1998-12 LDR Appendix D CBD Bldg Design GuidelinesRESOLUTION NO.98r 12
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A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA ADOPTING AND
SETTING FORTH DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR USE IN THE LAND USE
• DESIGNATION OF CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT WHICH ARE SUGGESTIVE
IN NATURE IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A UNIFORM DESIGN FOR COMMERCIAL
DEVELOPMENT WITHIN SUCH LAND USE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS the CITY OF OKEECHOBEE is adopting a unified land development code to
create land use designations throughout the City of Okeechobee with related regulations and
procedures associated therewith; and
WHEREAS such regulations require the creation and implementation of rules, procedures
and suggested guidelines to maintain continuity among certain land use designations; and
WHEREAS the City has determined that design guidelines are necessary and helpful in
the land use designation of Central Business District due to recent downtown renovation projects,
and to maintain consistent and similar design for future development in such district; and
WHEREAS the City has determined that these guidelines should be suggestive in nature
rather than mandatory, and that as amendment may be required from time to time on short notice
to accommodate the needs of the City and of the public, that such guidelines are appropriate by
resolution;
THEREFORE, be it resolved and approved that the following design guidelines are
adopted for use in Central Business District land use designations:
UNIFIED LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE VOLUME 1 -APPENDIX D
Central Business District Building Design Guidelines
These building design guidelines provide information to assist the building designer to integrate
public and commercial buildings within the urban landscape.
They are intended to encourage creation of a high quality environment for business, work and
shopping areas, and alert architects, engineers, and developers to features that should be given
careful consideration during project development. The building design guidelines contain no
mandatory requirements.
Overall Building Design
a Buildings should have a strong unified architectural image, and all sides of
buildings, signs, fences, landscaping, lighting, walks, and other amenities
should be detailed consistently.
b Building forms should be appropriate for the south central Florida climate,
incorporating overhangs for shading, and provision for natural building
ventilation and air movement.
C Projects should be planned and designed to be compatible with adjacent well
designed buildings and urban landscape.
d Where an historical architectural style is used, it should be consistent in
detailing and materials.
e There should be an honest expression in construction and design, achieved
through proper use of building forms, quality materials, and judicious use of
color and textures.
0 2 Building Massing and Relationships
a Building should be related to human scale, and should not be planned as
one large unarticulated mass.
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b Building forms and elements should be related to corresponding elements
on adjacent buildings. Major horizontal features, windows, floor and roof
levels, arcades, and canopies should recognize adjacent building
alignments. The rhythm of major vertical elements, column bays, and
windows in fine existing buildings should be echoed in new buildings.
C Covered arcades, canopies, and exterior courts should be incorporated to
improve livability in the Florida climate, to reduce apparent building mass,
and to add interest.
3 External Building Materials
a Building Construction materials: Construction materials should be of
lasting quality, properly used, installed and maintained. Facing brick and
stone (Each of fairly uniform color), textured concrete, terra cotta, and stucco
on masonry are acceptable primary building materials for public and
commercial structures. Fake, imitation and non -durable materials should not
be used. Canvas canopies and awnings may be used, provided they are
properly maintained and replaced before they deteriorate.
b Wall Treatment: Window and door unites should be well scaled quality
fixtures; bronze, anodized aluminum, and hardwood units are recommended.
Extensive areas of reflective glass window wall, vinyl, plastic, metal and
wood siding, and jalousie windows should be avoided.
c Roof Treatment: Low pitched sloping roofs with clay tiles are
recommended where appropriate to the building use. Flat roofs may be
used, provided all mechanical equipment is concealed from public view.
d Paving Treatment: Modular paving materials are recommended over
monolithic surfaces for pedestrian areas. Paving modules should be
designed to accommodate lighting units, seating, trash receptacles, trees,
planters, drains and similar items. Textured and colored paving surfaces
such as clay brick pavers, (not facing bricks) are recommended rather than
smooth and grey finishes. Paving materials on private property may vary
from, but should complement, adjacent public and private walkways in
pattern and texture. Pedestrian paving materials and patterns should be
used to identify crosswalks in parking lots.
e Color and texture: Overall building colors schemes should be compatible
with adjacent quality buildings. Light and pastel colors should predominate,
darker accent colors may be used to add definition and interest around
elements such as door and window openings. Where feasible, texture and
color should be an integral part of the building material. Strongly textured
permanent materials and decorative clay product are recommended.
Polished stainless steel, reflective mirror glass and similar glare producing
materials should not be used extensively. Highly contrasting patterned color
schemes in black and white or red and white, (for example, schemes
reminiscent or motor speedway tracks), should be avoided as they are a
visual disruption in the urban landscape.
4 Pedestrian Circulation Features and Amenities
a Pedestrian circulation should be barrier free and ramps are to be provided
for the handicapped, in accord with Florida regulations. Pedestrian
circulation should be planned and integrated in design with adjacent
projects.
b Commercial building, first floor level facades should be attractive and
provide visual interest, with shop windows, display units, entrances, and
public amenities. Large areas of blank walls are to be avoided. No more
than 30 percent of the first floor building elevation adjacent to a public
walkway should be solid wall.
c Pockets of dead space along shopping streets are to be avoided. Where
exterior courts or major building facade setbacks occur, entrances should be
provided.
d Arcades, canopies and awnings should be provided along pedestrian walks
for sun and rain protection. They should be at least 8 feet wide, with a clear
head room of 9 feet. They should be permanent design elements, but may
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have movable and replaceable components.
e Public amenities such as fixed seating in shaded areas, trash receptacles,
drinking fountains, xeriscape drought tolerant landscaping, lighting units,
water features, sculpture, information directories, should be provided.
• 5 Lighting
a Architectural, safety, emergency and security lighting, should be integrated
into the building design.
b Pedestrian lighting should safely illuminate walkways, either from light
standards or from lower level, vandal resistant, accent lights, set at a uniform
height.
c Low intensity landscape lighting may be used.
d Automatic security lighting should illuminate all areas around the building
and should not create shadow pockets.
e Lighting should be directed away from streets and adjacent property, and
should not create annoying glare.
f Energy efficient lighting equipment should be used. Metal halide are
recommended to be used in pedestrian areas, and high pressure sodium in
parking areas.
g White light is recommended, and multi -colored lighting is to be avoided,
especially when it might conflict with traffic signals.
6 Service Facilities and Mechanical Equipment
a Service entrances and service disposal facilities should be screened from
view, and should be located so as not to disrupt pedestrian movement.
b Mechanical equipment and utility services should be located and screened
so as not to be visible from public areas adjacent property.
c Noise from mechanical services should not be apparent in outside public
areas.
d Power and communications transmission liens should be underground in
public areas.
e Provision should be made for natural ventilation and air circulation, to reduce
energy costs and noise.
f Window air conditioning units should not be used.
THAT this resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption by the City Council
at regular or special public hearing.
INTRODUCED and adopted this 6th day of October , 1
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ATTEST:
Bonnie S. Thomas, CMC, City Clerk
APPROVED FOR LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
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John R. Cook, City Attorney
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James E. Kirk, Mayor