Agenda - Planning Commission - 07/09/2015 - Work Session

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TCi Mixed Use Core Overview Buildings in the Mixed Use Core will play a major role in defining the overall character of the Town Center. The proposed mix of uses for this signature destination suggests the potential for a variety of building types, demanding creativity and innovation to highlight unique architecture, while knitting the entire sub -district together as a coherent whole. Overall building design is an important consideration, but emphasis on first floor facade treatments is essential to encourage street -level activity and enhance the pedestrian experience. Architecture to be `4 -sided' at all locations visible to public areas. Emphasis to be on great design along public street frontage. Architecture guidelines include the following: TC1 Building Design, Character and Expression • Provide a variety of building types and styles, expressed both in large scale (overall building) and small scale (design details) • Emphasize transparency at street level to encourage two way viewing — both window shopping and 'eyes on the street' • Promote interesting, animated architectural features without being thematic or artificial — faux decorative elements are discouraged • Avoid large, unarticulated facades Architecture • Emphasize important intersections and other nodes by placing distinctive architectural elements or interesting facades at these prominent locations • Provide a variety of front elevations for rows of buildings along any given block TC1 Scale, Proportion and Building Height • Provide a variety of building heights along any given block, perhaps related to changes in use or at demising walls • Articulate front facades with projections and recesses • Encourage increased building height, higher density and larger scale buildings adjacent to the Civic Square and Downtown Commons • Promote multiple stories as the norm in this sub -district, but occasional single story buildings are acceptable; single story buildings should not dominate any street frontage and should be a minimum of 20 feet to the roofline TC1 Street Presence • Emphasize pedestrian experience with architectural features at street level — canopies, decorative light fixtures andmaterial detail • Encourage variety of color, texture and materials to complement other streetscape elements • Conceal service entries, loading facilities and mechanical services fromview along public streets • Create a continuous building edge along street frontage, visually connecting adjacent buildings with complementary facade treatments 16 Ramsey Town Center Development Guidelines