Site development criteria
(a) Applicants are encouraged to design developments to coincide with the goals and intent of the East Providence Waterfront special development district plan, including proposed building styles and materials, the relationships between any proposed buildings and the site, and the overall physical appearance of the waterfront district.
The following site development criteria will be evaluated by the design review committee in its review of all development in the waterfront district. Applications for project review shall include a certification for the applicant's architect that the project complies with the intent of these regulations. If the project does not comply, a fully documented explanation of the requested. Deviations and/or conditional use provisions must be provided.
(b) Architectural standards.
(1) The architectural design of buildings, structures and site layout shall be visually compatible with a traditional New England waterfront sale and character, including building materials, massing, density, scale and roof lines.
(2) Where practical, buildings should be placed at the sidewalk or near to the front property line, with their primary entrances oriented to the street. Treatment of the sides and rear of all buildings shall be comparable in appearance and amenities of the treatment given to street frontages. Except for single-family development, buildings on waterfront sites will have their primary facades facing the river. Buildings will orient their required open space to the waterfront. However, care must also be taken to create a pleasing facade to the street-side frontage and entrance of such sites.
(3) Integration of all properties within the waterfront district is critical to promote vitality and sustain the mixed use character of the area. Interconnectivity is encouraged through the use of street design and pedestrian connections. Private roads are discouraged, unless they are designed to provide connections to service areas within the property. Campus like developments, such as suburban style office parks or "gated" residential communities, are highly discouraged.
(4) Building placement and design should work with varying site grades and topographical elements to incorporate covered/structured parking at lower levels of the building or below grade. Lower level covered parking should be accessed from the side or the rear of the lot, with efforts made to ensure that the primary facade of the building reflects the internal uses and include inviting entrances.
(5) Parking structures should be compatible with adjacent uses and architecture, including use of similar facade materials and design. Parking uses and the appearance of parking structures should not dominate the public streetscapes. The design of all above grade parking structures should include usable retail, commercial and/or residential uses as appropriate along first floor and street frontages.
(6) The height of buildings should be compatible with surrounding development and neighborhoods. Only low-scale buildings shall be located along the water's edge and adjacent to residential neighborhoods. Scenic view corridors of the water should be preserved.
(7) A diversity of roof heights, gable orientations and volumes in new buildings shall be provided. Buildings shall be designed with traditional roof forms that are compatible with the character of the surroundings, including but not limited to gambrel, gable and hipped roofs commonly found in New England cities and towns.
(8) Architectural elements such as dormers should be in proportion with the overall building and should also be in keeping with the context of surrounding buildings. Exaggerated or excessively large architectural elements should be avoided. Traditional and contemporary architectural detailing which creates variety, interest and texture on new buildings and additions is encouraged.
(9) Traditional building materials such as shingles, wood clapboards, brick and stone should be used for the exterior of new construction and additions. Additional materials, such as precast concrete, prefabricated panels or architectural metals, may be used if they are of a high quality finish and are in a design consistent with a traditional waterfront or New England town character. These materials shall be considered for all buildings or portions of buildings facing public or private streets. Buildings of entirely glass and/or mirrored exterior finishes shall not be permitted.
(10) Developers and designers are encouraged to incorporate sustainable design practices and environmentally friendly building materials. Efforts should be made to include elements into the site and building design process that conserve energy and minimize pollution from demolition/construction through building occupancy. Building design should incorporate elements that take full advantage of solar energy for lighting and warning; embrace techniques that optimize water conservation and protect water quality; and implement measures to improve air quality and ventilation.
(11) Building facades at lower levels should be a masonry-like material of a high quality and level of finish. Detail and ornamentation should enhance street level facades with entrance points denoted through front porches, columns, differential ceiling heights, lighting and variation of materials to accentuate lobby areas.
(12) Primary building entrances should be oriented to the public sidewalks along the primary street frontage. Development along new or existing public streets should provide open and inviting facades and should foster a walkable and enjoyable pedestrian environment. New development should avoid large expanses of blank walls and should provide frequent street level entries. At least 50 percent of the ground floor facade of non-residential buildings shall be constructed of transparent materials, or otherwise designed to allow pedestrians to view activities inside the building. For retail uses, buildings sited along primary streets should utilize traditional storefront design principles along the ground floor, and provide appealing displays and clear glazing to allow views into store windows and building interiors to enhance the pedestrian experience.
