The following standards and provisions are hereby deemed necessary and are intended to:

(1)

Protect the health and welfare of the citizenry;

(2)

Provide a safe environment;

(3)

Improve the visual image of the City;

(4)

Encourage physical diversity;

(5)

Mitigate urban heat islands;

(6)

Apply best management practices to stormwater management;

(7)

Protect existing development and improve upon it;

(8)

Provide adequate public infrastructure and street and highway capacity;

(9)

Encourage alternative modes of transportation and minimize the visual, physical and environmental impacts of a motor vehicle-dominated transportation system;

(10)

Minimize light pollution and the creation of sky glow;

(11)

Recognize the physical, environmental, social and psychological benefits of good design of all aspects of the built environment, including, but not limited to, building construction, site improvement, signs and landscaping.

(Code 1976, § 18.34.010)

(a)

The standards codified and established by this chapter shall apply to the physical development of all vacant land and the redevelopment of all other lands that are zoned O1, O2, O3, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6 and BT. For purposes of this chapter, redevelopment is defined as the removal of any building, structure and/or improvement for the purpose or intent of constructing, erecting, creating, or otherwise improving the underlying land area with new buildings, structures, uses and/or improvements. The standards contained herein shall also apply to building additions, which double the gross floor area of any existing building.

(b)

Compliance with the regulations contained herein shall be determined by the Site Plan Review Coordinator. The Coordinator may, at his or her discretion, consult with the Planning Director, City Engineer, Director of Public Works and Building Director or their designees for their input, information, expertise and opinion regarding the status of compliance with said regulations. Applicants that are in disagreement or aggrieved with the findings of the Site Plan Review Coordinator may request mediation of Coordinator's actions by the Plan Commission as outlined in Section 42-273(f).

(Code 1976, § 18.34.020)

The intent of the following standards is to ensure that development within the district results in the creation of functional and aesthetically pleasing high quality environment. A high quality environment is one that is designed for longevity and flexibility in use, has low or reduced maintenance, is environmentally compatible and pedestrian friendly and will instill pride of use and ownership in those operating and visiting such areas:

(1)

Maximum building size. In accord with the applicable zoning district standard.

(2)

The maximum height of any building, structure or use shall be in accord with the applicable zoning district standard.

(3)

The size, bulk and shape of buildings shall be compatible with those located on parcels in the surrounding neighborhood. When such surrounding buildings consist of dramatically different sizes and styles that may not be compatible with each other, new buildings shall be designed to provide a transition between such other buildings. Where there are few or no surrounding buildings, the size, bulk and shape of buildings shall be consistent with the planned character of what will be the surrounding development as reflected in City's Comprehensive Plan and other adopted plans for the area. The character of buildings and structures constructed in the O3 and B1 Districts shall be consistent with residential buildings in the surrounding area.

(4)

Buildings, particularly large structures, shall be designed to reduce the physical and visual scale and/or appearance of said structures through the use of varied design elements, including, but not limited to, varied setbacks, building height, roof treatments, door and window openings, and other structural and decorative elements. In addition, consideration should be given to varying the vertical walls of buildings with exterior horizontal wall protrusions and recesses and also the tops of walls, roof eaves and parapet walls through the use of varying vertical heights from the ground plane. Buildings and structures located in the O3 and B1 Districts shall have pitched residential styled gabled or hip roofs, except where the character of surrounding buildings suggest that other roof styles are appropriate.

(5)

All buildings shall have entrances clearly defined with roofs, canopies, porticos, arches or other features that identify them and invite users of the site to them. If appropriate relative to the location of on-site parking, at least one entrance shall be located on the front or sides of buildings so that it is visible from the adjoining public street right-of-way. Buildings larger than 50,000 square feet and single tenants occupying spaces greater than 50,000 square feet in a multitenant building shall provide multiple entrances convenient to parking and pedestrian improvements. Separate entrances shall be provided for each tenant or tenant space within a building where practical.

