Chapter 23.74
BIG-BOX RETAIL DESIGN STANDARDS
Sections:
23.74.010 Purpose.
The following design standards are intended to ensure that large retail development is compatible with its surrounding area, integrates into the natural and built environment, efficiently connects to a multimodal transportation system, and contributes to the unique character of Elk Grove. [Ord. 23-2007 §1, eff. 9-21-2007; Ord. 26-2006 §3, eff. 8-11-2006]
23.74.020 Applicability.
The development and design standards contained within this chapter apply to all new retail establishments with single tenant space of 50,000 gross square feet or greater. Existing large retail establishments of said square footage or larger will comply with these standards if the proposed renovations or improvements exceed 50 percent of the market value. Allowed retail uses shall be consistent with the allowed use provisions for commercial districts in Division III of this title and corresponding definitions in Division VI of this title. These design standards supplement the applicable standards in Divisions III and IV of this title. [Ord. 23-2007 §1, eff. 9-21-2007; Ord. 26-2006 §3, eff. 8-11-2006]
23.74.030 Land use.
All large retail establishments shall be located in a group of more than four retail establishments located in a complex which is planned, developed, owned or managed as a single unit with off-street parking provided on the property. Indoor recreation facilities are exempt from this requirement. [Ord. 26-2006 §3, eff. 8-11-2006]
23.74.040 Design standards.
A. Aesthetic Character.
1. Facades and Exterior Walls.
a. Facades greater than 100 feet in length, measured horizontally, shall incorporate wall plane projections or recesses having a depth of at least three percent of the length of the facade and extending at least 20 percent of the length of the facade. No uninterrupted length of any facade shall exceed 100 horizontal feet.
b. Ground floor facades that face public streets shall have arcades, display windows, entry areas, awnings, or other such features along no less than 60 percent of their horizontal length.
2. Small Retail Stores. Where large retail establishments contain additional separately owned stores that occupy less than 30,000 square feet of gross floor area, with separate, exterior customer entrances, the street level facade of such stores shall be transparent above the walkway grade for no less than 50 percent of the horizontal length of the building facade of such additional stores.
3. Detail Features. Building facades must include:
a. A repeating pattern that includes no less than three of the following typical elements:
i. Color change;
ii. Texture change;
iii. Material module change;
iv. An expression of architectural or structural bays through a change in plane no less than 12 inches in width, such as an offset, reveal or projecting rib;
v. A specific architectural element proposed by the applicant’s architect that is acceptable to the designated approving authority.
Note: At least one of the elements listed in subsection (A)(3)(a)(i), (ii) or (iii) of this section shall be repeated horizontally. All elements shall repeat at intervals of no more than 30 feet, either horizontally or vertically.
4. Roofs. Roofs shall have no less than two (2) of the following features:
a. Parapets concealing flat roofs and rooftop equipment, such as HVAC units, from public view. The average height of such parapets shall not exceed fifteen (15%) percent of the height of the supporting wall and such parapets shall not at any point exceed one-third (1/3) of the height of the supporting wall. Such parapets shall feature three (3) dimensional cornice treatment;
b. Overhanging eaves, extending no less than three (3' 0") feet past the supporting walls;
c. Sloping roofs that do not exceed the average height of the supporting walls, with an average slope greater than or equal to one (1' 0") foot of vertical rise for every three (3' 0") feet of horizontal run and less than or equal to one (1' 0") foot of vertical rise for every one (1' 0") foot of horizontal run;
d. Three (3) or more roof slope planes;
e. A specific architectural element proposed by the applicant’s architect that is acceptable to the Development Services Director and the Planning Commission.
5. Materials and Colors.
a. Predominant exterior building materials shall be of high-quality material, including, but not limited to, brick, sandstone, other native stone, and tinted/textured concrete masonry units.
b. Facade colors shall be low reflectance, subtle, neutral, or earth tone colors. The use of high intensity colors, metallic colors, black or fluorescent colors shall be prohibited.
c. Building trim and accent areas may feature brighter colors, including primary colors, but neon tubing shall not be an acceptable feature for building trim or accent areas.
d. Exterior building materials shall not include smooth-faced concrete block, tilt-up concrete panels, or prefabricated steel panels.
B. Entryways. Each large retail establishment on a site shall have clearly defined, highly visible customer entrances featuring no less than five of the following:
1. Canopies or porticos;
2. Overhangs;
3. Recesses/projections;
4. Arcades;
5. Raised corniced parapets over the door;
6. Peaked roof forms;
7. Arches;
8. Outdoor patios;
9. Display windows;
10. Architectural details such as tile work and moldings which are integrated into the building structure and design;
11. Integral planters or wing walls that incorporate landscaped areas and/or places for sitting;
12. A specific architectural element proposed by the applicant’s architect that is acceptable to the City Planner and Planning Commission;
13. Where additional stores will be located in the large retail establishment, each such store may have at least one exterior customer entrance, which shall conform to the above requirements.
C. Site Design and Relationship to Surrounding Community.
1. Entrances. All sides of a large retail establishment that directly face an abutting public street shall feature at least one customer entrance. Where a large retail establishment directly faces more than two abutting public streets, this requirement shall apply only to two sides of the building, including the side of the building facing the primary street, and another side of the building facing a second street. Movie theaters are exempt from this requirement.
2. Parking. See Chapter 23.58 EGMC, Parking, for relevant parking provisions.
3. Back Sides. The minimum rear setback for any building facade shall be 35 feet from the nearest property line. Where the facade faces adjacent residential uses, an earthen berm, no less than six feet in height, containing at a minimum native trees planted at intervals of 20 feet on center, or in clusters or clumps, shall be provided. The landscaping standards of Chapter 23.54 EGMC, Landscaping, shall also apply to properly buffer the proposed use from existing residential uses.
4. Vehicular, Pedestrian, and Bicycle Connectivity. The site design must provide direct connections and safe street crossings to adjacent land uses and existing and proposed public transportation facilities and bikeways.
5. Central Features and Community Space. Each retail establishment subject to these standards shall contribute to the establishment or enhancement of community and public spaces by providing at least two of the following: patio/seating area, pedestrian plaza with benches, window shopping walkway, outdoor playground area, kiosk area, water feature, self-supporting street clock, or other such deliberately shaped area and/or a focal feature or amenity that, in the judgment of the designated approving authority, adequately enhances such community and public spaces. Any such areas shall have direct access to the public sidewalk network and such features shall not be constructed of materials that are inferior to the principal materials of the building and landscape.
6. Delivery/Loading Operations. No delivery, loading, trash removal or compaction, or other such operations shall be permitted between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. unless the applicant submits evidence that noise abatement strategies between all areas for such operations effectively reduce noise emissions to a level of 45 dB, as measured at the lot line of any adjoining property (also see Chapter 23.58 EGMC, Parking).
7. Lighting. See Chapter 23.56 EGMC, Lighting, for applicable lighting provisions.
8. Signage. See Chapter 23.62 EGMC, Signs on Private Property, for applicable sign provisions.
9. Landscaping. See Chapter 23.54 EGMC, Landscaping, for applicable landscaping provisions. [Ord. 24-2015 §11 (Exh. I), eff. 2-12-2016; Ord. 26-2006 §3, eff. 8-11-2006]