§ 6.1.4. Activation

A.

Transparency  

1.

Transparency is the minimum percentage of windows and glazed doors that must cover a ground or upper story facade.

2.

Transparency applies to primary and side street facing building facades only, and may be reduced or waived by the Director when particular conditions (such as required buffers or other visual obstructions) significantly reduce the visibility of the building from the public realm.

3.

Glass is considered transparent where it has a transparency higher than 80% and external reflectance of less than 15%.

4.

Ground story transparency is measured between 2 and 12 feet above the abutting sidewalk.

5.

Upper story transparency is measured from the top of the finished floor to the top of the finished floor above. When there is no floor above, upper story transparency is measured from the top of the finished floor to the top of the wall plate above.

6.

In the SX- District or -SH Frontage, a minimum of 50% of the street-facing, street-level window pane surface area must allow viewing into the ground story for a minimum of 8 feet in depth. Windows must not be made opaque by non-operable window treatments (except curtains, blinds or shades within the conditioned space).

B.

Blank Wall Length  

1.

Blank wall length means a portion of the exterior facade of the building that does not include: windows or doors; columns, pilasters or other articulation greater than 12 inches in depth; or a substantial material change (paint color is not considered a substantial change).

2.

Blank wall length applies in both a vertical and horizontal direction.

3.

Blank wall length applies to ground and upper story primary and side street-facing facades.

C.

Pedestrian Access  

1.

An entrance providing both ingress and egress, operable to residents at all times and customers during regular business hours, is required to meet the street-facing entrance requirements. Additional entrances off another street, pedestrian area or internal parking area are allowed.

2.

The entrance spacing requirements must be met for each building, but are not applicable to adjacent or abutting buildings. Entrance spacing is measured from the center of one door to the center of the next door.

3.

An angled entrance may be provided at either corner of a building along the street to meet the street-facing entrance requirements.

( Ord. of 4-17-2018(4) , § 6-16)