Chapter 26.20
DISTRICT-WIDE DESIGN GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS

Sections:

26.20.010    Minimum bulk requirements/standards.

26.20.020    Vistas.

26.20.030    Landscaping in the public right-of-way.

26.20.040    Residential landscaping.

26.20.050    Landscaping for nonresidential uses.

26.20.060    District identification.

26.20.070    Building identification.

26.20.080    Utility systems.

26.20.090    Fencing.

26.20.100    Parking for multifamily and nonresidential uses.

26.20.110    Individual building signage for nonresidential uses.

26.20.010 Minimum bulk requirements/standards.

(a)    Guideline. Consistent setbacks and placement of buildings on lots will maintain the cohesive character within each block and within the North Seventh Street Historic Residential District.

(b)    Standards.

(1)    Setbacks for primary structures within the District shall be as follows:

(i)    Front setback, Seventh Street: 25 feet.

(ii)    Front setback, side street: 10 feet.

(iii)    Side setback: five feet.

(iv)    Rear setback: 10 feet.

(v)    Maximum height: 35 feet.

(2)    Setbacks for accessory structures within the District shall be as follows:

(i)    Front setback, Seventh Street: 30 feet.

(ii)    Front setback, side street: 10 feet.

(iii)    Side setback: three feet.

(iv)    Rear setback: five feet.

(v)    Maximum height: 35 feet.

(Ord. 4508, 3-21-12)

26.20.020 Vistas.

(a)    Guideline. The unique buildings of the District are bordered by a mature, tree-lined street, which creates an extended horizontal view. These open views give the buildings visibility and provide safety. Through application of the North Seventh Street Historic Residential District Guidelines and Standards the City and all new development and redevelopment will maintain these vistas. One important way to accomplish this goal is to minimize visual clutter and distractions at street corners.

(b)    Standards.

(1)    Maintain the direct visual line of sight up and down the corridor and at the cross-street corners by adhering to front setbacks.

(Ord. 4508, 3-21-12)

26.20.030 Landscaping in the public right-of-way.

(a)    The North Seventh Street Historic Residential District’s unique streetscape has historical significance in its own right. Through application of the North Seventh Street Historic Residential District Guidelines and Standards the City and residents will adhere to the standards of this section. New nonresidential uses shall also implement the mandatory standards of this section as a part of the required site landscaping.

(b)    Standards.

(1)    Maintain, and restore where missing, the historic spacing of street trees along the North Seventh Street Historic Residential District corridor. Street trees along North Seventh Street Historic Residential District provide full canopy coverage shade for residents and pedestrians. Street trees should remain intact, with new trees planted to fill in where they may be missing or as aging trees are replaced. Trees in the park strip shall be spaced 25 to 35 feet apart, depending on the tree species.

(2)    Maintain and enhance the historic character of landscaping in the median and the park strip between the curb and sidewalk along North Seventh Street Historic Residential District. Materials should be primarily grass, street trees, flowers and low ornamental plants. Landscaping these areas with nonliving material is prohibited.

(3)    Park strips shall not be planted with dense, tall materials as they detract from the overall character of the streetscape and impede visibility and safety for pedestrians and vehicles.

(Ord. 4508, 3-21-12)

26.20.040 Residential landscaping.

(a)    Guidelines.

(1)    Property owners should maintain and enhance historically appropriate landscaping in front yards and park strips.

(2)    Materials should be primarily grass, flowers, trees and low ornamental plants. Refer to the overall district character inventory form in GJMC 26.36.010, Appendix A – Property inventory, and the historical plantings listed in GJMC 26.36.060, Appendix F – Authentic plants for late 19th/early 20th century period landscaping.

(3)    A minimum of 40 percent of front yard areas (not counting planting beds) should be maintained as grass or other low, living green ground cover.

(4)    Hedges and other landscaping materials should not impede the views of the primary buildings from North Seventh Street.

(Ord. 4508, 3-21-12)

26.20.050 Landscaping for nonresidential uses.

(a)    Guidelines. Applications for nonresidential land uses within the District will comply with the City’s landscape regulations. In addition, landscape choices should be sensitive to the unique context of the District’s primarily residential character. All required landscape plans are to be signed with a seal by a registered landscape architect. Lots containing nonresidential uses should be landscaped, with appropriate foundation plants, shrubs, ground cover beds, hedges and fences to frame the architecture of buildings.

(1)    Maintenance of all plantings, including watering, mowing, weeding, edging, fertilizing, pruning, insect control, removal and replacement of dead or damaged plant materials is encouraged for properties within the Historic District.

(2)    The landscape should be covered by an automatic irrigation system.

