Text Amendment Design Standards for Big Box RetailPlanning Services Department
City Hall
50 West 13~ Street
Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
(563) 589210 phone
(563) 589-4221 fax
(563) 690-6678 TDD
planningQcityofdubuque.org
~~~FiV~D
07 APR 1 ! AM 7~ 4 7
City lrl;;i~~;'S lifiiiCE
Du~u ~C, IA
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
City of Dubuque
City Hall - 50 W. 131h Street
Dubuque IA 52001
April 9, 2007
Applicant: City of Dubuque
Description: To amend Section 3-5.5 of the Zoning Ordinance, Planned Unit Development,
Design Standards for "Big Box" Retail uses.
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
The City of Dubuque Zoning Advisory Commission has reviewed the above-cited request. The
application, staff report and related materials are attached for your review.
Discussion
Staff reviewed the proposed amendment noting changes to the PUD section that establishes design
guidelines for retail stores over 100,000 square feet as well as shopping centers. The guidelines
include greenspace requirements and screening befinreen adjacent residential areas. Staff noted
these are interim standards and may be modified as part of the Unified Development Code rewrite
process.
There were no public comments
The Zoning Advisory Commission discussed the request, noting that the proposed regulations to
help to guide developers in terms of what the City wants and does allow some flexibility in meeting
the regulations.
Recommendation
By a vote of 5 to 0 the Zoning Advisory Commission recommends that the City Council approves the
request.
A simple majority vote is needed for the City Council to approve the request.
Respectfully submitted,
Eugene Bird Jr., Chairperson
Zoning Advisory Commission
Attachments
cc David Heiar, Economic Development Director
THE CITY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
F:\USERSUCmunson\WP\Boards-CommissionsVAC\City Counal\CC 04_18_07\Text Amendment Big Box 04_06_07 cc.ttr.doC
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation
TTiE CITY OF
DuB E
PLANNING APPLICATION FORM
^Variance ^Rezoning ^Simple Site Plan
^Conditional Use Permit ^Planned District ^Minor Site Ptan
^Appeal ^Preliminary Plat ^Major Site Plan
^Special Exception ^Minor Final Plat ^Major Final Plat
^Limited Setback Waiver Text Amendment ^Simple Subdivision
Please type or print legibly in ink
City of Dubuque
Planning Services Department
Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
Phone: 563-589-4210
Fax: 563-589-4221
^Annexation
^Temporary Use Permit
^Certificate of Economic Non-Viability
^Certificate of Appropriateness
^Other:
Property owner(s): __ _NIA Phone:
Address:
City:
State: Zip:
Fax Number: Mobile/Cellular Number:
Applicant/Agent: City of Dubuque Planning Services Department Phone: 589-4210
Address: City Hall - 50 W. 13~' Street City: Dubuque State: IA Zip: 52001
Fax Number: 589-4221 Mobile/Cellular Number:
Site location/address: N/A
Existing zoning: N/A Proposed zoning: N A Historic District: N A Landmark: N A
Legal Description (Bidwell parcel ID# or lot number/block number/subdivision): N/A
Total property (lot) area (square feet or acres): N/A
Describe proposal and reason necessary (attach a letter of explanation, if needed): Amend Section 3-
5.5 Planned Unit Development District to establish desictn guidelines for "bi4 box" retail uses.
CERTIFICATION; I/we, the undersigned, do hereby certify that:
1. The information submitted herein is true and correct to the best of my/our knowledge and upon
submittal becomes public record;
2. Fees are not refundable and payment does not guarantee approval; and
3. All additional required written and graphic materials are attached.
Property Owner(s): ~ Date:
Applicant/Agent: ~ Date:3~a~~~ 7
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY -APPLICATION SUBM AL CHECKLIST
Fee: ~~T Received by: ~ Date• Z6'~ Docket:
^ Site/sketch plan ^ Conceptual Development Plan ^Photo ^ Plat
^ Improvement plans ^ Design review project description ^ Floor plan ^ Other:
THE CITY OF
DUB E
~~~
MEMORANDUM
March 22, 2007
TO: Zoning Advisory Commission
FROM: Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
SUBJECT: Interim Design Standards for-Big Box Retail Uses
Introduction
This memorandum transmits a text amendment to the PUD Planned Unit Development
District section and the Definitions section of the Zoning Ordinance for big box retailers.
