Fort Walton Beach Resolution — 2012-20--2012 CRA Plan Update — reading text

Entryways and Storefronts Achieve Transitions Between Adjacent Uses Ensure Compatibility of Accessory Structures Provide Screening for Equipment and Specified Uses Ensure Compatibility of Site Features, such as Landscaping, Fences, Outdoor Seating, and Recreation Areas Achieve Consistency and Compatibility in Signage Provide for Community Policing and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Introduction Fort Walton Beach is characterized by an eclectic mix of styles ranging from the Florida Cracker Style to Florida Contemporary, and while there is currently no dominant style, the intent of this plan is to ensure harmony, consistency, and compatibility between structures and to create appropriate transitions and complements between these styles throughout the CRA. This will be achieved through the establishment and implementation of common architectural design principles including faFade articulation and orientation, through the proportional use of materials, colors and architectural features based upon approximate fapade area ratios and 2012 of Fort Walton Beach  2012 Community Redevelopment Plan through consistency and compatibility of styles through roof pitch and materials, consistency of scale and style with appropriate transitions. Design guidelines are based on certain design elements and principles, which allow the freedom to choose material, color and design with the use of facade ratios to project consistency and compatibility compiled into a streamlined set of guidelines. Building materials including windows, doors and design elements are used to ensure proportionality and transitions to create a visually interesting appearance through approximate facade area calculations which contributes towards uniformity between an eclectic mixture of styles throughout the CRA ( Community Redevelopment Area). The emphasis within the design guidelines is on the freedom of individual preference while providing guidance in working towards strengthening the community identity to further encourage development and redevelopment. These contribute towards the overall goal for increasing property values while further incentivizing and promoting business activity within the CRA. Furthermore, it is at the discretion of each individual neighborhood and district within the CRA, to choose to organize and adopt their own Covenants and Restrictions, to be privately administered to further promote consistency and compatibility per each area. The intent of this chapter is to provide guidelines that may be incorporated into the LDC for density and intensity bonuses and considered when reviewing applications for CRA grant programs. These guidelines will help to strengthen the image and identity of the CRA . This in turn increases property values and promotes the compatibility of uses and appearance through a flexible approach to design that promotes quality and durability and based on the pedestrian scale. Applicants should provide renderings and elevations, including information regarding the use and type of material and colors to demonstrate achievement in regards to facade articulation. In addition, these plans will include dimensions, location of screening devices and mechanical equipment locations and storage areas to ensure consistency within the CRA with final approval of roof type, material and pitch; construction style and materials; and landscaping and structural orientation. Massing and interior voids, plazas, etc. can encourage advanced design, and provide additional vistas, improved ventilation, and walkability throughout a development. A well -designed facade includes facade articulation techniques. This is achieved through an approximate calculation of the amount of structural and facade square footage in order to determine the amount of facade articulation necessary. For many buildings, there is more than one street frontage. Therefore, well -designed facades will include all visible sides receiving " front' treatment. The following graphics illustrate designs that meet this objective. zurz City of Fort Walton Beach  2012 Community Redevelopment Plan Recommendation 4. 1. 1 — 4. 1. 4 1. Utilize a minimum depth for three -dimensional features, such as projections and recesses and other design features to ensure consistency in treatment. 2. Provide landscaping as an alternative that can be incorporated to create visual breaks along blank wall areas. 3. Use building massing, or structural volumes, to create proportional, well -designed structures which integrate larger volumes into a scale oriented to the pedestrian. 4. Use variations in height and depth within facade articulation strategies to create further interest in addition to the use of porches, verandas, decks, balconies, arcades or colonnades, towers, and/ or porticos. The primary methods to achieve facade articulation are the use of windows, shutters, doors, banding, moldings, arches, balconies, porches and verandas to vary the facade. Combining facade articulation techniques with strategies to avoid blank walls and simple rectangles provides for interest and variety in design. The goal for the provision and implementation of detail within facade articulation is to achieve an orientation to the scale of the pedestrian while creating a visually interesting facade through the use of architectural features. Awnings and canopies can provide a design feature which contributes toward facade articulation in addition to the use of arcades ( series of columns), overhangs, parapets, arches, building details, such as columns, pilasters, banding and bays, towers, cupolas, etc. Furthermore, through the use of repetition, the facade is further enhanced through the repeated use of material, patterns, textures, colors, banding, projections and massing of forms. The variety in materials, color, window placement, and projections and recesses shown in the following illustrations helps in understanding the concepts of facade articulation. Recommenclation 1. Utilize City- provided facade articulation techniques to enhance the area and create harmony among individual developments. 