Page 180 - Des Moines - Zoning, Planning and Design Ch 134, 135

135-2. DeSiGN reQUireMeNtS DRAFT

Building Facade Elements

e. Arcade Openings. Openings shall not be flush B. Non-Storefronts. The following regulations apply to
with interior arcade ceiling and may be arched or all non-storefront facades along sloping streets:
straight. 1. Grade transitions at the building along the
F. Horizontal Facade Division. A horizontal shadow sidewalk shall be designed to minimize blank
line shall define the ground story facade from the walls. Multiple front entrances along the street
upper stories. activate each segment of building section at each
G. Visible Basement. A visible basement is not grade.
permitted. 2. The interior floor level shall step to match the
H. exception. A type 1 design exception may be changes in exterior grade within a 3-foot range.
submitted for approval of an alternate arcade With a type 1 design exception, deeper transition
design. zones between the sidewalk and building facade
of porches, terraces, and landscape areas may
2.3.13 GrOUND StOrY At SlOPiNG FAcADeS be used assist with grade changes.
A. Storefronts. The following regulations apply to 3. Changes can be accommodated by terraced
storefront facades along sloping streets: planters and retaining walls. Retaining walls shall

1. Grade transitions on the building along the not exceed 30 inches in height except along a
maximum 15-foot section of frontage.
sidewalk should be designed to maximize active
pedestrian-scale frontages between waist and 4. When the elevation of the first floor is more than
eye level while minimizing blank walls. 3 feet above grade, windows should be provided
2. The interior floor level shall step to match into the basement or lower floor elevations
the exterior grade within 3 feet. With type 2
design exception, changes in grade may be
accommodated by a storefront window display
space.
3. Knee wall and retaining walls shall not exceed 30
inches in height except along a maximum 15 foot
section of facade length.
4. If grade change is more than 9 feet along a
single block face, entrance requirements may be
increased to one entrance per 90 feet of building
frontage.
5. If grade change is more than 9 feet along a single
block face, building entrances adjacent to the
street shall be within 3 feet of the elevation of
the adjacent sidewalk.

Arcade Opening
Shadow line

Recessed or
Interior Face
Base

Column
sidewalk Width

Figure 2.3-L. Example of Arcade. Figure 2.3-K. Examples of Ground Story along Slope.

135-2-10 DRAFT AuGuST 3, 2017