§ 54-248. Architecture.

In order to ensure compliance with the following section, applicants are required to submit color renderings, color elevation drawings and/or color photographs of any proposed building with the site plan at the time of application for commercial plan review.

All buildings on the same site shall be architecturally unified, meaning that each building on the site shall relate in architectural style, color scheme and building materials.

The loss of grandfather status shall become effective upon the cumulative 50 percent renovation and/or remodel to the existing business square footage and/or a change of ownership of the buildings and/or property upon which same are situated, with the exception that grandfather status shall not be lost in the event the owner of said buildings and/or property transfers ownership of same to a member of the immediate family of said owner, where the term "immediate family" herein refers to the children or grandchildren of the owner, or to the owner's spouse and that spouse's children or grandchildren or to the parents or siblings of the owner or the owner's spouse.

(a)

Building materials.

(1)

Corrugated metal siding, aluminum siding or vinyl siding is prohibited on front only.

(2)

No exposed concrete block or metal wall panels are allowed on the exterior wall.

(3)

Building and roof colors shall consist of natural earth tones, white or shades of gray. Primary colors shall be limited to trim and signage.

(4)

In the case where a canopy is constructed, its columns shall be finished with either brick or masonry that is consistent with the principal building material.

(b)

Entrances and windows.

(1)

The first floor facade of non-residential buildings that front overlay district shall include a minimum of 40 percent in windows or doors of a clear or lightly tinted glass that allows views into and out of the building. Minimum window area shall be measured between the height of two feet and ten feet above the finished level of the first floor.

(2)

Darkly tinted windows and mirrored windows that block two-way visibility are prohibited as ground floor windows.

(3)

At least one main entrance of any building shall face I-49 North, I-49 South, NE Evangeline Thruway, NW Evangeline Thruway, Frontage Road, Veterans Drive, North University Avenue (Hwy 182), West Gloria Switch Rd, East Gloria Switch Rd, and Hector Connoly Road . This main entrance shall be clearly defined and recessed or framed by a sheltering element such as an awning, or portico.

(c)

Height. In addition to a required buffer, any portion of a non-residential structure that exceeds 28 feet in height above the grade of an adjacent residentially zoned property shall be setback from the abutting property line or lines at least one additional foot for every one foot of height above 28 feet.

(d)

Driveways. Decorative devices shall be used near driveway entrances in lieu of steel bollards. Bollards may be used to protect fuel pump islands.

(Ord. No. 2013-018, § 10, 12-16-2013 Ord. No. 2014-016 , § 3, 10-20-2014)