The purpose of this Chapter is to establish the districts and standards to implement the corresponding designations of the Future Land Use and Character Map set forth in the adopted Comprehensive Plan. More specifically, the Neighborhood Commercial (NC) and Corridor Mixed (CM) districts are designed to:

• Provide for neighborhood-serving uses on lots near single-family dwellings where there are scale and transition standards to protect neighborhood character;

• Establish frontage standards that relate the context of the proposed development with the building placements of the adjoining properties and surrounding environment;
• Create site design standards that provide on-site open space to be used for landscaping, screening, and buffering, to preserve trees and other vegetation, and to achieve sustainable development objectives;

• Provide ample areas that are suitable for corporate offices, technology, and manufacturing facilities that help to strengthen the tax base and provide for local employment;

• Promote walkable mixed-use centers that support transit usage, provide opportunities for additional housing types and formats, and increase non-residential floor area; and

• Encourage good standards of site planning, sustainable design, architecture, and landscape design to maintain quality of place and a desirable community character.

Effective on: 10/28/2021

The provisions of this Chapter apply to land that is depicted on the Future Land Use and Character Map as Corridor Mixed-Use. The applicable zoning districts include Neighborhood Commercial (NC) and Corridor Mixed (CM), as set out in Section 10-1-1.1, Base Districts.

Effective on: 10/28/2021

1. A.
   Districts.

   1. 1.
      Plan Implementation. The zoning districts that implement the Corridor Mixed-Use designation on the Future Land Use and Character Map include:

      1. a.
         NC, Neighborhood Commercial; and
      2. b.
         CM, Corridor Mixed.
   2. 2.
      Purposes. The purposes of these districts and their relationships to the Comprehensive Plan and former zoning designations are set out in Section 10-1-1.1, Base Districts.
2. B.
   Land Uses. The land uses are organized by general and specific use categories. As set out in Table 10-1-1.3.1, Land Use Matrix, each land use is indicated as being Permitted (P), permitted subject to special Standards (S), permitted subject to approval of the Conditional Use (C), Accessory (A), or Prohibited (--). If additional standards apply to land uses, the applicable sections are cross-referenced in the far right column of the land use matrix.

Effective on: 10/28/2021

1. A.
   Purpose. This Section establishes the development standards for residential, non-residential, and mixed-use buildings in the NC and CM districts, as shown in:

   1. 1.
      Residential. See Table 10-3-2.2.1, Residential Lot and Building Standards; and
   2. 2.
      Non-Residential and Mixed-Use. See Table 10-3-2.2.2, Non-Residential and Mixed-Use Lot and Building Standards.
2. B.
   Applicability.

   1. 1.
      Residential Lots and Building Standards.

      1. a.
         The standards in Table 10-3-2.2.1, Residential Lot and Building Standards, apply to new residential development within the Neighborhood Commercial (NC) and Corridor Mixed (CM) district.
      2. b.
         Construction or reconstruction of residential dwellings in pre-established neighborhoods within the CM district shall conform to the standards of Subsection 10-4-3.2.C, Contextual Development.
      3. c.
         Additions or expansions to existing single-family detached dwellings in pre-established neighborhoods within the CM district shall conform to the standards of Subsection 10-4-3.2.F, Neighborhood Conservation.

(Ord. 18, Series of 2022; Ord. 20, Series of 2023) 

Effective on: 10/13/2023

1. A.
   Applicability. These building material standards apply to the Neighborhood Commercial (NC) and Corridor Mixed (CM) districts.
2. B.
   Building Materials.

   1. 1.
      Material Types. Refer to Subsection 10-1-3.2.A, Building Material Standards.
   2. 2.
      Building Materials Table. Displayed in Table 10-3-3.1, CMU Building and Roofing Materials, are the applicable zoning districts and the allowable material types.
   3. 3.
      Alternate Materials. Refer to Subsection 10-1-3.2.A, Building Material Standards.

Effective on: 10/28/2021

1. A.
   Purpose. The purpose of this Section is to provide site and building design and street frontage standards for the NC and CM districts. Where impractical, these provisions may be subject to waiver requests at the sole discretion of the Director.
2. B.
   Applicability. The standards of this Section apply to:

   1. 1.
      New. New non-residential and mixed-use principal buildings;
   2. 2.
      Minor Additions or Alterations. Added or altered portions of an existing non-residential and mixed-use principal building; and
   3. 3.
      Major Additions or Alterations. Added or altered portions of an existing non-residential and mixed-use principal building when the addition or alteration exceeds 25 percent of the building’s existing gross floor area.

