Chapter 15.15
HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT (HCT) FACILITIES
Sections:
15.15.010 Purpose.
15.15.015 Director.
15.15.020 Authority and application.
15.15.110 Station design – Architectural expression.
15.15.120 Site furnishings.
15.15.130 Lighting.
15.15.210 Track design.
15.15.220 Buffering of track corridor.
15.15.230 Elevated structures.
15.15.240 Pedestrian crossings of track and access to stations.
15.15.310 Minimum parking space requirements.
15.15.320 Surface parking lot landscaping and treatment of perimeter.
15.15.330 Pedestrian circulation through parking lots.
15.15.340 Placement of surface parking facilities.
15.15.410 Threshold standard for the inclusion of structured parking.
15.15.420 Parking structure design.
15.15.430 Parking structure character and massing.
15.15.440 Ground floor uses in parking structures.
15.15.510 Offsite improvements.
15.15.610 Directional and informational signage.
15.15.620 Community guides, maps, directories, bulletin boards.
15.15.630 Station-related advertising signs.
15.15.710 Fire safety standards.
15.15.800 Development plan – Filing requirements.
15.15.900 Minimum open space area required.
15.15.910 Front yard open space.
15.15.920 Relation to adjacent development.
15.15.010 Purpose.
The design standards for high capacity transit (HCT) facilities are intended to encourage:
A. Facilities and stations that are well designed;
B. Development of distinctive community focal points;
C. Connections between the HCT network, adjacent development, and community vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle routes;
D. Incorporation of pedestrian-oriented furnishings and a variety of public spaces;
E. Adequate buffers between different types of land uses; and
F. Uses of alternative travel modes rather than single-occupant vehicles.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.015 Director.
For purposes of this chapter, director means the director of economic and community development or the director’s designee.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.020 Authority and application.
A. This chapter shall apply to:
1. Any form of HCT, such as light or heavy rail, train, express bus, personal rapid transit, people mover, or other similar technology that moves large numbers of people to set destinations, but excluding transit systems designed to exclusively serve transport to and from airport terminals or associated airport facilities;
2. All property owned, purchased or leased by public agencies for the purpose of constructing or operating HCT systems and associated facilities; and
3. All HCT facility construction requiring a city building permit, but excluding bus stops and minor expansions (less than twenty (20) percent) of existing HCT facilities.
B. In order to provide flexibility and creativity of project design, minor variations from these standards may be permitted, subject to the approval of the director, if the strict interpretation or application of these standards would be inconsistent with related or more restrictive provisions of the zoning code, or would be contrary to the overall purpose or intent of city goals and policies established in the city’s comprehensive plan.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.110 Station design – Architectural expression.
A. In order to ensure that HCT station facilities, associated site furnishings, and public art are designed as an expression of community identity, each HCT station within the city shall be consistent with a locally determined design theme. The process to determine a local design theme shall be established for each HCT facility by the director.
B. HCT station design themes shall be approved by the city council.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.120 Site furnishings.
A. Weather protection – Shelters.
1. Weather protection features or shelters shall be provided at station platforms and buildings by including vertical and horizontal features to minimize passenger exposure to wind and rain. Weather protection features may include, but are not limited to: awnings, marquees, canopies, building overhangs, walls, or other features acceptable to the director.
2. In order to ensure that HCT weather protection features or shelters are designed as an expression of community identity, roof designs shall conform to one (1) of the following options:
a. Roofline with architectural focal point. A roofline focal point refers to a prominent rooftop feature such as a peak, barrel vault, undulating curve, or roofline art installation.
b. Roofline variation. A roofline variation refers to a roofline articulated through variation or steps in roof height or detail.
B. Benches and seating areas.
1. HCT station areas and platforms shall include seating areas designed and arranged as part of a coherent HCT station theme. Station platforms shall include at least one (1) linear foot of seating per each ten (10) linear foot length of station loading platform.
2. Usable open space areas adjacent to HCT stations, such as publicly accessible plazas, courtyards and pocket parks, shall include at least one (1) linear foot of seating per each fifty (50) square feet of plaza, courtyard or pocket park space onsite.
3. HCT station seating shall be in the form of:
a. Leaning rails associated with platform waiting areas (no more than fifty (50) percent of total linear feet of seating);
b. Benches or chairs at least twenty (20) inches wide; or
c. Seating incorporated into low walls, raised planters or building foundations at least twelve (12) inches wide and eighteen (18) inches high.
