1.

The purpose of architectural standards is to make certain the exterior of all new construction and building additions are high quality, long-lasting, and sustainable within the City of Horn Lake and consistent with the architectural theme and character of existing development.

2.

Further, these standards are intended to ensure architectural appropriateness for buildings in newly developing areas. Architectural design and use of materials for the construction of any building shall be subject to the approval of the Planning Commission.

3.

These standards are intended to enhance the visual aspect and livability of the entire city. These standards will foster architectural diversity and interest, yet achieve and maintain a consistent, durable and pleasing aesthetic/visual quality.

(Ord. No. 16-05-236, § 2, 5-17-2016)

Every building or structure hereafter constructed within the City of Horn Lake shall comply with the provisions of this Article. Exempt from this provision shall be single family dwellings and accessory buildings thereto.

(Ord. No. 16-05-236, § 2, 5-17-2016)

1.

Arcade. As used herein, an arcade is a covered walkway/structural canopy extending along the entire length of the front façade of a commercial building.

2.

Building. Any structure having a roof supported by walls and intended for the shelter, housing, or enclosure of any individual, process, equipment, goods, or materials of any kind.

3.

Facade. A vertical exterior face or elevation of a building.

4.

Front Facade. Any façade with a public entry which faces a public right-of-way.

5.

Rear Facade. Any facade without a public entry that does not face a public right-of-way.

6.

Side Facade. Any facade without a public entry but facing a public right-of-way or any façade with a public entry but not facing a public right-of-way. A side façade typically connects a front façade with a rear façade.

7.

Wall Area. The total square feet of the exterior elevation of the building that is vertical to the ground.

(Ord. No. 16-05-236, § 2, 5-17-2016)

1.

Building Plan Application

a.

All applications shall conform with the requirements of Article V § N Site Plan Review of this Ordinance.

b.

All building plans submitted with an application for site plan approval or for a building permit shall clearly indicate all of the proposed building materials and colors for each facade as described herein.

c.

The plans shall clearly show the location and calculate the amount/percentages of all building materials per facade.

d.

The plans submitted shall include elevations of all building sides.

2.

Multiple Buildings

a.

Groups of buildings on the same parcel of land may be reviewed and permitted as a single project rather than individual buildings.

b.

Grouping of similar buildings is encouraged to minimize the number of reviews required and to allow for originality and design flexibility.

(Ord. No. 16-05-236, § 2, 5-17-2016)

All proposed buildings shall be designed in a manner that the building styles and building materials match those of the surrounding area of said proposed building, unless otherwise specified within Section E of Article XIII.

1.

Dumpster Enclosures

a.

All dumpsters shall be screened from sight by a fence or wall at least six inches (6") taller than the tallest point on the dumpster. In no case shall said wall or fence exceed eight feet (8') in height.

b.

The fence shall be constructed of an opaque material made of brick, stucco, split face block, or similar material to that of the principal building.

c.

Dumpsters shall be located in the rear yard behind the building they serve or otherwise in an inconspicuous place.

d.

For industrial/distribution/warehouse buildings exceeding twenty-five thousand (25,000) square feet, no screening is required. However, the dumpsters shall be located in the rear yard behind the building they serve.

2.

Mechanical Systems

a.

All ground mounted mechanical, HVAC, and like systems shall be set back a minimum of five (5) feet from a property line and screened from public street view (within 300 feet) by an opaque wall or fence of similar material to that of the principal building or landscaping.

b.

All commercial and retail building roof mounted mechanical, HVAC, and like systems shall be screened from public street view (within 300 feet) on all sides.

3.

Roof Requirements

a.

Pitched Roofs

i.

All one-story buildings less than ten-thousand (10,000) gross square feet must have a pitched roof (between 5:12 and 12:12) as much as possible. If a pitched roof is not possible, a combination of flat roof and pitched roof is required.

ii.

Provide a pitched roof on front and side of the building to screen view of any flat roof.

iii.

Arcades, drive under canopies, porches, and other features shall be created with a pitched roof.

iv.

Materials for pitched roofs shall be limited to architectural dimensional grade asphalt shingles, natural slate, natural terra cotta, natural wood shake, copper, or factory finished sheet metal.

b.

Mansard Roofs

i.

Mansard roofs shall have a maximum pitch of 12:12 with a minimum twelve-foot (12') vertical surface length.

c.

Flat Roofs

i.

Flat roofs may be of any material that meets building codes.

ii.

Exposed metal flashing shall be copper or factory finished sheet metal. If factory finished metal flashing is used, such as standing seam, the color must be subdued to blend with other materials or of a color to simulate weathered copper or bronze.

iii.