(3)    All lawn areas should be sodded. Planting drought tolerant turf varieties is encouraged.

(4)    Ground cover beds should be mulched or graveled as necessary.

(Ord. 4508, 3-21-12)

26.20.060 District identification.

(a)    Guideline. Identification of the boundaries of the District is an important means of enhancing its recognition as an historical and cultural resource to the community. The City should endeavor to replace historic street names in the sidewalk at all cross-street intersections within the District. Historic street name signs with a distinctive logo are encouraged to replace the standard street name signs. Signage indicating the northern and southern limits of the District should be maintained and enhanced as necessary.

(Ord. 4508, 3-21-12)

26.20.070 Building identification.

(a)    Guideline. Through application of these Guidelines and Standards the City, in cooperation with the Seventh Street residents, should develop signage which is compatible with existing signage documenting the history of significant properties within the North Seventh Street Historic Residential District. This will provide downtown walking traffic the opportunity to learn about the unique historical background of significant residences within the North Seventh Street Historic Residential District.

(Ord. 4508, 3-21-12)

26.20.080 Utility systems.

(a)    Guidelines.

(1)    Energy and water system improvements serving a greater efficiency are encouraged; provided, that they do not adversely impact the historic integrity of a building or the District, by being generally placed out of view from the North Seventh Street public right-of-way.

(2)    The more common utilities serving properties in the District are telephone and electrical lines, gas meters, air conditioners, evaporative coolers, and telecommunication systems. However, other systems are becoming more economically viable and accepted for use such as solar panel devices and rain water harvesting systems. Visual impacts associated with utility systems should be minimized.

(b)    Standards.

(1)    Systems shall be designed to be unobtrusive and not in view of the North Seventh Street public right-of-way.

(2)    Alternative roofing materials such as photovoltaic panels shall be located on the side and back elevations of the building.

(3)    Utility systems shall not be constructed into the front elevation of roof line of the building.

(4)    Satellite dishes shall not be placed in view of the North Seventh Street public right-of-way.

(Ord. 4508, 3-21-12)

26.20.090 Fencing.

(a)    Guideline. Fencing materials and styles should complement the character of the District. Fence styles, particularly in front yards, should be similar to those from the restoration era of the buildings on site. In addition to the regulations for fences applicable to the R-8 zone, fences in the District shall adhere to the requirements of this section.

(1)    Front yard fences should be a maximum height of 48 inches measured from the street side.

(2)    Maximum opacity for front yard fences should be 60 percent.

(3)    Side and rear yard fences should be a maximum of six feet high measured from the street side of the fence. They should be between 60 percent and 100 percent opaque. They may extend to and be placed on property lines.

(4)    The transition between front yard fences and side and rear yard fences should occur five feet behind the front building setback line or three feet behind the front facade line, whichever is greater.

(5)    Chain link, split rail and wire mesh fencing should not be used within the District.

(b)    Standards. Vinyl or plastic fencing is not appropriate on any part of a property within the North Seventh Street Historic Residential District and use of such fencing is not allowed.

(Ord. 4842, 3-20-19; Ord. 4508, 3-21-12)

26.20.100 Parking for multifamily and nonresidential uses.

(a)    Guideline. Parking for uses other than single-family residences should be accommodated primarily on site and to the rear of lots in order to maintain the residential character of the neighborhood. In addition to other parking standards of GJMC Title 21, Zoning and Development Code, the guidelines and standards of this section shall apply.

(b)    Standards.

(1)    Parking shall be placed to the rear of the lot in relation to Seventh Street.

(2)    Parking adjacent to a side street shall be screened from view with a 42-inch tall fence and minimum three-foot landscape buffer area with planting height no less than 42 inches tall.

(3)    Parking adjacent to another lot shall be screened with a fence or a continuous hedge of at least 42 inches in height planted at a minimum three-gallon/30 inches on center or a six-foot tall opaque fence.

(Ord. 4508, 3-21-12)

26.20.110 Individual building signage for nonresidential uses.

(a)    Guideline. The overall visual impression and ability for one to find his or her way can be significantly impacted by the collective image projected by local signs. It is the intent of this section to promote the concept that signage is subservient to architecture and should be understated. To prevent the confusion and clutter that can result from unrestricted signage, specific criteria have been developed. Signage in the District should be discreet and maintain the residential character of the neighborhood. Generally, signage should reflect styles and materials that are consistent with the restoration era.

Below are some examples of signage that would be consistent with architecture and style in an historic area.

(b)    Standards. Please refer to the City’s sign regulations, GJMC 21.06.070.

(Ord. 4508, 3-21-12)