C. Platform landscaping and associated open space.
1. All principal ground level exterior entry points to at-grade or elevated station platforms shall include a minimum of two hundred (200) square feet of usable open space consisting of decorative paving.
a. Usable open space shall include one (1) or more publicly accessible plazas, courtyards, pocket parks or decorative paving areas constructed contiguous with new or existing sidewalks located either within the front yard setback or elsewhere onsite.
b. Developments proposed to include onsite plazas and pocket parks as publicly accessible project amenities shall link the open space elements with adjacent sidewalks, pedestrian paths, or bikeways.
2. Decorative paving areas shall be constructed of such materials as stamped, broom finish, or scored concrete, brick or modular pavers. One (1) deciduous tree of at least three (3) inches diameter (caliper) measured four (4) feet above the ground at the time of planting, or one (1) evergreen tree at least eight (8) feet in height from treetop to ground level at the time of planting, shall be required for every two hundred (200) square feet of decorative paving area.
3. At-grade HCT stations shall include trees in landscape beds or planting wells on or adjacent to the station platform.
D. Ornamental fencing.
1. The design, color and material of any fencing associated with an HCT station shall be consistent with the city’s established station design theme, in accordance with KCC 15.15.110.
2. Where station area fencing is proposed to be included, the fence type shall conform to one (1) or more of the following options:
a. Ornamental iron or steel;
b. Cable and bollard fencing;
c. Post and chain fencing; or
d. Brick.
3. HCT station area fencing shall not include barbed wire, razor wire or chain-link fencing.
E. Restroom facilities. HCT stations associated with a park and ride lot, as described in RCW 47.12.270, as amended, and HCT stations with parking facilities, shall include public restrooms with sanitary sewer connections, as well as hot and cold running water.
F. Garbage receptacles. Garbage receptacles shall be provided at all HCT station areas.
G. Bicycle parking areas.
1. Rack space and storage lockers for a minimum of ten (10) bicycles shall be provided at each HCT station.
2. Bicycle parking areas shall be located out of pedestrian walkways, and within fifty (50) feet of station entrances.
H. Materials. Exterior materials and site furnishings associated with HCT station structures shall be consistent with the city’s established station design theme, in accordance with KCC 15.15.110, and selected to handle long-term exposure to weather and heavy use.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.130 Lighting.
A. Lighting associated with all HCT facilities shall be screened, hooded or otherwise limited in illumination area so as to minimize excessive “light throw” to offsite areas. Light fixtures shall be sited and directed to minimize glare.
B. Light post standards at the pedestrian level shall be no greater than sixteen (16) feet in height. Light post standards used to illuminate vehicular access ways and parking lots shall be no greater than twenty-five (25) feet in height.
C. Exterior lighting shall be used to identify and distinguish the pedestrian walkway network from car or transit circulation. Along pedestrian circulation corridors, light post standards shall be placed between pedestrian ways and public or private streets, driveways or parking areas.
D. Light post standard designs shall be approved by the director, consistent with the city’s established station design theme, in accordance with KCC 15.15.110.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.210 Track design.
A. At-grade HCT track within or immediately adjacent to a public street right-of-way shall be embedded in nonasphalt, ornamental paving material, consisting of patterned or colored concrete, brick, cobble stone-patterned pavers, grass-crete, or other similar ornamental paving system subject to approval by the director.
B. Any structural supports for the HCT overhead catenary system within or immediately adjacent to a public street right-of-way shall be low profile and carefully selected as part of a unified street design. Where possible, the HCT overhead catenary system shall be supported through arm extensions attached to light standards or other traditional streetscape elements.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.220 Buffering of track corridor.
A. Landscaping.
1. At-grade HCT track corridors shall be screened from adjacent streets or nearby development with landscape strips at least five (5) feet wide, consisting of trees, low shrubs, and ground cover paralleling the track corridor, subject to approval by the director. The required five (5) foot landscape strip width dimension shall be a measurement of the usable soil area between pavement curb edges.
2. The area beneath elevated guideways not utilized for other public purposes, including but not limited to streets, sidewalks, bike tracks, parking stalls or parks, shall be landscaped in accordance with Chapter 15.07 KCC for Type V landscaping, unless modified due to existing site conditions. Any modification must be approved by the director.