Background
The City has hired JEO Consulting to assist with updating the Zoning and Subdivision
Ordinances, and then combining them with the Historic Preservation Ordinance and City
sign regulations into a Unified Development Code (UDC).
As part of the process for creating the UDC, the City Council asked JEO to evaluate
design standards for big box retailers, and any impact studies or impact fees that have
been implemented as a result of the location of a big box retailer. While this evaluation
is underway, we have developed interim design standards for big box retail uses.
These proposed regulations were developed with input from GDDC and Economic
Development Department staff. They also have been reviewed with the UDC Citizen
Advisory Committee.
These interim design standards are based on the standards established for the River
View Plaza development agreement for redevelopment of the former Smithfield meat
packing site, and the Port of Dubuque Design Standards. The final version will include
more defini#ions, more detailed standards, and illustrations.
Discussion
Presently, PUD zoning is required for any department store over 60,000 square feet in
size and for regional shopping centers. This requirement applies to expansions of
existing retailers that expand to over 60,000 square feet and by at least 25%.
Interim Design Standards for Big Box Retail Uses
Page 2
Definition
Planning Services staff have interpreted "department store" to include a variety of retail
and wholesale/warehouse club operations. Staff is recommending that department store
be replaced with retail commercial uses. The proposed definition for retail commercial
uses is a stand-alone building with a large parking lot or a part of a larger commercial
center, including but not limited to: department store, grocery store, supermarket,
wholesale club operation, discount store, general merchandise retailer, specialized
product store (for example, electronics, building materials or pet supplies), outlet store,
general merchandise wholesaler open to the public, warehouse club, and similar uses.
Special Conditions for Retail Commercial Uses and Regional Shopping Centers
Staff is recommending special conditions that would apply to all retail commercial uses
over 60,000 square feet in size and regional shopping centers.
(a) Sales and display areas other than the front facade require a temporary use permit
has been obtained from the City of Dubuque.
(b) Sidewalks, walkways, entrances and gathering areas. Sidewalks adjacent to the
front facade must be at least 10 feet wide and connect by 5-foot sidewalks to public
sidewalks and adjoining retail buildings. Walkways, entrances, and gathering areas
are to have shade features other than landscaping, such as trellis structures,
projecting canopies, covered arcades and porticos.
(c) Transit facilities. The City Manager can approve a bus and paratransit stop/transfer
point adjacent to the building, with a shelter design that is consistent with the
building. The shelter would be installed at the property owner's expense. An
easement or other arrangement acceptable to the City must be granted for location,
maintenance, and unrestricted use of these transit facilities by the City transit
system.
(d) Bicycle paths and parking. The building site must include bicycle paths connected to
the City's planned and existing bike trail system. Flexibility in the timing of
construction of these bicycle paths may be allowed at the sole discretion of the City
Manager. Unless the paths are exclusively for bicycle use, they shall be
appropriately marked with painted lanes. The building site must include sheltered
bicycle areas with rack(s) for securing bicycles located near the entrance to the
building.
Design Standards for "Big Box" Retail Uses
Any retail commercial uses or regional shopping centers which have over 100,000
square feet of building area, or expand to over 100,000 square feet and by at least 25%,
must also meet big box design standards.
a) Definitions of facades. The proposal defines the front, side and rear facades of a
building.
Interim Design Standards for Big Box Retail Uses
Page 3
b) Facades. The building facades are to be designed to reduce the massive scale
and minimize a uniform and impersonal appearance of the building, and to
provide visual interest consistent with the community's identity, character, and
scale. This can be done with projections and recessions, windows, arcades,
awnings, projecting canopies, covered walkways, porticos, or other acceptable
features. The facade to give the visual exterior appearance of having more than
one floor. A landscape buffer of evergreens is required along the property line to
screen service areas and rear facades from the adjacent property.
c) Detail features. The building must include architectural features that contribute to
visual interest at the pedestrian scale and reduce the massive aesthetic effect by
breaking up the building wall, front, and side, with color, texture change, wall
offsets, reveals, or projecting ribs.
