All new major and minor subdivisions with the exception of Planned Unit Developments, shall include the following minimum design standards.

1)

APPLICABILITY. These standards shall apply to new single-family and two-family dwellings in major and minor subdivisions. Existing residential structures that expand or are altered by more than fifty (50) percent of the existing square footage shall also comply.

2)

ANTI-MONOTONY. Homes located in close proximity shall not be of the same front elevation. This does not prohibit the home to the rear from being the same front elevation.

a)

Mirror images of the same configuration/elevation do not meet the requirement.

b)

No house shall be of the same front elevation design as any other house within two houses to each side of the subject lot nor directly across the street.

c)

No single front elevation design may be applied to more than twenty-five (25%) percent of the front elevations within any single phase of a development.

3)

DRIVEWAY WIDTH. The minimum pavement widths for driveways and interior drives shall meet the following requirements, exclusive of any parking spaces:

a)

For single- and two-family residential uses the minimum driveway width shall be twelve (12) feet.

b)

The maximum driveway width at the property line shall be twenty (20) feet.

4)

PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION. A sidewalk with a minimum five (5) foot width shall be included in developments of four (4) homes or more. A determination shall be made by the Director regarding infill lots.

5)

MATERIALS. Exterior materials shall be unit masonry (brick, stone, textured and colored split-face concrete masonry units), wood, fiber cement board siding, stucco, or composite lap siding (lap siding shall have a maximum nine (9) inch exposed board surface).

6)

FRONT FACADE. Each front elevation shall include architectural elements from the following list that total a minimum of six (6) points. Unless specified, all features are worth one (1) point.

a)

Front porch, minimum eight (8) feet in width and six (6) feet in clear depth supported by columns and with a rail (2 points)

b)

Side-loaded or court-entry garage (2 points)

c)

A separate overhead door for each single garage bay

d)

Brick, stone or textured concrete masonry on one-hundred (100%) percent of the front elevation (excluding openings)

e)

Turret

f)

Two (2) or more roof planes visible (change in elevation or direction of roof ridge) on the front of the house

g)

Veranda/balcony

h)

At least four (4) feet of relief at one or more points along the front or rear elevations

i)

Bay, dormer or oriel windows

j)

Decorative geometric front, rear and side gable roof vents or windows

k)

Architectural details such as quoins, pilasters, cornices, and dentil molding

l)

Architectural-grade roof shingles

m)

Dormer windows/shed dormer

n)

Architectural brackets or corbels

o)

Twelve (12") inch roof overhang

p)

Chimneys beginning at grade and faced with brick or stacked stone; extend chimneys between three and six feet above the roof line

q)

Mullions, muttons, true divided lights on the exterior of the window surface

r)

Shutters, each, half the width of the adjacent window, mounted with shutter hinge and anchor hardware; not mounted directly to the surface of the adjoining façade

7)

SIDE AND REAR FACADE. The side and rear elevations of a home which abut a right-of-way or private street, excluding alleys, and can be viewed from that street shall have at least two (2) of the following features on all sides:

a)

Minimum thirty (30%) percent masonry as the exterior building material

b)

Full first-floor masonry wrap

c)

Pop-out room a minimum of three (3) feet by ten (10) feet such as sun room or breakfast nook (on viewable sides)

d)

Screen porch (on viewable sides)

e)

Bay or oriel windows (on viewable sides)

f)

Shutters and window grids

g)

Cantilevered second story (on viewable sides)

h)

Raised wood deck, a minimum of eight (8) feet by ten (10) feet (on viewable sides)

8)

ROOF. Roofs shall have a minimum twelve (12)-inch overhang on all sides. Buildings with sloped roofs not completely screened from the adjacent street by a parapet shall have a pitch between 4:12 and 12:12.

9)

DOOR, WINDOW AND CORNER TRIM. All windows, doors and corners should have a nominal one (1) inch by four (4) inch wood or vinyl surround.

10)

LANDSCAPING. All single-family dwellings shall be landscaped in conformance with Section 7.05 - Landscaping Standards.

(Amd. of 8-9-2022)

All new Planned Unit Developments established after the adoption of this ordinance, shall include the following minimum design standards.