(13) In sub-districts designated for mixed-uses or commercial and office environments, the ground floor of buildings should primarily entail uses geared toward pedestrians, such as retail stores, cafes and restaurants, or civic and cultural uses such as a museum, galleries or community facilities.
(14) Upper levels of building facades should be clad in lighter color materials, with a presentation that responds to a waterfront character. For second floors and above, between 25 percent and 60 percent of the facade should be windows or transparent glazing. Emphasis should be given to using materials and ornamentation to provide a sense of depth and relief to enrich the wall surfaces, including materials that provide a sense of scale and texture, and that reinforce a vertical orientation.
(15) The construction of buildings which are designed according to themes or architectural styles associated with chain stores or restaurants shall be reviewed by the East Providence Waterfront special development district commission, and may be modified or prohibited if found to be inconsistent with the intent of this chapter.
(16) Residential buildings should be clustered or located in such a manner that provides a distinctive and traditional urban neighborhood character. Buildings shall be oriented to the street, with front yards and entryways that provide easy and inviting access to pedestrian connections.
(17) Large scale development shall take the form of village-like groupings of small scale buildings, rather than a large individual structures or box-like buildings set back on a large expanse of paved parking. New buildings shall not be large bulky horizontal masses, but shall be scaled down into groupings of smaller attached or detached structures with a vertical orientation.
(18) Infill development and/or redevelopment within existing built areas shall require a "build-to" line to re-establish continuity of the street wall. Likewise, small-scale development without a directly abutting neighbor should be guided by adjacent development patterns as a means to incrementally fill empty portions of the streetscape and achieve compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods.
(19) New public and civic structures should use the highest quality materials and design to assign a sense of permanence and importance to their role in the community. Design of the buildings should reflect an inviting appearance, and incorporate plazas or open space areas to encourage public gathering. Additionally, these structures should relate strongly to the streets and open spaces where they are located.
(20) Where feasible, emphasis shall be given to protect historic structures from demolition and carefully rehabilitate them in a way that is consistent with their original architectural intent. New additions to historically significant buildings should be designed for compatibility with the original structure in size, composition and material and should result in the minimum necessary loss of original architectural material. Consultation with the state historic preservation and heritage commission shall occur when historic properties are considered for rehabilitation or redevelopment.
(21) Service areas, mechanical equipment, dumpsters and loading areas shall be placed to the rear or side of buildings in visually unobtrusive locations and shall not impede on-site vehicular and pedestrian circulation. On waterfront locations the service and loading facilities shall not be located on the water side of the structure and shall be placed in a manner to minimize and screen such uses from public view. Service areas and loading areas shall be screened through landscaping or structural elements to prevent direct views from adjacent properties or from public or private streets used by the general public. Mechanical equipment and dumpsters should be screened through walled units or integrated into architectural features of the buildings.
(22) The East Providence Waterfront special development district commission shall require schematic architectural drawings of the exteriors of all proposed new buildings to be submitted as part of review process. The commission shall review these drawings for conformity with the design guidelines set forth herein. The commission may permit specific written or graphic architectural standards or codes for building appearance and design to be submitted by the applicant for review and approval.
(c) Open space and public areas.
(1) Site design and layout in the waterfront district should incorporate elements such as plazas and usable open spaces, especially adjacent to buildings next to the waterfront or in mixed-use and retail areas. To ensure that open space is well-used, the space should be visible, easily accessible and barrier free, with multiple points of entry from public areas (streets, sidewalks, and walkways or bike paths). Open spaces should be oriented to maximize exposure to the water and scenic views. East-west streets should be designed as boulevards with landscaped medians and wide corridor views towards the water. Community entries should be identified by maintaining them as large open spaces within the streetscape.
(2) Public greens and common areas should be provided within residential areas to provide useable open space and park like settings within a neighborhood context.
(3) Open space areas should be well buffered from moving vehicles so that users can enjoy and relax in the space. The space may be visible from streets or internal drives but should not be wholly exposed to them. "Outdoor rooms" that are partially enclosed with building walls, freestanding walls, landscaping, raised planters, or on-street parking buffers are encouraged.
(4) Public spaces should abut active uses to encourage pedestrian traffic between such uses. Public use of the waterfront, such as through passenger ferry, marinas, retail activities, cafes and restaurants, and recreational uses, should all provide context for open space.