d) Roofs. The roof design must provide variations in rooflines, add interest to, and
reduce the massive scale of, large buildings. Roofs shall include two (2) or more
roof planes. Parapet walls shall be architecturally treated to avoid a plain,
monotonous look. The roof design also must provide for a green roof, which is at
least 50% covered with vegetation and soil, or a growing medium, planted over a
waterproofing membrane.
e) Materials and color. The buildings must have exterior building materials and
colors that are aesthetically pleasing and compatible with materials and colors
that are used in adjoining neighborhoods. This includes the use of high-quality
materials and colors that are low reflective, subtle, neutral, or earth tone. Certain
types of colors are to be avoided such as fluorescent or metallic although brighter
colors in limited quantities may be used on building trim and as accents at the
discretion of the City Council. Construction materials such as tilt-up concrete,
smooth-faced concrete block, prefabricated steel panels, and other similar
materials are to be avoided unless the exterior surface incorporates an
acceptable architectural treatment. Not less than 75% of the front of the building
and 50% of the sides of the building must be brick or stone.
f) Entryways. Entrances must be highly-visible to customers and add aesthetically
pleasing character to buildings.
g) Screening of mechanical equipment. Mechanical equipment must be screened to
mitigate noise and views in all directions. If roof-mounted, the screen must be
designed to conform architecturally to the design of the building either with
varying roof planes or with parapet walls.
h) Parking lots. Parking lot requirements are the same as those found in the Port of
Dubuque Design Standards.
i) Employee parking. Employee parking must be behind the building.
Interim Design Standards for Big Box Retail Uses
Page 4
j) Amenities. The building site must include at least one public gathering space,
such as a patio seating area, pedestrian plaza with benches, outdoor play area,
and not less than two public space amenities, such as kiosks, a water feature, a
clock tower, or a landscaped site for public artwork. Pedestrian public space
must be shaded, landscaped, and screened. The size of the public gathering
space shall not be less than 1 % of the gross enclosed building area.
Flexibility
The proposal includes a provision for flexibility: In determining whether the plan
complies with the above standards, the City Council may accept alternative or substitute
features which have a comparable aesthetic and visual effect in light of the location and
topography of a particular site.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Zoning Advisory Commission recommend approval of the
interim design standards for big box retail uses.
The Zoning Advisory Commission will have an opportunity to review final design
standards for big box retailers later in the UDC process.
Enclosures
Amendment to section 3-5.5 (B)
3-5.5 Planned Unit Development District (PUD)
(8) General Requirements: A PUD may be established on any parcel over two (2) acres
for residential, office, commercial or industrial development. A PUD is required for all
Q~~~~# °*~~ retail commercial uses open to the public or members which
have over sixty thousand (60,000) square feet of building area;. A PUD is also
required for regional shopping centers, a~ multi-family structures over twelve (12) units
per building, biofuels production facilities, aJi new industrial parks and a~ new office
parks. .
Any structure existing at the time of adoption of this ordinance which is
expanded for retail commercial use to over sixty thousand (60,000) square feet of
building area and which expansion constitutes an increase of twenty five percent
(25%) or more to the building area shall be subject to these General
Requirements ,including rezoning to PUD.
Such PUD district designation(s) shall be shown on the Official Zoning Map as a P
followed by a letter designating the primary use, C (commercial), O (office), I (industrial),
or R (residential); therefore, showing a PR, PO, PI or PC designation.
Addition of new sections 3-5.5 (D) (4) and (D) (5)
3-5.5 Planned Unit Development District (PUD)
(D) Development Regulations:
(4) Special Conditions for Retail Commercial Uses and Regional Shopping Centers:
Special conditions shall apply to retail commercial uses over sixty thousand (60,000)
square feet of building area and to regional shopping centers:
(a) Sales and display areas. No area outside of the building other than the front
facade may be used for the sales or display of merchandise unless a
temporary use permit has been obtained from the City of Dubuque.
(b) Sidewalks, walkways, entrances and gathering areas. Sidewalks adjacent to
the front facade shall be not less than ten (10) feet wide and shall connect by
sidewalks not less than five (5) feet wide to public sidewalks and adjoining
retail buildings. Sidewalks shall be concrete or other approved hard surface;
asphalt shall be prohibited. Walkways, entrances, and gathering areas shall
have shade features other than landscaping, such as trellis structures,
projecting canopies, covered arcades and porticos.