1)

Utility Standards.

a)

Mechanical features shall not be located in the supplemental area or front yard and shall be screened from view from any park or along any public right-of-way with planting, walls or fences of equal or greater height. Acceptable materials for screening shall include those materials found in Sec. 7.09 - Fences, Walls, and Hedges, provided they are compatible with the principal structure.

b)

When located on rooftops, mechanical features shall be incorporated in the design of the building and screened with materials similar to the building.

c)

Street lights may be provided by the developer in an effort to maintain a safe, walkable and well-lit public area throughout the city; pedestrian-scale street lights as approved by the Department of Community Development shall be provided by the developer, subject to site plan and design review in new development.

d)

All developments shall provide a light at the front door. Lighting designed to illuminate the path to the front door is allowed. Spotlighting may be provided as long as it is properly shielded and does not become an annoyance to adjacent property owners or the public. General area illumination with oversized flood lights is prohibited. Specifically, lighting shall be shielded so that the source of light is not visible from adjacent properties or the public right-of-way.

e)

Trees shall not be planted directly above storm drains. Tress shall not be planted in the public right-of-way.

2)

Parking and Traffic Standards.

a)

One-family detached dwellings and two-family dwellings shall meet the following requirements:

i)

Driveways shall have a minimum width of nine feet and a maximum width of fifteen (15) feet.

ii)

Circular drives are permitted.

iii)

A grass strip in the middle of driveways is encouraged.

b)

All other buildings shall meet the following requirements:

i)

Parcels are permitted a maximum of one driveway curb cut per street. In cases where a property abuts multiple streets the total number of curb cuts or portions thereof may be allocated to a single street.

ii)

Driveways shall have a maximum width of twelve (12) feet for one-way and twenty-four (24) feet for two-way.

iii)

Two curb cuts serving two one-way driveways shall be counted as one curb cut.

iv)

Public or private alleys, or driveway providing vehicular access to two or more parcels shall not constitute a curb cut.

v)

New public streets shall not count as curb cuts.

c)

Carports are only permitted subject to the following requirements:

i)

Carports shall be located in the rear or side yard, but shall not be visible from a public right-of-way. The Community Development Director may approve an exemption where the enforcement of this provision is impractical due to environmental factors.

ii)

Carport roofs shall be supported by columns with a minimum width and depth of eight inches.

iii)

The base of carport columns shall be faced in stacked brick or stacked stone to a minimum height of three (3) feet above grade.

d)

On-site parking shall be prohibited in the supplemental areas. This shall not be interpreted as restricting on-street parking located along a public street.

e)

Garage access on single-family lots shall be prohibited in the front yard of the home.

3)

Roof and Chimney Standards.

a)

Principal building roofs for one-family detached dwellings shall have a minimum usable life of thirty (30) years, per manufacturer's warranty.

b)

Roof shingles shall be slate, cedar, or asphalt.

c)

Roof tiles shall be clay, terra cotta or concrete.

d)

Metal roofs are:

i)

Permitted on one-family and two-family detached dwellings if approved by the design review committee; and

ii)

Permitted on multifamily and townhouse dwellings only when screened from the adjacent street by a parapet wall.

e)

Gutters shall be copper, aluminum or galvanized steel.

f)

Downspouts shall match gutters in material and finish.

g)

Roof forms shall be based on architectural style.

h)

All roofs, excluding dormers, shall overhang a minimum of twelve (12) inches beyond the facade.

i)

Dormers are permitted on all style homes (unless specified), but shall not be taller than the main roof to which they are attached.

j)

Chimneys exposed to the public view may not be faced in wood or cement based siding and may not be of an exposed metal or ceramic pipe. All chimneys shall be wrapped in a brick, stone or suitable masonry finish material.

k)

Chimneys on exterior building walls shall begin at grade.

l)

Chimneys shall begin at grade and be faced with brick or stacked stone; extend chimneys between three and six feet above the roof line.

4)

Street Facing Facade and Style Standards.

a)

Exterior facade materials shall be limited to:

i)

Full-depth brick;

ii)

Natural or cast stone;

iii)

Smooth natural-wood siding and/or cement-based siding;

iv)

Shake siding;

v)

Painted fish-scale style shingles, but only when used in front gables;

vi)

True, smooth hard-coat stucco, provided that its use is limited to gables of Tudor revival-style buildings.

b)

Exterior building materials shall not be:

i)

Simulated brick veneer, such as Z-Brick;

ii)

Exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS);

iii)

Exposed concrete block;

iv)

Metal siding or other metal exterior treatment;

v)

Glass curtain walls;

vi)

T-1-11 siding;

c)

Facade materials shall be combined horizontally, with the heavier below the lighter.