(6)

Exterior building materials shall be durable and low maintenance. Buildings must consist primarily of wood, glass, brick, decorative concrete block, stucco and/or similar materials. The Site Plan Review Coordinator may approve the moderate use of vinyl and seamless metal siding, decorative architectural metal siding with concealed fasteners and standing seam or otherwise architecturally unique metal roofing when such items are sensitively incorporated as design elements and not just building skins.

(7)

Building design and architectural elements shall be applied to all sides of buildings in the O3 and B1 Districts and only those sides and rears of buildings in the remaining office and commercial districts which are clearly visible from public lands, public streets and residential areas. Under said circumstances, all facades of a building shall contain similar building materials and architectural details.

(8)

Primary building facades shall have storefront windows or window like displays or details in quantities sufficient to create a recognizable architectural element from the adjoining parking lots, pedestrian ways and public streets. Said windows or window like features shall be provided for each individual tenant or tenant space within a building when such tenant space adjoins an exterior wall of the building.

(9)

In general, colors used on the exteriors of buildings should be non-reflective, subtle or neutral tones. Bright, vibrant or highly reflective colors or surfaces should be used sparingly as accent features and not applied copiously as an attention getting device.

(10)

The intent of the O3 and B1 Zone Districts is to provide office, commerce and service uses to smaller, local geographic areas and the residents thereof and not necessarily to the community at-large or regional customers. As such uses within the district should be considered as destinations rather than attractions. Thus the use of standard corporate buildings, signage and images may be inappropriate in size, scale, color and image. Any use of such elements must be subtly incorporated into the overall character of the development and the area.

(11)

All permanent loading facilities and trash/recyclable storage areas shall be completely screened from view by an opaque vertical wall or fence that is a minimum of five feet in height or greater as necessary to adequately screen the trash enclosure. Said wall or fence shall be constructed of the same or complimentary materials as the building that it serves. Loading and trash storage areas shall be designed in consultation with professional service providers in order to accommodate all desired functions within the screened area. Loading and trash storage areas shall be proximal to the building they serve in order to provide convenience in access for employees using such facilities.

(12)

Roofs and the tops of building walls shall be designed to sufficiently break planes and horizontal lines, reflect sunlight, and add interest to the structures they are a part and to minimize buildings from appearing as big, flat boxes. Pitched roofs are encouraged when overall building sizes allow their use without creating disproportionately large and/or tall roofs and when pitched roofs are the predominate style of surrounding development or when a building will be proximal to residences.

(13)

Roof mounted mechanical equipment shall be located behind screening walls or covers that are similar or complimentary in material to those used on the facades of the building. Ground or wall mounted mechanical equipment shall be placed out of site from adjoining public streets and screened with landscaping, walls or fences.

(14)

Buildings designed or converted for multiple tenant occupancy shall be designed with roofs, canopies, trellises and/or other roof like structures intended to provide maximum covered areas over sidewalks connecting the entrances to the multiple-tenant space.

(15)

Lots, parcels, sites or developments containing multiple buildings shall incorporate varied building setbacks from the property lines adjoining public streets. Said setback variations must generally be no less than 50 feet; however, the Site Plan Review Coordinator may allow less setback to facilitate good site design.

(Code 1976, § 18.34.030)

The landscaping standards contained herein establish a point system to determine the appropriateness and effectiveness of plant installation. The system recognizes that the installation and maintenance of live plants is essential to creating a healthy, safe and aesthetically pleasing environment. The system places priority on the planting of deciduous shade trees which results in the highest level of environmental impact mitigation. As such all real property proposed for development shall be landscaped as follows:

(1)

Planting designs shall concentrate on shading building roofs, parking lots, pedestrian facilities and the adjoining public streets. Secondary importance is focused on foundation and screening plantings intended to soften the transition from the ground plane to the vertical plane.

(2)

Landscaping requirements. Landscaping shall be provided based on the following requirements or point schedules. The term "landscaping" means living plants normally cultivated for use on residential and business sites. These requirements supersede any other landscaping or screening requirements of this chapter. The requirements of each of the following categories are additive and must be satisfied independently except in the following circumstances: on corner lots, one-half of the trees provided to meet the street frontage requirement may be credited toward satisfying the landscape point/tree requirements of the paved areas standard if said street frontage trees meet the location requirements of both the street frontage and paved areas sections the landscape point totals associated with landscaping planted to meet the buffer yard requirements shall be credited toward the point totals required to meet any other landscape requirement provided the buffer yard plants meet the location requirements of both the buffer yard section and the section for which credit is requested.

a.