B. Noise barriers. Where noise barrier sound walls are to be included in addition to the required landscape strip along HCT corridors, wall design and type shall conform to one (1) or more of the following options:
1. Precast or cast-in-place concrete with architectural texturing; or
2. Patterned masonry.
C. Light rail vehicle noise suppression. Light rail vehicles and associated track shall utilize the best available noise suppression technology in order to minimize adverse impacts to adjacent properties.
D. Track corridor access control.
1. At-grade HCT track within or immediately adjacent to a public street right-of-way, with the exception of dedicated crossing points, shall be separated from automobile and pedestrian areas through the inclusion of one (1) of the following:
a. Cable and bollard fencing;
b. Post and chain fencing;
c. Contrasting surface material and texture;
d. Landscape medians between the HCT track right-of-way and the automobile or pedestrian areas; or
e. Rolled curb.
2. Where fencing along HCT track corridors is to be included in areas not within or adjacent to a public street right-of-way, the fence type shall conform to one (1) or more of the following options:
a. Ornamental iron or steel;
b. Chain link with top rail, colored vinyl coating, or decorative slatting;
c. Cable and bollard fencing; or
d. Post and chain fencing.
3. HCT track corridor fencing shall not include barbed wire, razor wire, or chain link fencing without a colored vinyl coating or decorative slatting.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.230 Elevated structures.
The design of support columns for elevated sections of HCT track visible from the public right-of-way shall conform to at least one (1) of the following options, as approved by the director:
A. A decorative form pattern, or other architectural feature covering at least fifty (50) percent of the surface of support columns; or
B. Projections, indentations, or intervals of material change to visually break up the surface of support columns.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.240 Pedestrian crossings of track and access to stations.
In order to minimize risk of collision with light rail transit vehicles or other vehicular traffic, pedestrian crossings of HCT track or public streets serving HCT stations shall conform to the following standard:
A. Crossings of streets with less than thirty thousand (30,000) daily vehicle trips shall include a signalized pedestrian crossing.
B. Crossings of streets with more than thirty thousand (30,000) daily vehicle trips shall include a covered pedestrian overpass.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.310 Minimum parking space requirements.
A. In order to provide adequate off-street parking, the lead agency for an HCT facility shall be required to provide a parking study, prepared as part of an EIS or separately, for each station, demonstrating that the parking demand will be satisfied. The director shall review the proposed minimum number of required parking spaces per HCT station and, after consultation with the public works director, shall make a determination as to adequacy, based on a comparable parking demand.
B. The minimum number of required parking spaces per HCT station, as established pursuant to this section, shall form the basis for determining the threshold standard for the inclusion of structured parking, as specified in KCC 15.15.410.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.320 Surface parking lot landscaping and treatment of perimeter.
A. At least ten (10) percent of the interior surface parking area shall have landscaping when the total number of parking spaces exceeds twenty (20), including a minimum of one (1) tree for every seven (7) parking spaces, to be distributed between rows or spaces throughout the parking lot.
B. Surface parking shall be visually screened from public or private streets by means of building placement or landscaping. The perimeter of a parking lot shall be planted with Type III landscaping at least five (5) feet wide. Any abutting landscaped areas can be credited toward meeting this standard.
C. The required width dimension for interior parking area planting beds shall be a measurement of the usable soil area between pavement curb edges. Trees and required landscaping shall be placed in planting beds at least five (5) feet in width between parking rows or spaces within the interior of the parking lot.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.330 Pedestrian circulation through parking lots.
A. Pedestrian walkways shall be provided through surface parking lots containing one hundred (100) or more parking spaces. Pedestrian walkways shall be raised a minimum of three (3) inches above the parking surface grade, and shall be a minimum of six (6) feet wide, separated from vehicular travel lanes to the maximum extent possible and designed to provide safe access to HCT station platforms or existing pedestrian ways.
1. For parking rows perpendicular to HCT station loading platforms, pedestrian ways shall be located between two (2) rows of parking spaces at a minimum of one (1) pedestrian way every two hundred (200) feet.
2. For parking rows parallel to HCT station loading platforms, pedestrian ways shall be incorporated adjacent to a series of aligned landscape islands at a minimum of one (1) walkway every twenty-one (21) parking spaces.
