HomeMy WebLinkAbout2595-20 - ADMIN Ordinance - City Council - 2020/10/19Ordinance No. 2595-20
Ordinance regarding architectural design
The City of St. Louis Park does ordain:
Section 1. The city council has considered the advice and recommendation of the
planning commission (Case No. 20-17-ZA) for amending the zoning ordinance Section 36-366.
Section 2. Chapter 36, Section 366 of the St. Louis Park City Code is hereby amended by
adding underscored text and deleting the strike through text. Section breaks are represented by
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(b) Standards.
(b)(1) Building Design. Buildings shall be designed to enhance the attractiveness of the
city’s streetscape by minimizing monotonous structures and long, blank walls. Additionally,
buildings shall, through use of architectural details and scale, have architectural features and
patterns that provide visual interest from the perspective of the pedestrian. The following
techniques shall be incorporated into building design in order to accomplish such requirements.
(1)a. Architectural design elements that will be considered in the review of building and site
plans include building materials, color and texture, building bulk, general massing, roof
treatment, proportion of openings, facade design elements and variation, window and
openings. Site plan design elements that will be considered in the determination as to
whether site plan design is superior include quantity, quality, variation, compatibility
and size of plant materials, landscape berms and screening walls. Also considered will
be the overall order, symmetry and proportion of the various elements within the site
and within the larger context of the area or corridor.
(2)b. The height, bulk, general massing, roof treatment, materials, colors, textures, major
divisions, and proportions of a new or remodeled building shall be compatible with
that of other buildings on the site and on adjacent sites.
(3)c. Building wall deviations are required where the unbroken building wall length to wall
height ratio meets or exceeds 2:1. The minimum depth of each building wall deviation
at the 2:1 ratio shall be two feet. The unbroken wall length to wall height ratio may be
increased to 3:1 if the depth of the building wall deviations is increased to three feet.
The unbroken wall length to wall height ratio may be increased to 4:1 if the depth of
the building wall deviations is increased to four feet. The building wall deviations must
extend from the grade to the roof, or top of the parapet.
(4)d. No building may display more than five percent of any elevation surface in bright, pure
accent colors.
(5)e. The development must locate the noise-producing portions of the development, such
as loading docks, outside storage and outside activity away from adjacent residential
areas.
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f. All exterior finishes for one- and two-family dwellings and accessory structures shall
be installed within one year from the issuance of the building permit.
(6)g. All developments shall consider the effect of sun angles and shade patterns on other
principal buildings. All new multiple-family and nonresidential buildings and additions
thereto shall be located so that the structure does not cast a shadow that covers more
than 50 percent of another principal building wall for a period greater than two hours
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. for more than 60 days of the year. This section will
not prohibit shading of buildings in an industrial use district, two or more buildings on
the same lot in the a MXixed Use zoning district, or as approved for buildings covered by
the same PUD, CUP, or Special Permit. Shading of existing public spaces and outdoor
employee break areas shall be minimized to the extent reasonable and poss ible.
(7)h. Interior and exterior bars, grills, mesh or similar obstructions, whether permanently or
temporarily affixed, shall not cover any exterior door or more than ten percent of any
individual window or contiguous window area.
(8) Ground floor transparency. The following façade design guidelines shall be applicable
to all ground floor street-facing facades in the C-1, C-2, and MX Districts, and retail,
service, and restaurant uses in O and BP Districts:
a. Window paintings and signage shall cover no more than 10 percent of the total
window and door area.
b. Visibility into the space shall be maintained for a minimum depth of three (3)
feet. Display of merchandise is allowed within this three (3) feet.
c. Interior storage areas, utility closets and trash areas shall not be visible from the
exterior of the building.
d. No more than 10 percent of total window and door area shall be glass block,
mirrored, spandrel, frosted or other opaque glass, finishes or material including
window painting and signs. The remaining 90 percent of window and door area
shall be highly transparent, low reflectance windows with a minimum 60 percent
transmittance factor and a reflectance factor of not greater than 0.25.
e. For all new buildings constructed after January 1, 2019, and existing buildings
which expand the gross square footage of the building by more than 50 percent,
the minimum ground floor transparency shall be 50 percent on the front façade,
and 20 percent on all other ground floor street facing facades.
f. The city acknowledges a degree of flexibility may be necessary to adjust to
unique situations. Alternatives that provide an increase in pedestrian vibrancy
and street safety including but not limited to public art and pedestrian scale
amenities may be considered and may be approved by the Zoning Administrator,
unless the development application requires approval by city council, in which
case the city council shall approve the alternate transparency plan.
