Zanesville City Zoning Code

TITLE SEVEN

Downtown Design and Exterior Maintenance Code

1167.01 TITLE.

This code shall be known, cited and referred to as: The City of Zanesville Downtown Design and Exterior Maintenance Code.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1167.02 PURPOSE.

The purpose of the Downtown Design & Exterior Maintenance Code is to preserve and enhance the economic vitality and viability of Downtown Zanesville. In doing so, the Downtown Design & Exterior Maintenance Code provides for the further implementation in the economic enhancement strategies of the Downtown Zanesville Master Plan 1995, prepared by HyettPalma, Inc. The Code makes exterior maintenance and building method recommendations based on those strategies. It also encourages the establishment of an open dialogue between the Downtown Design Review Board and the developer during the planning stages of the project. The Downtown Design Review Board should work with applicants in a cooperative manner to encourage quality oriented development, while remaining sensitive to the needs and wishes of the applicant.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1167.03 REQUIREMENTS.

(a) Minimum Requirements. The provisions herein shall, in their interpretation and application, be held to be minimum requirements.

(b) More Restrictive Requirement Applies. Except as otherwise provided herein, in any case in which any portion of this chapter or any other City ordinance, or any law, regulation, or any private agreement, covenant or easement applying within the City, establishes a requirement that is either more or less restrictive than a particular requirement established herein, the provision that is the more restrictive or that imposes the higher standard or requirement shall govern. (Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1167.04 VARIANCES.

The Downtown Design Review Board may grant variances from the literal application of the provisions herein where such application to a particular property would cause hardship or practical difficulties. Variance requests to all other provisions of the City Zoning Code shall be heard by the Board of Zoning Appeals.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1167.05 APPEALS.

(a) Applicability. Any party aggrieved by an administrative order or decision made under this Code by any authorized administrative official may appeal that order or decision to the Downtown Design Review Board. Appeals of decisions of the Downtown Design Review Board shall be made to the Board of Zoning Appeals under the provisions for appeals of the Zoning Code (Section 1105.13).

(b) Appeal Process. Appeals shall be decided only in conformance with the approval process provided in Chapter 1105 and the design guidelines herein.

(c) Stay of Proceedings. The filing of a notice of appeal shall stay all proceedings of the action appealed unless the authorized administrative official issuing the order/decision certifies to Downtown Design Review Board that, in his or her judgement, a stay would cause immediate peril to life, health or property. In such case, no proceedings shall be stayed without issuance of a restraining order by the Downtown Design Review Board or a court of record.

(d) Hearing and Action. Upon receipt, the Zoning Administrator shall transmit the notice of appeal and the complete record of the decision to the Downtown Design Review Board. Public hearing on the appeal shall be at the next available Review Board meeting.

After the conclusion of the hearing, the Board shall within thirty (30) days take final action on the appeal, whereby it may affirm, reverse or modify the action being appealed, subject only to judicial review in the Court of Common Pleas in accordance with applicable state statutes. To this end, the Board shall have all the powers of the party from which the appeal was taken and may direct the issuance of a permit.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1167.06 AMENDMENTS.

To adapt to changing development conditions and provide for the phased implementation of the Downtown Master Plan, the Downtown Design Review Board, in conjunction with the Planning Commission, may from time to time recommend, and Council may adopt, amendments to the provisions of this Code as provided by the Ohio Revised Code.

Amendments to this Code shall be approved only in conformance with the approval process provided in Chapter 1113.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1167.07 FILING SUBMISSIONS.

Applicants for approval by the Downtown Design Review Board shall file an application therefor with the Zoning Administrator. Attached thereto shall be such drawings, plans, renderings, documents and other information consistent with the approval process provided in Chapter 1113.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1169.01 GLOSSARY OF ARCHITECTURAL TERMS.

(1) “Arch” means the curved support over an opening.

(2) “Architrave” means the design element between the column capital and frieze in classical architecture.

(3) “Ashlar” means rectangular units of dressed stone.

(4) “Baluster” means a small railing support; may also be called a spindle; the railing and its balusters are a balustrade.

(5) “Bay” means a structural division of a building; also refers to type of window or projection from a building.

(6) “Beam” means a horizontal structural element.

(7) “Belt course” means a horizontal band around a building, often of a contrasting material.

(8) “Board and Batten” means vertical siding of flat members with narrow projecting strips to cover the joints.

(9) “Bracket” means a member which supports a cantilevered section.

(10) “Buttress” means an engaged or attached pier designed to strengthen a wall; typically found in church construction.

(11) “Bulkhead” means the storefront part below the display window.

(12) “Cantilever” means a projecting section, beam, or upper floor.

(13) “Capital” means the uppermost part of a column or other support.

(14) “Clerestory” means an upper windowed section of a building designed to provide natural light to a high-ceiling room.

(15) “Colonnade” means a row of columns carrying an entablature.

(16) “Coping” means a cap to a wall, parapet, or roof.

(17) “Cornice” means the top section of a classical entablature; also the projecting trim found at the top of a wall.

(18) “Dentil” means a row of small rectangular blocks forming a molding; a cornice having this molding is denticulated or denticular.

(19) “Dormer” means a structure, usually gabled, which projects from a roof.

(20) “Engaged” means a column or pier attached to, and appearing to be partially embedded in, a wall.

(21) “Entablature” means the horizontal band above a column capital, or below the eaves, consisting of architrave, frieze, and cornice.

(22) “Facade” means the front or exterior "face" of a building.

(23) “Fascia” means the horizontal band, usually on the upper wall under the eaves, which is part of an entablature.

(24) “Fenestration” means the pattern of window openings on a building.

(25) “Finial” means a decorative, pointed terminus of a roof.

(26) “Flashing” means a metal sheet used to make an intersection of materials watertight.

(27) “Foundation” means the substructure upon which a building rests.

(28) “Frieze” means the middle member of an entablature, often decorated.

(29) “Gable” means the part of an end wall under a pitched roof.

(30) “Hoodmold” means a projecting molding or decorative trim over a window or door.

(31) “Jamb” means the side of a doorway or window opening.

(32) “Keystone” means the top member of an arch.

(33) “Lintel” means a beam supported on vertical posts at its ends; the most common method of spanning an opening.

(34) “Mullion” means a vertical member dividing a window into individual window panes.

