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RESOLUTION 2006 · 06 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MOSCOW, A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF THE STATE OF IDAHO, AUTHORIZING THE AMENDMENT OF THE CITY ZONING CODE (MOSCOW CITY CODE, TITLE 4) TO INCLUDE A CITY OF MOSCOW LARGE RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS DESIGN MANUAL (DESIGN MANUAL) INCLUDED HERETO AND INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE; PROVIDING THAT THIS RESOLUTION BE IN EFFECT UPON ITS PASSAGE, APPROVAL, AND PUBLICATION ACCORDING TO LAW. WHEREAS, recent amendments to the City of Moscow Zoning Code (Moscow City Code, Title 4) include definitions and standards for Large Retail Establishments, Category 2; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Moscow, Idaho has as a purpose in Comprehensive Plan Section 1-1, Purpose 1 to improve the physical environment of the community as a setting for human activities-to make it more functional, beautiful, interesting, and efficient; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Moscow, Idaho has as an objective in Comprehensive Plan Section 2, Objective 6 to protect the appearance of visually prominent areas within the city; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Moscow, Idaho has as an objective· in Comprehensive Plan Section 12, Objective 7 to encourage careful aesthetic consideration and planning in private and public construction; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Moscow, Idaho has as an objective in Comprehensive Plan Section 12, Objective 8 to develop a "sense of place" in Moscow that distinguishes it from other cities; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Moscow, Idaho has as an objective in Comprehensive Plan Section 12, Objective 9 to encourage visual compatibility between existing and new development; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Moscow, Idaho has as a transportation goal in Comprehensive Plan Section 10-1, a General Transportation Goal to provide a system of transportation and circulation within and around the city of Moscow that will make it possible for all people utilizing various modes of transportation to reach their destination as safely and as easily as possible with the least disturbance to adjacent uses; and WHEREAS, the City code is absent of large retail development design standards that would promote the design objectives of the Comprehensive Plan; and Resolution 2006-06 February 7, 2006 Pagel of 2 ---PAGE BREAK--- WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission conducted a public hearing on January 4, 2006 and recommended that the Mayor and City Council adopt the subject City of Moscow Large Retail Establishments Design Manual (Design Manual) to be referenced, and included as, an attachment to the City of Moscow Zoning Code (Moscow City Code, Title 4 and WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council held a public hearing on this matter on January 30, 2006 and concluded that the subject City of Moscow Large Retail Establishments Design Manual shall be referenced, and included as, an attachment to City of Moscow Zoning Code (Moscow City Code, Title and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Moscow, Idaho as follows: That the attached City of Moscow Large Retail Establishment Design Manual is hereby adopted as standards and guidance for City of Moscow in the review of developments meeting the definition of Large Retail Establishment, Category 2 as contained in the Moscow City Zoning Code. PASSED by the City Council and APPROVED by the Mayor this 7'h day of February, 2006. Resolution 2006Ĕ06 February 7, 2006 Page 2 nf 2 ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Moscow Large Retail Establishments Design Manual January 2006 ---PAGE BREAK--- TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1 PROCEDURE 2 ARTICLE I. AESTHETIC CHARACTER 3 1. FaSdes and Exterior Walls 3 2. Multiple Smaller Stores within a Principal Building 3 3. Detail Features 4 4. Roofs 4 5. Materials and Colors 5 6. 5 7. Sign Standards 6 ARTICLE II. SITE DESIGN AND RELATIONSHIP TO SURROUNDING COMMUNITY 7 1. Entrances 7 2. Vehicular & Public Transit Access 7 3. Parking Lots 8 4. Back Sides 9 5. Outdoor Storage, Trash Collection, and Loading Areas 9 6. Pedestrian/Bicycle Flows 10 7. Central Features and Community Spaces 11 8. Delivery/Loading Operations 12 9. Minimum Landscaping Standards 12 ---PAGE BREAK--- INTRODUCTION The City of Moscow (the City) adopted an emergency ordinance on large retail developments to study the community impacts of the "superstore" phenomenon in more detail and to provide the community with clear and enforceable policies to mitigate those impacts. The ordinance provided the opportunity to review existing retail developments with community-wide or regional impacts and to set standards for future developments to ensure that future development fits with the expectations and meets the needs of the community. These standards and guidelines are a response to large scale building design that is indifferent to local identity and interests. The main goal is to encourage development that contributes to Moscow as a unique and historical place, by reflecting its physical