(5) Plants used in landscaped areas should be native species and of the highest quality and of sufficient quantity and sale to make a visual impact. Plantings should be selected and located so that their functional and aesthetic qualities can be maximized. Public open space should provide shade areas wherever possible.
(6) Open space areas should provide adequate amenities for comfort and convenience, such as seating, lighting, directional signage, bicycle racks, drinking fountains, shelters, trash receptacles and public restrooms.
(7) Open spaces and plazas should be built with high quality, durable materials that reflect detailing consistent and compatible with the architectural character of nearby buildings and the waterfront location. Paving materials should be selected according to the intended use of the space. Designers are encouraged to utilize permeable paving materials wherever practicable to reduce stormwater runoff.
(8) Open spaces within private developments should contribute to public spaces with linkages that reinforce the pedestrian environment. Private developments should take the "indoors" outdoors by incorporating interior space (e.g. dining areas, merchandise displays) onto walkways and plazas connected to the public sidewalk system. Similarly, developments should bring the "outdoors" into the building by opening interior spaces through elements such as atriums connected to the public sidewalk system.
(9) Sites of historic interest or sites providing an opportunity and context for historical interpretation along the waterfront should be incorporated into open space areas and appropriately commemorated and marked with interpretative signage. The state historical preservation commission or other appropriate agency should assist in developing an appropriate context for commemoration initiatives.
(10) Development in the waterfront district should integrate artwork into public and private settings. Artwork may consist of freestanding pieces (e.g. sculptures or water fountains) or may be integrated with its surroundings (e.g. relief sculpture imbedded into the pavement or a wall, mosaics or murals, sound effects, decorative railings or lighting) to create a stronger sense of place. Artwork should be appropriate, and ideally, custom-made and should complement and reinforce the character of the site in terms of subject, scale, style, and materials. Art may be used to reveal historical facts about the site, or draw attention to a unique physical quality of the site. Public spaces should be designed to accommodate live performing arts and public gatherings.
(11) For higher density non-residential uses in the waterfront district that abut lower density residential properties, a minimum 100-foot open space setback is required. Landscaping in this open space setback shall include planting elements to ensure an effective visual and audio screen and buffer between residential and non-residential uses.
(12) Street-trees should be provided along all pedestrian corridors along with the planting of ground cover. The street tree canopy should appear tight, formal and planted in clusters at entry nodes and plazas. Ground cover planting materials should be natural and soft, and remain low, well below sight lines of pedestrians. Tree and shrub plantings shall be selected as suitable for their use in the interest of creating an aesthetically pleasing environment.
(d) Waterfront resources.
(1) Properties adjacent to the waterfront shall maintain an appropriate contiguous area, to the maximum extent possible, to include setbacks for public waterfront access and buffer zones for maintenance and preservation of natural areas. The buffer zone is to preserve the value and utility of the water's edge, including enhanced measures to protect and restore natural habitat areas and environmental resources. The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Program should be referred to for its specific findings, policies, guidelines and regulations for projects within the coastal zone requiring an assent. Early consultation with CRMC program staff is strongly encouraged to identify coastal features and address setback, hazard mitigation, shoreline protection, storm water run-off and other requirements. Public access to and along the waterfront and recreational amenities shall be provided within the contiguous area, including connections and coordination with adjacent properties as part of an integrated public waterfront facility.
(2) Public access to and along the water's edge shall be provided in the most generous and integrated way that is compatible with the function of the land, water uses and activities. Interest in water for active and passive purposes is widespread and should be accommodated to the maximum extent feasible. Public access in the coastal zone, both vertical and perpendicular, must conform with state policies and regulations, including the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Program.
(3) Recreation and excursion access to and along the waterfront are desirable and should be fully integrated into the site design. Waterfront facilities should be oriented towards providing multi-modal transportation opportunities for boating, pedestrians, bicyclists, and public bus or ferry users, and accommodations made for such transportation needs. Comfort and convenience amenities such as like racks, benches, trash receptacles, shelters, ticket kiosks and restroom facilities should be provided.
(4) Design details for such features as lighting, paving, bollards, benches, or other amenities should be carefully selected to reflect the waterfront heritage of the area. Such features should be coordinated as much as possible between public and private improvements. For waterfront locations, the quality and durability of these amenities should be of the highest standards, and of timeless aesthetic character to withstand many years of use and exposure to weather.