(c) Transit facilities. The building site shall include a bus and paratransit
stop/transfer point at a location adjacent to the building approved by the City
Manager. A shelter that is consistent in design and construction with the
building shall be installed at the property owner's expense at the sole
discretion of the City Manager. It shall be within the sole discretion of the City
Manager whether it is used as a bus and paratransit stop and/or transfer point
and at what time it shall be used. An easement or other arrangement
acceptable to the City shall be granted for location, maintenance, and
unrestricted use of said transit facilities by the City transit system. These
facilities may be installed at any point in time at the sole discretion of the City
Manager.
(d) Bicycle paths and parking. The building site shall include bicycle paths
connected to the City's planned and existing bike trail system. Flexibility in the
timing of construction of said bicycle paths may be allowed at the sole
discretion of the City Manager. Unless the paths are exclusively for bicycle
use, they shall be appropriately marked with painted lanes. The building site
shall include sheltered bicycle areas with rack(s) for securing bicycles located
near the entrance to the building.
(5) Design Standards for "Big Box" Retail Uses. Prior to the commencement of
construction of any retail commercial uses or regional shopping centers which have
over one hundred thousand (100,000) square feet of building area, the applicant shall
submit plans for construction for review by the City Council.
Any structure existing at the time of adoption of this ordinance which is expanded for
retail commercial use to over one hundred thousand (100,000) square feet of building
area and which expansion constitutes an increase of twenty five percent (25%) or more
to the building area shall be subject to these Design Standards.
The applicant shall not commence any such construction unless the City Council
determines that the plan complies with the following standards for aesthetic and visual
characteristics:
a) Definitions of facades. For purposes of this section, the facades of a building
shall be defined as follows:
Facade. The portion of any exterior elevation on the building
extending from grade to the top of the parapet, wall or eaves and
extending the entire length of the building.
ii. Front facade. The front or principal face of a building, containing the
main entrance; any building face, which can be touched by a line
drawn perpendicular to street (public or private).
iii. Side facade. The face of a building extending from the front facade
to the rear facade of the building.
iv. Rear facade. The face of a building extending along the rear of the
lot or site, containing employee and service entrances, loading
docks, etc.
b) Facades. The building facades shall be designed in a way that will reduce the
massive scale and minimize a uniform and impersonal appearance of the
building, and that will provide visual interest consistent with the community's
identity, character, and scale.
Facades of one hundred (100) feet or longer shall be broken up with projections
or recessions not less than five (5) feet in depth, and in sufficient number, to
reduce the unbroken massing into lengths of forty (40) feet or less along all sides
of the building. Projections from the facade can be used as an alternate
approach.
The front facade shall include windows, arcades, awnings, projecting canopies,
covered walkways, porticos, or other acceptable features along at least sixty
percent (60%) of the front facade length and over at least twenty five percent
(25%) of the front facade area.
Except for entrances to the building, any part of the front facade higher than
eleven (11) feet shall give the visual exterior appearance of having more than
one floor for each additional eleven (11) feet in height, i.e., a twenty-two (22) foot
high building shall give the appearance of a two-story building.
Arcades and other weather protection features shall be of sufficient depth and
height to provide a light-filled and open space along the front facade.
Architectural treatment, similar to that provided to the front facade, shall be
provided to the side facades to mitigate any nega#ive view from any location off-
site and any public area (e.g. parking lots, walkways, etc.) on site.
A landscape buffer of evergreens approved by the City Council shall be required
along the property line to screen service areas and rear facades from the
adjacent property.
c) Detail features. The building shall include architectural features that contribute to
visual interest at the pedestrian scale and reduce the massive aesthetic effect by
breaking up the building wall, front, and side, with color, texture change, wall
offsets, reveals, or projecting ribs.
d) Roofs. The roof design shall provide variations in rooflines, add interest to, and
reduce the massive scale of, large buildings. Roofs shall include two (2) or more
roof planes. Parapet walls shall be architecturally treated to avoid a plain,
monotonous look.
The roof design shall further provide for a green roof, herein defined as a roof of
a building that is not less than fifty percent (50%} covered with vegetation and
soil, or a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. It may also
include additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation
systems.
