Sec. 7.12.24 Universal Gateway District Standards

Other

• Blank wall prohibition

  A wall must have articulation consisting of, but not limited to, the following: a foundation, a middle and a cap with at least one type of opening (door or window).

• Color branding restriction

  Color branding, associated with any trademark or corporate design, shall not be permitted in whole roofs, outlines of roofs, cornices or any other building element other than primary door color or signage unless otherwise determined by the Board of Architectural Review to be consistent with the Design Guidelines.

• Color restriction

  Colors shall be chosen so that the building function does not function as a sign; this includes colors identifiable with a franchise or chain business. However, such colors may be appropriate for awnings and signs.

• Economic hardship not considered

  Economic hardship will not be considered a reason for varying from any standard established in Sec. 7.12.24 Universal Gateway District Standards.

• Glass tint restriction70 pct

  Glass areas shall be clear or lightly tinted. Lightly tinted shall be defined as window tint not containing a metallic material which allows greater than seventy percent (70%) visible light transmission. Highly tinted or mirrored (reflective) glass is not permitted.

• Human scale massing required

  Buildings shall be designed to minimize the impact of their overall mass to provide a human scale.

• Landscaping not mitigation

  Landscaping shall not be accepted as mitigation for a lack of articulation in any wall.

• Larger buildings require more complex massing

  As the size of a building increases there shall be a corresponding increase in the complexity of the massing.

• Techniques to refine building mass

  Changes in horizontal or vertical plane, bay windows, balconies, covered or recessed porches or stoops, porticos, varied wall surfaces, upper-story step-backs, varied heights at regular widths, break up walls by the inclusion of windows and other façade articulation features.

• Modification approval criteria

  The modification application shall be reviewed by the Board of Architectural Review based upon: architectural character, orientation, roof design, materials, windows, not considering economic hardship, purpose, consistency with Town plans, compensating features, conditions, and use of adjacent properties.

• Modification submission requirements

  A modification shall require the following information: a written statement, multiple modifications listed in a table, additional information as required by the Preservation Planner.

• Building orientation requirement

  The building shall be oriented toward the front sidewalk or street, have a functioning entrance and enhance the continuity of the pedestrian-oriented environment.

• Primary entrance articulation required

  The primary entrance(s) shall be clearly identifiable and articulated through the use of materials, canopies, recesses, awnings, transom windows, sidelights, pediments, porticos or other architectural treatments.

• Roof design requirement

  The design of the roof shall be compatible with the character of other buildings along the block and shall meet the base zoning district height requirements.

• Trademark/corporate architecture restriction

  Trademark or corporate architecture that is readily identifiable with a franchise or chain business due to its distinctive exterior appearance shall not be permitted unless the Board of Architectural Review determines its elements meet the requirements of the Gateway District and the Design Guidelines.

• Traditional materials required

  All materials, including glass, shall be compatible with the architectural character and history of the Town of Leesburg with an emphasis on traditional materials such as wood, brick or stone.

• Window requirement

  Ground floor windows shall be provided along the front sidewalk to maintain the pedestrian-orientation of the streetscape and upper story windows and shall not be incompatible with the rhythm and proportions of windows on other appropriately designed buildings along the block.