1. A.

   Purpose. To provide landscape design standards specific to commercial and mixed-use development in NC and CM districts.

2. B.

   Applicability. All new development, redevelopment, and adaptive reuse in the NC and CM districts shall comply with this Section, together with the standards in Section 10-1-3.6, Greenscape Design Standards. Where impractical, these provisions may be subject to waiver requests at the sole discretion of the Director.

3. C.
   Minimum Planting Standards.

   1. 1.
      Site Landscaping. The minimum landscape plantings required within the NC and CM districts are set out in Table 10-3-4.1, CMU Minimum Landscape Planting Requirements.
   2. 2.
      Canopy Coverage. The tree canopy coverage requirements for the NC and CM districts are set out in Subsection 10-1-3.6.E, Tree Canopy Coverage Requirements.
   3. 3.
      Adjustments. On sites where there are physical constraints to meeting the minimum landscape requirements of this Section due to frontage type or other site-specific conditions, the Director may authorize an adjustment as set out in Section 10-9-9.1, Administrative Adjustment.

Effective on: 10/28/2021

Refer to Subsection 10-1-3.6.F, Bufferyard Requirements, for provisions related to the district bufferyards and where they are required or exempted.

Effective on: 10/28/2021

1. A.
   Applicability. The sign requirements in this Section apply to the NC and CM districts.
2. B.
   Master Sign Plan. Refer to Subsec. 10-1-3.10.G.
3. C.
   Sign Types.

   1. 1.
      Unlisted Sign Types. Sign types that are not listed in the following tables are prohibited in these districts.

(Ord. 18, Series of 2022; Ord. 20, Series of 2023; Ord. 13, Series of 2025) 

Effective on: 8/28/2025

1. A.
   Purpose. The purpose for establishing street frontage standards is to ensure that new development or redevelopment occurs within the context of the adjoining properties and surrounding built environment.
2. B.
   Applicability.

   1. 1.
      Determination. During a pre-application meeting or through staff review, a determination by the Director shall be made as to the required frontage type(s).
   2. 2.
      Criteria. The criteria for use in making a determination of frontage type shall include:

      1. a.
         The context of the proposed development or redevelopment and where such frontage type is deemed applicable;
      2. b.
         The zoning of the subject lot or adjoining lots;
      3. c.
         If frontage is on a commercial corridor, suburban or neighborhood connector, or local street;
      4. d.
         The frontages of developed lots adjoining and on the same side of the street as the subject lot or within 300 feet in either direction of the subject lot along a block front; and
      5. e.
         The established building and parking footprints when the subject lot is developed or proposed for an addition, alteration, or redevelopment.
3. C.
   Frontage Types and Standards.

   1. 1.
      Build-To Frontage.

      1. a.
         Context. Buildings are set forward on a lot and located a specified distance from the front lot line, as illustrated in Figure 10-3-3.2.A.1, Build-To Frontage.
      2. b.
         Applicability. The Build-To frontage type applies:

         1. 1.
            When at least 60 percent of a block face is established along a build-to line or are generally aligned with one another relative to the street;
         2. 2.
            When buildings within 300' in either direction of the subject lot along a block face are established along a build-to line or are generally aligned with one another relative to the street; or
         3. 3.
            When development is proposed on a lot at an intersection of commercial corridors where buildings, existing or proposed to be constructed, located on any of the adjacent corners are built to the street.

Figure 10-3-3.2.A.1 Build-To Frontage

Effective on: 10/28/2021

1. A.
   Purpose. The purpose of this Section is to establish building and site design standards for development in the NC and CM districts. 
2. B.
   Applicability. This Section applies to freestanding commercial and mixed-use developments where permitted in Section 10-1-1.3, Land Use Matrix. Where impractical, these provisions may be subject to waiver requests at the sole discretion of the Director or the Director's designee.
3. C.
   Types of Approval.