(35) “Muntin” means a horizontal member dividing a window into individual window panes.

(36) “Order” means the type of the column and its entablature in classical architecture; doric, ionic, and Corinthian are the three most common orders.

(37) “Parapet” means a low protective wall at the edge of a roof; the portion of the upper wall that rises above the roof.

(38) “Pediment” means a triangular or segmental-curved gable.

(39) “Pilaster” means a column or pier partially embedded into a wall surface (see "engaged").

(40) “Portico” means a pedimented porch supported by columns.

(41) “Post” means a vertical structural element.

(42) “Quoin” means a decorative block sometimes given to the corners of a masonry building.

(43) “Rosette” means a circular floral ornament.

(44) “Rustication” means stone with emphasized joints and textured surfaces for a decorative treatment.

(45) “Sash” means a frame designed to hold window glass.

(46) “Siding” means an exterior wall covering.

(47) “Sill” means the horizontal structural element located below the opening of a window.

(48) “Soffit” means the underside of an architectural element, usually under the eave.

(49) “Spandrel” means the blank space between windows in successive stories of a multi-story building.

(50) “Storefront” means the street-level facade of a commercial building, usually having display windows.

(51) “Terra-cotta” means decorative ceramic units which are used as a facing material on building facades.

(52) “Transom” means a small operable or fixed window located above a door or other window.

(53) “Veneer” means a non-structural exterior facing on the facade of a building.

(54) “Water Table” means a course of masonry projecting above a foundation to direct water away from it.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1171.01 AUTHORITY.

The downtown Design Review Board is hereby authorized and vested with the power and authority within the Downtown Improvement Area to:

(a) Review and approve, approve with conditions or disapprove all actions made subject to its review hereunder;

(b) Promote good design and maintenance through publicity and education;

(c) Hold preliminary hearings to review projects and provide alternative suggestions as applicable prior to formal submittal by the applicant;

(d) Hear and decide appeals of administrative actions taken hereunder as provided herein;

(e) File complaints to Building and Code Enforcement with requests for enforcement action;

(f) Recommend to Council the employment of Staff or consultants to advise on Downtown Design concerns; and

(g) Recommend to the Planning Commission and Council amendments to the provisions of this Code.

(h) The concurring vote of a majority of the Board members present at the meeting shall be required to take action on all such matters.

(i) A vote by the Board resulting in a tie is the equivalent of a denial.

(Ord. 18-71. Passed 6-11-18.)

1171.02 APPLICABILITY OF BOARD REVIEW.

Approval from the Downtown Design Review Board shall be required for any property in the Downtown Improvement Area prior to the issuance of any building permit, sign permit, or demolition permit.

No approval from the Downtown Design Review Board shall be required for:

(a) Routine maintenance and repair that does not involve structural change or significant change, in the judgement of the Zoning Administrator, to material, design, texture, color or other aspects of the exterior appearance of a property; or

(b) Any construction, alteration or demolition which in the judgement of the Chief Building Official is required due to imminent threat to public health or safety. In such cases, the Chief Building Official shall notify the Zoning Administrator of such action.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1171.03 BOARD APPOINTMENTS; TERMS; CHAIRMAN.

(a) The Downtown Design Review Board shall consist of seven members who meet the following criteria:

(1) One landscape architect, interior designer, graphic artist, or similar professional;

(2) One architect, or similar professional knowledgeable in structural design;

(3) Four members who live, work, volunteer or have a vested interest in the Downtown Improvement Area.

(4) One member of Council whose term shall expire with each term of Council membership;

(b) The Mayor shall, with the advice and consent of Council;

(1) Appoint all members;

(2) Fill any vacancies on the Board within sixty days, unless extenuating circumstances require a longer period.

(d) Appointments shall be for a period of three years. All member shall serve without compensation.

(e) The members of the Board shall elect:

(1) One member to serve as Chairman; and

(2) Another to serve as Vice Chairman to serve as Acting Chairman in the absence of the Chairman.

(f) The Director of Community Development or his or her designee shall serve as the Executive Secretary of the Board.

(g) The Mayor shall have the power to remove any member for cause after a public hearing is held and a copy of the charges against such member has been delivered to the member at least ten days prior to the hearing. The member shall be given an opportunity to answer to such charges.

(Ord. 18-71. Passed 6-11-18.)

1171.04 MEETINGS.

(a) All meetings of the Downtown Design Review Board shall be held at the call of the Chairman with at least four meeting held each year, at regular intervals, in a public place, advertised in advance, and open to the public, except when an executive session is authorized by law. No meeting shall be conducted in the absence of a quorum, which shall consist of a majority of the total membership.

(b) An agenda for the meeting shall be advertised in advance and public notice shall be provided prior to any regular and meetings.

(c) Applicants for Board consideration shall be notified in writing of the meeting date, time and location, and subsequently, of the Board’s decisions and reason for action.

(d) The Board shall keep minutes of its proceedings. The minutes shall show the vote, or absence or abstention and reason for action of every member upon every official action and shall be a public record on file in the Community Development Department. An annual report of all Board activities shall also be kept on file and available for public inspection in the Community Development Department.

(Ord. 18-71. Passed 6-11-18.)

1171.05 PRELIMINARY HEARINGS WITH THE DOWNTOWN DESIGN REVIEW BOARD.

Prior to submitting a formal application for approval, applicants are encouraged to hold a preliminary hearing with the Downtown Design Review Board to present general information on intended actions and receive general guidance from the Board. The Board shall furnish the applicant a written record of the guidance it provided at this preliminary hearing.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1171.06 MODIFICATION OF OTHER CODES.

The Downtown Design Review Board's decision on an application shall not modify the particular allowances and prohibitions of the Zoning Code, Subdivision Regulations, Building Code or other development controls except as specifically authorized herein to achieve a more satisfactory design.

Except as explicitly authorized herein, the Board shall not disallow a land use, land use intensity, building height or other characteristic of development that is allowed by the Zoning Code, nor allow a use or development standard disallowed by the Zoning Code. The Board may recommend to Council amendments to such other codes or regulations that it believes are necessary to achieve design objectives.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1171.07 DOWNTOWN DESIGN REVIEW CRITERIA.