B. The pedestrian way network shall be clearly distinguished from vehicular or transit circulation. This is particularly important in areas where these various travel modes intersect, such as at driveway entrances. Where sidewalks or walkways cross vehicular driveways, the pedestrian crossing shall be distinguished from the driveway surface by use of a continuous raised crossing or by marking with a contrasting paving material.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.340 Placement of surface parking facilities.
Except for short-term loading and offloading areas, HCT station surface parking lots shall be allowed only as an interim use subject to the following requirements:
A. A site plan as established in KCC 15.15.800(A); and
B. A binding commitment that any surface parking facility will be made available for transit-oriented development within a set time period, as determined by the director.
The term transit-oriented development refers to public/private development that supports transit use. Transit-oriented development projects emphasize pedestrian access, and include a mix of residential, commercial, recreational and service activities centered at or around transit facilities.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.410 Threshold standard for the inclusion of structured parking.
In order to meet city goals for high density development near transit stations, each HCT station with more than two hundred (200) associated parking spaces shall include a parking structure either onsite or on adjacent property with capacity to house all of the total minimum number of required parking spaces, as established in KCC 15.15.310.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.420 Parking structure design.
A. Parking decks should be flat where feasible. At a minimum, a majority of both the ground floor and top parking decks shall be required to be flat, as opposed to continuously ramping.
B. External elevator towers and stairwells shall be open to public view, or enclosed with transparent glazing.
C. Lighting on or within multi-level parking structures shall be screened, hooded or otherwise limited in illumination area so as to minimize excessive “light throw” to offsite areas, but must still provide sufficient internal lighting, as determined by the director.
D. Parking structure top floor wall design must conform to one (1) or more of the following options:
1. Architectural focal point. A prominent edge feature such as a glazed elevator or stair tower, or top floor line trellis structure.
2. Projecting cornice. Top floor wall line articulated through a variation or step in cornice height or detail. Cornices must be located at or near the top of the wall or parapet.
3. Articulated parapet. Top floor wall line parapets shall incorporate angled, curved or stepped detail elements.
4. Alternative options that provide similar or better features, subject to approval by the director.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.430 Parking structure character and massing.
Parking structure elevations over one hundred fifty (150) feet in length shall incorporate vertical or horizontal variation in setback, material or fenestration design along the length of the applicable facade, in at least one (1) of the following ways:
A. Vertical facades shall be designed to incorporate intervals of architectural variation at least every sixty (60) feet over the length of the applicable facade, including one (1) or more of the following:
1. Varying the arrangement, proportion or design of garage floor openings;
2. Incorporating changes in architectural materials, including texture and color; or
3. Projecting forward or recessing back portions or elements of the parking structure facade.
B. Horizontal facades shall be designed to differentiate the ground floor from upper floors by including one (1) or more of the following:
1. Stepping back the upper floors from the ground floor parking structure facade;
2. Changing materials between the parking structure base and upper floors; or
3. Including a continuous cornice line or pedestrian weather protection element between the ground floor and upper floors.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.440 Ground floor uses in parking structures.
A. Each parking structure shall be designed so that a minimum of fifty (50) percent of the length of the exterior ground floor facade with existing or projected adjacent foot traffic, excluding vehicle entrances and exits, includes ground floor area either built out as, or convertible to, retail/commercial or service uses.
B. The applicable ground floor area shall extend in depth a minimum of twenty (20) feet from the exterior parking structure facade; provided, that the minimum required may be averaged, with no depth less than fifteen (15) feet.
C. The clear interior ceiling height standard for the retail/commercial or service use portion of a parking structure shall be a minimum of fourteen (14) feet.
D. Parking structure ground floors shall include fire suppressing sprinkler systems at the time of construction.
E. The director may consider a ground floor bus or drop-off facility rather than a retail or service use if the director determines that such a facility would better promote transit-oriented development around the HCT station.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.510 Offsite improvements.
A. To promote public transit use, the city and the lead agency for the development of HCT facilities shall coordinate an assessment of the need for vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian access improvements within a comfortable biking and walking distance of each city HCT station. One thousand five hundred (1,500) feet is considered a “comfortable walking distance”; six thousand (6,000) feet is considered a “comfortable biking distance”; however, the actual distance could be greater or lesser depending on surrounding features.
