Agenda - Planning Commission - 07/11/2007

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obstructions either because they view win- dows as a security concern or because they desire to maJdmize product display area. This ordinance does not expressly prohibit this practice because of the difficulty of enforcing such prohibitions. The most important objec- tive here is that buildings be designed to include such pedestrian-oriented features rather than later having to retrofit existing storefront designs. 13) Product display windaws used to satisfy these requirements must have a minimum height offaur feet and be internally lighted. Ground-floor windows and sidewalk-facing entrances create a pleasing pedestrian environ- ment because people are attracted to spaces with interesting, pedestrian-scale views and visu- ally appealing elements, such as window dis- plays. Identifiable and accessible building entrances make it easier for pedestrians to navi- gate the area and makes them want to spend time there. ~:12. Transparency (1) A minimum of [60-75) percent of the street. facing building facade between two feet and eight feet in height must be comprised of clear windaws that allow views of indoor nonresiden- tial space or product display areas. (2) The bottom edge of any window or product display window used to satisfy the transparency standard of parogroph (1) above may not be more than 6-4.5) feet above the adjacent sidewalk. 113. Doors and Entrances (1) Buildings must have a primary entrance door facing a public sidewalk, Entrances at building comers may be used to satisfy this requirement. (2) Building entrances may include doors to individual shops or businesses, lobby en- trances, entrances to pedestrian-oriented plazas, or courtyard entrances to a cluster of shops or businesses. WALKABiU1Y AND SAFE1\' FOR THE PEDESTRIAN Driveways that cross sidewalks disrupt pedes- trian movements and pose safety threats, and therefore should be the rare exception in neigh- borhood-oriented mixed use districts. Some com- munities may elect to treat businesses with drive- through facilities as a conditional use, requiring case-by-case approval. When using that approach, standards should be included requir- ing that drive-through windows be located behind the building and that pedestrian circula- tion routes be protected from auto traffic. The prohibition does not apply to service windows such as a service window for an ice cream parlor. ~:14. Vehicle and Driveway Access No curb cuts ore allowed far lots that abut alleys. 1~5. Drive-through Facilities Drive-through facilities for vehicles are prohib- ited in all Te districts. ~.~~~~l ~ c ~ ~ VOL 24~ NO.5 Zoning Practice is a monthiy publication or the American Ptann~ng .L~ssodation. Subscriptions are 2vaHabi: rOi 575 (U.S.) and $100 (foreign), \-'V, PaUl Farmer) FAte?, t::cecutlv€ D1re~tor; WHliam R. Klejn~ Ale?, Dii"ector of Rese2n:h. Zoning Practice (1551~ 1548-0135) is produced at /l.PA. Jim 5chwab,~lcP, Editor; Michael Davidson, Guest Editor; Julie Van Bergen, ,1I.ssistant Editor; Lisa Barton, Design and Production. Copyright @2007 by American Planning Association, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60603, The American Planning !'.ssociation also has offices at 1776 Massachusetts Ave" N,W., Washington, D,C. 20036; www.planning.org. All iights ieserved. No part orthis publication may be reproduced Of utilized in any form or by any means, eiectronic or mechanical, including photo- copying, recording, or by any infofmation storage and ieti'ie~'a! system, vvithout permission in wiit- ing riDm the American Planning Association, Pdnted on P2C"ideri papEr, Induding 5G-7(}~/c ~,=cvcied TIbEr and 10% pcstconSUffiEf W2StE. ZONINGPRACTlCE 5.07 AMERICAN PL~NNING ASSOCIATION I pag171 5