Section B

The following general standards shall apply in the WRO District:

• 1. Views:
  • a. Projects which provide for adaptive reuse of historic buildings and sites eligible for the National Register of Historic Places shall be favorably reviewed.
  • b. All buildings are recognized as products of their own time. Contemporary design is encouraged except where such design would clearly detract from the design compatibility within a group of historically significant structures. Alterations, additions, and new developments should be sympathetic to and harmonious with the historic context, and not seek to mimic an earlier style.
  • c. The distinguishing original qualities of a property should not be diminished through alteration or removal of distinctive architectural features. When replacing original material, new material should closely match the original in composition, design, color, texture, and other visual qualities.
  • d. If cobblestones are located within the proposed development, they are to be collected and either reincorporated into the project's design or given to the city. Cobblestones are considered historical artifacts and are the property of the city.
• 2. Landscape and grading:
  • a. Lighting fixtures in publicly accessible areas should be decorative and similar to or compatible with the Victorian fixtures installed downtown. In Areas A-1 and B, light color should be the same as that used at the wharf.
  • b. Exterior lighting should enhance the site and building design.
  • c. Specialized lighting is permitted to accent landscape features.
  • d. Lighting should be restrained to prevent excessive brightness and undue glare on adjacent properties and the river.
  • e. Lighting levels and color shall be designed in consideration of the overall effect on patterns, repetition, focal points, and rhythm within the panorama of the waterfront.
• 3. Circulation (pedestrian and vehicular):
  • a. Pedestrian systems and street crossings that encourage trips on foot, particularly from the downtown to the waterfront area, should be provided.
  • b. The quality of the sidewalk environment should be enhanced by means of appropriate landscaping, lighting, graphics, street furniture, and design; concrete paving in compliance with the CBD sidewalk standards, or finish material such as brick or stone pavers, should be provided.
  • c. Internal pedestrian circulation systems should coordinate with the parkway plans and river's edge plans and standards for walks, bikeways, jogging trails, and other movement systems or patterns.
  • d. Parking lots, storage areas and similar uses should be located away from the river's edge and on unobtrusive sites. In areas characterized by buildings along the street line, parking lots should be located behind or on the side of buildings, whenever possible.
  • e. Designated public pedestrian access ways between River Road and the river's edge should be encouraged.
  • f. The public river walkway should be continued along the river's edge in Areas A-1 and B. Its design should be sensitive to the character of the surrounding waterfront development.
  • g. The pedestrian systems (walks, jogging trails) and bicycle paths should be developed along the parkway and in accordance with plans for River Road.
  • h. Public transit service, through access to TARC routes, should be provided and should include shelters and waiting areas for appropriate group sizes, in public and private developments.
• 4. Building design, materials, and colors:
  • a. The use of unfinished common concrete block, cinder block, or corrugated panel as the main facing material for exterior walls is discouraged.
  • b. Construction should be of quality finish materials such as brick, stone masonry, and architectural concrete and should be in harmony with the surrounding character of the waterfront development.
  • c. Simulated materials such as vinyl and aluminum siding should be avoided.
  • d. Predominant exterior colors should be of natural materials or those that are complimentary and harmonious to the character of the surrounding waterfront development.
  • e. Bright colors should not dominate but may be permitted as a compatible accent.
  • f. Large areas of blank walls (including parking garage frontage) should be avoided. Pedestrian and active-use areas at street level are encouraged. Special treatment with screening, landscaping, and the like, is desired where such conditions are unavoidable.
  • g. When the first or street level of a structure is used for parking, storage, or is a vacant area, appropriate treatment of masonry, finish material, screening, or landscaping should be provided to minimize unsightliness.
  • h. Mechanical equipment or utility equipment located on the exterior of a building should be appropriately screened from public view or designed as an integral part of the overall exterior appearances the building facade.
  • i. Service areas, refuse collection areas, storage areas, and loading docks should be located away from or screened from public view.
• 5. Preservation of historic structures and sites:
  • a. Projects which provide for adaptive reuse of historic buildings and sites eligible for the National Register of Historic Places shall be favorably reviewed.
  • b. All buildings are recognized as products of their own time. Contemporary design is encouraged except where such design would clearly detract from the design compatibility within a group of historically significant structures. Alterations, additions, and new developments should be sympathetic to and harmonious with the historic context, and not seek to mimic an earlier style.
  • c. The distinguishing original qualities of a property should not be diminished through alteration or removal of distinctive architectural features. When replacing original material, new material should closely match the original in composition, design, color, texture, and other visual qualities.
  • d. If cobblestones are located within the proposed development, they are to be collected and either reincorporated into the project's design or given to the city. Cobblestones are considered historical artifacts and are the property of the city.
• 6. Lighting:
  • a. Lighting fixtures in publicly accessible areas should be decorative and similar to or compatible with the Victorian fixtures installed downtown. In Areas A-1 and B, light color should be the same as that used at the wharf.
  • b. Exterior lighting should enhance the site and building design.
  • c. Specialized lighting is permitted to accent landscape features.
  • d. Lighting should be restrained to prevent excessive brightness and undue glare on adjacent properties and the river.
  • e. Lighting levels and color shall be designed in consideration of the overall effect on patterns, repetition, focal points, and rhythm within the panorama of the waterfront.
• 7. Utilities:
  • a. All utility services (telephone, electrical, cable, and the like) shall be installed underground.
  • b. Utility components required to be above ground (transformers, meters, and the like) shall either be screened by landscaping or decorative wall or located away from public view.
• 8. Retaining walls, fencing and railing:
  • a. Retaining walls should be faced with masonry or other decorative screening or landscaping to minimize the blank appearance of such walls.
  • b. Fence and rail design should be compatible with the surrounding character of the waterfront development.
  • c. Proposed fencing should not limit actual or visual access to the waterfront, except where necessary for safety or security. Fencing material visible from publicly accessible areas should compliment surrounding architectural materials; chain link fencing is inappropriate in these areas.
  • d. When determined that screening is necessary, fencing, if used as screening, shall be solid, and shall include vegetation. Landscaping used for screening shall form a complete year-round opaque screen.
• 9. Flood plain:
  • a. A flood control system shall be integrated within the development's design. Physical and visual barriers to the waterfront are discouraged.
  • b. The design of lower levels, exposed to flood elevations, shall be integrated with the structure so it will not be unsightly or unrelated to either the habitable portion of the building or the surrounding landscape.
• 10. Signage:
  • a. Signs should be designed to enhance the area's visual appeal and ability to attract the public. The size, height, number and design of signs shall be reviewed for their ability to achieve these goals as well as their impact on traffic safety.
  • b. In general, attached signs should be designed to fit within the architectural space intended for signage and not cover architectural features.
  • c. Signs seen in relation to other signs should be designed to be compatible in location, shape, style, graphics, size, material, illumination, and color. Uniformity should be maintained in certain characteristics while other characteristics should be varied to permit individual expression and identification.
  • d. Outdoor advertising signs (billboards), pennants, streamers and temporary signs are not appropriate in the Waterfront area except for special events, building openings, and the like which shall be subject to expedited review under 162.45(B)(1).