DERBY SUB AREA DESIGN GUIDELINES REDISCOVERING A DESTINATION REVITALIZATION of the DERBY SUB-AREA PREPARED for the CITY OF COMMERCE CITY March 2007 o Ground-Floor Space Area CONTENTS o Lot Area Minimum o Commercial Establishment Size Limits • INTRODUCTION o Materials o Background o Colors o Design Review Process o Variances to Guidelines • PARKING o Design Guidelines and Goals o Composition of Guidelines o Defi nitions • PUBLIC REALM o Sustainable Building Design Policy o Introduction o Universal Design Policy o Derby’s Streets and Sidewalks o Interconnections o Bicycle Circulation and Access • LAND USE o Alleys Allowable Land Uses o o Clean and Safe o 24/7 Activity • ARCHITECTURE o Signage o Introduction o Lighting • Derby: History and Character o Pedestrian Amenities o 1950s Era Structural Improvements o Furniture/ Seating • Massing and Composition o Sidewalk Merchant Zones • Doors o Public Art • Windows o Open Space o Non-1950s Era Structural Improvements o Trash Dumpsters o All Derby Sub-Area Improvements o Drainage • General Site and Building Articulation • Corner Buildings • Building Windows • LANDSCAPING • Doors and Entrances o Background • Awnings o Spring and Summer Interest • Rooftops o Fall interest • Parking Structures and Parking In Other o Winter interest Buildings o Fragrance • Pedestrian Amenities o Structure • Signage o 50s Inspired Color Palette • Signage Types o Low Water Usage • Derby Signage o Landscaping Requirements - General • Individual Business Signage o Trees Not Recommended • Vehicular Dominated Areas o Trees Not Allowed • Lighting o Lighting • Massing and Width o Internal Landscaping. • Heights o Walls and fence • Setbacks o Recommended Planting list • Exceptions to Maximum Setbacks • Floor Heights DESIGN GUIDELINES PI “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, NU committed citizens can change the world. In- deed, it is the only thing that ever has.” BT -Margaret R Mead L OI INTRODUCTION DC Background • The foundations of the Derby Sub- U Area Design Guidelines emerged from R a planning process involving professional C consultants, City staff, Tri-County Health E Department and the community stake- AT holders of the Derby Sub-Area for the beautifi cation and revitalization of Derby. LI • The primary planning document that emerged from this process is the Derby MO Sub-Area Plan. • The Derby Sub-Area Plan forms the ba- N sis of the Design Guidelines. • The Design Guidelines are adopted as Standards and Principles for the Derby Sub-Area. As such they supersede all other City guidelines which relate to the same subject matter. • Italicized words are terms defi ned in the “Defi nitions” section of this Introduction. • Triggering application of the Guide- lines. The intent of the Guidelines is that any Improvements, Construction or Demolition shall comply with the Guide- lines as provided herein. However, the intent is not to require a full development plan for the entire lot or structure when only minor Improvements, Construction or Demolition are desired. For example, primary façade improvements, i.e. awn- ing and/or window replacement would not require submittal of a development plan under these Guidelines. PAGE 3 Design Review Process • All Improvements, Construction or Demolition to PI property in the Derby Sub-Area are governed by these Guidelines. There is joint authority in terms of re- NU view, between City Planning Offi ce and Derby Review TB Board. DESIGN REVIEW PROCESS • The City may fast track simple applications, allow- RL ing for over the counter approval without submittal to the Derby Review Board. Obtain aplication from City • Pre-Application meeting. The design review proc- Planning Office for funding OI through Derby Commercial ess will be initiated by contacting the City Planning Catalyst Program. DC Offi ce to schedule a pre-application meeting with City Planning Offi ce. At this meeting the Applicant will be U given details of the process, timetabling and submittal R Contact City Is it just a simple requirements. The pre-application meeting provides matter that The Is Applicant planning Planning Office City allows for Approval of applications C an opportunity for informal discussion of how the Improvements Con- for pre-application Yes Yes fast track over the counter. Work E Design Guidelines affect specifi c circumstances of struction or Demoli- meeting for approval over begins. T individual development projects. Information may also tion? details of the A process, timeta- the counter? be obtained on any other applicable regulations and bling and submit- I funding. tal requirements. No L Request funding • City approval before other permits. Subject to City Design review and submittal require- information. There is more OM discretion, before a Building Permit will be