Street frontages. One large deciduous tree shall be planted for each 50 feet of property line along a public street right-of-way. Said trees shall be planted in the public terrace equidistant from the curb and the normal sidewalk line or on the private site and within ten feet of the property line adjoining the public right-of-way. The preference for tree locations is on private property. The trees should be planted as near as possible at intervals of 50 feet on center although the clustering of trees for valid design purposes may be allowed.

b.

Paved areas. One hundred fifty points of landscaping shall be planted for each 3,000 square feet of paving. At least one-half of the landscape points required shall be satisfied by the planting of large deciduous trees. Paving is defined as all hard-surfaced areas within the ground plane, including, but not limited to, parking stalls, driveways, trash enclosure pads, loading docks, sidewalks, plazas and patios. Plants required by this section shall be installed in landscape islands within or extending into the paved area or generally within 15 feet of the perimeter of the edges of the paved area. Parking lots containing more than 75 stalls shall incorporate at least one-third of the required landscaping within planting islands that are located within the interior of the parking lot. Such islands shall be a minimum of ten feet wide and 360 square feet in area and shall contain at least one large deciduous. Said islands should be evenly dispersed throughout the parking lot. Emphasis should be placed on creating islands that function positively with respect to plant physiology, vehicle maneuvering and overall site maintenance. Linear islands located between rows of parking stalls are preferred rather than small islands located at the ends of parking rows.

c.

Building foundations. Three hundred points of landscaping for each 100 linear feet of exterior building wall. Plants required by this section must generally be installed within 20 feet of the building foundation. Large deciduous trees should not be used as foundation plantings.

d.

Buffer yards. There shall be provided and maintained a permanent ten-foot-wide buffer yard screening element along any boundary of an office or business zoned property and any residential zone district including any O1 or O2 Zoned site that is developed with a residential use or is vacant. Said buffer yard screening element is intended to visually screen the office or business use from the adjoining residential district. The buffer yard screen shall be located within 25 feet of the common property line between the office or business use and residential property. A buffer yard screen shall consist of any combination of an earthen berm, opaque fence constructed of materials compatible with the materials of buildings within the development and/or landscape plantings and shall be designed to provide a permanent, all-season visual screen that will be a minimum of five feet tall. If plantings are used, such elements must be a minimum of three feet high and wide at the time of planting and of a species that will attain a height and width of at least five feet within four years following planting. When such buffer yard planting is located within the required building setback from a public street right-of-way, the height of the plants within that setback area must be maintained at 30 inches or less. The location of the buffer yard planting should be offset from the property line a distance equal to any utility easement of any nature that may be located along and encompassing said line.

e.

Development sites. Development sites shall satisfy the street frontage landscaping requirements and shall be graded to a mowable condition and seeded with an acceptable lawn mix. The term "development sites" means any land area that is a separate site, lot, parcel or a vacant portion of a larger site that is included within a development, but which is intended to be developed in the future for building, parking or other physical improvement purposes.

(3)

Landscaping point credits. Credit for landscaping will be granted based on the following schedule:

a.

Large deciduous tree: 150 points per tree.

b.

Small deciduous tree: 60 points per tree.

c.

Evergreen or conifer tree: 60 points tree.

d.

Shrub: 20 points per shrub.

e.

Annual/perennial bed: 20 points per 20 square feet of planted bed.

(4)

Landscaping elements are defined as follows:

a.

Large deciduous tree. A large deciduous tree is any deciduous tree that will attain a mature height exceeding 25 feet, is classified as having a hardiness zone standard of two to five and is at least 2½ inches in diameter at the time of planting. Large deciduous trees planted within the public street right-of-way shall be a species normally classified as street trees. Trees will be downsized appropriately when overhead utility lines exist within the terrace area.

b.