(5) Only low-scale commercial or public buildings shall be located near the water's edge, except for in designated areas in the sub-districts as determined by the commission. Views to the water should be preserved from critical public vantage points. Massing and placement of buildings should be designed to minimize impacts on water views and retain value for upland development potential.
(6) Parking shall not be located directly on the water's edge.
(e) Parking and circulation standards.
(1) Structured parking within the waterfront development district is encouraged where feasible, either beneath or within commercial and higher density residential buildings, in order to maximize the use of valuable land for principal uses and to reduce the appearance of excessive amounts of surface parking within the district.
(2) Parking structures should be compatible with adjacent uses and architecture. Parking uses and the appearance of parking structures should not dominate public streetscapes. The design of all above-grade parking structures should include usable retail, commercial, and/or residential uses as appropriate to their location along first floor and street frontages.
(3) Surface parking lots shall be located to the side or rear of buildings or in the interior of a block, except for waterfront lots, in which case the parking shall not be located on the water-side of such buildings. Parking lots and driveways should not dominate the frontage of streets, interrupt pedestrian routes, or negatively impact the environment or surrounding developments. Parking lots should be sufficiently screened with natural landscape, decorative fencing or walls to minimize visual impacts.
(4) Surface parking areas should be designed to include internal landscaped islands and exterior landscaped buffer areas to soften the visual impacts of automobiles and asphalt. Shade tree location should buffer pedestrian circulation routes and should respect view corridors to the water. All parking lots should be planted with sufficient trees so that at full growth a significant majority of the surface area of the lot is shaded. At a minimum, developments should comply with the development plan review provisions of chapter 19, zoning, article VIII, section 19-454.
(5) On-site pedestrian circulation networks should be designed to provide safe access through the site, especially between buildings and parking areas. Paving and ground surface treatments should reinforce and define pedestrian circulation direction and patterns. Materials may be simple, but should have a level of patterning and detail through change in materials, color or scoring patterns.
(6) Stormwater management facilities shall be provided in conjunction with parking areas for flood control purposes and to treat stormwater to effectuate pollutant removal in accordance with city and state standards and regulations. Permeable paving materials, vegetated buffers and infiltration systems should be used wherever possible and practical to reduce the volume and improve the quality of stormwater.
(7) Pedestrian lighting should be incorporated into the design of parking areas and along pedestrian walkways. Additional lighting should be used to reinforce architectural edges as well as highlight special site elements. Nighttime illumination should provide for safety and security of residents and visitors. Lighting for parking and vehicle queuing areas should provide adequate illumination for vehicle and pedestrian safety and security while shielding surrounding areas from excessive light trespass and glare.
(8) Parking areas shall include provisions for the "parking" of bicycles in locations that are safely segregated from automobile traffic and parking.
(9) Shared access driveways and parking areas should be encouraged where ever possible for mixed use developments and/or adjacent uses which have different hours, days and/or seasons of peak parking demand.
(10) Design of internal parking and roadways should be looped rather than dead ended to allow for efficient circulation and movement through the waterfront district and shared parking areas.
(11) Design of parking lots should include measures to reduce the number of curb-cuts along roadways. Properties should be limited to one curb-cut per parking area, or at least be located a minimum of 100 feet from curb-cuts either on site or on adjacent properties. Where feasible, access and parking lot entryways to abutting properties across roadways should be aligned to create direct intersections, providing efficiency and safety for vehicles entering and exiting the sites.
(12) Roadways and internal vehicle circulation corridors should be designed to accommodate the type and volume of vehicles that are expected to enter during the peak design period, with minimal impacts to levels of service on- and off-site.
(13) Parking and garages for all residential uses shall be prohibited in front yard setback areas. Garages facing a front yard property line shall not be located closer to the front lot line than the foremost facade of the principle building facing the front property line.
(14) On-street parking may be permitted by the East Providence Waterfront special development district commission, and may be added to the number of off-street spaces for the purpose of calculating minimum parking requirements.
(f) Streetscape standards.
(1) New streets, as well as existing streets that are rehabilitated or reconstructed, should be designed to accommodate expected vehicles and pedestrians safely while encouraging appropriate speeds.