   1. 1.
      Site Plan. Development characteristics requiring a Site Plan include:

      1. a.
         The parcel is less than 10 acres in size;
      2. b.
         Construction occurs in a single phase;
      3. c.
         Development includes no more than two buildings; and
      4. d.
         A gross floor area of less than 100,000 square feet.
   2. 2.
      Master Development Plan. Development characteristics requiring a Master Development Plan include:

      1. a.
         A development site of 10 acres in size or more; or
      2. b.
         Construction in two or more phases; or
      3. c.
         Large-scale development with:

         1. 1.
            100,000 square feet of gross floor area or more in a single building, including big-box stores, supermarkets, wholesale stores, and multi-tenant shopping centers; or
         2. 2.
            Two or more separate buildings and a combined square footage of 150,000 square feet or more.
4. D.
   Mixed-Use Development Layout and Design. Mixed-use development is to be designed to favor the pedestrian more so than the automobile. To create a walkable environment, buildings shall address the street, creating a safe and pleasant streetscape, and be in close proximity to one another. A Master Development Plan for a mixed-use development shall demonstrate adherence to the following design principles:

   1. 1.
      Walkable Layout. Development shall be organized with block lengths that facilitate walkability or include provision for pedestrian accessways that shorten the walking distance between residential, commercial, and public and institutional uses within a mixed-use development.
   2. 2.
      Context-Sensitive Streets. Streets shall be laid out in a hierarchy with a main street and mixed-use and neighborhood connectors that tie into the existing street system to provide for continuity and good access as further defined in the LEDS.
   3. 3.
      Parking. Parking shall be provided on-street to the maximum practicable extent and within parking lots or garages that are placed on the interior of blocks accessed from the side or rear of buildings or alleyways.
   4. 4.
      Connectivity. A pedestrian and bicycle system shall provide connections to peripheral sidewalks and trails and create both on- and off-street linkages tying together residential and non-residential areas, together with civic spaces, schools, transit stops/stations, and parks, in adherence with the Littleton Engineering Design Standards (LEDS).
   5. 5.
      Open Space. Parks and landscape areas shall be located to provide direct connections within and between neighborhoods and areas of employment and commercial services.
   6. 6.
      Resource Integration. Natural resources and environmental features shall be focal points and connected to parking and activity areas by sidewalks, trails, and greenways.
   7. 7.
      Building/Street Relationship. Buildings shall be designed to relate directly to streets and located to create a sense of enclosure and a street environment rich with street-level businesses, amenities, and access to activity areas.
   8. 8.
      Livability. Residential, non-residential, civic, and public transit uses shall related to one another to promote convenience and walkability. Areas designated as residential on a Master Development Plan may include a broad range of residential unit types and related accessory uses. The Master Development Plan may include residential land use sub-areas designating areas of different densities or housing types. Permitted uses are set out in Section 10-1-1.3, Land Use Matrix.
5. E.
   Design Standards. These site and building design standards apply to all development requiring a Site Plan or Master Development Plan.

   1. 1.
      Unified Design. Commercial centers and their out parcels shall be of a unified design, including use of common design elements, building materials and colors, roof type and material, signage, landscaping and hardscaping, and site access and circulation.
   2. 2.
      Access, Circulation, Parking, and Traffic. 

      1. a.
         Generally. Vehicular circulation patterns shall be designed to minimize potential conflicts between traffic generated by the site and traffic on adjoining streets, and the number and location of curb cuts shall be as set out in Section 10-1-3.7, Vehicular Mobility.
      2. b.

         Access. Sites shall have frontage on a public or private street classified as a connector or commercial corridor by the Transportation Master Plan. Unless included in the Master Development Plan, vehicle access to local streets in an LLR, MLR, or SLR district shall be prohibited.

      3. c.

         Circulation. The development shall provide for a pedestrian circulation system that provides direct pedestrian and bicycle pathways to surrounding buildings, adjacent parcels, neighborhoods, civic spaces, schools, transit stations/stops, and parks. The plan shall identify the location and width of all sidewalks, crosswalks, mid-block pass-throughs, and connections to adjacent development in adherence with the Littleton Engineering Design Standards (LEDS).

      4. d.

         Parking.

         1. 1.

            Parking shall be designed to:

            1. i.

               Meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum number of parking spaces calculated according to requirements of Subsection 10-1-3.7.A, Parking and Loading; and

            2. ii.

