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BEYOND THE BASICS - ZONING TO PROTECT COMMIJN/TY AESTHETICS <br /> <br />I have chosen to discuss this topic because it is the area for which I receive the most questions. <br />One could substitute zoning to protect the environment, or any of several other objectives, <br />without changing the key points in this section. <br /> <br />A successful, basic planning program is a prerequisite to any effort to achieve more <br />sophisticated objectives (aggressive environmental protection measures, promote economic <br />development, redevelopment, etc.). <br /> <br />The following sections include a series of performance standards that are intended to address <br />common problems and to avoid aesthetic liabilities in the development of our communities. <br />These standards may be either too strict or too lenient for your community. The point is that if <br />you want to regulate these elements at all, they should be clearly addressed in your ordinance. <br /> <br />Exterior Building Materials <br /> <br />Certainly one of the most important elements in establishing the image of a building or an area <br />is the exterior building materials. It is also one of the most difficult areas to regulate and <br />avoid a great deal of subjectivity in adopted standards. The standard that is summarized below <br />requires ~permanent f'mished~ materials to avoid painted surfaces. It also offers the advantage <br />of clearly stating what is permitted and what is prohibited and those materials that may be <br />acceptable if they are incorporated into a design that meets or exceeds the quality set in the <br />district. <br /> <br />All buildings shall be finished on ali sides with permanent finished materials of consistent <br />quality. Exterior wall surfaces shall be face brick, glass, or stone architecturally treated <br />concrete, cast-in-place, pre-cast panels, or decorative block may be acceptable if incorporated <br />in a building design that is compatible with other development throughout the district. No <br />building shall be constructed of sheet aluminum, asbestos, iron, steel, or corrugated <br />aluminum. <br /> <br />Accessory. Stnmtures <br /> <br />The image of even the most beautiful site can be marred by the appearance of an ugly <br />accessory structure or other site feature. The following standard avoids that problem. <br /> <br />All garages, accessory structures, screen walls, and exposed areas of retaining walls shall be of <br />a similar type, quality, and appearance as the principal structure. <br /> <br />Rooftop Utilities <br /> <br /> <br />