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The following site and design requirements apply to development that includes one or more of the design features in subsection (A), (B) or (C) of this section, or where development abuts a residential zone along a rear property line, as required under subsection (D) of this section.

A. Building Entrances. Applies to Metro Everett and NB zones only. The main entrance to each structure must face the street, courtyard, or plaza. The entire width of main entrances shall incorporate weather protection as outlined in Table 12-4 and EMC 19.12.120.

B. Recessed Entries. Applies to Metro Everett and NB zones only.

1. Any entrance that is set back more than three feet from the front building facade shall comply with the standards set forth in Table 12-5 below.

Table 12-5: Recessed Entries

Standard

Illustration

Measurement

Width of Recessed Entry

A

3 feet minimum. Where depth exceeds 4 feet, width shall be 2x depth.

Depth of Recessed Entry

B

3 feet minimum

Height Clearance

8 feet minimum

Figure 12-7: Recessed Entries

2. Metro Everett. For buildings within Metro Everett that are constructed to the edge of a public sidewalk, the entry shall be recessed in accordance with the requirements of this section.

C. Plazas and Forecourts. The standards in this subsection apply only to the MU zone within Metro Everett.

Description: A forecourt or plaza is where all or a portion of the front facade of a building is set back ten feet or more from the front setback line, creating a space without buildings of at least one hundred forty-four square feet along the lot frontage. For the purpose of these design standards, plaza and forecourt are further defined below.

1. Plaza. A plaza is a public space that is designed for intensive public use. A plaza is more than nine hundred square feet in area.

2. Forecourt. A forecourt is a small court space which could be used as an entry court or shared garden space for apartment buildings, or as an additional shopping or restaurant seating area within commercial zones. A forecourt is less than nine hundred square feet in area but more than one hundred forty-four square feet.

3. Any plaza or forecourt meeting the description in subsection (C)(1) of this section shall meet the standards in Table 12-6 and subsection (C)(4) of this section.

Table 12-6: Plaza and Forecourt Standards

Standard

Illustration

Forecourt

Plaza

Width, minimum

A

12 feet

30 feet

Depth, minimum

B

12 feet

30 feet

Size, area (minimum)

C

144 square feet

900 square feet

Size, area (maximum)

C

900 square feet

25% of lot area

4. Plaza and Forecourt Design Standards.

a. A plaza or forecourt shall include architectural or other site design features along the front setback line. Examples include landscape planters, distinctive change in pavement color or type, sitting walls, etc. These features shall generally be no higher than thirty-six inches above the adjacent sidewalk.

b. A plaza or forecourt shall be surfaced with high quality, durable impervious or semi-pervious materials, such as concrete, brick, or stone pavers, covering no less than seventy-five percent of the surface area. Any nonpaved area of the plaza must be landscaped.

c. A plaza or forecourt shall feature paths, landscaping, seating, lighting, public art and/or other pedestrian amenities to make the area more functional and enjoyable.

d. A plaza of two thousand square feet or more in area must be designed to include one or more central markers, such as a fountain or sculpture.

e. Circulation within the plaza or forecourt shall connect pedestrians to public streets on which the plaza abuts and major design features of the plaza, such as seating areas or open air cafes.

f. A plaza or forecourt may not contain driveways, parking spaces, passenger drop-offs, garage entrances, loading berths, exhaust vents, mechanical equipment, or refuse and recycling storage.

Figure 12-8: Plaza and Forecourt

D. Design Standards for Development Abutting Residential Zone Along Rear Property Line. Any new development exceeding fifteen thousand square feet of gross floor area in the NB, B, MU, or LI1 zone which abuts a residential zone shall provide plans to demonstrate visual compatibility with the adjacent residential zone. Development subject to this requirement shall provide plans and demonstrate the following:

1. The rear side of the building visible from the adjacent residentially zoned property shall be given architectural treatment using two or more of the following:

a. Visible rooflines;

b. Windows;

c. Secondary entrances;

d. Balconies;

e. Use of brick and/or stone on at least ten percent of the building facade that faces the alley; or

f. Awnings. (Ord. 3774-20 § 5(I) (Exh. 3), 2020.)