All buildings with flat roofs should include parapet articulation on the front facade(s) of such building.

iv.

There shall be roof articulations/offsets at a minimum of one (1) per each one hundred twenty-five linear feet (125') of length by a change in the top line of the parapet.

v.

Additional articulation may occur at any lesser distance. If the front façade is less than one hundred twenty-five linear feet (125'), then a minimum of one (1) roof articulation must occur.

d.

Other

i.

Drive under canopies for gasoline pumps may have flat roof with vertical or factory formed facing of finished sheet metal.

4.

Accessory Buildings

All accessory buildings shall be constructed of the same material and be similarly designed as the principal building.

(Ord. No. 16-05-236, § 2, 5-17-2016)

1.

Building Design

Building design shall exhibit architectural control which seeks to be creative and which best utilizes building lines, shapes, and angles to maximize architectural integrity.

a.

Unadorned pre-stressed upright concrete panels, unfinished concrete block, galvanized or unfinished steel, galvalum or unfinished aluminum buildings (wall or roofs), and pole-type building materials are not permitted as primary exterior building materials.

b.

At least fifty (50) percent of all exterior wall finishes shall be comprised of any combination of at least two (2) of the following materials:

i.

Brick

ii.

Natural Stone

iii.

Glass

iv.

Stucco or stucco-like finishes

v.

Other comparable or superior material approved by the Planning Commission.

c.

Accent materials shall be used for cornices, sills, bases, lintels, banding, and decorative accent trims. Accent materials shall consist of materials that meet or exceed the quality of the primary exterior materials and shall be consistent with the building design.

d.

A minimum of twenty (20) percent of the façade facing the public right-of-way shall be glass.

e.

In non-residential uses in residential districts, a minimum of thirty (30) percent of the façade facing the public right-of-way shall be glass.

f.

Any new building shall be constructed so that all exterior sides shall be surfaced equivalent to the front of the building. The rear elevation of a building shall be exempt from this requirement provided the rear of the building is not visible from public view.

(Ord. No. 16-05-236, § 2, 5-17-2016)

1.

Building Design

Building design shall exhibit architectural control which seeks to be creative and utilize building lines, shapes, and angles to maximize architectural integrity.

2.

Located within 1,350 feet to Certain Roadways

Industrial properties which are located within 1,350 feet of the centerline of the right-of-way of a collector or arterial road shall meet the following architectural standards. Where only a portion of the parcel lies within 1,350 feet of the collector or arterial road centerline, the standards shall apply to the entire parcel:

a.

Unadorned pre-stressed upright concrete panels, unfinished concrete block, metal siding (such as galvanized or unfinished steel, galvalume, or unfinished aluminum), and pole-type building materials are not permitted as primary exterior building materials.

b.

Building exterior wall finishes shall be comprised of any combination of a least two (2) of the following materials:

i.

Brick

ii.

Natural Stone

iii.

Glass

iv.

Masonry stucco

v.

Hardy Plank

vi.

Other comparable or superior material as may be approved by the Planning Commission.

vii.

Accent materials shall be used for cornices, sills, bases, lintels, banding, and decorative accent trims and shall consist of materials comparable in grade and quality to the primary exterior materials.

c.

A minimum of twenty (20) percent of the facade facing the public right-of-way shall be glass.

d.

Any new building shall be constructed so that all exterior sides shall be surfaced equivalent to the front of the building

3.

Not Located Within 1,350 to Certain Roadways

Industrial properties which are not located within 1,350 feet of the centerline of the right-of-way of a collector or arterial road shall meet the following architectural standards:

a.

Exterior wall surfaces of all buildings shall be faced with brick, stone, architecturally enhanced pre-cast and cast-in-place panel, architectural concrete in combination with other permitted materials, or glass.

b.

Accent materials shall be used for cornices, sills, bases, lintels, banding, and decorative accent trims. Accent materials shall consist of materials comparable in grade and quality to the primary exterior materials.

c.

A minimum of twenty (20) percent of the facade facing the public right-of way shall be glass.

d.

Any new building shall be constructed so that all exterior sides shall be surfaced equivalent to the front of the building.

(Ord. No. 16-05-236, § 2, 5-17-2016)

The exterior building finish of two-family and multi-family dwelling units shall include a variation in building materials which are to be distributed throughout the building facades and coordinated into the architectural design of the structure to create an architecturally balanced appearance.

1.

Building Design

Building design shall exhibit architectural control which seeks to be creative and utilize building lines, shapes, and angles to maximize architectural integrity.

a.

Unadorned pre-stressed upright concrete panels, unfinished concrete block, metal siding (such as galvanized or unfinished steel, galvalume, or unfinished aluminum), and pole-type building materials are not permitted as primary exterior building materials.

b.