Unhealthy or dead vegetation shall be removed within seven (7) days and
replaced with suitable new plant materials at the earliest practical time, but not
longer than nine (9) months, based on the appropriate season.
e) Materials and color. The building shall have exterior building materials and colors
that are "aesthetically pleasing and compatible with materials and colors that are
used in adjoining neighborhoods. This includes the use of high-quality materials
and colors that are low reflective, subtle, neutral, or earth tone. Certain types of
colors shall be avoided such as fluorescent or metallic although brighter colors in
limited quantities may be used on building trim and as accents at the discretion of
the City Council. Construction materials such as tilt-up concrete, smooth-faced
concrete block, prefabricated steel panels, and other similar materials shall be
avoided unless the exterior surface incorporates an acceptable architectural
treatment. Not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the front of the building
and fifty percent (50%) of the sides of the building shall be brick or stone.
f) Entryways. The building design shall provide design elements which clearly
indicate to customers where the entrances are located and which add
aesthetically pleasing character to buildings by providing highly-visible customer
entrances.
g) Screening of mechanical equipment. Mechanical equipment shall be screened to
mitigate noise and views in all directions. If roof-mounted, the screen shall be
designed to conform architecturally to the design of the building either with
varying roof planes or with parapet walls. A wood fence or similar treatment is not
acceptable.
h) Parking lots. Parking lots fronting on public streets shall be set back 12 feet from
the right-of--way and eight {8) feet from internal drives measured from the edge of
the paving. A landscaped buffer strip at least twelve (12) feet wide shall be
provided between all surface parking areas and the sidewalk or street. The buffer
strip shall consist of landscaped earth berms, shade trees, low shrubs and/or
perennial flowers (3 feet in height maximum), and a decorative metal fence no
more than 4 feet high supported between decorative masonry columns. Use of
biofiltration methods of landscape and drainage is encouraged.
A landscape buffer at least twelve (12) feet wide shall be provided along the rear
and sides of all surface parking lots. The area shall be planted with shade trees,
coniferous trees, and deciduous and/or evergreen shrubs.
Parking bays in excess of eleven (11) spaces in length shall be divided by
intermediate landscaped islands at intervals of eleven (11) spaces. For single
parking bays, landscaped islands shall provide at least one parking space of
landscape area (9 x 18 feet) and shall be planted with one ornamental/dwarf tree,
low shrubs, perennial flowers and/or ground cover/ornamental grasses (3 feet in
height max.).
For double parking bays, bath the end landscaped islands and the intermediate
landscaped islands shall provide a double parking space of landscape area (9 x
36 feet) and shall be planted with one shade tree or two ornamental/dwarf trees,
low shrubs, perennial flowers and/or ground cover/ornamental grasses (3 feet in
height maximum).
All parking lot landscaping shall comply with City standards, be mulched to a
depth of 4 inches with high quality, finely shredded mulch and shall be watered
by an automatic, underground irrigation system.
Unhealthy or dead landscape plantings shall be removed as soon as possible
(within seven (7) days). Unhealthy landscape plantings and lawns shall be
replaced with suitable new plant materials at the earliest practical time (within
maximum of nine (9) months) based on the appropriate season.
i) Employee parking. The applicant shall provide for employee parking behind the
building.
j) Amenities. The building site shall include at least one public gathering space,
such as a patio seating area, pedestrian plaza with benches, outdoor play area,
and not less than two public space amenities, such as kiosks, a water feature, a
clock tower, or a landscaped site for public artwork. Pedestrian public space shall
be shaded, landscaped, and screened. The size of the public gathering space
shall not be less than one percent (1 %) of the gross enclosed building area.
Any conflict between these standards and the PUD Ordinance shall be resolved in favor
of the stricter standard.
In determining whether the plan complies with the above standards, the City Council
may accept alternative or substitute features which have a comparable aesthetic and
visual effect in light of the location and topography of a particular site.
Addition to Section 8 Definitions
Retail Commercial Uses: Astand-alone building with a large parking lot or a part of a
larger commercial center, including but not limited to: department store, grocery store,
supermarket, wholesale club operation, discount store, general merchandise retailer,
specialized product store (for example, electronics, building materials or pet supplies),
outlet store, general merchandise wholesaler open to the public, warehouse club, and
similar uses.