Small deciduous tree. A small deciduous tree is any deciduous tree that will attain a mature height less than 25 feet, is classified as having a hardiness zone standard of two to five and is at least one inch in diameter at the time of planting.

c.

Evergreen or conifer tree. Evergreen or conifer trees are any upright conifer that will attain a mature height exceeding 12 feet, is classified as having a hardiness zone standard of two to five and is at least four feet tall at the time of planting.

d.

Shrubs. Shrubs are plants that are both deciduous or evergreen in character, attain mature heights between two and eight or more feet, are classified as having hardiness zone standards of two to five and that are at least 18 inches in height at the time of planting.

e.

Annual/perennial beds. Annual/perennial beds are any planting area containing annual and perennial bedding plants or other ground covers such as creeping evergreens, that are intensively planted to form a continuous planting mass and are at least 20 contiguous square feet in area.

(5)

Green areas of the site not used for landscaping shall be seeded or sodded with an acceptable maintainable lawn seed mix. Mulch of plantings or planting beds is acceptable, provided that such mulching consists of organic or natural materials. Mulches shall be installed so that they will not erode, fall, be plowed or otherwise transported into walks, drives, streets or other hard-surfaced portions of the site. Functional weed barriers will be installed in all areas to be mulched.

(6)

Installation. All landscaping shall be installed consistent with industry accepted standards. Installation shall occur prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for the site unless such occupancy occurs during winter, in which case the landscaping shall be completed by July 1 of the next summer.

(7)

Maintenance. Landscaping required by this article is intended to be a permanent site improvement just as any other building, structure or infrastructure that is necessary to facilitate the intended use of the site. As such, all landscaping shall be continually maintained in a live state. Maintenance shall include periodic and timely watering, fertilizing, pruning and any other such normally required horticulture activity necessary to keep all landscaping in a healthy, safe and aesthetically pleasing state. Recognizing that, over time, plants may mature and die or otherwise expire because of natural or unnatural causes, maintenance shall include the removal and replacement of dead or dying plants. Such replacement shall occur within the same year in which a plant dies or in the spring planting season of the following year.

(8)

Utility easements. Planting in utility easements should be avoided. If such planting does occur, it is at the risk of the property owner. Any plants that must be removed because of utility work within such easements shall be replaced by the property owner at their cost. Replacement landscaping shall satisfy the minimum standards of this chapter.

(Code 1976, § 18.34.040)

The intent of the following standards is to mitigate the impact of exterior illumination related to development on surrounding properties, particularly in areas proximal to residential uses, while providing safe, healthy and visually attractive nighttime environments. In order to achieve said environments, good lighting design shall be practiced. Good lighting design is characterized by:

(1)

Illumination levels appropriate for the visual task.

(2)

Reasonably uniform illumination levels on adjoining sites.

(3)

An absence of glare.

(4)

Consideration of the compatibility and aesthetics of illumination and the mechanical improvements that create it as those relate to surrounding properties and the character of the community.

(5)

In order to ensure that proper lighting design occurs, the following standards shall apply to all development within the district.

a.

All exterior lighting fixtures shall be full cut-off fixtures as defined by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA). All lighting shall be designed and fixtures selected to prevent glare. The Site Plan Review Coordinator may modify the cutoff fixture requirement for security lighting in areas where the exterior lights are not visible from a residential area or a public street.

b.

Illumination of sites and improvements thereon shall be designed to avoid competition with illumination on adjoining or neighboring properties.

c.

Illumination levels shall be appropriate for the intended improvement, area and/or function to be illuminated. In general, illumination levels should follow the guidelines and recommendations of the IESNA.

d.

In no event shall any exterior illumination exceed an average illumination level of 20 footcandles for the surface to be illuminated unless approved otherwise by the Plan Commission as part of a conditional use permit.

e.

The illumination uniformity ratio (the ratio of the average illumination to the minimum illumination) for the surface to be illuminated shall not exceed 4:1.

f.

The illumination level at any property line shall not exceed 0.5 footcandle above the ambient lighting conditions on a cloudless night.

g.

