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Firebaugh City Zoning Code

§ 25-23.12

Design Guidelines.

New development in the C-2 Zone shall be designed consistent with the following Design Guidelines.
a. 
General concepts. New development in the downtown should reinforce the area's unique pedestrian-oriented shopping environment. Positive design elements that exist in the downtown area include:
1. 
Storefronts located immediately behind the sidewalk;
2. 
Stores with large windows that permit window shopping;
3. 
Awnings and arcades that provide shade for pedestrians;
4. 
A variety of stores in a small area - facilitating pedestrian shopping;
5. 
Off-street parking is located to the rear or to the side of buildings;
6. 
Architectural styles that reflect Firebaugh's history and that of the San Joaquin Valley.
b. 
Site planning concepts.
1. 
Consistent with standards of the C-2 Zone, new buildings in the downtown must be located along the front property line, at the back of the sidewalk. On-site parking must be located to the rear or to the side of buildings.
2. 
New development on corner lots must be situated immediately at the corner (rather than the parking lot being located on the corner).
3. 
Usable open spaces such as courtyards and plazas with outdoor seating, landscaping, water features, etc. are encouraged. Pedestrian corridor access (paseos) should be provided to link rear parking lots to the street. Sidewalk dining is also encouraged (see Exhibit 23-2), as long as a sufficient distance from the curb is maintained (usually eight feet, minimum).
4. 
Side and rear setbacks should be determined on a case-by-case basis. In most cases it is preferred that downtown buildings be designed to cover the entire lot, with no side yard setbacks.
Exhibit 23-2
Sidewalk dining helps to add life to the downtown streetscape.
c. 
Architectural design.
1. 
The following urban design elements are considered most desirable for new downtown development or redevelopment (see Exhibit 23-3):
(a) 
Significant wall articulation (e.g. insets, alternating with columns, etc.);
(b) 
A variety of surface textures, provided that they are appropriate to the particular architectural style of the building;
(c) 
Large display windows at street level for the display of merchandise and to allow shoppers to see inside the store. Windows must extend across the majority of the wall and a significant vertical distance;
(d) 
Overhangs and arcades or awnings;
(e) 
Regular window placement;
(f) 
Pedestrian-scale signs that compliment the style and character of the individual building.
Exhibit 23-3
Desirable Facade Elements for Downtown Buildings
This graphic displays some of the most desirable elements of good downtown building design
Exhibit 23-4: Display Windows
Large display windows help to make the downtown a more inviting place. Windows should extend a significant width and height of the wall.
2. 
The following design elements are considered undesirable and should be avoided for new downtown development or redevelopment:
(a) 
Large, blank unarticulated walls;
(b) 
Highly reflective surfaces of buildings;
(c) 
Reflective window tinting;
(d) 
A mix of unrelated styles (e.g., rustic wood shingles with polished chrome) on the same building;
(e) 
Highly visible outdoor storage, equipment and loading areas;
(f) 
Large, flashy signs that are out of scale and character with the building.
(g) 
Contemporary "ultra-modern" styles and materials.
d. 
Building mass and scale.
1. 
The height and scale of new development should be compatible with the scale of surrounding development. Scale is the relationship between the size of the structure and the size of adjoining structures. Scale is also the manner in which the proposed building's size relates to the size of a human being. Large-scale building elements can appear overwhelming if situated in a visual environment that is predominantly smaller in scale.
Exhibit 23-5: Building Height and Scale
The height and scale of new developments should be compatible with the scale of surrounding development
2. 
The scale of a large building should be broken up or reduced by creating horizontal emphasis of the building. This can be accomplished through the proper use of window patterns, roof overhangs, the use of trim moldings, awnings, eaves, or other ornamentation, by using a combination of complimentary colors, and through the use of landscaping.
3. 
Blank solid walls of buildings visible from public view, including bland areas above cantilevered canopies, should be avoided. If such walls are necessary for interior or structural reasons, the structure wall shall be treated with some form of articulation such as larger awnings, cornice bands, dentils or similar materials.
4. 
The facades of adjacent structures should be considered in the design of new buildings to avoid clashes in architectural style and materials.
Exhibit 23-6: Building Compatibility
5. 
Buildings with flat or oversimplified facades (e.g., straight rooflines without definition) should utilize parapet walls and/or cornice detailing to give greater stature to the building as well as the entire block on which the structure is located.
6. 
Canopies and awnings are desirable elements in the downtown and are encouraged to shelter the openings of each building from sun and rain. New canopies and awnings should be respectful of the style and character of the structure on which they are attached, particularly in terms of materials and colors. The highest point of a canopy or its support structure shall not be higher than the midpoint of the space between the second story window sills and the top of the first floor store front window, awning, canopy or transom. Awnings should also be set inside vertical elements on the building such as columns, pilasters or storefronts that are indented.
Exhibit 23-7: Window Awnings
Window awnings are a desirable element, when properly scaled.
7. 
Awnings, trellises and other accessory structures that do not restrict pedestrian or vehicular movement may project into the public right-of-way, subject to clearance requirements specified in the Zoning Ordinance. In general, awnings should be no less than eight feet above the sidewalk.
Exhibit 23-8: Awnings over the public sidewalk
8. 
Existing historically significant buildings should be maintained. Any physical changes shall be done in a manner that is consistent with the original architectural style.
9. 
For safety, identification and convenience, entrances of buildings and parking areas shall be well illuminated.
10. 
Rooftop mechanical equipment (e.g., air-conditioning units) should be screened from view from the public right-of-way through the use of parapets, cornices or other treatments. Mechanical equipment should not be mounted on street arcades, in front windows or other visible locations.
Exhibit 23-9: Screening Roof Equipment