Prepared by: Laura Carstens, City Planner Address: City Hall, 50 W. 13th St Telephone: 589-4210
Return to: Jeanne Schneider, City Clerk Address: City Hall- 50 W. 13 St Telephone: 589-4121
ORDINANCE NO. 17-07
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING APPENDIX A (THE ZONING ORDINANCE) OF
THE CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ADDING NEW
LANGUAGE REGULATING "BIG BOX" RETAIL USES TO THE PLANNED UNIT
DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Appendix A (The Zoning Ordinance) of the City of Dubuque Code of
Ordinances is hereby amended by amending Section 3-5.5 (B) modifying the General
Requirements for establishing Planned Unit Development Districts, as follows:
3-5.5 Planned Unit Development District (PUD)
(8) General Requirements: A PUD may be established on any parcel over two (2)
acres for residential, office, commercial or industrial development. A PUD is
required for all depa~e~t--steFes retail commercial uses open to the public or
members which have over sixty thousand (60,000) square feet of building area;. A
PUD is also required for regional shopping centers, all multi-family structures over
twelve (12) units per building, biofuels production facilities, all new industrial
parks and all new office parks.
sbas~si#isatie+~:
Any structure existing at the time of adoption of this ordinance which is
expanded for retail commercial use to over sixty thousand (60,000) square
feet of building area and which expansion constitutes an increase of twenty
five percent (25%) or more to the building area shall be subject to these
General Requirements ,including rezoning to PUD.
Ordinance No. -07 Page 2
Such PUD district designation(s) shall be shown on the Official Zoning Map as a P
followed by a letter designating the primary use, C (commercial), O (ofhce), I
(industrial), or R (residential); therefore, showing a PR, PO, PI or PC designation.
Section 2. Appendix A (The Zoning Ordinance) of the City of Dubuque Code of
Ordinances is hereby amended by adding new Sections 3-5.5(D)(4) and 3-5.5(D)(5), which
establish special conditions for retail commercial uses and regional shopping centers and
design standards for "big box" retail uses as follows:
3-5.5(D) Development Regulations:
(4) Special Conditions for Retail Commercial Uses and Regional Shopping
Centers: Special conditions shall apply to retail commercial uses over sixty
thousand (60,000) square feet of building area and to regional shopping
centers:
(a) Sales and display areas. No area outside of the building other than
the front facade may be used for the sales or display of merchandise
unless a temporary use permit has been obtained from the City of
Dubuque.
(b) Sidewalks, walkways, entrances and gathering areas. Sidewalks
adjacent to the front facade shall be not less than ten (10) feet wide and
shall connect by sidewalks not less than five (5) feet wide to public
sidewalks and adjoining retail buildings. Sidewalks shall be concrete or
other .approved hard surface; asphalt shall be prohibited. Walkways,
entrances, and gathering areas shall have shade features other than
landscaping, such as trellis structures, projecting canopies, covered
arcades and porticos.
(c) Transit facilities. The building site shall include a bus and
paratransit stop/transfer point at a location adjacent to the building
approved by the City Manager. A shelter that is consistent in design
and construction with the building shall be installed at the property
owner's expense at the sole discretion of the City Manager. It shall be
within the sole discretion of the City Manager whether it is used as a
bus and paratransit stop and/or transfer point and at what time it shall
be used. An easement or other arrangement acceptable to the City shall
be granted for location, maintenance, and unrestricted use of said
transit facilities by the City transit system. These facilities may be
installed at any point in time at the sole discretion of the City Manager.
(d) Bicycle paths and parking. The building site shall include bicycle
paths connected to the City's planned and existing bike trail system.
Flexibility in the timing of construction of said bicycle paths may be
Ordinance No. -07 Page 3
allowed at the sole discretion of the City Manager. Unless the pates are
exclusively for bicycle use, they shall be appropriately marked with
painted lanes. The building site shall include sheltered bicycle areas
with rack(s) for securing bicycles located near the entrance to the
building.
3-5.5(D) Design Standards for "Big Box" Retail Uses. Prior to the
commencement of construction of any retail commercial uses or regional
shopping centers which have over one hundred thousand (100,000) square
feet of building area, the applicant shall submit plans for construction for
review by the City Council.