(2) Street placement and design should provide for views to and from the water. Streets that connect to the waterfront shall be designed and developed to pedestrian-scale with a high-level of amenities. Distinctive architectural and landscape features should be encouraged at intersections to enliven the space, including permanent installations of landscaped gateways, public art and/or flag displays in key locations. Where possible, gateway access to the waterfront, and east-west oriented streets, shall be wide boulevard-type roadways with divided travel lanes and landscaped medians. Additionally, for certain streets, unique destination and gateway treatments should be implemented. Community name and directional signs should be placed at gateways and should be compatible with the architectural themes and character of the neighborhood.
(3) Sidewalks shall be provided on both sides of all roadways, with curbing, grassed landscape strips between the sidewalk and the curb, street trees and other plantings to soften roadway edges. Sidewalks should be wide enough to accommodate pedestrians comfortably and safely. Textured paving within the street should be utilized to distinguish crosswalks. The pedestrian environment should be further enhanced through the use of fixed street furniture, compatible and consistent lighting, trash receptacles, and shade trees.
(g) Street and site furnishings.
(1) Consistency in the form and quality of street and site furniture is essential to the ambiance of the public areas. A standard design shall be used in public areas throughout the waterfront district, with recommended types and styles provided by the design review committee. Variations and additions should be considered for unique situations along waterfront areas. It is also essential that a program of regular care and maintenance be provided.
(2) Furnishings within individual development sites shall be chosen to complement the specific architectural and site design. Inclusion of furnishings to enrich the setting and provide amenities is strongly encouraged.
(3) Furnishings such as flagpoles, kiosks and public art should be considered and selected in part based on their compatibility with other furnishings and the building architecture. In general, furnishings should be understated and should not detract from the overall character of the site either through their appearance, siting or proliferation. The materials used for receptacles, seating and light poles should be consistent within the development site.
(4) The provision of benches is encouraged within development sites. In addition to free standing benches, options for integral seating such as broad steps and cheek walls should be considered in the design of open spaces and building entries. Benches shall be located based on a practical consideration of where people would like to sit and the demand for seating in a particular area. Areas closely associated with employees going outdoors for lunch or break time and areas where drop-off and pick-ups, such as building entries, should be considered for locating seating.
(5) Seating along sidewalks or trails shall be placed on a hard surface and immediately adjacent to the walkway to allow for free circulation on the sidewalk or trail. Along the walkway, the layout should have a perceivable order, such as placing benches or other furnishings along the same side or in a consistent manner. Clustering or paring benches is recommended as a means of offering seating for groups and creating a rhythm of furnishings.
(6) Benches shall be placed on a hard surface and surface mounted.
(7) Trash receptacles shall be of the designated design and will be used along the public sidewalks and trail system. Site developers will be responsible for providing receptacles in public areas. Trash and ash receptacles within the building zone should be chosen to complement the architectural and site design of a particular development.
The receptacles should be durable and in keeping with the other materials selected for the site including lighting and benches. Plastic, aggregate surfaced concrete and fiberglass receptacles are not permitted. Removable trash liners are recommended for easy disposal. If refuse is to be sorted for recycling, receptacles with three-holed recycling tops are recommended. The divided recycling top allows the number of receptacles to be kept to a minimum.
Trash receptacles shall be sited along heavily trafficked walks, in close proximity to building entries, and in areas where people gather for eating or break time. Ash receptacles shall be placed to minimize cigarette litter, for example, near building entries and designated smoking areas. Receptacles shall be conveniently located for use, but shall not impede circulation or interrupt the view of the building entry. Receptacles shall be surface-mounted to maintain their designated locations.
(8) Daily newspapers and printed materials, such as free real estate and employment guides, shall be incorporated into a unified newspaper kiosk placed in or adjacent to the right-of-way provided by the city and/or private developers in convenient locations. Separate boxes for all these various printed materials, typically found chained to utility poles and traffic signs shall be prohibited.
(9) Inclusion and placement of mailboxes, overnight delivery and newspaper boxes shall be considered as part of the overall site design. For all commercial and office buildings, these amenities shall be incorporated within the building, and shall not exist outside of the building in any location other than one specifically designated for such service areas. For other building types, such as hotel and retail uses, the boxes shall be located for the convenience of the building users and mail delivery systems used within the development. Boxes shall be accessible to pedestrians and relatively convenient to vehicles associated with their use. Their placement must not impede circulation or interrupt the view toward the building entry. In all cases boxes shall be grouped together in an area that is visible but unobtrusive. All boxes must be located on a hard surface and be surface mounted.
