The intent of the design criteria set forth herein is to promote the creation of a revitalized C. B. D. consisting of commercially sound and attractive development with visual integrity, using both architectural design and landscape design in concert with sound site planning, to result in a pedestrian friendly area with optimum visual and functional quality. Restoration and construction efforts should yield designs of optimum benefit and maximum impact, exercising care to blend old and new. Standards and criteria are intended to produce aesthetic enhancement of buildings and streetscape, with overall coordination of site and architectural design and construction treatment. All architectural designs and site plans must be reviewed and approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission for consistency with the above and compliance with applicable zoning standards.

All exterior architectural design and treatment, including building materials, are intended to achieve compatibility with other buildings within and in the immediate proximity of the Downtown Shelton Central Business District. Several of the older buildings contain a legacy of rich, design detail. Although individual, the buildings are compatible with each other and constitute a visual whole. In order to preserve and enhance the existing architectural fabric of the area, any substantial reconstruction and all new buildings should compliment this appearance. Consistent with the downtown streetscape, non-residential buildings should convey a vertical appearance through the use of vertical components. Facades should be articulated to reduce the massive scale and uniform appearance of commercial buildings, providing visual interest consistent with the scale and character of the downtown area. The intent is to encourage a pedestrian friendly scale, identified with Downtown Shelton. All new buildings as well as substantial renovation, rehabilitation and additions to existing structures shall conform to the following specific standards:

36.6.1 Building Form and Massing: On sites for new construction having a significant frontage on Howe Avenue and in particular on Howe Avenue between Bridge Street and Center Street, ground floor street setbacks of not less than 10 feet shall be provided to accommodate and encourage pedestrian circulation at the sidewalk level, encourage the creation of porticoes, arcades and sheltered entry areas, accommodate awnings and display windows and effectively break-up building facades into human scale elements. Intermittent architectural features such as projected windows may encroach up to three (3) feet into this setback area and not more than fifty percent (50%) of this area may be used for outdoor display, sales, dining and similar activities directly related to the abutting, interior space occupant. Wherever possible throughout the C. B. D., extensive exterior facades shall be visually reduced to human scale by fragmenting to create the impression of smaller or multiple structures.

36.6.2 Building Materials: Building exterior walls shall be brick or clay masonry units. Wood or metal siding featuring predominately painted exteriors is not permitted. Buildings should have architectural features, patterns and fenestration that provide visual interest at the scale of the pedestrian, reduce massive aesthetic effects and compliment the downtown character. These design features and elements shall be integral parts of the building fabric and not superficially applied trim, graphics or paint. All exposed and visible exterior walls shall feature characteristics similar to the front facade. All screen walls and other devices used to screen service areas, utility facilities, mechanical system features and components and other such features, from direct view, shall reflect or compliment the building materials and finished in a manner complimentary to the overall architectural design. All roofmounted mechanical equipment shall be screened from view by parapet walls or appropriate screening. Where flat roof areas can be viewed from above, care shall be taken to group together all roof vents, pipes, mechanical equipment, etc., and painted to match the roof color in order to minimize their appearance.

All site plans shall be consistent with and generally conform with any adopted Development Plans for the Shelton C.B.D. area relative to building locations, access/egress drivers, curb cuts, sidewalks, landscaping and other significant site features, as well as other requirements of the Zoning Regulations. The following criteria and standards shall apply.

36.7.1 Building Location: To preserve a continuity of development and enhance pedestrian circulation, buildings shall, in general, be positioned at the back of the public sidewalks, but accounting for the need to setback the ground floor level as provided for under 36.6.1 above. Significant interruptions in street facades shall be avoided except for necessary drives and public plazas and other landscape features.

36.7.2 Access and Circulation: Vehicular access directly from Howe Avenue shall be avoided if possible, especially in the area from White Street to Cornell Street. Internal vehicular circulation shall relate to and accommodate consistent and safe pedestrian circulation. Attractive walks, promenades, arcades and such shall be provided as a pedestrian linkage to the public sidewalk system. Driveways shall be designed to get vehicles safely and conveniently off the public street system.

a. All curbing shall be stone, poured-in-place, precast or extruded portland cement concrete or other approved equal. Bituminous concrete curbs shall not be used. No curbing shall be painted except when mandated for safety purposes and only with the approval of the Commission.

b. All sidewalks shall be of portland cement concrete, brick or masonry pavers or other approved equal. Walkway scoring patterns shall be as approved by the Commission. Sidewalks immediately adjacent to buildings and providing customer access thereto shall have a clear width of eight (8) feet, unobstructed except for roof supports, if any. All other walkways shall provide a clear width of not less than five (5) feet.

c. Landscape features and planting areas shall be used to control parking patterns, to separate vehicular and pedestrian circulation as needed and to aesthetically enhance pedestrian walks, arcades and excessive expanses of building walls and facades.