               Comply with the standards for large parking lots set out in Subsection 10-1-3.7.C, Parking and Loading Design, when a project is considered a large-scale development.

         2. 2.

            Transit-Oriented Development (TOD).

            1. i.
               Parking shall be provided as the cumulative total of each land use or according to the shared parking provisions set out in Subsection 10-1-3.7.A, Parking and Loading.
            2. ii.
               Within one-quarter mile of a fixed transit station, credit for shared and on-street parking may be granted administratively by the Director.
      5. e.

         Traffic Impact Study (TIS). A traffic impact study may be required by the City Engineer.

   3. 3.
      Site Orientation.

      1. a.

         Street-Facing. Unless otherwise approved by a Site Plan or Master Development Plan, the primary building entrance(s) shall face the street of greater classification type according to the Transportation Master Plan (TMP).

      2. b.

         Parking Setback. All parking and vehicular use areas shall be set back from public rights-of-way and property lines according to the frontage types outlined in Subsection 10-3-3.2.A, CMU Frontage Types. This area shall be credited toward the common open space requirements provided in Section 10-3-2.2, CMU Lot and Building Standards, and landscaped according to Section 10-3-4.1, CMU Landscaping.

      3. c.

         Street-Facing Side or Rear Elevation. Buildings that share a lot line with a commercial corridor or suburban or neighborhood connector street may be oriented with a side or rear elevation facing the street provided it is constructed with a primary material on 75 percent or more of the building façade or on 50 percent of the building façade together with a Type B bufferyard, as set out in Subsection 10-1-3.6.F, Bufferyard Requirements.

   4. 4.
      Site Design.

      1. a.
         Landscaping and Bufferyards. Refer to Section 10-3-4.1, CMU Landscaping, and Section 10-3-4.2, CMU Bufferyards.
      2. b.

         Lighting. Lighting shall adhere to the standards in Section 10-1-3.11, Outdoor Lighting Standards.

      3. c.

         Signage. Signage shall adhere to the standards out in Section 10-1-3.10, Sign Standards, along with those in Article 10-3-5, CMU Signs.

      4. d.
         Outparcels. The layout, arrangement, and design of outparcels shall be integrated as part of the overall site, including provisions for joint and cross access, vehicle and pedestrian circulation patterns, and shared parking.
      5. e.
         Service Areas. Loading docks, truck parking, trash collection and compaction, and other functions shall be located in an interior side or rear yard and shall be screened from public view. Such screening shall consist of either an opaque wall that is equal to or greater than the height of the vehicle, equipment, or object to be screened. Alternatively, a fence and a Type B bufferyard, as set out in Subsection 10-1-3.6.F, Bufferyard Requirements, may be used along all lot lines in public view.
      6. f.
         Civic Spaces. 

         1. 1.
            ​​​​​Buildings shall be designed to form outdoor spaces such as courtyards, plazas, arcades, terraces, balconies, and decks for residents' and workers' use and interaction, and to integrate the development with the adjacent physical context.
         2. 2.

            At least two of the following improvements shall be incorporated into the design of a project warranting a Master Development Plan:

            1. i.

               Courtyard;

            2. ii.

               Patios with seating areas;

            3. iii.

               Pedestrian plaza with fixed seating and a design feature as a focal point;

            4. iv.

               Water feature(s);

            5. v.
               Picnic pavilion;
            6. vi.
               Public art installation;
            7. vii.
               Performance stage
            8. viii.

               Clock tower; or

            9. ix.

               Other amenities approved by the Director.

   5. 5.
      Buildings. New development and redevelopment shall meet these building design standards. Substantial improvement of existing buildings shall meet these standards to the extent practicable.

      1. a.
         Bulk and Scale. Front and corner street building elevations shall be partitioned into a series of smaller wall segments and planes that correspond to, or give the appearance of, individual tenant spaces. The partitioned wall segments shall vary in width and height, with the narrowest being 25 feet and the widest being no greater than 40 percent of the largest tenant space. Such wall segments shall relate to the required articulation. In the instance of an anchor building, walls shall be modulated to reduce the mass of the building, add visual interest, and contribute to the pedestrian environment. 
      2. b.

