§ 407.090. Non-Residential Design., Chapter 407. General Development Standards, Unified Development Code, Code of Ordinances, Blue Springs

Applicability. The design standards of this Section shall apply in NB and more intensive zoning districts to any new development, building addition or exterior renovation that requires a building permit from the City of Blue Springs. Review for compliance with these standards shall be conducted in accordance with the site plan and design review procedures of Section 403.070.

Prohibited Materials. The following materials shall not be used as exterior building materials and shall be prohibited on all exterior walls:

Concrete finishes or precast concrete panels (tilt wall) that are not exposed aggregate, hammered, sandblasted or covered with a cement-based acrylic coating shall be prohibited;

Metal panels with a depth of less than one (1) inch or a thickness less than United States Standard 26 gauge shall be prohibited; and

Mirrored glass with a reflectance greater than forty percent (40%) shall be prohibited from covering more than forty percent (40%) of the exterior walls of any building.

Preferred Materials. The use of substantial amounts of masonry materials (face brick, stucco, stone) is encouraged. The use of aluminum siding and metal ribbed panels is strongly discouraged. Evaluation of building materials shall be based on the quality of its design and relationship and compatibility to building materials in the immediate neighborhood.

Form, Scale And Proportion. The form and proportion of buildings shall be consistent with the scale, form and proportion of existing development in the immediate area.

Masses And Voids. The rhythm of structural mass to voids, such as windows and glass doors, of a front facade shall relate to the rhythms established in adjacent buildings.

Front And Street Side Exterior Walls. Front and street side exterior walls, excluding windows, doors and overhead doors, consisting of a single undifferentiated plane with a single texture or color shall be prohibited. Visual interest may be accomplished through variations in building plane, materials, colors, entrance canopies, and other design features.

Visual Interest. Monotony of design in single or multiple building projects shall be avoided. Variation of detail, form, and siting shall be used to provide visual interest. The use of different textures, complementary colors, shadow lines and contrasting shapes may also be used to provide visual interest.

Screening Of Equipment.

Roof-Mounted Equipment. Roof-mounted equipment, including ventilators and satellite dishes, shall be completely screened from view [one hundred percent (100%) opacity] or isolated so as not to be visible from any public right-of-way or residential zoning district within three hundred (300) feet of the subject lot. Roof-mounted equipment shall be screened entirely from view using parapet walls at the same height as the mechanical units. For additions to existing buildings that do not meet this standard, individual screens may be permitted with the design subject to approval by the Director of Community Development. Parapet walls and any other approved individual screens shall be coordinated with the building to maintain a unified appearance.

[Ord. No. 4679, 8-21-2017]

Equipment At Ground Level. All electrical and mechanical equipment located at ground level shall be screened from view [one hundred percent (100%) opacity] or isolated so as not to be visible from the right-of-way of an arterial street or residential zoning district within three hundred (300) feet of the subject lot. Such screens and enclosures, when used, shall be coordinated with the building to maintain a unified appearance.

Security And Crime Prevention. Site planning should integrate the principles of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) to the maximum extent practicable. Applicants are encouraged to consult with the Blue Springs Police Department and the Community Development Department regarding implementation of CPTED principles. Applicant participation will be noted on the staff reports delivered to the Planning Commission and to City Council. These principles include:

Territoriality. Space within the development and along the edges should be well defined and delineated to create a sense of ownership, such that intruders and strangers stand out. This may be accomplished through the use of pavement treatments, landscaping, art, signage, screening, fencing and similar techniques.

Natural Surveillance. An environment should be created where it is possible for people engaged in their normal behavior to observe the spaces around them. Space visibility should be maximized through thoughtful design of building orientation, window placement, entrances and exits, landscaping of trees and shrubs and other physical obstructions. Nighttime illumination of parking lots, walkways, entrances, stairwells and related areas should be utilized to promote an environment in which natural surveillance is possible.

Access Control. Access control should be planned and implemented to restrict criminal intrusion, especially in areas where activity cannot be easily observed. Access control may include but is not limited to use of fences, walls, landscaping and lighting to prevent or discourage public access to or from dark or unmonitored areas. In addition, sidewalks, pavement, lighting and landscaping areas should be used to guide the public to and from primary development entrances and exits.

Activity Support. Activity support should be implemented by placing new or existing activities in an area so that individuals engaged in a particular activity become part of the natural surveillance of other areas. For example, picnic areas may be located next to tot lots, not away from such areas, to assist in observation of children at play. Additionally, playground fixtures should not be built near ponds or detention basins or near streets.

Maintenance. Landscaping, lighting fixtures and other features should be maintained to facilitate the principles of CPTED, territorial reinforcement, natural surveillance and access control.