d)

Blank, windowless walls are prohibited along all facades.

e)

Foundations shall be constructed as a distinct building element that contrasts with facade materials. Foundations that are exposed above the ground, must be parged with cement, stuccoed over or be faced in brick, natural stone, or cast stone.

f)

All exterior stair risers visible from a street shall be enclosed.

g)

Porches, stoops, and balconies may be located in the front or side yard.

h)

Porches, stoops, and balconies along front and side building facades shall not be enclosed with screens, plastics, or other materials that hinder visibility and/or natural air flow.

i)

Porches, stoops, and balconies shall be made of painted or stained wood, stone, brick, or ornamental metal, subject to the additional restrictions below.

j)

Wooden porches, stoops, and balconies shall provide top and bottom horizontal members on railings. The top railing shall consist of two elements. The upper element shall measure two [inches] by six inches and the lower element shall measure two [inches] by four inches. The bottom railing shall measure two [inches] by four inches.

k)

Front porches and front stoops of principal buildings shall face and be parallel to the front lot line or build-to line.

l)

Porch and stoop foundations shall be enclosed.

m)

Front and side porches and stoops shall not have unpainted, unstained or otherwise untreated or exposed pressure treated lumber along the building line that abuts a public right-of-way.

n)

Balconies shall have not less than two clear unobstructed open or partially open sides. Partially open is to be constructed as fifty (50) percent open or more. The total combined length of the open or partially open sides shall exceed fifty (50) percent of the total balcony perimeter.

o)

Stoops and porch[es] shall be a minimum of two feet and a maximum of four feet from grade to the top of the stairs, unless existing topography is greater.

p)

Stoops shall provide a minimum top landing of four feet by four feet.

q)

Stoop stairs and landings shall be of similar width.

r)

Stoops may be covered or uncovered.

s)

When provided, porches shall have a minimum clear depth of eight feet from building facade to outside face of column.

t)

Front porch widths shall be between eighty (80%) percent and one-hundred (100%) percent of the adjacent facade.

u)

Side porch widths (including wraparound porches) shall be between twenty-five (25%) percent and one-hundred (100%) percent of the adjacent facade.

v)

Enfronting porches may have multistory verandas, living space, or balconies above.

w)

Porch columns shall be spaced a maximum distance of eight feet on center.

x)

Front porch columns shall have foundation piers extending to grade.

y)

All porches shall be covered.

z)

Enfronting balconies are only permitted on attached or detached one-family home facades when porches are not provided on said facades.

aa)

Enfronting balconies shall have a minimum clear depth of four feet.

bb)

Enfronting balcony widths shall be between twenty-five (25%) percent and one-hundred (100%) percent of the adjacent facade.

cc)

Balconies may be covered or uncovered.

5)

Door and Window Standards.

a)

The main entry door to enfronting principal buildings shall face, be visible from, and be accessible from the adjacent public sidewalk.

b)

The main entry door to all uses shall be linked to the sidewalk via a pedestrian walkway or wheelchair access.

c)

Building numbers at least six inches in height shall be located above or beside the street-facing pedestrian entrance, or above or beside the stairs accessing a front porch.

d)

Doors that operate as sliders are prohibited along enfronting facades.

e)

Window panes shall be recessed a minimum of three inches and a maximum of eight inches from the adjacent facade, except on frame houses, on which panes shall be recessed a minimum of two inches.

f)

Where windows lights are utilized they shall be true divided lights, simulated divided lights, or one-over-one lights. Grids-between-glass (GBGs) are prohibited.

g)

Window trim shall not be flush with the exterior facade and shall provide a minimum relief of one-quarter inch or greater.

h)

Where used, window shutters shall match one-half the width of the window opening, and mounted with shutter hinge and anchor hardware; not mounted directly to the surface of the adjoining façade.

i)

Painted window or door glass is prohibited.

j)

Enfronting windows and door glass (except on churches and fire stations) shall utilize clear glass or tinted glass. Tinted glass shall have a transmittance factor of 50 percent or greater and shall have a visible light reflectance factor of ten or less.

k)

Windows shall be provided for a minimum of thirty (30%) percent and a maximum of 50 percent of the total street-facing facade of the principal building, with each facade and story calculated independently.

l)

Street-facing window units shall not exceed twenty-eight (28) square feet with minimum height of three feet, with the exception of transoms and fan lights.

m)

Wood trim between four and six inches wide shall surround windows of wood frame structures. Windows grouped together shall have center mullions two inches wider than the side trim.

n)

Sills shall be of masonry, wood, stone, cast stone, or terra cotta.

