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Sector One Chapter 3 - Tomorrow Preserving and Enhancing Visual Character The following are the most prominent aesthetic elements over which the City has some control through zoning, subdivision, and building regulations: Landscaping Landscaping can significantly improve the visual character of development. Generous landscaping buffers incompatible uses and generally enhances all types of development. All developments should have landscaping around building foundations, in and around paved areas such as parking lots, along street frontages, and within yard areas. Landscaping should be installed at an adequate size to ensure a high degree of survivability and immediate visual effectiveness. Preference should be given to native landscaping that requires minimal water and maintenance. Signage Low quality signs and excessive signage (both in number and size) can have a detrimental impact on community aesthetics and property values. On -site signage should be limited in size and number in order to preserve the visual character of the area. Off -site advertising (i.e., billboards) are inappropriate for Sector One and should be prohibited in order to preserve the neighborhood character of the area. The City should encourage the removal of existing nonconforming signs. Building Materials Building materials should enhance the property and surrounding properties, as well as the overall appearance of the community. Appropriate building materials are dependent on the land use, location, and type of building. Small neighborhood commercial buildings should be compatible with surrounding neighborhood homes. Community shopping centers should be attractive, with high quality building materials. Lighting Excessive lighting leads to energy waste and unwanted glare on adjacent properties. Lighting that is not properly shielded can create traffic hazards on adjacent roadways. Appropriate lighting reduces wasted light and limits `spillover' impacts to adjacent properties, while still providing a well -lit and safe environment. Appropriate lighting also helps protect the nighttime environment and preserve the beauty of the night sky, which is fast disappearing in many urban areas. Utilities While power lines are a necessity, many communities have begun to reduce the visual impact of these lines. One approach is to encourage the underground installation of these lines, where feasible. Another approach is to have power lines placed behind properties in an alley or along the shared property line rather than along the street. Other means are available for reducing the visual impact of overhead wires, for example by reducing the number of locations where lines cross over a major street. Outdoor Storage & Mechanical Equipment The outdoor storage of materials should be limited within the commercial areas in Sector One. Where outdoor storage is allowed it should be adequately screened with walls, fencing, or landscaping to reduce the visual impact from adjacent roadways and surrounding properties. Garbage containers should also be adequately screened and enclosed to reduce both the visual impact and the incidence of blowing trash. On -site mechanical equipment (such as HVAC, utility boxes, etc.), whether in yard areas or on the roof of a building, should be screened with landscaping or architectural features that are consistent with the rest of the development Adopted: September 13, 2004 3-13