2012 City of Fort Walton Beach  2012 Community Redevelopment Plan The use of varying materials and colors along with design elements are methods to achieve well - articulated walls. Building designers can use a wide range of techniques, choosing colors and materials to meet the design needs and choices of the building owner and occupant. Where buildings have street " frontage" on two or more sides, these techniques should be used to achieve the appearance of a front entrance on all street frontages. The use of banding ( shown in the photographs below) differentiates uses, such as residential on upper floors and commercial on the street level. The incorporation of different materials can create further visual interest, while promoting the " small town character". 1. Establish CRA- funded grant or loan programs to support improvements to fagade design and to encourage treatment of all street frontages with " front' entrance designs. 2. Consider establishing bonus provisions in the LDC to grant additional floor area or additional density based on the degree of compliance with the design guidelines in this CRA Plan. The placement and style of windows and doors is important in achieving compatibility and consistency in design and scale. Where multiple " front' entrances are provided, the design and placement of windows and doors can improve visibility to businesses, enhance safety for pedestrians and shoppers, and also respect privacy. Where a building has both residential and business uses, separate entrances for residents are important to respect privacy. Further, windows and doors should be proportional to the fagade and enhance design choices described in the objectives above. The placement and design of doors, in particular, is crucial to achieve a clear delineation of entrances. 2012 City of Fort Walton Beach  2012 Community Redevelopment Plan Recommendation 4. 4. 1 1. Review grant applications for consistency with window and awning design guidelines. Compatibility and consistency between rooflines and roofing materials of new or redeveloped buildings with buildings in the surrounding neighborhood can be achieved through attention to roof pitch, varying heights, the use of eaves and parapets, and complementary materials. Design interest can be accomplished through the use of design elements and dormers. Pitched roofs are particularly important in areas where heights are three stories or less in order to promote design consistent with the small town character desired in Fort Walton Beach. Examples of various roof treatments are shown in the following illustrations. Recommendation 4. 5. 1 & 4. 5. 2 1. Utilize minimum standards for pitched roofs in residential areas. 2. Create incentives to achieve consistency in roof design within a neighborhood. Entryways and storefronts should serve as a focal point and an integral component of the overall design scheme. These features should provide further identification and maximize visibility while providing features that can provide relief from inclement weather designed for the visibility and comfort of the pedestrian. This is accomplished through the use of color, transitions between varying materials; and the incorporation of awnings, decorative pavers, landscaping, and/ or water features to provide interesting entryways and storefronts to further attract business within the CRA. The objective further encourages the provision of shade and cover, in addition to outdoor seating areas and benches, near entryways and storefronts. Recommendation 4. 6. 1 & 4. 6. 2 1. Provide examples of entryway and storefront designs a guidelines for new development and redevelopment. 2. Consider providing incentives for incorporating recommended entryway and storefront designs. Review grant applications for consistency. Objective While it is the goal for all new development within the CRA to complement surrounding structures, the use of transitions between building heights, the differentiation of style, and the use of materials and scale will further promote compatibility and consistency of development. 2012 City of Fort Walton Beach  2012 Community Redevelopment Plan Recommendation 4. 7. 1 & 4. 7. 2 1. Encourage development that achieves compatibility through transitions in height, scale, and style of new development or redevelopment when compared to the surrounding neighborhood. 2. Consider compatibility standards for transitioning from low -rise development to taller buildings and consistency of scale of adjacent buildings. Accessory uses and structures should complement the primary structure through the use of consistent materials, colors, and style. This can be accomplished through repetition of materials, colors, and design features among