Firebaugh City Zoning Code
§ 25-19.10
Design Guidelines.
[Amended 4-7-2025 by Ord. No. 25-02]
The following standards shall apply to all multi-family developments.
a.
The architectural design of multi-family developments to the best extent possible should be compatible with adjacent residential neighborhoods. Compatibility may involve the use of materials, color, scale, roof pitch, and other physical features that would assist in blending the new multi-family development with surrounding residential uses.
b.
The architectural design of multi-family developments that are not adjacent to or within existing residential neighborhoods shall consider the following design standards:
1.
Long, unbroken building facades and box-like building forms are discouraged. Building facades should be varied by alternating building planes, building material, color and building heights (see Exhibit 19-4). Other approaches to providing attractive multi-family structures could involve alternating the patterns of window and door opening; the use of projections such as balconies, porches and awnings; and changing setbacks and softening the building facade with tree plantings.
2.
Setbacks should be varied with individual structures.
3.
The roof lines of multi-family structures should be altered to provide a varied horizontal view.
Exhibit 19-5: Preferred Site Planning Concepts for Multi-Family Design  |
4.
There should only be a maximum of two adjacent multi-family units with identical wall and roof line planes.
5.
It is important that door and window openings be articulated on the face of the multi-family structure. Articulation can include framing, insets or shutters for windows and insets, framing and color for doorways.
6.
Materials used for multi-family developments should be durable and of low maintenance. Where possible, exterior siding should provide a distinctive appearance, such as lap siding, shingle siding, river rock, brick, or flagstone.
7.
Stairways should be designed as an integral part of the overall multifamily development. Materials used on the building should be incorporated into the stairway design (see Exhibit 19-6). Stairways should not be a dominant exterior feature on the building but should be sited so that they are not visually prominent.
Exhibit 19-6: Stairways  |
c.
Parking lots and carports or garages should be designed to blend in with the overall multi-family project.
1.
Long, unbroken rows of parking spaces are discouraged. Where possible, these rows should be broken by landscaped islands, buildings, or garages.
2.
Carports should contain design elements that make the structures visually interesting, such as gabled roofs or articulated support beams.
3.
Parking lots should be screened from adjacent properties with a seven-foot solid block wall that is softened with landscaping.
d.
Special design treatment should be given to the entryways and street corners of multi-family projects.
1.
The street corners of multi-family projects should be enhanced visually with features like landscaping, walls, lighting, fountains, trellises, signage, public art, etc.
2.
Project entryways should be given special treatment such as stamped concrete driveways, metal gates with pilasters or landscaped medians.
e.
All common areas shall be provided with landscaping and an automated irrigation system. Landscaping shall be consistent with § 25-43 Landscaping, Irrigation and Grading.
f.
All trash enclosures shall be surrounded by a six-foot solid block wall and a metal gate. An arbor should be constructed over the trash enclosure, to improve appearance. The exterior to the enclosure shall be landscaped.
g.
All roof-mounted mechanical equipment shall be screened from view.
h.
Where a multi-family development abuts a single-family use or a commercial use, a seven-foot solid block wall shall be constructed along the property line common to the two land uses.