B. HCT station area access improvements shall include the following:
1. HCT station platforms shall be connected to nearby core commercial, residential and employment areas through paved sidewalks, pedestrian-only walkways or pedestrian overpasses. Stations and park and ride lots shall be linked when feasible with existing and proposed bike routes and pedestrian trails as shown in the city’s comprehensive plan.
2. Station area street improvements shall include sidewalks, bike lanes or paths, street trees, street front landscaping, improved lighting, and, if applicable, bus stop and HOV lane improvements, as approved by the director, after consultation with the director of public works.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.610 Directional and informational signage.
A. Directional or informational signs associated with HCT stations shall be consistent with the city’s established station design theme, in accordance with KCC 15.15.110.
B. The lead agency for the construction of an HCT station shall coordinate with the city in determining appropriate installation locations and design of station exterior or offsite signage.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.620 Community guides, maps, directories, bulletin boards.
A. Local information signs associated with HCT stations, in the form of community guides, maps, directories or bulletin boards, are intended to convey information to the general public regarding local services, amenities, or general city information.
B. The lead agency shall coordinate with the city in determining appropriate installation locations for one (1) or more forms of local information signage at each HCT station.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.630 Station-related advertising signs.
No commercial advertising signs shall be visible from outside the HCT station. This section shall not apply to signs on rail cars.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.710 Fire safety standards.
The design of HCT stations and associated facilities, including elevated structures, shall conform to the most current versions of all applicable sections of the building code, fire code, and National Fire Protection Standards No. 130. Conflicts among these codes shall be resolved in favor of the city’s currently adopted building and fire codes or as otherwise approved by the fire marshal and building official.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.800 Development plan – Filing requirements.
Development applications must be submitted in sufficient detail to allow review of the project in accordance with the special standards of this chapter, SEPA requirements, and other applicable provisions of this code.
In addition to existing application requirements, the following information, at a minimum, must be included as elements in every HCT development application:
A. Site plan. A site plan, at a scale no smaller than one (1) inch to twenty (20) feet, which must show the following:
1. The location, size and finished grade of all proposed and existing onsite structures, as well as the existing topography and the grade of all public or private streets adjacent to the site;
2. A circulation plan which depicts access to the site and the vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle traffic flow onsite, as well as links with developments on adjoining parcels. Site access and circulation shall be approved by both the director and the director of public works;
3. The location, arrangement, and total square footage of onsite usable open space areas, as specified in KCC 15.15.900 and 15.15.910;
4. Links to open spaces and landscaped areas on adjacent parcels;
5. The lot lines and footprints of all structures on all parcels within two hundred (200) feet of the boundaries of the project parcel; and
6. Details on how all mechanical and utility rooftop equipment will be screened.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.900 Minimum open space area required.
A. A minimum of ten (10) percent of the net site area shall be set aside as usable outdoor open space accessible to the public. Net site area is the total site area for the station, including, but not limited to: parking and maneuvering areas, platforms, buildings and other structures, minus areas classified as critical areas under Chapter 11.06 KCC.
1. Required landscaping and sensitive area buffers without common access links, such as pedestrian trails, shall not be included toward meeting the minimum open space area requirement.
2. Driveways, parking, or other auto uses shall not be included in any usable outdoor open space area.
3. Areas of a parcel with slopes greater than eight (8) percent shall not qualify as usable outdoor open space, unless the area has been developed with an enhanced accessibility system of stairs, ramps, terraces, trails, seating areas, or other site improvements approved by the director.
4. Wetlands, streams, and their associated buffers shall be excluded for the purpose of calculating the open space requirement.
5. Provided that such facilities are at grade and not covered, storm water facilities shall be excluded for the purpose of calculating the open space requirement.
B. Usable open space shall include one (1) or more of the following:
1. Active outdoor recreation areas;
2. Multi-purpose green spaces;
3. Pedestrian-only corridors separate from the public or private roadway system and dedicated to passive recreation, including access links in sensitive area buffers (also see Chapter 11.06 KCC). The square footage of pedestrian-only corridors shall be counted as usable open space. A pedestrian overpass on a street shall not be counted as usable open space; or
4. Publicly accessible plazas, courtyards, pocket parks and decorative paving areas constructed contiguous with new or existing sidewalks located either within the front yard setback or elsewhere onsite. Developments proposing onsite plazas and pocket parks as publicly accessible project amenities shall link the open space elements with adjacent sidewalks, pedestrian paths, or bikeways. Publicly accessible courtyard designs shall conform to the following standards:
a. The courtyard dimension is a measurement of the usable open space between two (2) buildings or to a property line, and shall have a width equal to the height of the building, up to a maximum of seventy-five (75) feet, but in no case less than twenty (20) feet.
b. If the enclosing walls of a courtyard terrace upward and back with succeeding stories, the courtyard dimension shall be measured from the lowest enclosing floor or projection.