(10) Lighting standards.
a. The character and brightness of exterior lighting on different development sites shall remain relatively constant. This consistency is important in establishing the overall visual quality of the night time environment of the waterfront district and providing a sense of security. Lighting shall illuminate driveways, sidewalks and bikepaths, define outdoor spaces at night, and provide orientation to building entries.
b. Lighting shall be organized in simple patterns which are sympathetic to the spatial form of the site design. The pattern of light fixtures and poles shall reinforce the pattern of drives, walks and open space. Lighting of open spaces shall be along the perimeter to emphasize the form of the space.
c. In general, roadways and site drives shall be lit from both sides. Exceptions to this standard may include instances where the drive forms one edge of a large contiguous space, for example, where an entry drive may encircle an entry court landscape. When placed on both sides, lights shall be located opposite one another rather than in an alternating or staggered pattern. Driveway and walkway lighting shall be placed parallel to the pavement edge with a recommended uniform setback of two to six feet. Lighting shall be located in rhythm with related tree plantings.
d. The use of a consistent light source, a family of fixtures and poles, and a hierarchy of lighting levels shall unify development parcels and connect the various waterfront sub-districts with each other. A designated family of fixtures shall be used along public roadways, site driveways, public sidewalks and bikeways, and parking lots in order to reinforce a unified image.
e. Within parking lots a pole height of 25 feet is required. The pole height has been established to balance a desire to maintain a mounting height compatible with the scale of adjacent buildings and trees and to minimize the number of poles. Exceptions to this requirement may be considered on an individual basis.
f. Poles should be located behind raised curbs either within a raised median or along curbed sidewalks. Poles within paved areas (not behind a raised curb) are strongly discouraged.
g. All fixtures shall employ shielding and glare control devices to make the night time environment more pedestrian friendly, and to direct light downward rather than upward. Lights intended to provide a lantern effect, such as might be used to define the edge of an entry drive, shall utilize a shielding device that allows the fixture to be lit while continuing to minimize light loss to the sky.
h. Driver and pedestrian orientation shall be provided through a hierarchy of lighting effects that correspond to different zones and uses within development sites. Height of poles shall be scaled according to function, for example, poles along driveways shall be 20—25 feet, and in pedestrian areas lighting shall be 10—15 feet. Driveway and pedestrian lights may be used along circulation drives and sidewalks within parking lots to clarify movement and provide a hierarchy of lighting associated with use.
i. The housing for uplighting and architectural lighting placed in the landscape shall not be conspicuously visible. Flush ground mounted fixtures are recommended, where practical. In situations where this is not practical, lighting sources and mounting fixtures shall be located to minimize visibility by day and by night.
j. An increased sense of security shall be provided by using light to define the edges of the space, such as the outer edge of open spaces, parking lots and driveway corridors. Brighter lights shall be provided at the destination edge, such as the building entry. The lowest levels of light should appear within the parking lot and not at its edges.
k. Intersections, decision points, crossings, steps, arrival points, etc. should be articulated in a manner that signals their presence, shape and nature. The illumination pattern should provide visual clues as to what conditions may lie ahead.
l. The relationship between plant material and lighting shall be considered when determining the spacing, height and distribution pattern of lighting. Lighting design shall avoid foliage shadows and provide good uniformity and vertical surface illumination.
(h) Landscaping.
(1) Landscaping shall be used as a unifying design element and a cost-effective long-term aesthetic and environmental enhancement for public and private spaces. Primary landscape treatment shall consist of three tiers, ground cover, shrubs, and trees, and shall be combined with appropriate walks and street surfaces to provide an attractive development pattern. Landscaping can be in the form of planting beds, raised planters, berms, containers or window boxes. Landscape materials selected should be appropriate to the local growing conditions.
(2) Streets and parking lots shall be planted with deciduous trees that will over time bring the canopy together, provide shade and visual relief from automobile clutter. Guard plane plantings should be selected for hardiness, maintenance requirements, and water consumption.
(3) Loading and receiving areas, and trash storage areas shall be screened from the public view by landscaping treatment and by appropriate screening. Plantings and walls may be used to screen outdoor areas from wind and unsightly views.
