A. Purpose: This section establishes certain specific design review standards intended to improve the quality and compatibility of development in the HCR Zone. Design standards that employ the word “should” are intended to be applied as stated. However, an alternative measure may be considered if it meets or exceeds the intent of the guideline. Standards using the words “shall” are mandatory. Standards using the words “encouraged” or “discouraged” are desirable but not mandatory.
B. Site Accessibility: All new development shall include:
1. Sidewalks, alleys, plazas, landscaping and appropriately scaled buildings that encourage and complement pedestrian activities.
2. Commercial buildings shall include clearly defined primary entrances and large windows that display goods and services to create visual unity both on the street and internally.
3. Sidewalk Clearance: At least seventy-two (72") of the sidewalk width should be preserved for pedestrian movement in front of every building fronting on a public right of way.
4. Pedestrian ADA Access: All plazas, arcades, and open-air seating shall provide handicapped access.
5. Bicycle Parking: New development shall provide bicycle racks in designated areas on-site as determined reasonable by the City. The racks shall be permanently secured to a non-permeable surface, placed within thirty feet (30') of the main entrance of the building(s) which they serve, shall provide at least four feet (4') of clear space around their perimeter, and otherwise, and, shall not obstruct pedestrian movement(s)”.
C. Parking Area Design (non-landscaping): Parking shall complement the pedestrian activities and visual character of the Zone. Negative impacts of parking lots and structures should be mitigated through sensitive design, location and configuration. The following should be integrated into the design on any new parking lot or structure:
1. Parking lots shall not be located on a corner facing an intersection.
2. The number of parking lot entrances, driveways and curb cuts shall be allowed in accordance with provisions in Title 14 of the Holladay City Code. The City desires that the number of parking lot entrances, driveways and curb cuts be minimized, where able in favor of combined driveways and coordinated parking areas among property owners and reserves the right to require, where reasonable, minimization during site plan review and approval by Technical Review Committee (TRC) recommendation and Planning Commission approval. Cross access between properties via service drive connectivity shall be required as recommended by Staff or the TRC and required by the Commission.
3. Individual parking entrances and curb cuts on Van Winkle, Highland Drive and 6200 South shall be consolidated to complement a coordinated parking strategy and promote walkability and to comply with the vision of the Holladay Crossroads Small Area Master Plan. New curb cuts are discouraged.
4. ADA compliant walk ways shall be constructed within a parking lot to connect the sidewalk and building entrances.
5. Parking structures visible from the public rights-of-way shall be: 1) architecturally compatible in design and integrated with main buildings which they serve; and, 2) The perimeter of each floor of a parking structure facing a public street shall be screened to shield automobiles and any mechanical appurtenances from public view; and 3) An architectural treatment, landscaping, and/or space for pedestrian oriented businesses along the street side edges of the parking structure should be provided.
D. Streetscape: The streetscape shall include public amenities such as plazas, fountains, kiosks, public art, landscaping, signage, and other street fixtures such as streetlights, decorative barriers/fencing, pedestrian benches and trash receptacles.
E. Building Design: All new buildings in the HCR Zone shall feature building facades that are made of high-quality finishes and materials. Buildings facing public streets, especially on the ground floor level shall not “turn their back” to the street, but instead provide ample window openings, entrances, and design features to create interest and calm traffic.
1. Compatibility of New Buildings: All new buildings should be designed with a unique character compatible with the objectives of the Holladay Crossroads Zone and SAMP.
2. Building Mass: To avoid any large, continuous building mass of uniform height, no portion of any multi-story building shall continue for more than one hundred feet (100') horizontally along any street frontage without a vertical break in the roofline. The required break in the building height shall continue for a minimum of thirty feet (30') along the horizontal plane.
a. Break in Roofline: A “break in the roofline” is defined as per 13.66.3:
(1) A ten foot (10') minimum step-back of the vertical plane of the building on the third story, second and third stories, or all stories; or
(2) A reduction in stories of the entire building.
b. Structur al Articula tion: The vertical planes of a building shall be varied so that no continuo us elevation is longer than seventy five feet (75') horizontally without a structural articulation (which may include facade modulation, structural expressions, varied setbacks or heights, textural modulations and/or projections such as balconies, cornices, covered entrances, arcades or colonnades or other architectural element dividing the facade visually to provide relief to perceived building mass from the street elevation) as per 13.66.4.