In no instance shall an outdoor lighting fixture be mounted or oriented such that the lighting element is visible from any residence located in a residential zone district.

h.

The following shall be the maximum mounting height for the respective lighting fixture. The mounting height shall be measured from the surface to be illuminated to the bottom of the light fixture.

1.

Parking lot light fixtures in lots containing 100 or fewer stalls: 18 feet.

2.

Parking lot light fixtures in lots containing more than 100 stalls: 25 feet.

3.

Building or security lighting: ten feet.

4.

Any other site-lighting fixture 18 feet or as determined appropriate and consistent with the intent of this article by the Site Plan Review Coordinator.

i.

Hours of operation. When a use is not in operation, only building mounted security lighting and up to 25 percent of all other outdoor lighting fixtures may remain illuminated.

j.

Exterior illumination of wall-mounted, building-mounted or ground-mounted signs, architecture, landscaping, site amenities or other specialty illumination of any kind shall be designed consistent with the intent of this article. The provisions of Subsection (k) of this section shall apply to any such lighting.

k.

Alternatives. Alternatives to these standards may be proposed to incorporate the use of a particular architectural style or theme or to incorporate innovative or unique illumination techniques. Such alternatives shall be presented to the Site Plan Review Coordinator with supportive evidence sufficient to determine that the proposal is consistent with intent of the heretofore-established standards. Approval of an alternative illumination plan is at the discretion of the Site Plan Review Coordinator.

l.

A lighting plan, specifications for all proposed fixtures and photometric plan or other plans delineating illuminance levels that evidence compliance with the established standards are required for all developments in order to determine compliance with these standards.

(Code 1976, § 18.34.050)

The intent of the following regulations is to further the goal of providing and promoting alternative methods of access and travel to uses established within large-scale developments. Creating developments that provide ease of pedestrian or bicycle access is paramount. As such, the following development standards shall apply.

(1)

At least one five-foot-wide sidewalk shall be provided between the primary entrance to any building and existing or planned public sidewalks, mid-block walkways and bike trails.

(2)

If more than one building is proposed on a site or multiple adjoining sites are proposed for building development, on-site sidewalk links shall be provided between buildings. Said sidewalks shall be a minimum of five feet wide and designed to provide convenient pedestrian access. Public sidewalks may satisfy this requirement if deemed appropriate by the Site Plan Review Coordinator.

(3)

All parking, sidewalks, plazas, patios, and any other hard-surfaced site improvement shall comply with the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Site design shall place a priority of convenience on pedestrian movements rather than motor vehicle movements.

(4)

Accommodations shall be made for bicycle access and parking.

(5)

If more than one building is proposed on a site or multiple adjoining sites are proposed for building development, the site plan shall be reviewed by the Janesville Transit System (JTS) for consideration of creating a transit stop. If deemed necessary by JTS, a transit stop shall be constructed as part of the development or within the adjoining public right-of-way. Any such transit stop shall be connected to the development or site by an appropriate sidewalk. The cost of any such transit stop shall be paid for by the developer.

(6)

If more than one building is proposed on a site or multiple adjoining sites are proposed for building development, site improvements shall include appropriate amenities for employees and patrons. The design of any such amenities shall be functional, inviting and compatible with the adjoining structures and uses. Such items may include, but are not limited to, the following:

a.

Receptacles for refuse and recyclables.

b.

Benches.

c.

Information kiosks.

d.

Potable water fountains.

e.

Comprehensively designed newspaper boxes.

f.

Employee lunch areas.

g.

Flower beds, boxes or hanging baskets.

h.

Works of art.

i.

Smoking shelters.

(Code 1976, § 18.34.060)

Motor vehicles, their associated movement and parking represent one of the primary sources of impact from development on surrounding properties, especially residences. In order to reduce the impact associated with motor vehicles, the following standards shall apply to development within the district:

(1)

Vehicle access for nonresidential development is prohibited from a local residential street unless said point of access is within 500 feet of a through or connecting arterial street as enumerated in Chapter 38, or in the opinion of the City Engineer, said local street will eventually be classified as a through or connecting arterial street.