character, and adding to it in appropriate ways. Large retail developments depend on high visibility and access from major public streets. As a result, their layout and design have a direct effect upon the functionality, character, and attractiveness of major streetscapes and pathways in a city. Moscow does not currently have a development review system that promotes solutions to these general issues. As a result, it should be noted that these design standards herein are to apply as a requirement only to those developments defined in the Zoning Code as "Large Retail Establishments, Category 2" (those retail buildings have roof area or floor areas of 65,000 square feet or more). The purpose of these standards and guidelines are to augment and work in concert with existing criteria in the Commercial Zoning Districts and other applicable sections of the Moscow Zoning Code (Title IV) relating to large retail developments. Where more specific interpretations and standards herein apply to the design of "Large Retail Establishments", they shall prevail over other sections of the code. These standards and guidelines require a basic level of architectural variety, compatible scale, pedestrian and bicycle access, and mitigation of negative impacts. The standards are by no means intended to limit creativity; it is the City's hope that they will serve as a useful tool for design professionals engaged in site specific design in context. Note: This manual was primarily modeled on the City of Fort Collins 1995 Design Standards and Guidelines for Large Retail Establishments. Additional design manuals from a variety of jurisdictions were also utilized in the development of this document. Instances in which graphics or text were reproduced credit is given to the information source. LRE Design :'.lanual 0 l-06-06 1 ---PAGE BREAK--- PROCEDURE The following standards and guidelines are intended to be used as a design aid by developers proposing "Large Retail Establishments" in areas of the City zoned to permit such uses via the Conditional Use Permit process; and as an evaluation tool by the City staff and the Board of Adjustment in their review processes. These standards and guidelines apply to all projects which are processed according to the criteria for "Large Retail Establishments, Category 2" uses and/or as part of Planned Unit Developments that include a component meeting the "Large Retail Establishments, Category 2" code definition, but may optionally be utilized as a tool when reviewing any "Large Retail Establishment." "Standards" denoted by are mandatory. "Guidelines" denoted by are not mandatory, but are provided in order to educate planners, design consultants, developers and City staff about the design objectives. In the case of conflicting or competing provisions between this Design Manual and the Moscow Zoning Code, the more restrictive or specific provision shall apply. Where terms used in this Design Manual are defined within the Zoning Code, such definitions shall apply for purposes of administering this Design Manual. The Board of Adjustment is empowered to grant variances to the mandatory ( standards under the following circumstances: 1. The strict application of the standard would result in peculiar and exceptional practical difficulties or exceptional and undue hardship upon the owner of the affected property; or 2. The alternative site planning and building design approach meets the design objectives as stated in the standard, equally well or better than would compliance with the standard; and 3. In either of the foregoing circumstances, the variance may be granted without substantial detriment to the public good. Source: Congress for New Urbanism LRE Design Manual 01-06-06 2 ---PAGE BREAK--- ARTICLE I. AESTHETIC CHARACTER 1. Fa9des and Exterior Walls GUIDELINE: Fa¯ades should be articulated to reduce the massive scale and the uniform, impersonal appearances of large retail buildings and provide visual interest that will be consistent with the community's identity, character and scale. The intent is to encourage a more human scale that Moscow residents will be able to identify with their community. STANDARD:(+) -Fac;:ades greater than 100 feet in length, measured horizontally, shall incorporate wall projections I recesses shall conlprise at least 20% of facade lenght vvith a minimum depth of 3% of facade lengt:h Source: City of Fort Collins plane projections or recesses having a depth of at least three percent of the length of the fac;:ade extending at least 20 percent (20%) of the length of the fac;:ade. No uninterrupted length of any fac;:ade shall exceed 75 horizontal feet. -Ground floor fa¯ades that face public streets (with the exception of the side opposite the main entrance shall have arcades, display windows, entry areas, awnings, or other such features along no less than 60 percent ( 60%) of their horizontal length. 