C. The front yard open space requirement per KCC 15.15.910 may be counted toward the minimum open space area requirement.
D. Usable open space areas onsite shall be organized and designed in a manner that allows for maximum integration with open space on adjacent parcels, as specified in KCC 15.15.920.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.910 Front yard open space.
The following front yard open space regulations shall supersede the street frontage landscape requirement as specified in Chapter 15.07 KCC. The building facade landscaping and other landscaping requirements shall continue to apply.
A. Front yard open space area equal to the square footage of a five (5) foot strip along the length of street-facing front facades shall be developed and arranged in a manner that is accessible to the public at all times, directly connected to a sidewalk or pedestrian pathway, and bordered on at least one (1) side by, or readily accessible from, approved structures onsite. Front yard open space shall be placed in one (1) or more of the following ways, as approved by the director:
1. Plaza, courtyard, or pocket park. Publicly accessible open space a minimum of two hundred (200) square feet that is adjacent to a pedestrian building entrance and consisting of at least fifty (50) percent decorative paving. The remaining percentage of required open space area may be installed as plantings within or immediately adjacent to the plaza, courtyard, or pocket park. One (1) tree shall be required for every two hundred (200) square feet of decorative paving area. Decorative paving areas shall be constructed of such materials as stamped, broom finish, or scored concrete, brick or modular pavers;
2. Multi-purpose green space. A combination of grass, pedestrian ways, and seating areas of a minimum two hundred (200) square feet. One (1) tree shall be required for every two hundred (200) square feet of green space area; or
3. Decorative paving contiguous with sidewalk. A minimum five (5) foot wide decorative paving area constructed contiguous with a new or existing sidewalk along the length of the front yard building facade, coupled with a direct connection between the building entrance and sidewalk.
B. Outdoor seating. Publicly accessible plazas, courtyards, and pocket parks shall include at least one (1) linear foot of seating per each forty (40) square feet of plaza, courtyard, or pocket park space onsite. Outdoor seating shall be in the form of:
1. Freestanding outdoor benches at least sixteen (16) inches wide; or
2. Seating incorporated into low walls, raised planters or building foundations at least twelve (12) inches wide and eighteen (18) inches high.
C. Focal point for plazas, courtyards and pocket parks. In addition to seating, publicly accessible plazas, courtyards, and pocket parks should incorporate one (1) or more of the following open space amenities in order to encourage pedestrian use and activity:
1. Public art, such as a water feature or sculpture;
2. Performance or stage areas; or
3. Other public amenities, as approved by the director.
D. Accessory site furnishings. Accessory site furnishings shall be located so as not to obstruct pedestrian access along sidewalks and to businesses.
1. Waste receptacles, movable planters and other accessory site furnishings shall be designed to be compatible with the design of the plaza, courtyard, or pocket park, through the use of similar detailing or materials.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15)
15.15.920 Relation to adjacent development.
Proposed developments shall coordinate with current site planning and development efforts on adjoining parcels to take advantage of opportunities to mutually improve development design.
A. Adjacent developments shall link open spaces and landscaping whenever possible.
B. Proposed developments shall provide publicly accessible pedestrian connections to adjacent residential neighborhoods wherever possible, via a through-block walkway or links to sidewalks; or provide stairs or ramps where necessary when topographic barriers, such as steep slopes, inhibit direct access to surrounding development or destination points, such as transit stops.
C. Where multifamily residential development is located adjacent to retail, commercial, employment, or institutional uses, side or rear yard landscape buffers shall be intersected by approved pedestrian circulation routes in order to facilitate convenient walking connections to adjacent uses or services.
D. Buildings or structures that terminate view corridors shall include architectural features that increase the visibility and landmark status of the subject building facade, such as a clearly defined building modulation (with a minimum width of eight feet and a minimum depth of three feet), pedestrian entry feature, or roofline that accentuates the building as a focal point.
(Ord. No. 4151, § 1, 5-19-15; Ord. No. 4225, § 16, 12-13-16)