The purpose and intent of this chapter is to promote energy conservation, enhance the local environment, promote community beautification and aesthetics, maintain efficient and quality landscaping, and preserve the unique beauty of Harrisville City in conjunction with development.

This chapter shall apply to all commercial, manufacturing, multi-family, and quasi-public uses. Applicability of this chapter to residential uses is only where specifically indicated in this chapter.

Architectural designs that are not in compliance with this section are considered architecturally incompatible. The following exterior architectural design standards apply to new and remodeled applicable structures, and for commercial, manufacturing, and multi-family uses:

1. Color. External surfaces shall be predominantly natural, muted earth-tone colors or white.
   1. White and blue may be used as an accent color.
   2. Contrasting accent colors may be allowed by the planning commission consistent with an overall design plan.
   3. The roof or addition to an existing structure is allowed to match the existing roof color of the original building.
2. Building exposure. Exposed fronts and street sides of buildings shall be constructed of earth-tone non-reflective materials and shall be of textured concrete, brick, stone and/or natural wood/wood-like materials. Concrete masonry units or block CMU's shall not be considered acceptable materials unless it is earth-tone colored and textured or split-faced.
3. Glass. Use of glass for displays and to allow visual access to interior spaces shall be allowed.
   1. Mirrored glazing is prohibited on any building.
   2. Tinted or solar absorption glazing may be used.
4. Exposed metal. Exposed metal shall be painted, stained, or anodized in permitted colors and shall be non-reflective. Copper, brass, and wrought iron may remain untreated and allowed to develop a natural patina.
5. Awnings and canopies. Awnings and canopies shall not be backlit and be earth-tone color except when approved as an exception by the planning commission.
6. Metal windows. Metal as a window framing support or mounting material shall be painted, stained, anodized or vinyl-clad in approved earth-tone colors.
7. Design details. An architectural design detail shall be provided showing exposed view focal points on all building facades. Design detail shall incorporate main entrances, balconies, roof overhangs, and dormers, such that monotonous horizontal lines greater than fifty feet (50') are generally avoided.
8. Site plan. As part of the site plan the following shall also be included:
   1. Architectural plan detail and basic elevations.
   2. Site color scheme detail.
   3. Proposed building material detail.
   4. Landscape plan.

The landscape plan specified under this chapter is required as part of any site plan or amendment to a site plan. Such landscape plan shall substantially include the elements specified in this section as follows:

1. Minimum landscape area. Each application and site plan seeking approval of a permitted or conditional use shall include at least fifteen percent (15%) minimum of the overall site plan as landscape as provided in this chapter.
2. Type and material. All landscape plans shall provide a detail of the approved plant material, type of trees, planting and landscape area locations, turf grass area, approved xeriscape, and approved natural landscape area. Landscape plans submitted for approval shall contain the following information, unless specifically waived by the project management committee.
   1. Project details. The landscape plans shall identify the location and dimensions of all existing and proposed structures, property lines, easements, parking lots and drives, roadways and rights-of-way, sidewalks, bicycle and/or equestrian paths, ground signs, refuse disposal and recycling areas, bicycle parking areas, fences, freestanding electrical equipment, tot lots and playground equipment, all recreational facilities, and other freestanding structural features deemed necessary to accurately portray existing and proposed site characteristics.
   2. Trees and shrubs. The landscape plan shall include only trees and shrubs from the list prepared and maintained by the community forester. Identify the location, quantity, size and name (both botanical and common names) of all proposed plant material. Identify the location, size and common names of all existing plant material (including trees and other plants in the parkway) and whether they are to be retained or removed.
   3. Irrigation design. The landscape plan shall detail an efficient irrigation system. This irrigation system shall indicate the locations and types of all equipment, including sprinkler heads, control valves, quick-coupling valves, back flow prevention devices, time clock or controller, lateral lines, and main lines.
   4. Landscape summary. Summary data table indicating the area of the site in the following classifications:
      1. Total area of the site.
      2. Total area and percentage of the site in landscape area.
      3. Total area and percentage of the site in turf grass.
3. Xeriscaping. Xeriscaping plans, mixed landscaping/xeriscaping, or other alternative forms of landscaping may be approved where irrigation is limited so long as such approval is consistent with the purpose and intent of this chapter.
4. Fully LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) compliant building and site plan is deemed consistent with this chapter.

Screening devices and materials. The following qualify as acceptable minimum standards for screening and buffering devices and materials:

1. Non plant. A non plant material screening device may be constructed of textured, non-reflective metal, concrete, vinyl, wood, brick or stone.
   1. If painted or stained, the screening devices shall be of a neutral, muted earth tone color and have a non-reflective finish.
   2. Screening color shall be approved along with other colors during action on the site plan or conditional use permit.
   3. Chain-link fencing or slatted chain-link fencing is generally not allowed, except adjoining agriculture uses or where practicable based upon the facts and circumstances.
2. Earthen Berm. Earth berms shall be a preferred device in the city, especially for commercial, industrial, multi-family, quasi-public, subdivisions, and other practical uses. It may be required by the city engineer as part of the landscape plan along state operated transportation corridors. A combination of earth berming or mounds and plant materials may be used as a screening device, and is recommended where practicable.
3. Parking screening. Parking and internal traffic circulation areas shall be screened or buffered from view along all street rights-of-way or along any property line which is contiguous to a residential use or zoning district as practicable.
   1. The side and rear screens or buffers of parking areas, whether plant material or nonliving device, shall be a minimum of six feet (6') in height after two years of growth as measured from the parking surface. The first twenty-five feet (25') of the side lot line screen or buffer, as measured from the street right-of-way, shall not exceed four feet (4') in height unless it violates corner visibility requirements.
   2. Loading, delivery and service docks or bays shall be located in the rear or side yards of the property and shall be screened from view from the street right-of-way by a screening device at least six feet (6') in height.
4. Mechanical screening. Mechanical equipment, whether roof or ground mounted shall be screened from street and residential district view by an approved screening device.
5. Trash dumpsters. Trash dumpsters shall be shown on a site plan and located where approved by the planning commission on the approved site plan.
   1. Screening. All trash dumpsters shall be screened from street or public view by a six foot (6') masonry screening device on three (3) sides. The fourth side shall be a gate constructed of opaque materials.
   2. Specifications. The screening device for a metal dumpster shall be placed adjacent to or on a concrete pad six inches (6') in thickness. The concrete pad shall match the adjacent grade and paving and provide for positive drainage.

When an access way intersects with a public right-of-way, or when the subject property abuts the intersection of two or more public rights-of-way, all landscaping and screening shall conform to the sight distance requirements of the municipal code or other applicable code.