(c)(2) Building Materials. Exterior surface materials of buildings shall be installed and
maintained in accordance with the adopted building code and the manufacturer’s specifications
and shall be subject to the regulations listed below. following regulations: Products listed as
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Ordinance No. 2595-20 3
“integral colored” shall continue its surface color consistently through the depth of the product
as opposed to being colored, painted or stained on the surface only.
(1)a. Classes of materials. Materials shall be divided into class I, class II and class III
categories as follows:
i. Class I. Brick, marble, granite or other natural stone, textured cement stucco, copper,
porcelain and glass are class I exterior building materials on buildings other than those
used as dwellings which contain four or fewer dwelling units. Wood, vinyl siding, fiber-
reinforced cement board and prefinished metal are class I materials on residential
buildings containing four or fewer dwelling units in addition to the other class I
materials listed in this subsection. Wood is a class I material on park buildings under
3,000 square feet. Clear acrylic that is high impact, double-skinned, non-yellowing, and
a minimum of eight (8) millimeters thick may be classified as a Class I material for
greenhouses. If a minimum of two other Class I materials are in use, clapboard and
shake-style fiber-reinforced cement board with a minimum thickness of ¼ inch may be
used as a Class I material for up to 10 percent of the façade on residential buildings with
more than four (4) units. “Smooth” finish fiber-reinforced cement board is not
permitted as a Class I material.
a. Class I. The following materials are considered class1 materials as specified:
1. Brick
2. Marble, granite or other natural stone
3. Integral colored cast stone (the stone is colored consistently through
4. Textured cement stucco
5. Architectural wall cladding (Nichiha, Equitone and similar brands) Material
must be through colored and at least 5/8 inches thick.
6. Copper
7. Porcelain
8. Glass
9. Residential buildings containing four or fewer dwelling units may utilize the
following additional materials:
i. Wood
ii. Vinyl siding
iii. Fiber-reinforced cement board
iiv. Prefinished metal
10. Residential buildings containing five or more dwelling units may utilize the
following additional materials:
i. Up to 10% of the required class 1 materials may be finished with
clapboard and/or shake-style fiber-reinforced cement board with a
minimum thickness of ¼ inch.
11. Park buildings under 3,000 square feet may utilize the following additional
materials:
i. Wood.
ii. Class II. Exposed aggregate concrete panels, burnished concrete block, integral
colored split face (rock face) and exposed aggregate concrete block, cast -in-place
concrete, artificial stucco (E.I.F.S., Drivit), artificial stone, fiber-reinforced cement
board siding with a minimum thickness of ¼ inch, and prefinished metal.
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b. Class II. The following materials are considered class II materials as specified:
1. Exposed aggregate concrete panels
2. Burnished concrete block
3. Integral colored split face (rock face) and exposed aggregate concrete block
4. Cast-in-place concrete
5. Insulated exterior wall panels (E.I.F.S., Drivit and similar brands)
6. Fiber-reinforced cement board siding with a minimum thickness of ¼ inch
7. Prefinished metal.
8. Integral colored concrete panels other than smooth finished.
iii. Class III. Unpainted or surface painted concrete block (scored or unscored),
unpainted or surface painted plain or ribbed concrete panels, and unfinished or
surface painted metal.
c. Class III. The following materials are considered class III materials as specified:
1. Unpainted or surface painted concrete block (scored or unscored)
2. Unpainted or surface painted plain or ribbed concrete panels
3. Unfinished or surface painted metal
4. Smooth finished concrete panels
5. Brick, stone, or integral colored material which has been painted
(2)b. Minimum class I materials. At least 60 percent of each building face visible from off
the site must be of class I materials except as permitted by subsection (b)(6)c (d)(4)c.
of this section. Not more than 10 percent of each building face visible from off the site
may be of class III materials. Portions of buildings not visible from off the site may be
constructed of greater percentages of class II or class III materials if the structure
otherwise conforms to all city ordinances. The mixture of building materials must be
compatible and integrated.