(Amd. of 8-9-2022)

1)

APPLICABILITY. All new multi-family developments (apartments, townhomes) of three (3) units or more are subject to the following standards.

2)

LAYOUT AND SITE PLANNING.

a)

Topography. Buildings shall be sited in relation to topography of the site, which minimizes cut and fill and limits maximum on-site slope to ten (10%) percent.

b)

Attempts shall be made to preserve existing vegetation and natural features.

c)

Building Orientation. Accessory buildings, including residential garages, storage buildings, etc., shall be located behind the primary building. No primary or accessory building shall have service doors, loading doors, or similar service entrances opening toward or oriented to a public or private street.

d)

Distances between buildings shall be measured by a line perpendicular to the plane of the surface windows or exterior walls. The following distances shall apply to all multifamily developments:

a)

The distance between buildings or facing exterior walls shall not be less than twenty (20) feet for walls without windows.

b)

This distance shall be increased to thirty (30) feet for an exposure where a room is a bathroom or laundry/utility room, or is used as a community or group meeting room or for a similar purpose.

c)

This distance shall be increased to forty (40) feet for an exposure where a room is a bedroom, living room, kitchen or other common area.

d)

The Community Development Director shall have discretion to determine which offset between buildings shall apply and may grant exception to this subsection shall topographic, orientation or other site condition make the distance required impractical.

e)

Individual buildings shall be located to avoid more than two (2) buildings with parallel orientations to a public street, unless offset by more than five (5) feet. The orientation of the buildings should be varied in order to lessen the massing. Vary the orientation to lessen the massing. The maximum length of a multi-family building shall not exceed one-hundred ninety-two (192) feet. No more than eight (8) townhome units shall be attached in a single row.

f)

Off-street parking, driveway, drive aisles, carport, garage or service facilities may encroach into the side or rear yard as specified in but shall be no closer than ten (10) feet to any lot line. In no event shall parking be located in required landscaping areas.

g)

All sides of a building shall display a similar level of architectural features and materials.

3)

OPEN SPACE. Open space shall be required in conformance with Section 7.13 - Open Space Requirements and the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance.

4)

VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION. Create a hierarchy of internal drives.

a)

Drives shall be a minimum of twenty (20) feet wide. The City may request wider drives if on-street parking is permitted.

b)

Multi-family developments with one-hundred fifty (150) units or more shall have at least two (2) points of ingress/egress.

c)

The internal "street" system shall connect to surrounding neighborhood and local streets.

d)

All internal sidewalks shall be a minimum of five (5) feet wide.

e)

All internal sidewalks shall connect to adjacent residential areas, commercial areas, schools, parks, places of worship, and similar publicly accessible uses.

f)

Driveway Depth. All driveways for individual townhome units are required to be at least 35' in depth from the edge of pavement of all public or private roadways should sidewalks be present. For developments without sidewalks, a minimum depth of 40' from the edge of pavement is required.

5)

FAÇADE.

a)

Variation. Architectural detailing, horizontal/vertical offsets, window details and other features shall be provided on all sides of the building to avoid featureless building massing, enhance character and style, and reduce the visual scale.

b)

Buildings with continuous facades that are ninety (90) feet or greater in width shall be designed with offsets (projecting or recessed) not less than two (2) feet deep, and at intervals of not greater than sixty (60) feet.

c)

Materials shall be durable and attractive. Visually heavier materials should be used as the building's foundation.

a)

Exposed foundations shall be constructed of one or more of the following:

(1)

Brick;

(2)

Stone (limestone, granite, fieldstone, etc.); or

(3)

Split-face, integrally-colored block or architectural pre-cast concrete that simulates natural material.

b)

Facade walls shall be constructed of any combination of the following. A minimum of forty (40%) percent shall be masonry.

(1)

Stone;

(2)

Wood clapboard siding;

(3)

Brick;

(4)

Stucco or "Drained" External Insulation and Finish System (Drainable E.I.F.S.), not to exceed twenty (20%) percent of the overall non-window facade area; or

(5)

Cement fiber board (e.g., "Hardiplank").

c)

Facade Plane projections such as the following are encouraged:

(1)

Veranda/balcony

(2)

Sunroom

(3)

Screened porch

(4)

Breakfast nook

(5)

Turret

d)

The facades of townhomes should be detailed to differentiate individual units.