In granting Design Approval or Conditional Design Approval, the Downtown Design Review Board shall prepare written findings of fact that the proposed alteration or change is compatible, as applicable, with the character of:

(a) The existing property being altered; and

(b) Surrounding properties; and

(d) The Downtown Master Plan district in which the property is located.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1171.08 PROJECT REVIEW.

Assisting the Downtown Design Review Board is the Staff of the Community Development Department. Located on the second floor at City Hall, the Department Staff is available to meet with property owners/developers to review their downtown improvement project and to assist them through the Board review process.

(a) Categorizing Your Exterior Project. No matter which exterior project you have in mind, it involves either maintenance or exterior change. The Review Chart on the following page contains some common examples of both types of projects.

(1) Repair: is the routine work to maintain your building or site by protecting existing features. Examples include fixing a door or reglazing a window. Before beginning work, meet with the Zoning Administrator in the Community Development Department to see if the repair work involves in-kind replacement or significant exterior change.

(2) In-kind replacement: involves replicating a deteriorated part with one of the same material, design, arrangement, texture, or color. Before beginning work, consult with the Community Development Department to review your replacement project.

(3) Exterior change: includes alterations, new construction, additions, demolition, major site work, landscaping, fencing, or signage. For these projects, you must apply for design approval from the Downtown Design Review Board.

(b) Project Review Chart.

	REPAIR (Comm. Dev. Staff Review)	IN-KIND REPLACEMENT (Comm. Dev. Staff Review)	EXTERIOR CHANGE (DDRB Review and Approval)
STOREFRONTS	Repair damaged areas	Replicate parts with same material	Changing the overall design, materials, detailing, size, or location
UPPER FACADES & EXT. WALLS	Repair damaged area	Repaint masonry with same color, cleaning, tuckpointing	Paint unpainted masonry
ROOFS, GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS	Repair damaged areas	Replace with same material	Replace with new material, design or color
PAINT COLOR	Repaint with same color	Repaint with new color	Appeal staff decision
ENTRANCES & DOORS	Repair damaged area	Replace with same material	Change design, material, size; or close off or create new entrance
WINDOWS	Repair or reglaze	Replace with same type and style	Replace with different types or style; or close off or create new window opening
SIGNS	Repair or touch up	Replace with same size or remove	Replace, add, or change

Please check with the Building & Code Enforcement Department to see if any applicable permits are needed for your project.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1171.09 APPLICABILITY.

The provisions herein shall apply to all property in the Design Improvement Area (DIA) bounded by the center lines of the rights of way of the following:

1. On the north by Interstate 70;

2. On the east by Underwood Street/9th Street;

3. On the south by Hughes Street; and

4. On the west by Canal and Muskingum River.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1173.01 PURPOSE.

The Downtown Design Review Board shall consider the design guidelines in the following sections when reviewing any action made subject to its review. Such compatibility shall be judged with respect to the following design review guidelines. It is not the intent of these guidelines to prohibit contemporary design or architectural styles as may be compatible with the downtown environment. (Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1173.02 STOREFRONTS.

The storefront is one of the most important components of an older commercial building. Traditionally, it was valued for its commercial appeal and for its ability to draw customers into the building. It was designed to work in harmony with the upper facade of the building to form a cohesive whole. Often, however, the storefront is the part of the building that is changed the most. In downtown Zanesville, there are several examples of late 19th and early 20th century storefronts which have had minor or no changes made. Some examples have had parts of the storefront either removed or covered up. Other downtown storefronts have been removed entirely and replaced with modern materials.

(a) While each storefront is different, there are typical storefront treatments that characterized Zanesville's traditional commercial buildings. These same rules should guide storefront design and rehabilitation today.

(1) An emphasis on transparency. Large expanses of display windows and transoms are used to admit light into a typically windowless commercial space.

(2) A feeling of containment. The storefront is contained within the space intended for it. The opening is usually framed by a horizontal beam above and piers at each end.

(3) An entrance which draws you in. Entry doors in the storefront may be flush, but are often recessed to provide more display window area. Often a separate entry door is used to gain access to upper floors.

(4) An emphasis on compatibility. The storefront has a character which is appropriate to the building's architectural style.

Storefront design evolved and underwent changes between the time that downtown Zanesville's first commercial buildings were built in the early 1800's to around 1940. Typical features of the downtown's 19th century storefronts include large display windows flanking a recessed single or double door, with stone or cast iron columns providing support. The display windows were raised off the sidewalk by wood or metal panels known as bulkheads. A transom window often existed above the door. The horizontal lintel over the storefront usually contained the store's sign.

After the turn of the century, storefronts typically employed large transom windows across the entire front. Metal framing and trim began to be used in the display windows, giving the storefront a light and airy feel. During the 1920's and 1930's, innovations in storefront design included the use of curved glass, deeply-recessed entries, floating display islands, metal panels, and ceramic tile used in the bulkheads or other parts of the storefront.

(b) Recommendations for Storefronts.

(1) Sometimes cleaning and maintenance is all that is needed to enhance the original storefront's appearance. Try to change as little of the original storefront as possible.

(2) Removal of original storefront materials such as wooden bulkhead panels, original plate glass, stone or cast iron columns and piers, transom glass, original doors, and trim is not recommended. Make every effort to preserve such elements, even if they are not complete storefronts. Changes in size or area of original storefronts are not recommended.

(3) Stark, plain, or unattractive altered storefronts can sometimes be softened by simple and inexpensive efforts, such as painting, new signage, or installing canvas awnings. Another option is to restore an altered storefront to its original appearance, or as close to the original as is possible.

(4) Wood-shingled mansards, blank metal panels, diagonal siding, and board-and-batten surfaces would not have been used traditionally in storefront design and are therefore discouraged.

(5) "Theme restorations" (i.e. Tiffany, Colonial, Mediterranean, Bavarian, Wild West) and the use of ornate doorways, varnished surfaces, stained glass, and other similar features to make a storefront look older or more decorative should be avoided. Any reconstruction of a storefront should be based on physical evidence or historic photographs of the building.