3. Streetscape Perspective: All building fronts shall provide features that are designed to be consistent with pedestrian activity and that provide a variety of architectural interest and detail that can be viewed from both vehicular and pedestrian perspective as per 13.66.5
4. Facade Embellishment: All building elevations readily visible from public view shall provide consistency in architectural design elements/embellishments. In addition, a contiguous building wall (longer than 50 feet) shall have a building element to visually divide the facade (which may include windows, a recessed entrance or other appropriate variations) as per 13.66.6
5. Shading for Pedestrians: At least twenty percent (20%) of walls facing sidewalks or other pedestrian accessible space shall be architecturally treated with a shade/weather protecting element such as an awning, arcade, trellis, or other overhanging architectural feature(s) consistent with the overall building(s) architecture.
6. Primary Entrances: Primary entrances to commercial buildings shall be recessed, providing a shaded area that helps to define doorways and provide shelter for pedestrians. Repetition of recessed entries shall also be used to provide a rhythm of shadows along the street to help establish a sense of scale. Entrance doors shall be topped with transom windows to extend the vertical emphasis of these openings.
7. Maintaining an Expression Line: Upper stories of buildings shall maintain an expression line along the facade such as a setback, change of material, or a projection to reduce perceived building mass.
8. Consistency of Architectural Style: All buildings shall have an articulated base course and cornice ornamented with details consistent with the chosen architectural style. The middle section of the building shall be divided either horizontally or vertically in a manner consistent with the selected style. Buildings may have upper story features which improve the relationship between the upper story and the street. Such features include, but are not limited to, balconies, roof decks, bay windows, or upper story commercial activities.
9. Mixing of Styles: A compatible mix of architectural styles for the Holladay Crossroads Zone is acceptable provided that some basic design features which complement each other are present throughout the site.
a. In order to encourage design consistency, all major new construction shall include at least three (3) of the following elements on the street facing facades:
(1) Window and door treatment which embellishes the façade.
(2) Decorative light fixtures.
(3) Unique facade treatment, such as decorative materials and design elements.
(5) Trellises, railings, gates, grillwork, or unique landscaping.
b. The DRB and TRC may recommend other elements in place of the above elements for approval by the Planning Commission.
10. Oriented to the Corner: Buildings on corner lots shall be oriented to the corner. Corner entries and/or architectural treatment should be used to emphasize the corner.
11. Emphasis of HCR Identity: Any main building located at the intersection of Highland Drive and 6200 South shall have a prominent scale and iconic design to emphasize the importance of this vital gateway of Holladay as indicated in the SAMP.
12. Window and Door Designs: Windows and doors shall be used to define the character of buildings by giving scale to the building and providing visual interest to the composition of individual facades. Distinct window and door designs shall be used to help define building styles. Articulated, transparent facades shall be created along vehicular and pedestrian rights of way, including display windows as a link between both vehicles and pedestrians and activities in the building.
a. In keeping with the intent of these design guidelines, the following shall apply to any street level building facade:
(1) Major new construction shall have at least fifty percent (50%) of the length of the ground floor facade between the height of two feet zero inches (2'0") and eight feet zero inches (8'0") devoted to windows and doors affording views into retail, office, or lobby space.
(2) Highly tinted or mirrored glass windows, shades, blinds or screens that prevent pedestrian view into buildings shall not be permitted.
b. Windows on the second or third level shall be proportioned in favor of verticality, and, the design of surrounding window casing, the depth and profile of window sash element, and the material of which they are constructed shall be distinctly associated with the specific building style.
c. Awnings and ground level canopies should contribute to the architectural theme of the structure to which they are affixed and shall be integrated within a building’s design. Awnings shall be constructed of traditional materials and located over windows and doors.
d. On multi-storefront buildings, separate awnings shall be located within each storefront opening so that the building frame and details are revealed.
e. Retractable and fixed awnings are allowed and encouraged.
f. Under awning lights that are designed to specifically illuminate the sidewalk and storefront are permitted.