6)

ENTRIES. Entries shall be pedestrian-scaled and clearly defined and accented with such features as awnings, porticos, overhangs, recesses/projections, arcades, raised corniced parapets over the door, peaked roof forms and arches.

a)

The primary entryway for townhomes shall not be recessed. Entries shall not protrude from the dominant front façade wall more than 3'.

b)

At a minimum, the entry should incorporate features totaling a minimum of two (2) points from the list below. Unless specified, all features are worth one (1) point.

i.)

Porches a minimum depth of four (4) feet and at least eight (8) feet in length, and that includes posts and railings (2 points)

ii.)

Decorative trim/molding

iii.)

Keystone

iv.)

Portico or shed roof accent over entry

v.)

Pent roof

vi.)

Transom window

vii.)

Door sidelights

viii.)

Covered front stoop

7)

ROOF.

a)

Minimum Pitch for pitched roofs shall be five feet for every twelve feet (5:12) of rise over run.

b)

Materials. Quality roof materials such as tile, slate, standing-seam metal, three-dimensional asphalt or fiberglass shingles shall be used on all structures.

c)

Minimum Eave/Overhang Width. All multifamily buildings shall have eaves or overhangs a minimum of twelve (12) inches deep on all sides.

d)

Roof Articulation. Roofs shall display a variety of forms and articulation to reduce apparent scale. Elements such as dormers, gables, cross gables, hipped, secondary hipped or gabled roofs can be used to achieve this appearance.

e)

Flat roofs shall contain a cornice or molding, and vary in height or shape every fifty (50) feet.

f)

Rooftop mechanical equipment shall either be fully screened with architecturally compatible materials on all sides or visually integrated into the overall design of the building. In no case shall rooftop mechanical equipment be visible from adjoining streets, residential zones or uses.

8)

AUTOMOBILE STORAGE.

a)

Garage Access. Except for structured parking decks, all attached garages shall provide access internally from the garage to individual units.

b)

Minimum garage depth shall be twenty (20) feet.

c)

Minimum garage width shall be twelve (12) feet.

d)

Carport. Where established, carports shall:

a)

Meet all setback standards around the perimeter of the site applicable to a primary structure.

b)

Be designed in keeping with the primary structure, and the materials shall be compatible with those of the primary structure.

e)

No more than two (2) garage structures shall be located adjacent to each other end-to-end.

f)

All townhomes shall have at minimum a two-car garage.

g)

Townhome developments are encouraged to have rear-facing garage doors whenever possible. Street-facing garage doors should not constitute more than seventy percent (70%) of the front facade of the ground floor living area.

9)

WINDOWS. Windows are required on all sides of the building that are:

a)

Adjacent to a street; or

b)

Adjacent to a common area.

c)

Windows should be enhanced with divided lights, grids, transom windows, keystone, lintels or trim/architrave.

10)

DESIGN COMPATIBILITY. All structures within the multifamily development shall be compatible. Similar styles, color, architectural detail and materials shall be used for garages, carports, grouped mailboxes, laundry facilities, clubhouses, shelters, etc.

11)

MECHANICAL AND UTILITY EQUIPMENT SCREENING. All mechanical equipment including ground-, roof-, and building-mounted, shall be completely screened from view. Screening can be achieved by landscaping, fences or walls for ground-placed equipment, and the use of parapet walls or other roof designs for roof-mounted equipment. Screening enclosures shall be architecturally compatible with the primary structure.

12)

DUMPSTER AND STORAGE ENCLOSURE SCREENING. Dumpsters and storage area screening shall conform to the regulations of Section 7.05 - Landscaping Standards.

13)

LANDSCAPING. Landscaping requirements are set forth in Section 7.05 - Landscaping Standards.

14)

RESERVED.

15)

LIGHTING. Standards for parking lot, site and building lighting are set forth in Section 7.12 - Outdoor Lighting.