(2)

The parking of trucks, trailers of any motor vehicle weighing in excess of 1½ tons for more than a 24 hour period is prohibited.

(3)

Off-street parking and loading shall be as provided in Sections 42-360 and 42-361. No more than 110 percent of the minimum number of parking stalls required by the aforesaid sections may be provided unless determined appropriate by the Site Plan Review Coordinator.

(4)

No more than one-half of the parking stalls provided on a site shall be located between the front of the principal building or buildings and public street frontages unless, in the opinion of the Site Plan Review Coordinator, specific site limitations or adjoining land use considerations render such placement impractical or undesirable. The remaining parking shall be located in the side, corner side or rear yards of the site. Within the O3 District, all parking shall be placed in the interior side yard or rear yard unless, in the opinion of the Site Plan Review Coordinator, specific site limitations or adjoining land use considerations render such placement impractical or undesirable.

(5)

Consideration shall be given to the use of nonreflective parking lot surfacing materials.

(6)

All parking lots, driveways and other paved surfaces shall be properly striped, marked and signed to adequately define parking stalls, drive lanes, turning movements, fire lanes, prohibited movements or parking and any other such instructions necessary to facilitate safe pedestrian and motor vehicle movement. All such markings shall be designed and installed to place priority on pedestrian movements rather than motor vehicle movement.

(7)

All pavement stripping, markings and signage shall be permanently maintained in order to provide for continual and safe pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle movements.

(8)

Consideration shall be given to the use of best management practices for stormwater run-off. The use of on-site retention, rainwater gardens and other mitigation methods or strategies designed to reduce off-site stormwater run-off shall be incorporated into site development plans. All such proposals shall include management plans for any on-site water storage.

(9)

For parking lots containing more than 25 stalls, poured in place concrete or equivalent curbing shall be installed in all high vehicle volume areas of the lot in order to define traffic movements, protect pavement edges and prevent disturbance or destruction of green areas and landscaping, to prevent erosion and to protect pedestrians. Said curbing shall be six inches tall and shall contain barrier-free design facilities where necessary and appropriate.

(Code 1976, § 18.34.070)

Large developments generally involve significant land area and/or building area. As such they typically generate significant traffic and thus they often negatively impact existing street, highway and traffic improvements. In order to determine the impact from any such development on existing and planned streets, highways and traffic facilities, and to determine what, if any, new improvements are necessary to mitigate such impacts, a traffic study must be completed and submitted with each development proposal. Said study shall comply with the following standards:

(1)

A traffic impact study shall be completed for every large development as defined by the applicable zoning district regulations if determined necessary by the City Engineer. Said study shall be completed by a qualified engineer or equivalent professional or firm having past experience and expertise in completing such studies.

(2)

The cost of the study shall be paid for by the applicant.

(3)

The study shall analyze the existing transportation network in the area surrounding the large development site. This would entail identifying or collecting traffic volumes for all arterial, collector, and nonresidential local streets, conducting turning counts at major intersections, and a review of all planned transportation system improvements within an area surrounding the large development site as determined appropriate by the City Engineer.

(4)

The study shall identify existing and projected traffic volumes and turning movements for the aforesaid transportation network components. Traffic projections should be based on the full build-out of all lands within the study area using City land use plans for those areas that are undeveloped.

(5)

The study shall determine the existing and project the anticipated levels of service for all components of the transportation network within the study area as such levels of service are defined in the most recent edition of the Transportation Research Board's Highway Capacity Manual.

(6)

The study shall make recommendations for all improvements that may be necessary to maintain a level of service of D or better for all components of the transportation network. The Plan Commission may modify this requirement if they find that the construction of such improvements are impractical or excessive.

(7)

The study shall prorate on a percentage basis the portion of the need for any such improvements that can be attributed to the proposed large development covered by the study.

(8)

The applicant may be responsible for the installation costs of any improvements necessary to maintain a level of service of D or better on the transportation network components that would be adversely affected by the proposed development. The Plan Commission may modify this requirement if they find that the construction of such improvements are impractical or excessive.

(Code 1976, § 18.34.080)