2. Multiple Smaller Stores within a Principal Building GUIDELINE: The presence of smaller retail stores gives an establishment a "pedestrian friendly" appearance by creating variety, breaking up large expanses, and expanding the range of the site's activities. Windows and window displays of such stores should be used to contribute to the "human scale" and visual interest of exterior fa¯ades. The standards presented in this section are directed toward those situations where additional, smaller stores, with separate, exterior customer entrances are located in principal buildings. ( o) STANDARD:(+) -Principal buildings that contain additional, separately owned stores or tenants which occupy less than 25,000 square feet of gross floor area, and have separate, exterior customer entrances (see also Article shall meet the following: • The street level fa¯ade of such stores shall be transparent between three feet and eight feet above the walkway grade for no less than 60 percent ( 60%) of the horizontal length of the building fa<;ade of such additional stores. • Windows shall be recessed and should include visually prominent sills, shutters, or other such forms of framing. LRE Design Manual 0 l-06-06 3 ---PAGE BREAK--- 3. Detail Features GUIDELINE: Buildings should have architectural features and patterns that provide visual interest, at the scale of the pedestrian, reduce massive aesthetic effects, and recognize local character. The elements in the following standard should be integral parts of the building fabric, and not superficially applied trim or graphics, or paint. ( o) !.J:o>lllJ -Building fa±;ades must include a repeating pattern that shall include no less than three of the elements listed below (at least one of these elements shall repeat horizontally). All elements shall repeat at intervals of no more than 30 feet, either horizontally or vertically): • Color change • Texture change • Material change • Expression of architectural or structural bay through a change in plane no less than 12 inches in width, such as an offset, reveal, or projecting rib structural bay layout 4. Roofs E.xpte$Sionot .vdliCKtur;U oc SU"UC.tlU31Bay. Source: City of Fort Collins GUIDELINE: Variations in roof lines should be used to add interest and reduce the massive scale of large buildings. Roof features should complement the character of adjoining neighborhoods. ( o) STANDARD:(+) -Roofs shall have no less than two of the following features: • Parapets concealing flat roofs and rooftop equipment such as HVAC units from public view. The average height of such parapets shall not exceed 15 percent (15%) of the height of the supporting wall and such parapets shall not at any point exceed one-third of the height of the supporting wall. Such parapets shall feature three-dimensional cornice treatment • Overhanging eaves, extending no less than three feet past the supporting walls • Sloping roofs that do not exceed the average height of the supporting walls, with an average slope greater than or equal to one foot of vertical rise for every three feet of horizontal run and less than or equal to 1 foot of vertical rise for every 1 foot of horizontal run • Three or more roof slope planes LRE Design Manual 01-06-06 4 Appropriate,· USing :;loping roof forms to reduce the pert:11V..'eti scale of a building is tm.ccuraged. ---PAGE BREAK--- 5. Materials and Colors GUIDELINE: Exterior building materials and colors comprise a significant part of the visual impact of a building. Therefore, they should be aesthetically pleasing and compatible with materials and colors used in adjoining neighborhoods. ( o) STANDARD:(+) -Predominant exterior building materials shall be high quality materials. These include, without limitation: • Brick • Wood (Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Mixed certified wood products as a minimum standard) Note: FSC Mixed material contains a mixture of FSC certified material, reclaimed (recycled) material and/or controlled wood. It has been processed by an FSC chain of custody certified company, and has been identified as FSC Mixed. Non\FSC certified wood can be included in FSC certified products only if it is reclaimed wood or controlled wood. Post consumer reclaimed material includes wood and/or wood fiber has been reclaimed from a product after that product has been used for its intended end]use purpose by individuals or businesses. Other reclaimed material includes wood and/or wood fiber that has been reclaimed from a product, by-product or co^product during or after manufacture. It is reclaimed before the product reaches the end-consumer, Controlled wood is not FSC certified. but is controlled by the company to exclude: a. Wood from forest areas where traditional or civil rights are violated; b. Wood from forests where high conservation values are threatened; c. Wood from genetically modified (OM) trees; d. Illegally harvested wood; e. Wood from natural forests which have been harvested for the purpose of converting the land to plantations or other non-forested use. • Sandstone • Other native stone • Tinted, textured concrete masonry units • Other materials as deemed appropriate by the Board of Adjustment -Fa.;;ade colors shall be low reflectance, subtle, neutral or earth tone colors. -Building trim and accent areas may feature brighter colors, including primary colors. Small amounts of non-flashing neon tubing, is an acceptable feature for building trim or accent areas. -Predominant exterior building materials should not include the following: • tilt-up concrete panels • pre-fabricated steel panels 6. GUIDELINES: design elements and variations should give