13. Reinforcement of Design: Building design should reinforce the building’s location abutting the street edge and public space.
14. Use of Customized Components: Prototype design for franchises, formula or national chains shall use customized components consistent with the design requirements for the HCR Zone that reinforce visual consistency with other buildings in the Holladay Crossroads Zone area.
a. Building Materials: Exterior finish materials selected should be part of a strong architectural theme and shall not appear as a material foreign to the character of the building nor to the Holladay Crossroads Zone.
b. Building exteriors shall be constructed from high quality and durable materials. It is important that the materials and colors will weather well and need minimal maintenance. Acceptable exterior finish materials include the following:
(1) Painted, stained or weathered wood siding such as, 4-S shingles, board and batten and clapboard.
(2) Artificial wood siding such as painted Cementous fiberboard.
(3) Brick or natural stone.
(4) EIFS (synthetic stucco) (not more than 50 percent of all exterior finished surfaces).
(5) Stucco, but as a minority material.
(7) Architectural finish or decorative faced Concrete Masonry Units (CMUs). No portion of a building constructed of standard CMUs shall be visible from an existing public right of way. Exposed concrete walls should be architecturally treated. The enhancement must include joint treatments, textured concrete such as exposed aggregate, sandblast and/or colored concrete, or other decorative finishes.
Beveled metal siding, mirrored glass, vinyl siding, and backlit awnings shall not be used.
15. Roofs: The character of a roof is a major feature for a structure. The roof pitch, its materials, size and orientation are all distinct features that should contribute to the character of the building. Shadows created by traditional overhangs should contribute to the perception of a building’s scale. Roof designs should relate to the building facade articulations. Accordingly:
a. A variety of roof types and configurations shall be used to add interest and reduce perceived building bulk.
b. Use of sidewalk porticos and roof overhangs is allowed and encouraged.
c. Roof materials shall be in keeping with the character of the architectural style of the building. Recommended roof materials include slate shingles, asphalt and fiberglass shingles, metal standing seam or tiles.
d. Crickets or other snow guard devices should be placed in such a way that they do not alter the form of the roof as seen from the street.
e. Decorative roof accessories such as cresting, ridge caps, and finials may be used.
f. Roof-top amenities are allowed provided they do not create enclosed (i.e., walled in) space. Examples of allowable elements include, but are not limited to: landscape features, patio covers or other overhead shade structures, plazas, fire pits, pools, game facilities, lounge seating/spaces, etc.
a. A harmonious range of colors shall be used within the HCR Zone.
b. Neon or very bright colors (which have the effect of unreasonably setting the building apart from other adjacent buildings on the street) shall not be used or allowed within the Zone.
c. Bright colors should be used only for trim and accents.
d. The TRC may recommend approval of bright colors if the use is consistent with the building design and other design requirements.
17. Service Areas: See standards in Section
13.71.
18. Mechanical Equipment: Ground and roof-top mechanical equipment such as heating and air conditioning units, TV antennas and satellite dishes shall be hidden or screened so as to minimize visual impacts. All noise emitting equipment shall be placed so as to minimize noise impacts on nearby properties.
a. Lattice, open brick enclosures, or vegetation may be used to conceal mechanical equipment. Screening material should be properly maintained. If vegetation is used for screening, the mature size of the vegetation should be considered so that equipment air flow will not be compromised.
b. All mechanical equipment shall be shown on the preliminary site plans prepared for architectural review. The Planning Commission may recommend the location, screening, and painting of such equipment as part of the project plan review process.
c. Screening materials shall be designed to be compatible or complementary with the building.
1. Only decorative solid walls (e.g., masonry, pre-poured concrete panel inserts, etc.) or black, wrought-iron including simulated wrought iron fencing shall be used upon any commercially used property(ies) within the HCR Zone.
2. Only decorative solid walls (e.g., masonry, pre-poured concrete panel inserts, etc.) or black, wrought-iron including simulated wrought iron fencing shall be used on/along the external boundary/property lines of land within the HCR Zone. (Ord. 2021-02, 3-4-2021)