36.7.3 Landscaping:

a. Parking area planting pockets and islands shall have a minimum width of four (4) feet with trees and plantings so arranged to be safe from damage from automobile overhang. Tree pockets in walkways shall be four (4) feet square and covered with brick, block or other approved pavers.

b. Foundation, border or other planned landscaping shall be primarily of the evergreen varieties. Flowering or other deciduous plant materials shall be used for accent purposes only.

c. On-site trees shall be nursery-grown, London Plane trees or other approved variety of flowering or shade tree, with spacing and location as approved by the Commission. Trees shall have a 2.5 - 3.0 inch minimum caliper and eight (8) foot trim line with single, straight trunk.

d. Street trees shall be nursery-grown, Pin Oak or other variety as approved by the Tree Warden, typically 50 feet on center maximum, with a 3.0 - 3.5 inches minimum caliper and eight (8) foot trim line with single, straight trunk.

e. All landscaping areas, except tree pockets in walkways, shall be mulched with bark, wood chips or other approved material.

36.7.4 Other All loading areas, service yards, dumpster enclosures, etc. shall be screened from view to a height of not less than five (5) feet, utilizing durable materials consistent with and complimenting to the overall building design. Dumpster enclosures shall be provided and appropriately gated. In general, the use of individual rubbish containers placed in the street and/or sidewalk area shall be avoided. Ground mounted mechanical equipment, including transformers, that may be visible from any primary visual exposure shall be screened with either plantings or an acceptable, durable enclosure. Transformer enclosures shall be designed of materials acceptable to the utility company, with finishes and colors which are harmonious with the overall architectural theme. Adequate space (10-15) feet in front of doors will be needed by the utility company.

The following criteria and standards are intended to promote an attractive business climate while enhancing the physical appearance, visual integrity and aesthetics of the Shelton C.B.D. In general signs shall be professional in appearance and construction and shall be restricted to individual business identification and located on the building structure. In unique situations, a directory sign identifying groups of businesses may be permitted. Free-standing ground signs are not allowed, except when associated with off-street parking facilities accessed from other than Howe Avenue. The use of eye-catching graphics, caricatures and similar devices, except as a temporary sign for limited periods and special events, are not allowed. Any interior sign applied to or located within twelve (12) inches of the inside surface of any window and designed or intended to be viewed from the exterior shall be considered a sign and subject to the provisions and limitations set forth below.

3.6.8.1 Maximum Size: The total of all signs attached to a wall of a building shall not exceed 1.5 square feet for each linear foot of building frontage or tenant-occupied portion of such frontage, whichever is less. If for any reason, no portion of a building is located less than 65 feet from a street line, one free-standing ground sign not exceeding 25 square feet shall be permitted on said street frontage, provided the area of such ground sign is included within the above total and provided further that such sign shall be located not less than 10 feet behind said street line addition to the above, rear entrance signs facing private parking areas shall be permitted provided they do not exceed one (1) foot for each linear foot of building fronting on said private parking area to which the building enjoys right of access. Also, permanent window and door signs not exceeding 15% of the window surface to which it is applied shall be permitted, provided such sign shall be confined to lettering and insignia/logo only. Temporary window signs shall also be permitted, but not exceeding 35% of each of no more than two (2) window surfaces to which they are applied, adjacent to the main building/ tenants space entrance. Such signs are not permitted on the same window as a permanent window sign. No permit is required for any window sign.

36.8.2 Location: No sign shall be located on the roof of any building or on any exterior wall so as to project above the top of said wall at the location of the sign. No business sign shall face any lot line of an immediately adjoining lot in a residence zone within forty (40) foot distance. A sign may be affixed only to that portion of a building or structure wan which encloses the use to which the sign pertains.

36.8.3 Height: Free-standing ground signs shall not exceed twelve(12) feet overall above the ground surface where located. Any sign that might interfere with a driver's vision shall have a clear space of at least seven (7) feet under the bottom of the sign, measured above the centerline of the intersecting street. Wall signs shall not exceed a height of three (3) feet.

36.8.4 Illumination: A sign may be illuminated if the illumination is confined to, or directed to, the surface of the sign. The sign shall be so designed and shielded that the light sources cannot be seen from the street or from any adjacent residential zone. Interior illumination of a sign shall not be permitted unless such illumination is confined to individual letters only.

