In accordance with the Somerville Design Review Commission bylaws, the hereinbelow design review guidelines ("guidelines") will be utilized to enhance the visual appearance and living environment of the Town of Somerville through effective design, landscaping, and control of visual clutter. Adherence and acknowledgement of these guidelines will be a requirement prior to issuance of building permits for nonresidential properties, multifamily residential properties, and nonresidential developments within the town limits of Somerville. One and two family detached residences are not affected by these guidelines. These guidelines are to be utilized as an associate set of guidelines in addition to and accompanying provisions in the current zoning ordinance. In the event that provisions within these guidelines appear to conflict with provisions in the zoning ordinance, or any other similar set of requirements, the more stringent requirements will apply.

The purpose of the establishment and utilization of these guidelines is to:

(1)

Promote qualities in the environment that will sustain economic well-being while maximizing potential for preservation of green space and open space throughout Somerville.

(2)

Foster attractiveness and functional utility resulting in a rural, small town atmosphere where people desire to live, work, and relax.

(3)

Preserve indigenous heritage by maintaining the integrity of discernible characters that contribute to this heritage.

(4)

Safeguard public investment.

(5)

Raise the level of citizen expectations favoring the quality of Somerville's unique charm.

(1)

Structures should be compatible or superior to established local character.

(2)

In most cases, buildings are not viewed in isolation, but rather in the context of nearby buildings and sites. While architectural style may vary, buildings should be compatible with their environment with regard to massing, scale, proportion of openings, roof types, types of glazed openings, and degree of detail.

(3)

Building forms should be tailored to complement the existing or approved manipulations of the topography and site features.

(4)

Buildings should be oriented such that their main entrances are visible from the approach, unless the characteristics of the site result in an unacceptable burden.

(5)

Where a clearly established development character and scale exists, new infill development should include key design elements of adjoining buildings with respect to windows, doors, rhythm of bays, detailing, roof forms, materials, and colors.

(6)

Exterior colors should be earth tones and compatible with adjacent properties. Subdued, muted colors are preferred; bright colors may be permitted on a limited basis to achieve accent or contrast.

(7)

Buildings should have a defined base and cap.

(8)

Long, uninterrupted façade planes greater than 50 feet should be avoided.

(9)

Window and door openings should have a vertical orientation and should be vertically coordinated between floors.

(10)

Exterior facades should be composed of brick, rock, tile, plaster, stucco, glass and glazing, or other materials as deemed acceptable and in accordance with established historical contexts.

(11)

Exterior walls, excluding windows and doors, should be comprised primarily of one material. Complementary secondary materials are recommended to provide detail and scale.

(12)

The primary architectural treatment will normally be required only on the front of the building, with the exceptions of situations where the building is situated on an intersection, in which case exposed sides would be included. Sides and rear of buildings, as well as any accessory structures pertinent to the primary use, should be accentuated with similar materials as previously described if visible from the street. The primary material should extend over a minimum of 50 percent of the exterior wall.

(13)

Blank walls facing streets should be avoided.

(14)

Roof forms should be appropriate to the general design and scale and should be applied to the entire roof. Flat roofs or low-pitched roofs with parapet walls are encouraged for larger buildings. Alternative roof forms may be acceptable if deemed appropriate in consideration of a unique architectural style.

(15)

Roofs that are visible from the street should be finished with colors and features consistent with the architecture of the facade.

(16)

Rooftop units should be screened from all non-aerial views and should be compatible in color and material with the overall building palette.

(17)

Service or loading areas should be located away from streets, be adequately screened, or appropriately designed as an attractive feature.

(18)

Prototype or franchise appearances shall reflect these architectural restrictions. National standard designs shall be adapted to complement the local context by careful siting, use of compatible materials, and prudent landscaping to appropriately blend with the neighborhood.

(1)

Consideration for the use of native drought resistant species is strongly encouraged to reduce the need for aggressive irrigation systems.

(2)

Large areas of mulch, gravel, or bare soil should be avoided.

(3)

A minimum of 25 percent of all sites should be dedicated to vegetated landscape. In certain cases, utilization of permeable pavement and other sustainable tools may be considered as a means of reducing the minimum landscape area.

(4)

Use of groundcover, shrubs, and understory trees is encouraged as a lower maintenance and higher impact treatment than predominant use of turf.

(5)

Diseased, dead, or dying vegetation shall be professionally treated, or removed and replaced in accordance with the site plan.

(1)

Screening should be utilized to soften transitional areas between land uses, and as nuisance barriers for service and loading areas, dumpsters, material storage areas, utility boxes, etc.

(2)

Screening may be composed of shrubs, understory trees, landscaped earthen berms, or constructed fencing.

(3)

Fences should not exceed eight feet in height and may be composed of rock, masonry, durable wood, or ornamental metal. In some cases, the use of chain link (dark green or black only), plastic, or wire fencing may be considered.

(4)

Long, solid fencing should be softened by addition of shrubs or trees along the fence and turns should be accomplished using curves rather than sharp turns or corners.

(5)

Screens should not divert or impede natural water flow unless specifically designed for that purpose.

(1)

Lighting guidelines do not apply to street lighting which is subject to subsequent ownership by the Town of Somerville.

(2)

LED lighting is encouraged as an energy and cost saving tool.

(3)

The lighting plan should complement the surrounding features with minimum adverse impact on adjacent properties and the public realm.

(4)

Lighting levels should be as level as practical.

(5)

Light fixtures that cast light downward are preferred.

(6)

Warm lighting colors are preferred; blue-white color is discouraged.

(7)

Lighting fixtures should be shielded to reduce glare.

(8)

Ornamental lighting is strongly encouraged with consistent poles and fixtures throughout a development.

(9)

Concrete pole bases should not exceed 12 inches in height.

(10)

Ground-mounted, pedestrian scale lighting and bollards should be considered as an alternate to pole mounted lighting where practical.

(1)

Emphasis of signage should be on identification rather than advertising.

(2)

Ground level signs should be located in consideration of traffic and pedestrian safety, street rights-of-way and setback requirements and should be complemented with the use of groundcover, flowers, shrubs, or other landscape or hardscape material to soften the presentation.

The design review commission shall review all aspects of the site plan and in addition to consideration of the hereinabove described guidelines, the design review commission shall review proper utilization of parking, buffering, erosion control, storm run-off and any other factors deemed appropriate and in accordance with various provisions within the Somerville zoning ordinance.