(6) Buildings with multiple storefronts should be unified through the use of architecturally compatible materials, colors, details, awnings, signage, and lighting fixtures. All sides of a building should be architecturally consistent with the front facade and storefront.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

PARTS OF A STOREFRONT

1. Cornice

2. Lintel

3. Storefront Post

4. Transom Window

5. Display Window

6. Door to Store

7. Door to Upper Floors

8. Panel

1173.03 UPPER FACADES/EXTERIOR WALLS.

(a) Much of the streetscape in downtown Zanesville is defined by the upper facades of its buildings. The upper facades provide rhythm and architectural character through the pattern of window openings, type of windows, ornamentation, detail, and roofline treatments. Brick is the most commonly used material on the upper facades in downtown Zanesville.

Some commercial and institutional buildings also feature stone exterior walls and extensive use of stone details. Stone has been used for the sills, lintels and hoodmolds surrounding windows in brick upper facades. Some sills, lintels, and hoodmolds are carved with geometric or floral patterns. Stone masonry is generally left unpainted.

Masonry exterior walls are also found on the sides and rear of downtown buildings. In some cases, the type and quality of the masonry changes from front to side to rear. Higher quality, more expensive and attractive brickwork was commonly used on the streetside facades of downtown buildings. The rear, or sides of a building that would not normally be seen by the public, would be finished in less expensive, more utilitarian brickwork.

Some exterior walls have been painted to protect low-quality brick from the weather. Elsewhere, brick walls were painted to cover damaged masonry or wall alterations. This is more frequently seen in the rear or non-public sides of buildings in downtown Zanesville.

(b) Recommendations for Upper Facades/Exterior Walls.

(1) If cleaning of masonry is undertaken, begin with the gentlest effective technique - try scrubbing with a natural bristle brush and plain water before using potentially harmful and more expensive detergents or chemicals. Consult with a professional cleaner before using more powerful cleaning methods.

(2) Power washing is generally the least expensive method to effectively clean masonry surfaces. Moderate pressure of no more than 300 pounds per square inch should be used. Choose a reliable professional who is familiar with testing and cleaning procedures.

Power washing at moderate and high pressure may remove mortar from joints. Lower pressure water-wash methods should be used in areas where mortar joints and caulking around windows are loose or deteriorated, unless they will be replaced later.

(3) Only as a last recourse should any masonry be sandblasted and then only with the approval of the Downtown Design Review Board. Sandblasting and other abrasive cleaning methods, such as blasting with corn cobs, walnut shells, or glass beads, remove a brick's hard outer crust. When the outer crust has been removed, the brick is unable to withstand the effects of moisture and weathering.

Sandblasting and other abrasive cleaning methods will pit and roughen stone surfaces. This dulls and damages the detailing on the stone surfaces, especially intricately carved stone. Sandblasting also creates a roughened surface area on which dirt will more easily collect. For these reasons, sandblasting of masonry surfaces is not recommended.

(4) Avoid masonry sealers, such as silicone, that will keep out liquid water but not water vapor. Once it penetrates the masonry, moisture can be trapped in the wall and deteriorate both interior and exterior surfaces.

(5) Painted masonry buildings should generally be left painted. The paint may protect soft masonry or cover damaged or unattractive masonry. Masonry that has not been painted in the past should not be painted, especially window lintels, sills, and other details that are stone.

(6) When re-pointing or repairing brick masonry, take care to match the original mortar mix. A mortar with too much cement may be so hard that it causes the softer brick to crack apart. An acceptable mortar mix for softer 19th century brickwork is three to five parts of sand, one part of lime, and no more than one-half part of Portland cement.

(7) A quality masonry re-pointing job includes matching the mortar by color, texture, and composition. Skilled masons took pride in the original tooling, or finishing, of the mortar joints. These joints are an important part of each brick wall's design and should be matched in any re-pointing job.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1173.04 DECORATIVE FEATURES ON UPPER FACADES.

A distinguishing characteristic of downtown Zanesville's upper facades is the decorative treatments found at or near the roofline. One of these treatments is wood or metal cornices. These type of cornices are traditionally painted for maintenance reasons and to provide a finisher "crown" to the upper facade.

Another decorative treatment is brick or stone parapets. A parapet is the portion of the upper wall that rises above the roofline. It often is the decorative cap to the building. Some downtown buildings display the building's name and date in the parapet area.

Some downtown buildings, particularly non-retail structures such as the Muskingum County Courthouse and the Old Post Office, make use of decorative features that represent a particular architectural style. In these buildings, the upper facades display columns, pilasters, balconies, and stylized materials that are not found on other downtown buildings.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1173.05 WINDOWS ON UPPER FACADES.

(a) The amount of detail associated with those windows in the upper facade can vary. The most simple form would be double-hung windows in plain, lightly decorated walls. A more ornate form would involve arched windows with heavily decorated hoodmolds over the windows and decorated sills below the windows.

Past alterations to windows in upper facades included covering them with plywood, filling them in with brick or glass block, or installing new windows which were the wrong size for the opening or wrong style for the building. Some upper facades have been completely obscured by metal panels.

(b) Recommendations for Decorative Features.

(1) Preserve and maintain decorative brickwork, stone treatments, brackets, and wood or metal cornices that exist on downtown buildings. Maintain existing stone or concrete lintels, hoodmolds, and sills, or replace in-kind.

(2) Decorative building parapets should not be removed. If a parapet appears to be deteriorated, first evaluate what steps may be taken to secure and preserve it. Its removal would not only damage the building's architectural character, but could also cause serious problems for the roof's drainage system.

(3) If an upper facade has been covered over, consider removing the covering to expose the original architecture underneath. Damage which may have been done to the upper facade should be repaired to the greatest extent possible.

(4) Avoid adding cornices, brackets, hoodmolds, balconies, or bay windows to buildings which never had them. Any reconstruction of decorative features should be based on physical evidence or historic photographs of the building. (Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

COMMERCIAL BUILDING

Commercial Building

built circa 1865, in the

Boneyfiddle Historic

District in Portsmouth, Ohio

1. Chimney 10. Mullion

2. Chimney Pot 11. Storefront

3. Facade 12. Lintel

4. Cornice 13. Storefront Post

5. Paired Brackets 14. Transom Window

6. Paneled Frieze 15. Display Window

7. Hoodmold 16. Panel

8. Sill 17. Base

9. Two-over-two

Round-arched

Double Hung Window

Old Ohio Power Company

Building Built in 1929

in Zanesville, Ohio

1. Terra-cotta parapet

2. Coping

3. Three-over-three Segmental-arched

Double Hung Window

4. Spandrel

5. Three-over-three Trabeated

Double Hung Window

6. Blind Balustrade

7. Pier

8. Fixed Plate Glass Window

9. Decorative Metal Window Frame

10. Base

1173.06 ROOFS, GUTTERS, AND DOWNSPOUTS.

(a) Roofs, gutters, and downspouts affect your building's appearance. In addition, a well-maintained roof and drainage system can preserve your downtown building and prevent interior moisture problems. Preventive maintenance can not only preserve original design features, but can also avoid potentially costly replacements.