         Articulation. Where practicable, street-facing elevations shall not exceed 65 horizontal feet without including at least three of the following elements:

         1. 1.
            Decorative ornamentation such as corbels, medallions (non‐signage), niches, wrought iron, balconettes, horizontal and rhythm patterned brickwork, or other features approved through the Site Plan or Master Development Plan process;
         2. 2.

            Complementary changes in materials or texture;

         3. 3.

            An offset, column, reveal, void, projecting rib, band, cornice, or similar element with a minimum depth of six inches;

         4. 4.

            Vertical elements such as tower, cupola, turret, arches, etc.;

         5. 5.

            Raised pilaster cornices (end columns at corner) or quoined corners; or

         6. 6.

            Canopies, awnings, porticos with colonnade, or arcades.

      3. c.
         Entryways. Facades with public entrances shall be clearly defined and include at least four of the following architectural components:

         1. 1.
            Canopies, porticos, or overhangs;
         2. 2.
            Recesses and projections;
         3. 3.
            Arcades;
         4. 4.
            Raised parapets with cornices;
         5. 5.
            Peaked-roof forms;
         6. 6.
            Arches;
         7. 7.
            Display windows; and
         8. 8.
            Integrated architectural detailing such as tile work, moldings, and wing walls.
      4. d.
         Street Walls. The first floor of all commercial uses shall be designed to encourage pedestrian interest and activity by incorporating:

         1. 1.
            Transparent windows and doors arranged so that the uses inside are visible from and/or accessible to the street on at least 25 percent of the length of the first floor building elevation; and
         2. 2.
            Expanses of blank walls shall comply with the standards set out in Subsection 10-1-3.1.C, Blank Walls.
      5. e.
         Building Wall and Roofline Offsets. Building wall offsets, including projections, recesses, and changes in floor level shall be used to add architectural interest and variety, relieve the visual effect of a single, long wall, and subdivide the wall into human-scale proportions.
      6. f.
         Elevations.

         1. 1.
            Building entrances shall be clearly distinguishable through their architectural design and treatment.
         2. 2.
            Buildings shall provide detailed design by using no less than two of the following or other proposed architectural features for the proposed building type and style:

            1. i.

               Window hoods or canopies;

            2. ii.

               Storefront (mid-wall) cornice;

            3. iii.

               Transom windows;

            4. iv.

               Masonry piers (rhythmically-spaced);

            5. v.

               Ground-level bulkhead;

            6. vi.

               Recessed entries; and 

            7. vii.

               Bay window or balcony.

      7. g.
         Materials. B​​​​​uilding walls shall utilize building materials set out in Section 10-3-3.1, CMU Building Materials.

         1. 1.
            Street-Facing Elevations. Buildings shall be designed to include primary building materials on 60 percent of the front and corner street building elevations.
         2. 2.
            Side and Rear Elevations. Buildings on an out parcel, within a mixed-use development, or adjoining another use or parking lot shall be designed to include primary building materials on 60 percent of the side and rear elevations.
         3. 3.
            Accessory Buildings. Accessory buildings, such as parking garages, porte-cocheres, storage facilities, car washes, and other similar buildings must be designed as integral to the overall site development and architecture. Building materials, colors, and roof types shall be consistent with or compatible with the principal building(s).
      8. h.
         Roofs. Roof forms and rooflines shall be broken into a series of smaller building components when viewed from the street.

         1. 1.

            For flat roofs in the Corridor Mixed (CM) district or facades with a horizontal eave, fascia, or parapet, the minimum vertical dimension of roofline modulation is the greater of two feet or 10 percent of the wall height (finish grade to top of wall).

         2. 2.

            For other roof forms, individual segments of the roof with no change in slope or discontinuity may not exceed 40 percent (measured horizontally) of the roof length.

         3. 3.

            Roofs shall be clad in standing seam metal, corrugated metal, slate, asphalt shingles, or synthetic materials similar and/or superior in appearance and durability.

      9. i.
         Building Canopy. A building canopy, awning, or similar weather protection may be provided. Where provided, the canopy should project a minimum of eight feet from the facade when used above a primary building entrance.
   6. 6.
      Drive-Through Aisles.

      1. a.

         Surface. The surface of drive-through aisles and bypass lanes shall be paved with asphalt, concrete, or impervious paving meeting load standards as determined by the City Engineer.

      2. b.