orientation and aesthetically pleasing character to the building. Additionally, should act as a transition zone between the parking and traffic aisles and the store itself. The standards identify desirable design features. ( o) STAi'lolDARD: -Each principal building on a site shall have clearly defined, highly visible customer entrances, extending from the front of the building, and featuring no less than three of the following: • canopies or porticos • overhangs • recesses/projections • arcades • raised corniced parapets over the door • peaked roof forms or arches • outdoor patios • display windows LRE Design Mllnual 0 1-06-06 5 • architectural details such as tile work and moldings which are integrated into the building structure and design • integral planters or wing walls that incorporate landscaped areas and/ or places for sitting ---PAGE BREAK--- -Where additional stores will be located in tbe principal building, each such store shall have at least one exterior customer entrance, which shall conform to tbe above requirements. 7. Sign Standards - Only one freestanding sign shall be allowed on each street frontage. - Wall signage allowances shall be as specified in tbe zoning code Sec. 6-13 Moscow Sign Code, except tbat signage on walls otber tban tbe front fa°ade shall be limited to 0.75 square feet times tbe lengtb of tbe wall. - All otber sign regulations, as specified in tbe zoning code Sec. 6-13 Moscow Sign Code shall apply. LRE Design Manual 0 l-06-06 6 ---PAGE BREAK--- ARTICLE II. SITE DESIGN AND RELATIONSHIP TO SURROUNDING COMMUNITY 1. Entrances GUIDELINE: Large retail buildings should feature multiple entrances. Multiple building entrances reduce walking distances from cars, facilitate pedestrian and bicycle access from public sidewalks, and provide convenience where certain entrances offer access to individual stores or departments of a store. Multiple entrances also mitigate the effect of the unbroken walls and neglected areas that often characterize building fac,:ades that face adjacent land uses. ( o) STANDARD:(+) -At least two sides of a large retail Retail with establishment shall feature customer entrances. The two required sides shall be those planned to have the highest level of public pedestrian activity, and one of the sides shall be that which most directly faces a street with pedestrian access. The other of the two sides may face a second street with pedestrian access, and/or a main parking lot area. All entrances shall be architecturally prominent and clearly visible from the abutting public street. Movie theaters are exempt from this requirement. f_JJ!t..,Ãal / r.c tho f01ma')' _t 2. Vehicular & Public Transit Access GUIDELINE: Access to retail parking should be designed such that it avoids, to the extent possible, impacts to the existing adjacent street system-specifically the continued ability of an adjacent arterial to function as designed. Additionally, site access must provide opportunity for well functioning public transit movement, pull-outs and stops as well as the option for park and ride locations. ( o) Source: Citv of Bozeman Appoprmf#: Us" a dÄ wpahcp. -Public transit pu -outs shall be provt e on eac a Jacent street having a primary building entrance facing it, unless an tklf mtUO Qj buildme. alternate location can be shown to meet the distance requirement below. -All public transit stops shall be designed to facilitate existing or future planned bus routes on adjacent streets and be located within 100 feet of a primary building entrance(s), incorporate well-lit, easily identified (signs), loading/unloading areas, and be a minimum of 10 feet in width as measured from the adjacent street curb (also see Section ?--Central Features and Community Spaces). LRE Design Manual 0 l-06-06 7 ---PAGE BREAK--- -Transit pull-outs shall be a minimum of 60 feet in length, and designed in order not to impede traffic flows. -Transit pull-outs shall be adjacent to sidewalks connected to the primary building entrance(s) via pedestrian walkways meeting the standards of Article II.6-Pedestrian!Bicycle Flows. 3. Parking Lots GUIDELINE: Parking areas should provide safe, convenient, and efficient access. They should be distributed around large buildings in order to shorten the distance to other buildings and public sidewalks, provide for attractive landscaping, and to reduce the overall scale of the paved surface. If buildings are located closer to streets, the scale of the complex is reduced, pedestrian traffic is encouraged, and architectural details take on added importance. Additionally, traffic calming devices should be encouraged for pedestrian safety. STANDARD:(+) -Parking lot location. No more than 50 percent (50%) of the off-street parking area for the lot, tract or area of land devoted to the large retail development shall be located between the front fa¢;ade of the large retail establishment and the abutting streets (the "Front Parking Area"). -The Front Parking Area shall be determined by drawing a line from the front corners of the building to the nearest property corners. If any such line, when connected to the plane of the front fa¢;ade of the building, creates an angle that is greater than 180 degrees, then the Front . .i \ \ "Front Parking Area" , : ' \ I j , >900and