Routine inspections and gutter cleaning are essential to the building's continuing structural integrity. Remove leaves, branches, and debris from gutters regularly. If screens are installed on the gutters, clean off the screens. When it rains, watch to see if the downspouts are clear. Once they are plugged up, they may freeze and burst.

Also, inspect the gutter and downspout support brackets to be sure they are secure. When downspout support brackets become loose, refasten them in the mortar joints, instead of on brick or stone surfaces. Refasten the gutter support straps under roofing materials, and not on the roof surface. If necessary, keep these brackets painted to avoid rust-stained walls and foundations.

(b) Recommendations for Roofs, Gutters and Downspouts.

(1) In repairing roofs, new work should match the original in materials, texture, and color. If it is necessary to remove an original roof, the basic roof shape should not be altered. New roofing should match the color, size, and texture of the original roofing material.

(2) Where gutters and downspouts need replacement, care should be taken to match the original in material, type, and detail. Try to make necessary new guttering as inconspicuous as possible by painting it a neutral or background color.

(3) Retaining and repairing box and stop gutters, or box gutters built into the cornice is recommended. These are important design elements. To repair leaky box or stop gutters, reline them with rolled membrane roofing.

(4) Flashing around chimneys and at parapets should be done in a manner that is generally inconspicuous. Copper flashing left to weather naturally, or tin sheet metal and metal roofing material painted a flat, neutral color are recommended.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1173.07 PAINT COLOR.

Traditionally, for buildings of particular eras, certain types of colors are more appropriate than others. In downtown districts, the buildings themselves can provide a built-in color scheme through the natural color of their materials.

Downtown Zanesville is comprised primarily of masonry buildings. Brick masonry colors can range from light orange-red to dark red. Brick can also be found in lighter yellow or darker brown colors. Stone or concrete masonry can range from cool grey colors to richer cream or white colors. Colors that are added should complement the character of the individual building, the neighboring buildings, as well as the downtown area as a whole.

Color can be introduced in downtown areas in a variety of ways. It can be through the building material itself, through paint colors added to storefronts, window trim and doors, and through attachments to buildings such as awnings and signage. Traditionally, different styles of architecture and periods of building favored certain combinations of trim colors. The following groupings are provided as an initial guide to color choices.

(a) Early Victorian (1830 - 1870). Structures built prior to 1870 used light earth tones such as grays, yellows, and tans, as well as light reds and light browns. Trim colors would have also been light earth tones compatible with the natural brick-red walls of many of the buildings. Typically, no more than three colors would have been used on any buildings of this type.

(b) Late Victorian/Italianate (1870 - 1910). After 1870, Italianate commercial structures typical of the late Victorian period added noticeably darker colors. Greens, darker reds, orange-reds; and olives could be found. Almost always, the trim was painted in a darker color to complement the lighter body color of the building. Light colors, sometimes white, would be used to highlight special architectural details on the facade.

(c) Classical Revival (1890 - 1930). Colors used on these type of buildings reflected a return to a more classical orientation. Subdued colors such as cream, light yellow, and white were used on the body and trim. Bolder highlight colors, like golds or greens, could be used to accent details.

(d) Art Deco and Modernistic Style (1920 - to Present). Buildings falling into this style typically used colors that were light and subdued. Light-colored stone, brick, or terra cotta were sometimes used in these buildings, and paint colors were chosen to complement the natural color of these materials. The natural patina of any original metal surfaces can guide the color choice.

(e) Recommendations for Paint Color.

(1) Always choose colors that blend well with the natural color of your building's unpainted brick or stone. Colors chosen should be appropriate to the time period of the building's construction. If the building is frame, or is already painted, colors should be selected that will blend with the overall colors that already exist downtown.

(2) Avoid painting surfaces that have never been painted. Stone and brick should generally be left unpainted, unless it has been painted in the past (See Upper Facades).

(3) Paint can be used to soften the appearance of modern facade treatments, such as veneers, permastone, or aluminum coverings.

(4) Choose a color scheme that will tie all of the parts of your building together visually. For instance, the colors used in the storefront should be repeated in the upper story windows or cornice area.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1173.08 ENTRANCES AND DOORS.

(a) Primary storefront entries in downtown Zanesville are often recessed from the front face of the building. Some primary entries are located at the corner to gain maximum pedestrian exposure. Primary storefront entrances traditionally used tall doors with full glazing. The doors could be used individually or in pairs and often had glass transoms above them.

Secondary doors are most often used to provide access to the upper floors or the rear of the building and were simple in design. They could be either recessed or flush with the rest of the building. Secondary entrances traditionally used full or half-panel windows or solid wood panels. If a secondary door is part of a front elevation, it is an important part of the storefront design.

(b) Recommendations for Entrances and Doors.

(1) Maintain the locations of existing entrances. They often reflect an original or significant location. Retain the original size of the doors and their openings.

(2) Retain important entrance features, such as steps, railings, fencing, ornamental door surrounds, and lighting fixtures.

(3) If an entrance will no longer be used, consider leaving the door in place rather than removing and filling in with glass or other materials. A small sign could be used to indicate that another door is to be used.

(4) Keep replacement doors simple in design, unless historical evidence indicates otherwise. Avoid adding false "historic" elements to a door, such as crossbuck doors, pediments, or ornate grilles.

(5) On main or side facades, secondary entrance doors should be compatible with the main storefront entrance.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)


These paired doors with a transom above are typical of commercial buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Note the simplicity of the overall design of the entrance. The recessed doors provide weather protection.	A single door serving a commercial storefront is common practice. This example has no transom but instead has glazing covering nearly the entire door, both to admit light and to permit customers to see into the store.