(4) Specimen trees shall be used as accents and focal points in locations such as community and neighborhood entries. Colorful flowering shrubs, groundcovers and annual flower plantings should also be used to accent entries.
(5) Planting of ground surface materials should remain low, well below sight lines of pedestrians. The tree canopy should appear tight, formal and planted in clusters at entry nodes and plazas. Natural soft planting should be used in public areas adjacent to the waterfront.
(6) Plant materials along the river should be native species or improved horticultural varieties of the same.
(7) All plantings should be irrigated using latent drip technologies to maximize efficiency and preservation of resources. A strong landscape maintenance program by a licensed professional shall be required of any development program.
(i) Signage standards.
(1) Signage and graphics within the waterfront district shall introduce visitors and motorists to the area, direct them, and provide a means for orientation and wayfinding. Use of high quality graphics is essential to the overall visual experience. Informational and directional signs should serve as gateway elements and complement the landscape and architectural style of the overall development. Signs should be simple in form and color, and be clearly legible.
(2) Mixed-use buildings shall provide locations on the commercial areas of the building facade that are specifically designed to accommodate changeable tenant signage including wall signs, projecting signs and window signs. Structure, materials, detailing and power sources shall be designed with consideration of signage installation requirements and shall be readily adaptable and reparable as tenant sign needs change.
(3) Sign locations shall be oriented to the public right-of-way and shall avoid facing residential uses wherever possible.
(4) Direct exposure of light sources and internally illuminated signage shall be avoided in residential areas. Indirect and external light sources shall be the preferred option where lighting is required. Orientation of any illuminated sign or light source shall be directed to avoid visibility, spill light or glare into residential uses.
(5) Small scale signs projecting from the building face, perpendicular to the right-of-way, shall be considered appropriate in pedestrian oriented contexts. Tenant identification signs may also be incorporated into canopies above primary building entrances or storefronts.
(6) Signs should be traditional in design and easy to read, with proportion and balance in mind. Signs with dark background and light letters provide better visibility. Letterform, logos and artwork should look comfortable within the sign perimeter. Long, narrow and odd shaped signs should be avoided, as they tend to distract the balance ratio.
(7) Signs should creatively use two and three dimensional form, profile and iconographic representation: lighting, typography, color and materials in expressing the character of the use, the identity of the development, the character of the neighborhood, and the architecture of the building are encouraged.
(8) Signage shall be limited to one business identification per frontage and shall include only tenant identification text and logos. Product advertisement on signage or in display windows is prohibited.
(9) Pole signs and monuments are not permitted in the waterfront district. Signage for multiple uses in a single building or complex should be incorporated into decorative wall signs mounted onto the building or incorporated into decorative screening elements or walls to screen parking areas.
(10) Signs should fit within the architectural features of the facade and complement the buildings architecture. Signs should not overlap and conceal architectural elements.
(11) Support structures, hangers and brackets should be proportional to the sign face and remain dark in color as not to compete with the sign itself.
(12) Temporary signs are permitted for a period not to exceed 12 months. Up to one temporary sign may be permitted off-premises with the written approval of the property owner. Temporary signs may not be placed within a public right-of-way. Signage shall meet the standards of section 19-483(i)(1)—(11). Banners or flags may be permitted for up to two months and must be replaced or removed when tattered, faded, or torn. All temporary signage or banners shall be removed at the end of the permitted period at the owner's expense. Application and fee for a temporary sign permit shall be made to the East Providence waterfront special development district commission.
(j) Fencing.
(1) In instances where security and safety relating to certain land uses and activities require fencing, such fencing should be no higher or more extensive than needed to provide general safety or security needs and it shall be constructed of ornamental materials or some other appropriate material.
(2) For properties along the waterfront, fencing shall not be used to deter public access to and along the waterfront or to inhibit migration of wildlife between natural areas.
(k) Utilities.
(1) On-site utilities shall be located underground unless otherwise recommended by the utility company. At a minimum, the utilities feeding the site shall be placed underground in the access right-of-way. The East Providence Waterfront special development district commission may waive, upon good cause shown at the public hearing, a portion of or this entire requirement.
(2) Service areas and mechanical equipment should be screened through walled units or integrated into architectural features of the buildings.
(Ch. 317, § I, 3-2-04; Ch. 738, § IX, 5-21-19)