16)

NOISE AND VIBRATION STANDARDS. In residential/commercial mixed-use developments, the International Building Code (IBC) provides a minimum design requirement for unit-to-unit acoustical protection between floors. It requires a Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating or Impact Insulation Class (IIC) rating of 50. The International Residential Code (IRC) requires a minimum design separation of STC 45 for townhouses.

a)

Scope. This section shall apply to common interior walls, partitions and floor/ceiling assemblies between adjacent dwelling units or between dwelling units and adjacent public areas such as halls, corridors, stairs or service areas.

b)

Airborne sound. Walls, partitions and floor/ceiling assemblies separating dwelling units from each other or from public or service areas shall have a sound transmission class (STC) of not less than 50 (45 if field tested) for air-borne noise when tested in accordance with ASTM E 90. Penetrations or openings in construction assemblies for piping; electrical devices; recessed cabinets; bathtubs; soffits; or heating, ventilating or exhaust ducts shall be sealed, lined, insulated or otherwise treated to maintain the required ratings. This requirement shall not apply to dwelling unit entrance doors; however, such doors shall be tight fitting to the frame and sill.

c)

Structure-borne sound. Floor/ceiling assemblies between dwelling units or between a dwelling unit and a public or service area within the structure shall have an impact insulation class (IIC) rating of not less than 50 (45 if field tested) when tested in accordance with ASTM E 492(09).

d)

Notwithstanding other sections of this title, it shall be unlawful for any person to create, maintain or cause any ground vibration which is perceptible without instruments at any point on any affected property adjoining the property on which the vibration source is located. For the purpose of this title, the perception threshold shall be presumed to be more than 0.05 inches per second RMS vertical velocity.

(Amd. of 7-12-2022; Amd. of 8-9-2022)

1)

APPLICABILITY. All non-residential development, with the exception of agricultural uses in agricultural zoning districts, shall meet or exceed the requirements of this Section, in addition to all other applicable development standards established by this Ordinance. These non-residential standards shall apply to the following:

a)

New structures with permits submitted on or after the effective date of this Ordinance;

b)

Expansions greater than thirty-five (35%) percent of pre-existing site, structure or building; and

c)

Expansions to structures that may be less than thirty-five (35%) percent but result in a structural addition greater than 20,000 square feet in gross floor area.

2)

SITE LAYOUT

a)

Site planning which encourages compatibility between the site and the buildings and between all buildings on the site is encouraged. Where natural or existing topographic patterns contribute to a development, they shall be preserved and integrated. Modification to topography shall be permitted where it contributes to the overall development.

b)

The orientation of buildings shall promote interaction with the street or city road and provide a pedestrian friendly environment. All primary and outparcel site buildings shall be arranged so that they complement existing development. The buildings shall frame a corner or enclose a "main street" type corridor. Buildings on islands surrounded by parking should be avoided.

c)

Newly installed infrastructure and service revisions necessitated by exterior alterations shall be underground. To the extent possible, all existing overhead utilities shall be relocated underground.

3)

ACCESS. Major and minor arterials and major collector streets must have reasonable restrictions as to the numbers and location of access points. To provide safe and sufficient traffic movement to and from adjacent lands:

a)

Frontage roads, access roads, and other internal drives shall be constructed to create a hierarchy of roads for safe on-site circulation. These internal drives shall provide pedestrian access and landscaping.

b)

Shared access shall be coordinated with contiguous lots. Access at the side or rear of buildings is encouraged.

c)

New access points onto the major and minor arterials shall be coordinated with existing access points whenever possible and approved by the City Engineer.

d)

Cross-access easements shall be required between adjacent compatible developments.

i)

All curb cuts shall meet horizontal and vertical sight distance requirements as set forth in Section 304.4 of the City of Villa Rica Development Regulations. The distance from the centerline of the driveway entrance to the centerline of the nearest street intersection shall not be less than 150 linear feet.

ii)

Opposing curb cuts shall align squarely or be offset no less than one-hundred twenty-five (125) feet.

iii)

Stub Streets shall be built in all cases where adjacent lots have reasonable potential for development.

e)

Entry Drive. The commercial entry drive should be appropriate to the size of the development, incorporate signage, lighting, landscaping and set the tone for the development.

f)

No buildings or paved areas (other than access drives) may be located closer than fifty (50) feet to any area used or zoned for residential purposes.

4)

CART CORRALS. Cart corrals for developments over fifty-thousand (50,000) square feet shall be curbed, and may be landscaped and covered.

5)

PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES.

a)

A connection shall be established from abutting streets with sidewalks to the entrance of primary structures through the use of sidewalks and special demarcation.

b)

Pedestrian areas in parking lots or across interior drives shall be demarcated with special paving, color or height change, or striping for increased safety.

c)

Sidewalks shall be a minimum of six (6) feet wide and shall connect the commercial areas to adjacent residential, office and recreational uses.

d)

Sidewalks in Industrial Districts shall be required on at least one (1) side of each street.

e)

Sidewalks adjacent to customer entries shall be a minimum of eight (8) feet wide.