It is important not to overlook a historic building's secondary entrances, which may be placed on the main facade or along a rear or side wall. As this doorway illustrates, these entrances often received nearly as much attention to detail as the main entrances. In this example, an additional tall transom provides natural light for an interior stairway.

RECOMMENDED TYPES OF REPLACEMENT DOORS

1173.09 WINDOWS.

(a) Traditionally, downtown Zanesville buildings contain windows on the upper facade. The amount of detail associated with those windows varies. The most simple form would be double-hung windows in simple, lightly decorated walls. A more ornate form would involve arched windows with heavily decorated hoodmolds over the windows and decorated sills below the windows.

Some past alterations to windows in upper facades included covering them with plywood, filling them in with brick or glass block, or installing new windows which were the wrong size for the opening or wrong style for the building. Some upper facades have been completely obscured by a covering.

(b) Recommendations for Windows.

(1) Maintain the size and proportions of window openings. Avoid changing the size of an opening to accommodate a smaller or larger window. A change in size or proportion can result in altering the appearance of the entire building facade.

(2) Replacement windows should replicate the original windows. Where original windows are beyond repair and new ones are needed, they should match the original in size, style, and number and pattern of glass panes.

(3) Blocking or covering window openings is not recommended. Where blocking for privacy is necessary, explore alternative ways to achieve the same ends, such as interior screening. Exterior shutters might also be used.

(4) Place new openings with care. New window openings on the front of a building represent a radical change to its appearance. Look for places on the alley side facade or rear of the structure, where a new window will be less noticeable from the street. New windows should relate to existing windows in scale, size, proportion, style, and placement.

(5) Traditionally, downtown buildings have used clear glass in windows. Bronze or reflective glass is not recommended for existing buildings.

(6) Storm windows are an appropriate means of protecting windows from the weather as well as conserving energy. The major divisions of the storm windows should match the divisions on the windows being covered. Exterior storm windows provide the most protection, but interior storm windows can also be used.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

Section through typical double-hung window, showing how the upper and lower sash slide past each other while providing a weather-tight fit at the center meeting rail. The exterior of the window is to the right. Note how the sill is sloped to drain water away and how the lower rail is angled to rest flat on the sloping sill to provide a weather seal.


A double-hung two-over-two window. The lower sash is recessed so it can slide upward behind the upper sash. The upper sash is designed to slide down in front of the lower sash, but in most buildings the upper sash has been fixed in place.	Appropriately designed wood replacement windows.

Older commercial buildings often employed residential-style windows on their upper floors.

These one-over-one double-hung sash windows, clustered in groups of three, represent typical late 19th century practice. The window proportions, weight of sash members, and glazing patterns all were consciously chosen by the architect as part of the design and should not be altered during repair or rehabilitation.

1173.10 SIGNS.

Signs play an important role in a commercial area like downtown Zanesville. A sign is used to make customers aware of a business' location and purpose. In an effort to attract attention, signage may be inappropriately sized and placed on downtown buildings. Signs which might work well for highway development, where customers speed by in cars, are inappropriate for the slower traffic and the more pedestrian scale of buildings in the downtown.

Downtown commercial buildings often provide clues as to the form and location an appropriate sign should take. Signage was frequently integrated into the design of the storefront or the front facade of the building. The space above the storefront was often reserved for a wall sign or for an attachment for a projecting sign. Display windows were sometimes used for painted window signs. In addition, awnings also provided a location for business signage.

(a) General Sign Standards. All signs in the Design Improvement Area shall be subject to the restrictions on number, area, height, maintenance, location, illumination and other items provided in Chapter 1153.

(b) Recommendations for Signage.

(1) Appropriate signage in downtown Zanesville should take its cues from the architectural character of the building. The sign should not dominate the facade or conceal architectural features of the storefront or upper facade.

(2) Simple and clear graphics are encouraged to effectively communicate the image of a business. Although common geometric forms, such as a rectangle, square, circle, or oval, are recommended, other signage shapes may also be appropriate.

(3) The supports for projecting signs should be considered part of the overall sign design. A simple metal bracket would be most appropriate for projecting signs.

(4) Sign colors should take cues from the building and its trim. Bright, primary colors are best used as accents, while more subdued colors should dominate. Signage color schemes should be simple, with a maximum of four colors used on an individual sign.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

	SIGN PLACEMENT AND SIZE Illustrated are four possible directions that signage could take. The most basic approach (A) is that of the sign placed within the transom space directly above the entrance and display areas. For many shop fronts, signage placed on the valance of a canvas awning (B) becomes a possibility. A simple sign board (C) placed above the entrance, would be particularly effective for pedestrian traffic. Graphics, when placed on display windows (D) can also be an attractive possibility. Signage, however, should be limited to only one of the examples shown. This eliminates unnecessary clutter thereby making the signage used more effective. It also is important to insure that whatever approach is used, that its construction, design, and final painting be of the highest quality.

GUIDELINES FOR SIGN PLACEMENT ON FACADES

To maximize the effectiveness of signage, it should always be considered a complementary part of the structure. Because the signage is rendering (A) is placed too high, it blocks the second floor windows. It seems out of line with the structure's basic lines. Rendering (B) becomes more complimentary to these lines. When placed within the transom area (C), the signage becomes "framed" by the sidewalls and lintel. This approach is effective when the "frame" of a storefront is rather high. Being closer to the street, it also becomes more useable to pedestrian movement. When individually applied letters occur within the lintel (D), this treatment enhances and respects the structure's architecture.

WALL SIGNS

Signboards physically attached to a building are among the earliest types of signage and are still popular today. Sometimes such signs were detailed with ornate shapes and border elements, as in this example, while others were very plain and without ornamentation. Sign lettering sometimes was painted on and sometimes consisted of raised letters. Colors usually were chosen for compatibility with the colors of the building where the sign was mounted.

AWNING SIGNS

WINDOW SIGNS

	A simple, traditional, and inexpensive form of signage is to paint or apply individual letters and numbers on display windows.
	Signs painted directly on display windows have been used since the 19th century and remain popular today. They allow considerable flexibility and the opportunity for creativity but must be handled carefully to avoid becoming gaudy or overdone. These signs are particularly helpful for pedestrians and often are used with other signage oriented toward people in cars.

PROJECTING SIGNS

Individually crafted signs suspended from brackets are a traditional, appropriate form of signage.

