-1/2 inch caliper canopy tree equivalents with preferred approved trees mix, including 1 canopy tree. Each canopy tree shall be provided with at least 300 square feet of previous ground area for root growth. This dimension shall be measured from the insides of the curbs.
f. Commercial, office and industrial development shall provide foundation approved trees along any façade that exceeds 50 lineal feet. Additionally, commercial, office and industrial developments shall provide a minimum of one 3-inch caliper canopy tree equivalent per 50 lineal feet of building façade.
(D) Approved trees. The following shall constitute approved trees for inclusion in landscape plan required hereunder:
(1) Shade trees. Shade trees shall be permitted and shall be not less than 2-1/2 inch caliper measured 1 foot from the ground, nor less than 6 feet in height. The following trees are prohibited: soft maple, poplar, box elder, catalpa, tree of heaven, and ash. Willow and mulberry trees may be used as decorative trees located so as to avoid shedding materials onto walks, drives, and parking areas. Existing trees that will be preserved may be counted as meeting the requirement for tree planting.
(2) Conifers. Conifers shall be permitted and shall not be any less than 6 feet in height.
(3) Ornamental trees. Ornamental trees shall be permitted and shall not be less than 2 inches in caliper measured 1 foot from the ground nor less than 6 feet in height.
(4) Replacements. Subsequent to the review and approval of such landscape plan and issuance of the building permit, the Zoning Administrator may approve minor deviations which do not substantially alter the plan, and which do not substantially diminish the intended benefits of such plan.
(5) A list of acceptable and non-acceptable plant materials may be found in Appendix A.
(E) Timing of landscape improvements. Landscape improvements shall be installed and approved prior to issuance of an occupancy certificate. However, the Zoning Administrator may approve a delay in planting due to weather conditions through the issuance of a temporary occupancy permit until such time as the landscape improvements can be installed.
(Ord. 2015-08, § 11.03, passed 6-23-2015)
§ 151.138 LIGHTING.
(A) Balancing purposes. All exterior lighting should balance the need for energy conservation with the needs of safety, security, and decoration.
(B) Light fixtures. All exterior lighting, except as hereby allowed, shall be fully shielded, and otherwise designed so as to avoid glare onto neighboring residential properties. SHIELDED means that all bulb/light source and cover portion of a fixture that transmit light shall not extend beyond below the opaque portion of such fixture so the bulb/light source is not visible from general side view. LED or metal halide fixtures are preferred for consistency between developments.
(C) Light levels. All exterior lighting fixtures shall be so designed and placed as to limit light spillage onto adjacent lots. Light levels at the lot lines adjacent to any residential use, with the exception of ingress and egress points, shall be a maximum of 0.5 footcandles.
(D) Height. In general, the height of exterior lighting features shall not exceed the predominant height of the principal building to which it relates.
(Ord. 2015-08, § 11.04, passed 6-23-2015)
§ 151.139 TRASH ENCLOSURES AND STORAGE AREA SCREENING.
(A) A 100% visual screen shall be provided around trash containers. Such screening shall be accomplished by the use of landscaping and/or enclosures constructed of the same materials used on the principal structure.
(B) All exterior storage, including the storage of truck trailers or vehicles under repair, for commercial or industrial uses shall be screened. Screening shall be to an opacity of not less than 75% up to 6 feet above grade, and may be accomplished by berming, landscaping, a neutral color fence or masonry wall construction.
(Ord. 2015-08, § 11.05, passed 6-23-2015)