19.61.110 Undesignated (streets with no designated block frontage).
A. Purpose. Undesignated block frontages should provide visual interest at all observable scales and meet the design objectives of the city.
B. Applicability. All undesignated block frontages in nonresidential zones that are not designated are subject to the standards of this section. These block frontages are provided greater flexibility with regard to the design of multifamily and nonresidential development frontages.
These block frontages include a combination of side streets (where most uses often front on other adjacent streets) and service oriented streets (often characterized by industrial or service types of uses), and heavy arterial streets. While there is greater flexibility in the amount of transparency of facades and the location of surface and structured parking, design parameters are included to ensure that landscaping and other design elements help to mitigate the potential impacts of parking lots and blank walls along these streets.
DEPARTURES will be considered pursuant to AMC 19.20.220.
C. Standards. Undesignated block frontages must comply with the standards in Table 19.61.110(C) below.
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The ⮊ symbol refers to DEPARTURE opportunities in subsection (D) below. |
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Element |
Standards |
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Building placement |
Where allowed in the applicable zone (see AMC 19.42.030), buildings may be placed up to the sidewalk edge, provided they meet storefront block standards in AMC 19.61.060 (this includes standards for ground level, building placement, building entrances, facade transparency, and weather protection elements). Otherwise, 10' minimum street setback except where greater setbacks are required by the zone (see AMC Chapter 19.42, Form and Intensity Standards). |
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Building entrances |
Building entrances facing the street are encouraged. At a minimum, at least one building entry visible and directly accessible from the street is required. Where buildings are set back from the street, pedestrian connections are required from the sidewalk. |
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Facade transparency |
• For storefront buildings, see AMC 19.61.060(B) for transparency standards. • For other buildings within 10' of sidewalk, at least 30% of the transparency zone. ⮊ • For buildings set back more than 10' from the sidewalk, at least 10% of the entire facade must be transparent. ⮊ |
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Weather protection |
At least 3' deep over primary business and residential entries. |
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Parking location and vehicle access |
There are no parking lot location restrictions, except for required landscaping buffers in AMC 19.65.070. |
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Landscaping |
• The area between the street and any non-storefront building must be landscaped and/or private porch or patio space. • For setbacks adjacent to buildings with windows, provide low level landscaping that maintains views between the building and the street. • See AMC Chapter 19.65 for other landscaping standards. |
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Sidewalk width |
Where storefront buildings are proposed, sidewalks must meet storefront block frontage standards in AMC 19.61.060. Otherwise, see AMC 19.52.040, Street geometric design and streetscapes, for applicable sidewalk widths. |
D. DEPARTURE Criteria. Departures to the undesignated block frontage standards in Table 19.61.110(C) that feature the ⮊ symbol will be considered per AMC 19.20.220, provided the alternative proposal meets the purpose of the standards and the following criteria:
1. Facade Transparency. Reduced transparency is allowed where the design treatment of applicable landscaping and/or facade provide visual interest to the pedestrian and mitigates impacts of any blank wall areas. Up to a 50 percent reduction in the minimum amount of window transparency may be approved via departure. (Ord. 3040 § 2 (Att. A), 2019)