Piscataway City Zoning Code
§ 21-32.15
Site Plan and Building Design Guidelines.
[Ord. No. 2017-15]
a.
It is the intent and purpose of the Towne Center Zone to foster a pedestrian-friendly, walkable mixed-use development in the Civic Center portion of the Township, thereby providing a community focal point and gathering space for local residents, visitors and the local business community. The Mixed-use village concept will involve a multi-layered approach to achieve this purpose through the built environment, including spatial design and layout of buildings; pedestrian-safe design and circulation; provision of necessary local services and space for community events; proximity of residential neighborhoods; and, provision of passive recreational space and protection of environmentally sensitive lands.
b.
This subsection sets forth various design guidelines to foster a pedestrian-scaled neighborhood environment, with visually appealing and architecturally aesthetic features to create a Mixed-use village, including dwellings, commercial uses, hospitality entertainment venues, and public open space.
1.
Building Placement and Orientation and Arrangement of Buildings. The front facades and major pedestrian entries of all Mixed-use village buildings shall face a street or mews. Buildings should be placed at or close to streets or other public spaces so as to create a pedestrian-scaled streetscape. The Mixed-use village shall be designed so as to provide an inviting area to congregate and to maintain visibility and safety. The placement and arrangement of all buildings and building groups shall be subject to review and approval by the Township Planning Board.
2.
Building Materials. Materials should be authentic and high quality. Preferred building materials are brick and/or clapboard siding (of wood or synthetic materials). Accent materials may include metal, tile, stone and cultured stone. Building facade materials such as synthetic stucco are prohibited, in favor of substitutes such as fiber-cement. Mixed-use buildings and townhome buildings shall be designed so that all street-facing facades are treated with the same amount of design detailing.
c.
Green Design.
1.
Building design shall seek to minimize environmental damage and impact on adjacent uses, and reduce energy use and strain on municipal utilities by means of the following measures:
(a)
Tree Preservation: Where possible, development shall preserve existing trees, particularly the largest and oldest trees, by incorporating them into the site plan.
(b)
Green Building Design: Although not required, development is encouraged to create "green buildings" that comply with the intent of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system sponsored by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).