(3)c. Buildings in I-G and I-P districts.
a.i. Not on major streets and not near residential. For buildings in the I-G and I-P
districts which are not located on a principal arterial, minor arterial, major
collector, or adjacent to or across from any residentially zoned property, class I
materials may be reduced to a minimum of 25 percent provided that the
remaining materials are functionally and durably equal to a class I material as
certified by the architect or manufacturer.
b.ii. On major streets or near residential. For building walls in the I-G and I-P districts
facing on a principal arterial, minor arterial or major collector, or adjacent to or
across from any residentially-zoned property, class I materials may be reduced to
a minimum of 25 percent provided that the remaining materials are functionally
and durably equal to a class I material as certified by the architect or
manufacturer and that the architectural design and site plan are superior quality
as determined by the zoning administrator. The architecture and site plan shall
meet the following minimum criteria to be considered superior quality:
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Ordinance No. 2595-20 5
1. The exposed height of the building wall shall not exceed 15 feet.
2. The number of required plant units shall be increased by 20 percent or the
size of 20 percent of the overstory trees installed shall be increased to 3 1/2
caliper inches.
3. A minimum of ten percent of the building facade must be windows or glass
spandrels.
(3) Ground floor transparency.
a. The following façade design guidelines shall be applicable to all ground floor
street-facing facades in the C-1, C-2, and MX Districts, and retail, service, and
restaurant uses in O and BP Districts:
i. Window paintings and signage shall cover no more than 10 percent of the
total window and door area.
ii. Visibility into the space shall be maintained for a minimum depth of three
(3) feet. Display of merchandise is allowed within this three (3) feet.
iii. Interior storage areas, utility closets and trash areas shall not be visible
from the exterior of the building.
iv. No more than 10 percent of total window and door area shall be glass
block, mirrored, spandrel, frosted or other opaque glass, finishes or
material including window painting and signs. The remaining 90 percent of
window and door area shall be highly transparent, low reflectance
windows with a minimum 60 percent transmittance factor and a
reflectance factor of not greater than 0.25.
v. For all new buildings constructed after January 1, 2019, and existing
buildings which expand the gross square footage of the building by more
than 50 percent, the minimum ground floor transparency shall be 50
percent on the front façade, and 20 percent on all other ground floor street
facing facades.
vi. The city acknowledges a degree of flexibility may be necessary to adjust to
unique situations. Alternatives that provide an increase in pedestrian
vibrancy and street safety including but not limited to public art and
pedestrian scale amenities may be considered and may be approved by the
Zoning Administrator, unless the development application requires
approval by city council, in which case the city council shall approve the
alternate transparency plan.
(d) General provisions.
(1) All exterior finishes for one- and two-family dwellings and accessory structures shall
be installed within one year from the issuance of the building permit.
(2)(4) Additions and accessory structures. The exterior wall surface materials, roof
treatment, colors, textures, major divisions, proportion, rhythm of openings, and
general architectural character, including horizontal or vertical emphasis, scale,
stylistic features of additions, exterior alterations, and new accessory buildings shall
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Ordinance No. 2595-20 6
address and respect the original architectural design and general appearance of the
principal buildings on the site and shall comply with the requirements of this section.
Clear acrylic that is high impact, double-skinned, non-yellowing, and a minimum eight
(8) millimeter thick may be classified as a Class I material for accessory greenhouses.
(3)(5) Screening.
a. The visual impact of rooftop equipment shall be minimized using one of the
following methods. Where rooftop equipment is located on buildings and is
visible from the ground within 400 feet from property in an R district, only the
items listed in subsections 1 and 2 shall be used.
1.i. A parapet wall.
2.ii. A fence the height of which extends at least one foot above the top of the
rooftop equipment and incorporates the architectural features of the
building.
3.iii. The rooftop equipment shall be painted to match the roof or the sky,
whichever is most effective.
b. Utility service structures (such as utility meters, utility lines, transformers,
aboveground tanks); refuse and recycling handling; loading docks; maintenance
structures; and other ancillary equipment must be inside a building or be entirely
screened from off-site views utilizing a privacy fence or wall that is at least six
feet in height. A chain link fence with slats shall not be accepted as screening.
c. All utility services shall be underground except as provided elsewhere in this
chapter.
