The Center Street Corridor Design Standards have been established to provide a clear consistent approach to the review of zoning and building permit applications along portions of Center Street between the downtown area and Colfax Street. This area is experiencing a transition from residential to commercial/office uses in this predominantly residential area. The purposes of these standards are to:

a.

Establish design standards for building renovations, additions and new construction.

b.

Encourage property owners to work closely with the planning department before conversion of a residential structure begins.

c.

Promote traffic safety measures throughout the corridor.

The physical boundary defining those properties that must comply with these standards is illustrated on the official zoning map for the City of Warsaw.

a.

After the effective date as established by the city council any new development or construction in the Center Street Corridor district shall comply with all the standards herein set forth.

b.

Interior modifications that do not visually alter the exterior of the structures do not require the application of these standards.

c.

Any addition, alteration, or other modification which is governed by any provision of these standards shall not be started until such addition, alteration, exterior painting, or other modification has been reviewed and approved by the building commissioner and planning director.

d.

Split ownership, planning, or construction in phases, or multiple building permits shall not circumvent the owner/developer from adhering to these standards.

e.

Application of these standards shall not apply to single-family homes, except when converted to nonresidential use.

A development plan shall be submitted according to section 13.7 [13.6] of this ordinance.

a.

Site development.

1.

If at all possible, parking should be provided behind the front building line in order that the residential front yard appearance be preserved. In the event that a loading area is provided, its location should be carefully considered and located in the rear yard or side yard, if possible.

2.

Existing alleys shall be utilized for access to adjacent parcels and new driveway cuts shall be discouraged.

b.

Architectural character.

1.

Any residential building which is converted to a nonresidential use shall maintain its residential facade and character.

2.

Facade materials: Primary building materials for renovation shall contribute favorably to the character of the area. These materials include stone, brick, glass block, tile, or wood siding, as is appropriate to the existing structure. Facade materials that shall not be used are reflective glass, extruded metal, and asbestos or metal siding. Facades incorporating new stucco or new glass are prohibited if the new area covered by these materials totals more than 60 percent of the total area of any wall of the structure.

3.

Building color: Colors shall be in character with neighboring structures and shall use compatible accents, when accents are used. In order to enhance the streetscape, the use of bright or primary colors on building facades shall be avoided.

c.

Signs.

1.

Section 13.4 of this ordinance shall be adhered to with the following exceptions:

(a)

Materials: The color, construction and material of each sign should be compatible with the architecture and other signs on the site. All internally illuminated signs are prohibited on house conversions.

(b)

Design: Every sign should be designed as a sympathetic architectural element of the building and site to which it principally relates.

d.

Screening and landscaping.

1.

A minimum of ten percent of the site shall be landscaped. Required landscaping shall not be limited to grass or ground cover, but shall include trees as set forth in section 13.3, and evergreen shrubs.

2.

If parking is provided adjacent to a street right-of-way, a five-foot landscape buffer shall be provided between the street and parking area.

(a)

Where ten or more spaces are provided, five percent of the parking area shall be landscaped.

(b)

Two trees at least two inches in caliper shall be provided in any yard adjacent to public thoroughfare.

(c)

Off-street parking and loading areas shall be screened from the view of public streets. Screening shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of section 13.3. In each case, screening shall have a continuous minimum height of 24 inches above the top of the adjacent parking area curb.

(d)

Refuse area: Refuse storage containers shall be screened from the view of public rights-of-way and from the view of adjacent residential uses. Where they are not entirely screened from these areas by the building or landscaping, they shall be screened on three sides by the construction of six-foot masonry walls. An opening shall be provided on the fourth side for access by refuse collectors, and it shall have a gate so that the container is completely enclosed.