6)

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN. All non-residential building walls shall have architectural features which increase visual interest, reduce undifferentiated masses and relate to the pedestrian scale.

a)

Facades. Facades shall have a defined base or foundation, a middle or modulated wall, and a top formed by a pitched roof or articulated cornice, in each instance appropriate to the building style.

b)

Offsets and Projections. Buildings with continuous facades that are ninety (90) feet or greater in width shall be designed with offsets (projecting or recessed) not less than two (2) feet deep, and over intervals of not greater than sixty (60) feet. Industrial developments are exempt from this requirement.

c)

Storefronts. Ground-floor retail shall be transparent for seventy-five (75%) percent of the total ground level façade. Industrial developments are exempt from this requirement.

d)

Exterior materials. Building facades may be constructed from wood, stone, masonry, E.I.F.S., hard-coat stucco, cement fiber board, split-face, textured concrete, heavy gauge vinyl, metal or glass or other materials which provide the same desired quality. Similar building materials should be used throughout a development with multiple buildings. Products other than those listed below must be approved by the Community Development Director or his/her duly appointed designees.

i)

Buildings constructed of metal shall be permitted only in the Single-Family Agricultural (AG) and Industrial, Medium-Density (I2) districts.

(1)

Buildings that do not exceed fifty (50%) percent metal shall be permitted in the Industrial, Low-Density (I1) and Commercial, Medium-Density (C2) zoning districts, and must contain other design elements such as concrete or masonry bases, pitched roofs, enhanced entries or color variation.

ii)

Structures shall be constructed using a minimum of fifty (50%) percent masonry as described below.

(1)

Masonry construction may consist of brick, granite, sandstone, slate, limestone, marble, or other hard and durable all-weather stone. Ashlar, cut stone, and dimension stone construction techniques are acceptable.

(2)

Brick material used for masonry construction shall be composed of hard-fired all-weather standard size brick or other all-weather facing brick.

(3)

Concrete finish or precast concrete panels shall be textured using the following techniques: exposed aggregate, bush-hammered, sand-blasted, or other concrete finish as approved by the Director or his/her duly appointed designee. Concrete masonry units (CMU or block) shall be textured or split-face, and otherwise not smooth.

(4)

Office uses may use: Architectural metal panels, glass (up to 75% of the facade area) and ornamental metal.

e)

Roof Design. The materials and finishes for roofs shall complement those materials used for the exterior walls. Roofs may be pitched, use stepped parapet walls, three dimensional cornices, dimensioned or integrally-textured materials, or be sloped with overhangs and brackets. Parapets shall not exceed more than one-third (1/3) the height of the supporting wall (above the floor of which they are located).

f)

Four-sided Architecture. The architectural style, materials, color and design on the front elevation shall be applied to all elevations of the structure adjacent to a public street, primary internal drive or residential zoning district.

i)

Blank, windowless walls are prohibited along facades enfronting a public way, except where a building enfronts multiple streets. In the latter case, it was not historically uncommon for buildings (especially commercial or mixed-use ones) to orient towards the more intensely developed street. As such, along the first story of enfronting mixed-use and commercial facades this requirement may be waived by the Director along streets that are predominantly residential in character when:

(1)

The first twenty (20) feet of said facade meets the above requirements, and

(2)

The area beyond the first twenty (20) feet is treated with architectural detailing, such as pilasters, false windows, or similar features.

g)

Color. Compatible materials and colors should be used throughout to unify development. The colors should reflect natural tones of the environment and be subtle, harmonious and non-reflective. Accents shall be compatible.

h)

Entry Features. Entryway features are only required at the primary entrance to the structure and shall include elements such as: covered entries, integral planters, awnings, raised corniced parapets over the door, peaked roof forms having an average slope greater than or equal to a minimum 5:12 pitch, arches, or architectural details such as tile work and moldings that are integrated into the building structure and design.

7)

MAINTENANCE. The exposed walls and roofs of buildings shall be maintained in a clean, orderly, and attractive condition, and be free of cracks, dents, punctures, breakage, and other forms of visible marring. Materials that become excessively faded, chalked, or otherwise deteriorated shall be refinished, repainted, or replaced.

a)

Refuse and waste removal areas, loading berths, service yards, storage yards, and exterior work areas shall be screened from view with fencing, walls or landscaping.

b)

All accessory buildings and structures shall be constructed with materials that are similar and compatible with materials used in the principal structure.