(4)(6) Parking ramps. All new parking ramps shall meet the following design standards:
a. Parking ramp facades that are visible from off the site shall display an integration
of building materials, building form, textures, architectural motif, and building
colors with the principal building.
b. No signs other than directional signs shall be permitted on parking ramp facades.
c. If the parking ramp is located within 20 feet of a street right-of-way or
recreational trail, the facade facing the street shall be subject to the same
requirements for exterior surface materials as for buildings.
(5)(7) Awnings and canopies.
a. Design parameters. Awnings and canopies shall be designed, installed and
maintained to meet the following criteria:
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1.i. Awnings and canopies shall have noncombustible frames. If an awning can
be collapsed, retracted or folded, the design shall be such that the awning
does not block any required exit.
2.ii. Awnings and canopies less than 25 feet in width may extend into the
public right-of-way up to two feet from the face of the nearest curb line
measured horizontally.
3.iii. All portions of any awning and canopy shall provide at least eight feet of
clearance over any walkway and twelve feet of clearance over a driveway or
private roadway.
4.iv. Canopy posts or other supports located within a public right-of-way or
easement shall be placed in a location approved by the city engineer.
b. Permit required. A building permit shall be issued prior to the installation of any
awning or canopy. In addition to the building permit, an encroachment
agreement shall be issued by the city engineer prior to the installation of any
awning or canopy that extends into, upon or over any street or alley right-of-
way, park or other public property. The encroachment agreement shall include
provisions that hold the owner of the awning or canopy liable to the city for any
damage which may result to any person or property by reason of such
encroachment or the removal of such encroachment. Additional conditions may
be imposed on encroachment permits to protect the health, safety or welfare of
the public or to protect nearby property owners from hardship or damage or to
protect other public interests as determined by the city engineer.
c. Submission requirements. The following information shall be submitted prior to
the installation of an awning or canopy.
1.i. Application form and fee. A separate fee shall be required for the building
permit and encroachment agreement.
2.ii. Dimensioned and scaled site plan and building elevations.
3.iii. Four sets of drawings for each awning or canopy proposed.
d. Projections to be safe. All such projections over public property shall be
structurally safe, shall be kept in a safe condition and state of repair consistent
with the design thereof and repaired when necessary in the opinion of the city
engineer or building official by and at the expense of the person having
ownership or control of the building from which they project.
e. Removal upon order. The owner of an awning or canopy, any part of which
projects into, upon, over or under any public property shall upon being ordered
to do so by the city engineer remove at once any part or all of such
encroachment and shall restore the right-of-way to a safe condition. Such
removal and restoration of the right-of-way will be at the sole expense of the
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Ordinance No. 2595-20 8
property owner. The city may, upon failure of the property owner to remove the
encroachment as ordered, remove the encroachment, and the reasonable costs
of removing such encroachment incurred by the city shall be billed and levied
against the property as a special assessment.
(e)(e) Appeal. In any instance where the zoning administrator denies a permit or a request
for preliminary approval of building materials or building design, the applicant may submit an
appeal to the interpretation, based upon the plans and o ther papers on file in the office of the
zoning administrator, to the city council without payment of additional filing fees of any kind.
(1) Permit. A permit for an appeal shall be filed as required by Section 36 -30.
(2) Process. A request for an appeal will be considered by the Board of Zoning Appeals as
outlined in this chapter. The city council will act as the board of zoning appeals for
appeals made in conjunction with a conditional use permit or planned unit
development. The planning commission shall hold the public hearing on the appeal,
review the appeal along with the conditional use permit or planned unit development,
and report its findings and recommendation to the city council.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect November 13, 2020
Reviewed for administration: Adopted by the City Council October 19, 2020
Thomas K. Harmening, city manager Jake Spano, mayor
Attest: Approved as to form and execution:
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Soren Mattick, city attorney
First reading October 5, 2020
Second reading October 19, 2020
Date of publication October 29, 2020
Date ordinance takes effect November 13, 2020
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