17.112.020 Building design standards applicable in the SR 12.4, SR 9.6, SR 7.0, SR 5.0, TN and MR zoning districts.
(1) Architectural style is not to be restricted; however, styles representative of the building styles that have been used throughout the history of Stanwood are strongly encouraged. The evaluation of the exterior appearance and design of any new development or renovation to an existing building shall be based on its relationship to the surrounding environment.
(2) Building Corners. All new multifamily and attached residential buildings or permitted nonresidential buildings located on properties at the intersection of two public streets shall employ one or more of the design elements or treatments to the building corner facing the intersection.
(a) Corner Setback. At least 100 square feet of sidewalk area or pedestrian-oriented open space (in addition to the otherwise required building setback) shall be provided to achieve a 12.5-foot-wide sidewalk (see illustrations contained within these standards). Upper stories may or may not be set back from the corner.
(b) Corner Entrance to Courtyard, Building Lobby, Atrium, or Pedestrian Walkway. New buildings may satisfy the building corner requirements by providing a direct walkway or entry from the building corner to:
(i) A store or an interior building atrium or lobby;
(ii) An exterior courtyard or pedestrian-oriented open space; or
(iii) A pedestrian walkway at least 10 feet wide that connects to other buildings, streets, parking areas, or public features. (See illustrations contained within these standards.)
(3) Building materials used on facades shall be durable and in design harmony with any adjoining or adjacent structures.
(a) Metal siding, metal screening, plastic, plywood, sheet wood products, or fiberglass shall not be used to cover over existing facades. Wood shall not be used to cover over existing brick or cast stone masonry.
(b) If metal siding is used to cover more than 25 percent of a new building’s facade, such siding must have a matted finish in a neutral or earth-tone shade or color such as buff, gray, beige, tan, cream, white, or “dulled” color such as barn red, blue-gray, or burgundy. If metal siding is to be used to cover more than 25 percent of the building facade, the building design must include:
(i) Visible window and door trim painted or finished in a complementary color; and
(ii) Corner edge trim that covers exposed edges of the sheet metal panels.
(c) If concrete blocks are used for walls that are visible from a public street, the construction must be treated in one or more of the following manners:
(i) Use textured blocks with surfaces such as “split face” or “grooved”; or
(ii) Use other masonry types such as brick, glass block, or tile in conjunction with concrete blocks.
(d) The following building materials on all single and multifamily residential and permitted nonresidential buildings are prohibited where they would be visible from a public street:
(i) Corrugated fiberglass;
(ii) Corrugated metal;
(iii) Mica plaster;
(iv) Asbestos shingles;
(v) Nonanodized aluminum frames;
(vi) Galvanized and/or unpainted metal roofing;
(vii) Sheet panel siding.
(4) All projections and mechanical details such as louvers, exposed flashing, flues, vents, gutters, and downspouts, but excluding wood stove vents or pipes, are to be recognized as architectural features and are to be treated to match the color of the adjacent material or a complementary color approved by the planning director.
(a) Gutters and downspouts must be concealed unless they are designed as continuous architectural features. Exposed gutters used as architectural features shall be colored to match the roof trim or facade (unless copper is used). Exposed downspouts must either match the color or be complementary to the color of the facade to which they are attached (unless copper is used).
(b) All flashing and sheet metal shall be colored to match the surface to which they are attached.
(c) All vents, stacks, pipes (except for wood stove pipes and vents) and satellite dishes shall be colored to match the roof or exterior wall from which they project and are to be grouped so as to minimize the effect of roof penetrations.
(d) Skylights are to be designed as integral parts of the roof to which they have been installed. Skylight glazing must be clear, solar bronze, or gray. White or reflective glazing is prohibited. Skylight framing material must be bronze anodized or colored to match the roof to which the skylight has been installed.
(e) Solar heating panels shall be an integral part of the design of the roof.
(5) On all multifamily development and attached dwellings, mechanical equipment or other utility hardware to be placed on the roof, ground, or building facades shall be located so as not to be visible from any public ways or adjacent residential areas. Where such limitation is not possible to accomplish because of topography or other unique natural features, the facilities shall be screened from public view with material that is harmonious with the building.
(6) Solid waste disposal and storage areas (in multifamily residential developments and attached dwellings), construction equipment, and building material supply and storage yards, and exterior work areas shall be screened from view from public streets with materials that are harmonious with adjacent buildings. This requirement shall also apply to all existing multifamily developments within three years of the adoption of these provisions.
(7) Fences and freestanding walls seven feet or less in height may be allowed in any required side yard or rear yard, or four feet or less in a required front yard. No fencing will be allowed to obstruct the sight distance for traffic on any roadway and shall be consistent with City of Stanwood Street and Utility Standards section for sight obstruction.
(8) Single-Family Homes in New Subdivisions.
(a) All single-family homes in new subdivisions or short subdivisions greater than two lots shall provide a variety of homes. No four adjacent homes along a single street front shall be designed or treated alike. Adjacent homes shall be treated differently in at least three of the following:
(i) Floor plan (mirror floor plans are not acceptable);
(ii) Roof lines as viewed from the street (not including pitch);
(iii) Entry design;
(iv) Predominant color;
(v) Materials (able to be differentiated at street front); and
(vi) Window shapes and sizes (street-facing only).
(b) Subdivisions and short subdivisions greater than two lots shall have a minimum number of floor plans according to the following chart (reverse floor plans are not acceptable):
|
Number of Lots |
Minimum Number |
|---|---|
|
3 – 4 |
3 |
|
5 – 8 |
4 |
|
9 – 12 |
5 |
|
13 – 16 |
6 |
|
17 – 20 |
7 |
|
21+ |
8 |
(Ord. 1418 § 16, 2016; Ord. 1251 § 8, 2009; Ord. 1110 § 3, 2002; Ord. 950, 1996).