Any structure existing at the time of adoption of this ordinance which is
expanded for retail commercial use to over one hundred thousand (100,000)
square feet of building area and which expansion constitutes an increase of
twenty five percent (25%) or more to the building area shall be subject to
these Design Standards.
The applicant shall not commence any such construction unless the City
Council determines that the plan complies with the following standards for
aesthetic and visual characteristics:
a) Definitions of facades. For purposes of this section, the facades of a
building shall be defined as follows:
i. Facade. The portion of any exterior elevation on the building
extending from grade to the top of the parapet, wall or eaves
and extending the entire length of the building.
ii. Front facade. The front or principal face of a building,
containing the main entrance; any building face, which can be
touched by a line drawn perpendicular to street (public or
private).
iii. Side facade. The face of a building extending from the front
facade to the rear facade of the building.
iv. Rear facade. The face of a building extending along the rear
of the lot or site, containing employee and service entrances,
loading docks, etc.
b) Facades. The building facades shall be designed in a way that will
reduce the massive scale and minimize a uniform and impersonal
appearance of the building, and that will provide visual interest
consistent with the community's identity, character, and scale.
Ordinance No. -07 Page 4
Facades of one hundred (100) feet or longer shall be broken up with
projections or recessions not less than five (5) feet in depth, and in
sufficient number, to reduce the unbroken massing into lengths of
forty (40) feet or less along all sides of the building. Projections from
the facade can be used as an alternate approach.
The front facade shall include windows, arcades, awnings,
projecting canopies, covered walkways, porticos, or other
acceptable features along at least sixty percent (60%) of the front
facade length and over at least twenty five percent (25°1°) of the front
facade area.
Except for entrances to the building, any part of the front facade
higher than eleven (11) feet shall give the visual exterior appearance
of having more than one floor for each additional eleven (11) feet in
height, i.e., a twenty-two (22) foot high building shall give the
appearance of a two-story building.
Arcades and other weather protection features shall be of sufficient
depth and height to provide alight-filled and open space along the
front facade. Architectural treatment, similar to that provided to the
front facade, shall be provided to the side facades to mitigate any
negative view from any location off-site and any public area (e.g.
parking lots, walkways, etc.) on site.
A landscape buffer of evergreens approved by the City Council shall
be required along the property line to screen service areas and rear
facades from the adjacent property.
c) Detail features. The building shall include architectural features that
contribute to visual interest at the pedestrian scale and reduce the
massive aesthetic effect by breaking up the building wall, front, and
side, with color, texture change, wall offsets, reveals, or projecting
ribs.
d) Roofs. The roof design shall provide variations in rooflines, add
interest to, and reduce the massive scale of, large buildings. Roofs
shall include two (2) or more roof planes. Parapet walls shalt be
architecturally treated to avoid a plain, monotonous look.
The roof design shall further provide for a green roof, herein defined
as a roof of a building that is not less than fifty percent (50%)
covered with vegetation and soil, or a growing medium, planted over
a waterproofing membrane. It may also include additional layers
such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems.
Ordinance No. -07 Page 5
Unhealthy or dead vegetation shall be removed within seven (7)
days and replaced with suitable new plant materials at the earliest
practical time, but not longer than nine (9) months, based on the
appropriate season.
e) Materials and color. The building shall have exterior building
materials and colors that are aesthetically pleasing and compatible
with materials and colors that are used in adjoining neighborhoods.
This includes the use of high-quality materials and colors that are
low reflective, subtle, neutral, or earth tone. Certain types of colors
shall be avoided such as fluorescent or metallic although brighter
colors in limited quantities may be used on building trim and as
accents at the discretion of the City Council. Construction materials
such astilt-up concrete, smooth-faced concrete block, prefabricated
steel panels, and other similar materials shall be avoided unless the
exterior surface incorporates an acceptable architectural treatment
Not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the front of the building
and fifty percent (50%) of the sides of the building shall be brick or
stone.
f) Entryways. The building design shall provide design elements which
clearly indicate to customers where the entrances are located and
which add aesthetically pleasing character to buildings by providing
highly-visible customer entrances.
g) Screening of mechanical equipment. Mechanical equipment shall be
screened to mitigate noise and views in all directions. If roof-
mounted, the screen shall be designed to conform architecturally to
the design of the building either with varying roof planes or with
parapet walls. A wood fence or similar treatment is not acceptable.
h) Parking lots. Parking lots fronting on public streets shall be set back
12 feet from the right-of--way and eight (8) feet from internal drives
measured from the edge of the paving. A landscaped buffer strip at
least twelve (12) feet wide shall be provided between all surface
parking areas and the sidewalk or street. The buffer strip shall
consist of landscaped earth berms, shade trees, low shrubs and/or
perennial flowers (3 feet in height maximum), and a decorative metal
fence no more than 4 feet high supported between decorative
masonry columns. Use of biofiltration methods of landscape and
drainage is encouraged.