1175.01 PURPOSE.

New construction should respond to the existing built environment. In the planning of new construction in downtown Zanesville, design elements play an important role and should be carefully considered. In both new buildings and additions, certain design elements tend to reinforce an area's attractiveness and are of particular importance.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1175.02 OVERALL BUILDING FORM.

New construction should be similar in form, scale, massing, and material to those typical and traditional in downtown Zanesville. The architectural design of new buildings and additions should balance both the old and the new. New buildings should not simply be copies of old ones. However, they can look to buildings of the past for ideas on design elements such as windows, proportions, cornices, parapets, storefronts, and ornamentation. Good design can take advantage of modern technology and meet modern needs, while still remaining compatible with older buildings.

(a) Height: New construction should observe typical and traditional building heights. Sudden height variations, both higher and lower, can disrupt the continuity of the streetscape.

(b) Massing: This refers to the basic shapes of buildings and how they fit together. For most downtown Zanesville buildings, the massing is fairly simple and generally consists of plain, rectangular shapes. In designing a new structure, try to use Massing similar to the adjacent and nearby buildings.

(c) Proportion: Proportion is the relationship between a building width and height. It also refers to the relationship between the parts of a building to the whole. This varies throughout downtown Zanesville. In new building design, use proportions similar to those found in adjacent and nearby buildings.

(d) Scale: this refers to the size of a building in relation to that of a person. In downtown Zanesville, nearly every building has a pedestrian scale that is inviting to people. The same effect is encouraged in any new construction.

(e) Roof Shade: Flat roofs, with slight slopes for drainage, are common in downtown Zanesville commercial buildings. Flat roofs used in combination with parapet walls and cornices are compatible with the traditional architecture found in downtown Zanesville. Residential roof shapes such as mansard, gambrel, or gable should be avoided in non-residential construction.

(f) Materials, Textures. and Colors: New designs should reflect the predominant and traditional materials, textures, and colors found in downtown Zanesville. Materials include wood, brick, stone, stucco, and concrete. Textures include smooth painted wood, rough and smooth brick, rough and smooth concrete, and smooth stone trim. As was mentioned previously in the section on paint color, colors range from natural masonry materials to the painted trim elements found on the building facade. In new construction, consider using traditional materials with varying textures that are part of the building's overall design.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1175.03 FACADE APPEARANCE.

Windows and doors in new buildings and additions should be rectangular and vertically oriented, or taller than wide in shape. For new construction, appropriate proportions can be developed from surrounding buildings. In the case of an addition, the existing building should be used as the guide.

(a) Entrances and Doors: Use surrounding buildings as a guide in the placement of entrances and doors in new construction. Refer to the previous design guidelines on entrances and doors for appropriate examples of entrance and door types.

(b) Windows: Use surrounding buildings as a guide in the shape and size of windows in new construction. Glazing and window divisions should approximate traditional patterns. Refer to the previous design guidelines on windows for appropriate examples of traditional window types.

Blank, windowless walls along public streets are strongly discouraged. A large factor in successful downtown commercial districts is the pedestrian activity at the sidewalk level. Blank walls tend to reduce this activity.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1175.04 SITE PLAN ARRANGEMENTS.

Some components of the streetscape tend to reinforce an area's attractiveness and help to make it a desirable area to live or do business. The regular setback of building facades provides a consistent, unbroken view along the street. The close placement of buildings without large intervening open spaces can provide sense of continuity and activity. Well-maintained landscaping features impart a sense that property owners and businesses care about the downtown.

(a) Setbacks: New construction should observe the typical or traditional setbacks of surrounding buildings. The setback typical in downtown Zanesville is at the edge of the sidewalk, or a zero setback. It is strongly encouraged that new construction occur on empty lots and close to adjacent buildings in order to fill in some of the blank spots along the streets.

(b) Parking: In order to reduce the negative impact of large parking lots on the streetscape, consider placing parking lots at the rear of the lot and locating the building along the sidewalk. If possible, access to the parking lot should be from a side street or an alley to lessen the number of curb cuts along main streets. Avoid suburban-type development that gives priority to the parking lot and surrounds the building with parked cars.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1175.05 NEW CONSTRUCTION CHART.

		RECOMMENDED	RESTRICTED W/O DDRB APPROVAL
OVERALL BUILDING FORM	Height	- Maintain overall height of adjacent buildings - Continue the established cornice line of adjoining buildings	- Sharp height deviations from adjacent buildings - Breaking the established cornice line of adjoining buildings
	Massing	- Simple, rectangular shapes - Maintain the established mass of adjoining buildings	- Unusual shapes and forms that deviate from adjoining buildings
	Proportion	- Vertical orientation of the overall building - Repeating rhythm of major architectural elements	- Horizontal orientation of the overall building - Random organization of major architectural elements
	Scale	- Pedestrian scale that relates to the setting - Small scale details that relate to pedestrians	- Buildings that lack pedestrian scale - Lack of small scale detail
	Roof Shape	- Compatible with the architectural style of the area	- Pitched roofs on non-residential buildings
	Materials, textures and colors	- Brick, stone and other traditional masonry materials - Contemporary materials that take cues from adjacent buildings - Combination of materials, textures to create architectural interest - Color used to enhance details	- Metal panels - Construction grade concrete block - Single, monotonous texture that lacks detail - Colors that clash with adjoining buildings
FACADE	Entrances and Doors	- Continue storefronts at street level - Locating primary entrances on main or side streets	- Blank walls at street level - Locating primary entrances on rear facades
	Window	- Continue the traditional window patterns of neighboring buildings - Repetitive and ordered placement of windows - Maintain divisions between first and second floors	- Window patterns that deviate from the traditional patterns of neighboring buildings - Random and disorganized placement of windows - Blank, windowless walls on upper stories
	Signage	- Signage compatible with architectural design of the building	- Signage that disrupts the architectural design of the building
SITE PLAN	Setbacks	- Continue traditional setback of neighboring buildings	- Large setbacks that disrupt the overall streetscape
	Parking	- Locating parking to the side or rear of property - Locating parking behind the building - Landscaping or screening of parking areas	- Locating parking in front of the building - Lack of landscaping or screening of parking areas

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

Line drawings that correspond to written design guidelines are a useful reference for architects and property owners planning new construction projects.