Vinyl siding and aluminum siding shall also be excluded.

c.

Any new building shall be constructed so that all exterior sides shall be surfaced equivalent to the front of the building.

d.

The rear elevation of a building shall be exempt from this requirement provided the rear of the building is not visible from public view.

e.

The exterior building finish shall include a variation in building materials which are to be distributed throughout the building facades and coordinated into the architectural design of the structure to create an architecturally balanced appearance.

f.

Two-family and townhome dwelling structures shall comply with the following requirements:

i.

A minimum of twenty-five (25) percent of the combined area of all building façades of a structure shall have an exterior finish of brick, stucco, and/or natural or artificial stone.

ii.

Except for brick, stucco, and/or natural or artificial stone, no single building facade shall have more than seventy-five (75) percent of one type of exterior finish.

iii.

For the purpose of this section, the area of the building facade shall not include area devoted to windows, entrance doors, garage doors, or roof areas.

iv.

No more than three (3) buildings within 300 feet of each other shall consist of the same building facade.

(Ord. No. 16-05-236, § 2, 5-17-2016)

1.

Architectural Compatibility

To insure architectural compatibility with homes in the immediate vicinity of the building site, building design shall be in keeping with the design patterns and architectural features that exist in the immediate vicinity.

a.

The immediate vicinity shall include an area within the same zoning district and a 500' radius of the building site.

b.

Building design shall conform to the prevailing pattern and materials within the immediate vicinity. The following items shall be used to determine compatibility:

i.

Roof pitch

ii.

Roofing materials

iii.

Exterior finishes and materials

iv.

Garage orientation

v.

Landscaping

vi.

Color scheme

vii.

Mailbox design and construction

viii.

Driveway and walkway materials

ix.

Porches, dormers, or other features

x.

Building orientation

2.

General Design Characteristics

a.

Parking on site should be visually subordinate to the residential character of the street.

b.

Garages, carports, outbuildings, etc., should not be 'street forward' and of materials and styles that blend with the existing structures and neighborhood.

c.

Maintain the average scale of one- and two-story buildings along the street.

d.

Maintain the similarity of building heights. The apparent height of the primary façade should not exceed thirty-five feet (35').

e.

Use roof forms that are similar in scale and character to the neighborhood and to those used historically.

3.

Additions to Existing Structures

a.

Residential additions shall be compatible and in context with the same general scale, proportion, massing, and detailing as the original structure and should not be a stark contrast.

b.

The design of a new addition shall incorporate the main characteristics of the existing structure. This may include:

i.

The extension of architectural lines from the existing structure to the addition;

ii.

Repetition of bays, windows, and entrance spacing;

iii.

Use of harmonizing colors and materials; and

iv.

The inclusion of similar architectural details (e.g., window/door trim, lighting fixtures, and stone/brick decoration).

c.

A new addition that creates an appearance inconsistent with the character of the existing building is inappropriate.

(Ord. No. 16-05-236, § 2, 5-17-2016)

1.

Building Façade Colors

a.

The main building color shall integrate harmoniously with accent colors and masonry material.

b.

Buildings shall consist of natural earth tones that are found in the Horn Lake/DeSoto County region.

c.

Natural earth tones shall include colors and shades of the following: red, orange, yellow, olive, tan, beige, taupe, brown, and gray.

d.

Other colors or combinations may be allowed by the Planning Commission.

e.

Graphics, color schemes, and/or murals are not permitted on building exteriors except as may be permitted within an approved signage permit and otherwise consistent with the Sign Ordinances.

f.

Electric, fluorescent, or neon colors are prohibited on all exterior surfaces.

2.

Corporate Colors

a.

The use of corporate colors is permitted provided that such colors are not patterned so as to compete for visual attention (e.g. polka-dots, stripes).

b.

The use of corporate colors shall not create an advertisement of the building itself.

c.

Corporate colors shall not violate any other color limitations within this Ordinance.

(Ord. No. 16-05-236, § 2, 5-17-2016)

1.

The Planning Commission may approve materials and designs that differ from those required within this ordinance provided the following criteria are achieved:

a.

The proposed building maintains the quality and value intended by this section.

b.

The proposed building is compatible and in harmony with other structures designed by standards in this section within the district.

c.

The design exceeds the intent of the ordinance.

2.

Any building is subject to denial that does not meet architectural standards as determined by the Planning Commission.

(Ord. No. 16-05-236, § 2, 5-17-2016)

Any request for a variance in the requirements of this article shall be submitted in accordance with Article X § A Variances.

(Ord. No. 16-05-236, § 2, 5-17-2016)