8)

MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT SCREENING AND PLACEMENT.

a)

Roof-mounted equipment on exposed roofs shall be completely screened from view. The appearance of roof screens shall be coordinated with the building to maintain a unified appearance.

b)

All ground- and building-mounted mechanical and electrical equipment shall be screened from view. The screens and enclosures shall be treated as an integral element of the building's appearance. Landscaping may be used for this purpose.

c)

Ground-mounted, commercial-grade mechanical equipment such as walk-in freezers.

i)

Design. The unit shall be screened by a masonry wall that complements the architecture of the primary structure. Walls attached to the primary structure shall be designed as an architecturally integrated part of the primary structure. The wall shall be sufficient to dampen any noise generated while the unit is in operation.

ii)

Height. The wall shall be equal to the height of the unit plus two (2) feet.

iii)

Access. The enclosure shall be accessed via an opaque gate.

iv)

Orientation. The gate shall not face a residential property, or a right-of-way within fifty (50) feet.

v)

Setback. All mechanical equipment shall be located a minimum of fifty (50) feet from the property line, and shall not be located within a front or side setback.

d)

Utility substations shall be screened with a fence that is at least fifty (50%) percent opaque and at least eight (8) feet in height, and the exterior wall of the fence shall be landscaped with a Type 1 Buffer yard comprised solely of evergreen species.

i)

The fence may not be chain-link.

9)

SIGN STANDARDS. Signage shall be designed to be an integral part of the architectural and landscaping plans. The colors, materials, and style of signage shall be architecturally compatible and accentuate the buildings and landscaping on the site. The colors, materials, and lighting of every sign shall be restrained and harmonious with the building and site to which it principally relates. Signs shall be in conformance with theVilla Rica Sign Ordinance.

10)

LANDSCAPE PLAN. Landscaping shall be in conformance with Section 7.05 - Landscaping Standards. Plans shall be prepared and submitted with the Development Plan.

a)

Landscaping materials selected should be appropriate to local growing and climatic conditions. Wherever appropriate, existing trees should be conserved and integrated into the landscaping plan; credit toward required in-kind landscaping may be given.

11)

SITE AMENITIES. Site amenities provide attractive spaces and the possibility of interaction. Site amenities such as patios, plazas, mini-parks, squares, water features and public art should be incorporated in the required open space for the development.

12)

LIGHTING. Lighting shall be in conformance with Section 7.12- Outdoor Lighting.

13)

OPERATIONAL COMPATIBILITY WITH SURROUNDING DEVELOPMENT. The Planning & Zoning Commission may impose conditions on the approval of a project including but not limited to:

a)

the placement of trash receptacles;

b)

location of delivery and loading zones;

c)

hours of refuse removal; and

d)

hours of sign illumination.

14)

MODIFICATION. The Planning & Zoning Commission shall have the authority to modify any of the requirements of this Section in accordance with Subsection 2.02(9)(a) ix.

(Amd. of 7-12-2022; Amd. of 10-4-2022; Ord. of 1-16-2024)

1)

INTERIOR RUMBLE STRIPS. Rumble strips should be installed adjacent to raised medians or other interior curbs to draw attention to the presence of the median during adverse weather conditions or other circumstances where visibility is low. Rumble strips should be designed so that adverse riding conditions are not created for on-street cyclists.

2)

NEIGHBORHOOD STREET LIGHTING. Lights should be installed along neighborhood streets. They should be no taller than twenty (20) feet and should be fully shielded or full cutoff fixtures.

3)

STREET ADDRESSES. Business and residence address lettering should be a minimum height of six (6) inches, should take into consideration the contrast of lettering and background colors, and should be externally illuminated.

4)

STREET ELEMENTS. The community should work with GDOT to encourage increased pavement markings standards, brighter stop lights, and larger and/or easily readable letters for street names/street signs.

5)

STREET WIDTH. Street width and right-of-way easement requirements should take into consideration the necessary width of roadways through low-traffic, residential neighborhoods. Large road widths can interrupt the benefits of high-density neighborhoods and the safety of pedestrians who cross the street.

6)

TRANSPORTATION. Safe and nearby pedestrian walkways/trailways, bikeways, and public transit should be created to increase a residence's visitability and aid in transportation accessibility for individuals without motor vehicle access.