         Width. Drive-through aisles and bypass lanes shall be a minimum width of 10 feet.

      3. c.

         Stacking. Drive-up windows shall provide stacking space that complies with the standards set out in Subsection 10-1-3.7.C, Parking and Loading Design.

      4. d.

         Bypass Lane. The order lane shall either include a parallel bypass lane or a means of vehicle exit before reaching the order station.

      5. e.

         Intersection. Each drive-through entrance and exit, when accessing a public right-of-way or private street, shall be subject to the driveway spacing standards in Subsection 10-1-3.9.B, Vehicular Access and Circulation. An exception may be granted if meeting the spacing standards is impossible and the drive-through aisle is located where it is most nearly consistent with the spacing requirements.

      6. f.

         Traffic Conflict. The facilities and queuing lanes shall be located and designed to minimize turning movements in relation to driveway access to streets and intersections.

      7. g.

         Lane Markings. Each entrance to an aisle and the direction of traffic flow shall be clearly designated by signs and pavement markings. Pedestrian walkways that intersect the drive-through aisles shall be clearly visible and delineated by textured and/or painted paving.

      8. h.

         Landscaping. Drive-through aisles shall include shrubs measuring to a minimum height of three feet, planted at a rate of one shrub for every five linear feet abutting street rights-of way.

      9. i.

         Parking. The provision of drive-through service facilities shall not justify a reduction in the number of required off-street parking spaces for the accompanying use.

      10. j.

          Order and Pick-Up Windows. Where drive-through order or pick-up windows are located on a  building elevation facing, or approximately facing, a street or development entrance, the length of the lane that is parallel to the street or entrance shall be screened by a berm, wall, continuous row of shrubs, or a difference in ground elevation of no less than 30 inches.

      11. k.

          Screening. Drive-through uses shall construct a six-foot tall opaque wall or fence along adjoining property that shares a common property line with an LLR, MLR or SLR district.

   7. 7.
      Structured Parking.

      1. a.
         Access. Structured parking shall be located to the interior side or rear of the principal building and shall be accessed from an alley or a connector street. Curb cuts shall be placed where they are least likely to impede pedestrian circulation.
      2. b.
         Wrapping. Where a parking structure fronts on a commercial corridor or connector street as defined in the Transportation Master Plan, non-residential uses shall be required along no less than 50 percent of the ground-level frontage. 
      3. c.

         Screening. All open portions of any street-facing elevation shall include a screen device with no less than 50 percent opacity for the areas between parking decks and on the roof of the structure.

      4. d.

         Landscaping. A Type A bufferyard shall be planted along all street-facing elevations to screen the view of parked vehicles.

      5. e.
         Lighting. Structures shall be well-illuminated to provide security. The lighting shall be a minimum uniformly distributed 40 footcandles so dark areas are not created. Low-energy, high-efficiency (fluorescent, LED, etc.) lighting shall be used whenever feasible. All stairways and elevator lobbies shall be well-illuminated and, if possible, visible to the outside.
      6. f.
         Security. Security measures shall be incorporated into the design of all parking structures, reviewed for consistency with Section 10-1-3.2-2, CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design), and reflected on the Site Plan, Master Development Plan, or building plans.
      7. g.

         Design.

         1. 1.

            The exterior elevations of a parking structure with frontage on a street or common open space shall be designed to match or complement the materials and colors of the principal building.

         2. 2.

            In considering an application for development approval, the Director will evaluate the proposed structured parking facility based on these criteria:

            1. i.

               Architectural treatments designed to minimize visual impacts, including, but not limited to, false façades, buildings wrapping the ground floor, or substantially opaque screening as specified above;

            2. ii.

               Effectiveness of the landscape to reduce the perception of bulk, enhancing the façade, screening side and rear elevations, and integrating the landscaping with the overall site and landscape design;

            3. iii.

               Effectiveness of buffering to screen or block views of the parking structure from adjacent residential uses and districts;

            4. iv.

               Lighting design to control light trespass and spillover onto public rights-of-way and adjoining or adjacent uses;

            5. v.

               Provision of vehicular and pedestrian access and circulation; and

            6. vi.

               Safety and convenience of ingress and egress.

(Ord. 18, Series of 2022; Ord. 20, Series of 2023) 

Effective on: 10/13/2023