36.8.5 Design and Lettering: Signs shall harmonize with the building and established development and in accordance with any Commission recommendations. All tenant store units in the same building or in an integrated shopping complex shall be uniform in design and placement. No more than three (3) different colors, including black and white shall be used in any sign and no more than two (2) different colors shall be used in lettering. With the exception of individual, wall-mounted letters, lettering shall be no larger than 18 inches in height. Lettering of permanent window and door signs shall not exceed nine (9) inches in height. Where the use of exterior wall signs are deemed inappropriate with respect to building design or in consideration of street corner buildings, the lettering height of permanent window signs may be increased to 15 inches and the percentage of window coverage increased from 15% to 20%, provided that all letters are either applied to the window or mounted on a clear sign panel suspended behind the window. Multiple tenant ground signs (directory) shall be letter signs only and contain no more than five (5) signs panels per sign. All such lettering shall not exceed 8 inches in height and shall be of one case and one style.

36.8.6 Temporary Signs: The exterior use of temporary signs or other eye-catching devices such as pennants, banners, streamers, searchlights, portable ground signs, sale signs and special promotion signs may be allowed for up to a four (4) week period, not to exceed once in any six (6) month period, with specific approval of the Commission, under a permit issued for special events such as grand openings, new management, and special promotional events. No sign or device held in the air by balloon or other means and no searchlights shall be permitted.

36.8.7 Other: Poster areas will be allowed in groups of structures and/or tenant outlets as approved by the Commission. Such poster areas shall not be considered signs in computing sign area. Any sign that is the structure, building or any part thereof, or any associated structure designed to symbolize and/or identify by its shape or color a particular product, service, organization or business is prohibited.

The Shelton Parking Authority has established municipal, offstreet parking facilities throughout the downtown C.B.D. area. In recognition thereof, the Commission may waive the provision of all or a portion of the offstreet parking specified by the Zoning Regulations for non-residential uses, provided that a Statement is obtained from the Shelton Parking Authority confirming that an adequate number of off-street parking spaces are available in existing facilities and that the Commission finds that such. spaces are conveniently located and in close proximity to the proposed development/use. For residential and mixed-use developments, the Commission may permit a reduction in the total number of on-site parking spaces in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 33.12.5 of the Zoning Regulations. All off-street parking facilities shall provide appropriately located and designed handicapped parking spaces meeting A.D.A. requirements and applicable codes.

36.9.1 Layout: The layout and landscaping of all parking facilities shall be subject to the approval of the Commission. Wherever possible, the ends of parking rows shall be controlled with raised and curbed landscape islands. In general not more than two aisles and four rows of parking shall be permitted without a linear, raised and curbed landscape strip having a minimum width of eight (8) feet. The above noted landscape features may be modified by the .Commission where necessary to account for unique site conditions.

Adequate building, site and parking area lighting shall be provided, consistent with the following:

36.10.1 Lamps: All lighting shall utilize Mercury Vapor, metal halide or high-pressure sodium vapor lamps and shall be consistent within a single development.

36.10.2 Posts: Posts shall be metal not less than 6 inches square or in diameter, with a dark finish. Maximum height for area lighting shall be 16 feet.

36.10.3 Fixtures: Fixtures shall be horizontally placed and installed in one, two or four lamp clusters. All light sources shall be shielded and directed to minimize spillover into the night sky or onto adjacent residential properties. Intermittent and sporadic lighting is not allowed.

All electrical power, telephone, cable and similar services shall be located underground. Transformers, utility cabinets and similar groundmounted equipment shall be appropriately located and subject to Commission approval.

All applications for improvements, renovations, proposed uses, use changes and occupancy changes shall be made to the Commission as an Application for Site Plan Approval under Section 31. All applications shall be accompanied by a detailed statement of use addressing the nature of the intended occupancy. For simple changes in occupancy to another identical or substantially similar use with no building or facade changes, other than signage, and no site alterations, the Commission may waive the submission of site and/or architectural drawings. However, detailed signage plans and schematic floor plans must be submitted.

36.12.1 Architectural Plans: Except as may be modified or waived by the Commission, all applications involving new construction, substantial exterior renovations and alterations shall be accompanied by appropriate drawings, including elevations, representing building facade designs, details and materials, fenestration organization, overall heights, floor to floor and other pertinent dimensions, window treatments, signage design, graphics and colors, etc., all drawn to an accurate scale. Outline specifications describing the proposed building materials and building envelope system shall be provided.

36.12.2 Procedure: All applications are subject to the review and approval of the Commission, adhering to time limits prescribed in these Regulations. The Commission may provide assistance and guidance to applicants, property owners and others, may solicit assistance from an informal planning advisory committee, and in its review of site and architectural plans and proposals, may consult with the Shelton Economic Development Commission, the Shelton Economic Development Corporation and the Shelton Parking Authority.

**Webmasters Note: The previous Section 36 has been amended as per Amended dated October 31, 2001.