Page 137 - Michigan City, IN US Highway 421 Corridor Plan

5.3 Design Guidelines

are not permitted (except that opaque glazing may be used as Balconies fronting Single Lane Boulevards shall not project more
spandrel glass). than four feet from the building face. All other balconies shall not
extend more than six feet from the building face or beyond the
In Mixed Use, Commercial/ Retail and Innovation/ Tech Use property line.
Types, windows should be operable and organized in strong
horizontal bands. Smaller, equally proportioned windows should All projections shall have a minimum vertical clearance of nine
be used as accents only. Punched window (windows other than feet from the adjacent sidewalk.
storefront or curtain wall systems) must be recessed by at least
three inches from the wall plane. 7. Additional Encroachments and Projections
Habitable projecting or encroaching space standards
In Mixed Use, Commercial/ Retail and Innovation/ Tech blocks,
window glazing must be transparent with clear or limited UV tint — Habitable space (bay windows or other architectural
so as to provide views to and from the inside of the building and projections) may project up to three feet from the building
the street. face, but shall not extend beyond the property line.
— No individual habitable projecting or encroaching space
Continuous horizontal bands of windows with little or no may exceed 15 feet in horizontal length.
articulation between adjacent window units, or ribbon windows,
are strongly discouraged. — Minimum vertical clearance of projecting spaces is 21
feet from the adjacent sidewalk grade on storefront or
5. Awnings and Shade Devices storefront café frontages and nine feet on other frontage
Limit placement to over windows and doors, not walls in types.
between. Stoops
Place awnings and other shading devices so as not to interfere — Stoops may encroach up to eight feet from a building face,
with pedestrian signage for shops and businesses. Design but shall not extend beyond the property line.
awning heights on a building to be consistent along the facade or
frontage line so as to maintain a consistent street edge. Outdoor furniture
Passageways
Aim to provide continuous awnings or shade devices at southern — Outdoor furnishings such as seating, displays and plantings Pedestrian passageways may be open or roofed, and may go between or
and western exposures above storefronts and storefront cafés. may encroach as long as pedestrian circulation is not through buildings, to courtyards, parking areas, or civic spaces.
impacted at the front of the building.
Awnings and canopies shall be attached to the building. Support 8. Walls, Hedges and Fences
structures that connect to the ground are not permitted. Use Garden walls, retaining walls, hedges and fences may be used
mountings that respect and enhance moldings that may be to define the edge between adjoining private properties. Walls,
found above storefronts or sign panels. hedges, and fences facing the public street shall also comply
with Section 5.4, Frontage Standards and Guidelines.
Use materials that complement other materials on the building.
Use colors that complement building colors and design. Fences, walls, and hedges should complement the architecture
of the building that they enclose and be compatible with the land
Awnings and canopies may project up to the property line or 33
percent of the distance between the building face and the curb, use intensity. For example, residential uses should incorporate a
whichever is less. softer texture of enclosure such as wood fences and landscaped
hedges, whereas commercial buildings may use masonry or
Minimum vertical clearance for awnings and canopies is eight concrete walls.
feet if it is removable or retractable and 12 feet if is fixed or
permanent. Awnings shall not obscure storefront signs. Walls and fences should be architecturally enhanced and
complemented by adjoining landscaping. Tiered planting
6. Balconies should be provided adjacent to perimeter walls to soften their
Balconies are encouraged on projects facing major public spaces appearance from surrounding areas.
such as parks, playgrounds, and plazas. Balconies are permitted Balconies Awnings and Shade Devices
on internal courtyard spaces. Walls and fences shall not be used at storefronts or storefront Awnings and canopies may project up to the property line or 33 percent of Awnings and canopies may project up to the property line or 33 percent of
cafés, except that retaining walls are permitted in situations the distance between the building face and the curb, whichever is less. the distance between the building face and the curb, whichever is less.
where they are necessary to accommodate grade changes.

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5.0 Implementation Adopted: August 16, 2016