SOME INFALL FAILS TO FILL

Gaps in the "urban wall" invite new developments that emphasize, rather than close, the gaps.

INFILL SHOULD CLOSE GAPS

Inappropriate infill structures like the one-story drive-in shown above should be avoided. Instead, the example below illustrates that the gap in the "urban wall" is more effectively closed by a several-story building that stretches across the gap. The facade is divided into bays that complement the street rhythm set by existing structures.

1177.01 PRIVATE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE.

(a) Owners of both improved and unimproved properties, whether occupied or vacant, shall be responsible for the maintenance in good repair, safe and sanitary condition, and presentable appearance so as not to create a blighting influence on nearby property, of those portions of their property that are visible from the street or from another public area.

(b) Such maintenance shall include the following items installed on the property of either owners or the tenants:

(1) All building facades, including trim, windows and window frames, and cornices and upper stories as well as streetlevel areas;

(2) All walks, stairways, landings, fire escapes, porches and patios;

(3) All landscaping, including trees, grass, ground cover and shrubs;

(4) Lighting, including the prompt replacement of burned-out bulbs;

(5) Signs, awnings, canopies, walls and fences;

(6) Off-street parking, loading, driveway and refuse disposal areas;

(7) Exterior display or storage of materials, merchandise or equipment is prohibited, with the exception of a downtown merchant's special event; and

(8) Open spaces and vacant areas or lots.

(c) Property visible from public areas shall be free of excessive peeling of paint, crumbling stone or brick, loose shingles or siding, cracked or broken glass, untrimmed or overgrown vegetation, and debris, litter and rubble.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1177.02 PUBLIC SIDEWALK AND STREETSCAPE CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE.

Ground Floor property owners shall be responsible for the cleaning of and removal of loose paper and refuse from public sidewalks from the property line to the curb.

Property owners shall be responsible for repair or replacement of sidewalks abutting their property.

The City shall be responsible for:

(a) The cleaning and maintenance of City streets and alleys and of the lighting thereof where such lighting may be installed; and

(b) The repair or replacement of City streets, alleys and public streetscape improvements, including sidewalk landscaping and street lights.

The cleaning, maintenance and repair of privately-owned property permitted by the City on sidewalks, such as private planters, private benches or outdoor restaurant seating, shall be the responsibility of the owner thereof.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1177.03 NONFUNCTIONAL UTILITY WIRING.

The owner of a property shall cause to be removed any utility wiring on such property that is no longer functional within ninety (90) days of its becoming nonfunctional.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1177.04 LANDSCAPING MAINTENANCE.

As provided in Section 907.04 of the Codified Ordinances, property owners or ground floor occupants shall, as appropriate, remove, trim, prune, weed or spray any tree, shrub or planting strip upon or in the public right-of-way abutting their property that:

(a) Is diseased, dead, infested or dangerous; or

(b) Obstructs the free passage of pedestrians or traffic; or

Maintenance of landscaping located on portions of a sidewalk that have been extended into the street beyond the original curb line shall be the responsibility of the City.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1177.05 REFUSE MANAGEMENT.

(a) Litter Receptacles. The City shall provide in convenient and conspicuous locations attractive litter receptacles for use by the public. The City shall empty such receptacles with such frequency as is required to prevent full or overflowing containers. Refuse from commercial or residential buildings shall not be deposited in public litter receptacles.

(b) Refuse in Containers Only. All outdoor premises on private property shall be kept clean by the owner or occupant thereof of any refuse, trash or garbage except for refuse disposal bundles and containers. Refuse set out for collection shall be contained in trash cans or in securely tied plastic bags. Newspapers and rags shall be bundled and securely tied if put out separately for collection, and cartons shall be flattened and secured.

(c) Location of Trash Dumpsters. Except for litter containers intended for the daily use of the public, trash dumspters may be set out on a sidewalk only in anticipation of collection, but no more than twelve (12) hours in advance of a scheduled collection. Trash dumpsters shall be removed immediately after collection. At all other times, dumpsters shall be placed out of view or be screened.

(d) Screening of Trash Dumpsters. Trash dumpsters shall be located to the rear of all downtown properties. In order to improve the visual quality of the downtown, trash dumpsters that are not shielded from public ways by buildings should be screened by other means. The following are appropriate means of screening refuse containers:

- Wood privacy fencing

- Brick walls

- Painted masonry walls

- Landscaping combined with the above listed screening types

The type of material used should be compatible with the existing building. Appropriate screening and/or fencing would need to be at least as tall as the trash dumpster, but no more than six (6) feet in height.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1177.06 STREETSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION.

The concept of "streetscape" in downtown areas refers to the various elements that work together to create a particular environmental character or sense of place. The streetscape is a collection of elements such as; streets, buildings, sidewalks, trees, landscaping, parking lots, lighting fixtures, and street furniture such as benches and trash receptacles. Depending upon how the elements of a streetscape are assembled and maintained, the resulting appearance might be pleasant, unpleasant, or somewhere in between. Traditionally, streetscape elements create an environment that has a human scale and is pedestrian-friendly.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1177.07 OFF-STREET PARKING.

All off-street parking in the Design Improvement Area shall be subject to the restrictions as provided in Chapter 1149.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1177.08 LANDSCAPING AND SCREENING.

All landscaping and screening in the Design Improvement Area shall be subject to the restrictions as provided in Chapter 1151.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

1177.09 EXTERIOR BUILDING LIGHTING.

The lighting of the outside of downtown buildings is encouraged. Decorative lighting should emphasize the architectural features of the building being lit. Sources of lighting should be as unobtrusive as possible. Lighting sources should also be directed, shaded, shielded, or otherwise arranged so as not to produce glare in surrounding properties or public streets.

Downtown business owners are encouraged to light any storefront windows or display windows that are along public streets. Attractive displays of merchandise along with seasonal and holiday arrangements are encouraged to add interest to the downtown pedestrian. Timed light fixtures could also be used for lighting the storefront displays at night.

(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)

When buildings are razed for parking, it is important to re-establish the "urban wall" destroyed by the demolition. Trees, fences, and other landscape elements can help mitigate the loss, as shown in the drawings below. Street glare is cut by certain trees, and well-placed landscaping adds beauty to the street and property.