granted by than just ments and checklist for design the City, the Derby Review Board will review and if ap- minimal work review provided by City N propriate approve all plans Improvements, Construc- tion or Demolition. • Obtain permits and Derby Review Board approval before beginning work. Improvements, Construction or Demolition shall not start until all requisite approv- Applicant receives als have been obtained. Applicant makes Applicant receives notice of Applicant attends Derby recommendation Applicant applies for Building application Derby Review Board Meeting Review Board Meeting from Derby Review Permit if required • The Design Guidelines work in concert with all Board other applicable regulations. Any uncertainty should be discussed with the City Planning Offi ce. In par- ticular, the City zoning and land use Ordinances shall continue to apply to the Derby Sub Area in cases not Applicant receives Building Permit and any other required Applicant begins work specifi cally covered in these Guidelines. permits • Application. Applications and requirements may be obtained from the City. Variances to Guidelines The Guidelines may be varied from time to time in writing and with the approval of both the Derby Review Board and the City Planning Offi ce. PAGE 4 DESIGN GUIDELINES & GOALS 4. Revitalize Derby through: • Re-establishing its social, economic and environmen- PI The Design Guidelines will guide property owners, business tal well-being people, designers and City staff in achieving a common goal • Increasing building density NU for future development opportunities and streetscape Im- • Increasing Building Heights provements within the Derby Sub-Area. • Incorporating a greater variety of land use options BT The Design Guidelines are based upon the following funda- • Stimulating the business market 24/7 mental goals: • Sustainable planning and design solutions that will RL incite environmental awareness GOALS: • Multi-functional spaces that ensure a variety of uses OI 1. Respond to the needs and fi ndings of the Derby at different times 8. Develop models to establish patterns for long-term evo- Sub-Area community and the City of Commerce City as • Support and promotion of existing business and prop- DC lution in the Derby Sub-Area. expressed in numerous meetings with businesses and land- erty owners. owners, the Derby Community in general, the Derby Sub- UR Area Plan, and in the 2006 Community Needs Survey. 5. Use the 1950s era as a unifying architectural foundation for greater identity while still encouraging buildings to be an COMPOSITION of GUIDELINES CE 2. Re-establish Derby as a destination through: expression of their individual time, use and function. T • Economic diversity The Design Guidelines contain various subject headings (i.e. A • Providing and encouraging healthy daytime and night 6. Become an environmental model through: architectural, parking, public realm etc.) that should contain I time activities • Enhancing Derby’s current ecological, economic, and both Standards and Principles. L • A friendlier and safer pedestrian environment cultural systems at all Scales O • Elegant and cohesive landscaping, appealing to all • Creating more fl ow, dynamism, connections, variety, Standards: Objective criteria providing specifi c direction M the senses. and opportunities for cross-pollination throughout based on the Guideline Goals, used to defi ne issues con- N • Environmental design, such as renewable energy, to sidered critical to achieving the Guideline Goals. Standards 3. Enhance Derby’s visibility and identity through: allow long-term benefi ts and economic effi ciencies use the term “shall” to indicate that compliance is mandatory • Strengthening community and infrastructural ele- unless it can be demonstrated that an acceptable alternative ments. 7. Transform Derby into a healthy and multi-modal traf- meets one or more of the following conditions: • Entrance icons fi c environment, while continuing to support the necessity 1. The alternative better achieves the Guideline • Defi ned edge conditions of the automobile through: Goals. • Creating a core that serves as the focus for events • Elegant and cohesive landscaping, lighting, and way- 2. The Guideline Goals will not be achieved by ap- (markets, fairs, stages etc.). fi nding signage plication of the Standard in the circumstance. • Keeping existing mature trees within the Derby Core • Wider sidewalks near buildings 3. The effect of other Standards or Principles will be • Adopting consistent and Compatible signage, lighting • Pedestrian connection Improvements to community improved by not applying this Standard. and landscaping assets ( such as Library, Rancho Liborio, Prairie Gate- 4. Unique site factors make the Standard impractical. way, Hanson Elementary