A landscape buffer at least twelve (12) feet wide shall be provided
along the rear and sides of all surface parking lots. The area shall be
Ordinance No. -07 Page 6
planted with shade trees, coniferous trees, and deciduous and/or
evergreen shrubs.
Parking bays in excess of eleven (11) spaces in length shall be
divided by intermediate landscaped islands at intervals of eleven
(11) spaces. For single parking bays, landscaped islands shall
provide at least one parking space of landscape area (9 x 18 feet)
and shall be planted with one ornamental/dwarf tree, low shrubs,
perennial flowers and/or ground cover/ornamental grasses (3 feet in
height max.).
For double parking bays, both the end landscaped islands and the
intermediate landscaped islands shall provide a double parking
space of landscape area (9 x 36 feet) and shall be planted with one
shade tree or two ornamental/dwarf trees, low shrubs, perennial
flowers and/or ground cover/ornamental grasses (3 feet in height
maximum).
All parking lot landscaping shall comply with City standards, be
mulched to a depth of 4 inches with high quality, finely shredded
mulch and shall be watered by an automatic, underground irrigation
system.
Unhealthy or dead landscape plantings shall be removed as soon as
possible (within seven (7) days). Unhealthy landscape plantings and
lawns shall be replaced with suitable new plant materials at the
earliest practical time (within maximum of nine (9) months) based on
the appropriate season.
i) Employee parking. The applicant shall provide for employee parking
behind the building.
j) Amenities. The building site shall include at least one public
gathering space, such as a patio seating area, pedestrian plaza with
benches, outdoor play area, and not less than two public space
amenities, such as kiosks, a water feature, a clock tower, or a
landscaped site for public artwork. Pedestrian public space shall be
shaded, landscaped, and screened. The size of the public gathering
space shall not be less than one percent (1 %) of the gross enclosed
building area.
Any conflict between these standards and the PUD Ordinance shall
be resolved in favor of the stricter standard.
Ordinance No. 17-07
Page 7
In determining whether the plan complies with the above
standards, the City Council may accept alternative or substitute
features which have a comparable aesthetic and visual effect in
light of the location and topography of a particular site.
Section 3. The foregoing amendment has heretofore been reviewed by the
Zoning Advisory Commission of the City of Dubuque, Iowa.
Section 4. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon publication, as
provided by law.
Passed, approved and adopted this 16th day of April 2007.
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
Prepared by: Laura Carstens. City Planner Address: City Hall. 50 W. 13th St Telephone: 589-4210
Retum to: Jeanne Schneider. Citv Clerk Address: Citv Hall- 50 W. 13 St Telephone: 589-4121
ORDINANCE NO. 18-07
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING APPENDIX A (THE ZONING ORDINANCE) OF THE
CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING SECTION 8
DEFINITIONS, BY ADDING A DEFINITION FOR RETAIL COMMERCIAL USES.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Appendix A (The Zoning Ordinance) of the City of Dubuque Code of
Ordinances is hereby amended by adding a new definition to Section 8 as follows:
Retail Commercial Uses: A stand-alone building with a large parking lot or a
part of a larger commercial center, including but not limited to: department
store, grocery store, supermarket, wholesale club operation, discount store,
general merchandise retailer, specialized product store (i.e., -electronics,
building materials or pet supplies), outlet store, general merchandise
wholesaler open to the public, warehouse club, and similar-uses.
Section 2. The foregoing amendment has heretofore been reviewed by the
Zoning Advisory Commission of the City of Dubuque, Iowa.
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon publication, as
provided by law.
Passed, approved and adopted this16th day of April, 2007.
Roy D. Buol,,fslfayor:
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk