§ 6-1010. Architectural and development guidelines for all nonresidential uses.
The compatible relationship of architecture along highways within the highway corridor overlay district is of critical public concern for any structures or site improvements. The purpose and intent of these architectural guidelines and development standards is not to stifle innovative architecture or development, but to assure respect for and to reduce incompatible and adverse impacts on the visual experience from the highway.
A.
Architectural guidelines. .....The architectural design of structures and their materials and colors shall be visually harmonious with the overall appearance, history, and cultural heritage of Isle of Wight County, with natural landforms and existing vegetation. Specific consideration shall be given to compatibility with adjacent properties where such projects demonstrate the county's character. Design and architectural features will demonstrate consistency with the following provisions:
1.
A shopping center, office complex or similar group of buildings shall be arranged in such a manner to minimize the impact of vehicle parking areas along the arterial with buildings fronting the arterial, and parking being located towards the center of the development away from the arterial. No greater than twenty-five percent (25%) of the required parking shall be located in front of the primary structure. However, when more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the required parking is to be located in front of the primary structure; a decorative fence no less than three (3) feet in height hall be constructed between the parking and the public right-of-way. This fence shall not count towards the required landscaping points for any specified landscaping zone.
2.
Stucco, natural wood siding, brick, stone, decorative block, cementitous siding or other materials with similar texture and appearance are considered appropriate to county character and shall be provided on all exterior elevations. Alternative materials that provide an equivalent appearance and durability of the above may be approved by the zoning administrator. Vinyl siding, flat or corrugated metal and concrete block shall not be used for exterior siding material on any building, except that vinyl siding may be used as trim material. The exterior covering material shall extend to the ground, except that when a solid brick or masonry perimeter foundation is used, exterior covering material need not extend below the top of the foundation.
3.
Avoidance of long monotonous facade designs including, but not limited to, those characterized by unrelieved repetition of shape or form or by unbroken extension of line shall be avoided by incorporating the following:
a.
Facades fronting a street under two hundred (200) horizontal feet in length shall incorporate vertical elements and materials changes in the architectural design which break the visual monotony of the continuous façade.
b.
Facades fronting a street in excess of two hundred (200) horizontal feet in length shall incorporate item a. above as well as recesses and projections in the architectural design which break the visual monotony of the continuous façade.
4.
No building facade will consist of architectural materials inferior in quality, appearance, or detail to any other facade of the same building. The intent of this requirement is not to preclude the use of different materials on different buildings' facades (which would be acceptable if representative of good architectural design), but rather to preclude the use of inferior materials on sides which face adjoining property and thus, might adversely impact existing or future development causing a substantial depreciation of property values. This requirement shall not apply to a building façade which is not visible from the public right-of-way as approved by the zoning administrator.
5.
Not less than sixteen percent (16%) of the total area of any facade visible from a public way (excluding work areas) shall consist of windows and doors.
6.
Large work area doors or open bays shall not open toward or face the highway.
7.
Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning equipment, duct work, air compressors and other fixed operating machinery shall be either screened from view or located so that such items are not visible from the highway. Utility meters, aboveground tanks, satellite dishes, antennas, etc., shall be similarly treated.
8.
The exterior of the foundation walls shall be of brick or masonry construction, except when the exterior wall material extends to the ground in accordance with subsection 6-1010.A.2.
9.
Colors of paints and stains shall be nature-blending with generally no more than three (3) colors per building. Semitransparent stains are recommended for application on natural wood finishes.
10.
Entryways and landings visible from public areas should be covered by a roof that is an integrated and compatible component to the roof and architectural treatment of the main structure.
11.
Fencing along the highway right-of-way is discouraged, but if used, such fencing shall be landscaped to minimize visibility from the highway or be of a style which is harmonious with the rural, agricultural and historical character of the county. Chain link fences shall be prohibited.
B.
Development standards. .....Proposed development within the district should provide for visual compatibility and harmony with surrounding natural landforms and vegetation; be protective of views and vistas from the arterial highways within the district; and provide continuity of site design within the proposed development. These objectives include the following standards:
1.
Earth moving, fill, grading, clearing of property, and the removal of trees and vegetation shall be the minimum necessary to provide for the use. In particular, activities that could cause disruption of natural watercourses or disfiguration of natural landforms are prohibited.
2.
Proposed development shall be located and configured in a visually harmonious manner with the terrain and vegetation of the parcel and surrounding parcels. Structures shall not impede scenic views from the main highway or from existing structures and the natural environment.
3.
Structures shall not dominate, by excessive or inappropriate height or mass, any general development, adjacent building, or natural landscape in an incompatible manner.
4.
Architectural lighting shall be recessed under roof overhangs or generated from concealed source, low-level light fixtures.
5.
Lighting shall be installed in accordance with article XI (outdoor lighting requirements and restrictions) and shall be arranged to shine inward so that it does not reflect onto adjacent properties or impair the safe movement of traffic.
6.
Vehicular movement and parking areas requiring five (5) spaces or more shall be paved with concrete, asphalt, or other similar material. Vehicular movement and parking areas requiring less than five (5) spaces may be surfaced with gravel or other similar material but must be served by paved entrances meeting Virginia Department of Transportation standards. Concrete curb and gutter or other stormwater management structure as approved by the zoning administrator shall be installed around the perimeter of all driveways and parking areas. Drainage shall be designed so as not to interfere with pedestrian traffic.
7.
Outdoor storage and display areas shall be as permitted by the underlying zoning district in the side and rear yards only, provided that all outdoor storage and display areas shall be visually screened from public rights-of-way, internal roadways, and adjacent property using the screening zone standards found in article VIII.
8.
Loading areas shall be permitted only in the side or rear yards and shall be visually screened from public rights-of-way, and adjacent property using the screening zone standards found in article VIII.
9.
Large trash receptacles, dumpsters and recycling bins, must be completely screened from view of the street and any adjoining lot using the screening zone standards found in article VIII.
10.
Screening, when required, shall be installed in accordance with the screening zone standards of article VIII and shall be depicted on the landscaping plan.
11.
Site development should include streetscape improvements. These improvements are considered as those architectural or functional facilities or structures that occur on-site but are not part of the building and that encourage and facilitate human interaction with the built environment. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following: decorative light fixtures, fountains, sculptures, benches and tables, planters, retaining walls, pedestrian and bicycle paths, bicycle parking structures, trash receptacles and enclosures, vendor areas, and fences. The following streetscape improvements are required:
a.
A customized entrance at the entry street intersecting the arterial or collector which features a waterfall, sculpture, monument, signage, ornamental landscaping, specialty pavement, enhanced fence wall details, or boulevard median.
b.
Sidewalks, or other pedestrian and bicycle paths, including picnic and rest areas, as appropriate.
These improvements shall be designed to be consistent with all requirements listed above, and shall be reviewed for aesthetic functionality and compatibility with county character.
12.
To the greatest extent possible, stormwater management structures and facilities shall be placed outside of the landscaping zones identified in article VIII. When placement of stormwater management structures and facilities in a landscaping zone is demonstrated as unavoidable by the applicant, and approved by the zoning administrator and is not prohibited elsewhere in this ordinance, such structure or facility shall be landscaped in a naturalized pattern utilizing native species and the landscaping points required for the area encompassed by the stormwater management structure or facility shall be disbursed throughout the remaining area of the landscaping zone.
13.
Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) principles should be incorporated into site design to maximize public safety through effective design of buildings, parking lots and public spaces. Principles include territoriality, surveillance, and access control. (7-7-05; 8-20-09; Ord. No. 2012-8-C, 8-16-12, 3-20-14; 7-19-18.)