§ 62.706. Standards for New Construction.

a.

Height. The maximum height of new buildings must be the same as permitted in the zoning district. In areas zoned for commercial use, the height of storefront openings in new buildings must be similar to the storefront openings of the contributing buildings in the HP overlay district. In areas zoned for commercial use, there must be a visual differentiation, such as a change in material or texture, between the first and second story on a two story building or between the two lower floors and the rest of the building on a building taller than two stories. This differentiation must be at a height similar to the cornice lines or stringcourses of contributing structures in the HP overlay district.

b.

Scale and massing. In areas zoned for residential use, the scale and massing of new structures and their architectural elements must be similar to the contributing structures in the HP overlay district. In areas zoned for commercial use, the scale and massing of the lower floors of new structures and their architectural elements must be similar to contributing structures in the HP overlay district. Any new structure which exceeds 50 linear feet along any street frontage must minimize the facade's mass by adding projections and recesses to make the structure similar in scale to contributing structures in the HP overlay district.

c.

Fenestration patterns. Although they may appear in groupings, individual windows must have a vertical emphasis similar to the windows found on contributing buildings in the HP overlay district. In commercial areas, storefront windows must be similar in placement, size, and configuration to the storefront windows found on contributing buildings in the HP overlay district.

d.

Setbacks. Minimum and maximum setbacks for new structures (including both principal and accessory structures) must conform to the minimum and maximum setback standards applicable to the underlying zoning district as provided in Chapter 58, except that a lesser or greater setback may be approved by certificate of appropriateness upon a finding that the lesser or greater setback is consistent with the prevailing pattern of contributing development in the vicinity of the proposed work and where a lesser setback would not result in buildings (whether principal or accessory) being within 10' of each other (without regard for whether or not the buildings are located on different lots), nor any building (whether principal or accessory) being within 5' of a lot line. In zoning districts with no maximum setback standard, setbacks must be no greater than the prevailing pattern of contributing development in the vicinity of the proposed work.

e.

Orientation. At least one public entrance of each new building must be oriented towards the front lot line or street side lot line. The front door to a new building must be articulated on the principal facade with covered porches, porticos, stoops, pediments, door surrounds, or other architectural forms. The front and street side exterior walls of residential structures must each contain a minimum of 15% of transparent or translucent materials on each story below the roof line. The first floor of front and street side exterior walls of commercial structures must each contain a minimum of 30% of transparent or translucent materials. The floors above the first level of a commercial structure must each contain a minimum of 15% of transparent or translucent materials.

f.

Materials. The materials and textures on new structures must be similar to the materials and textures of contributing structures in the HP overlay district.

g.

Roof shapes. Roof shapes, pitches, and materials on new buildings must be similar to the roof shapes, pitches, and materials of contributing buildings in the HP overlay district.

h.

Rhythm of solids and voids. New structures must be designed and positioned on their lots in such a way so that they reflect the regular pattern of structures and open space along the block-face.

i.

Style. New construction may be influenced by, but not duplicate, historic styles. If an historic style influences new construction, that style must already exist or have existed in Orlando. Contemporary design is allowed provided that it meets the requirements of this section.

j.

Awnings. Awning shapes, proportions, design, color, lettering, and hardware must be in character with the style of the building. Awnings must reflect the architectural forms of the door and window openings of the building to which they are attached. The minimum height of awnings on non-residential buildings must be 8' from the lowest point to the sidewalk and may not extend more than 6' from the face of the structure. The highest point of a first floor awning on a non-residential building may not be higher than the midpoint of the space between the second story window sills and the top of the first floor storefront window or transom.

k.

Marquees. The design, materials, color, lettering, and hardware of a marquee must reflect the style of the building. The highest point of a marquee or its superstructure may not be higher than the midpoint of the space between the second story window sills and the top of the first floor storefront window or transom. Marquees on non-residential buildings must span the entire facade or entrance. Only one marquee is allowed on each facade. Minimum height of a marquee on a non-residential building must be 8' from the lowest point to the sidewalk.

l.

Signs. In addition to the general sign regulations of Chapter 64, signs must be in character with the new structure. In the Downtown Facade Design Guideline Area (as defined in section 62.503), signs must also comply with the applicable standards of the "Facade Design Guidelines" prepared for the City of Orlando Downtown Retail District by Boyle Engineering Corporation.

m.

Site improvements. Chain link fences visible from a public right-of-way or park are prohibited.

n.

Tandem Single Family Developments. Tandem Single Family Developments is prohibited.

o.

Other. Any other request requiring a building permit and determined by the historic preservation officer, or designee, to have an impact on a historic landmark or the exterior of a structure in an HP overlay district shall be reviewed using the most closely analogous standards of this Chapter.

(Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25099; Ord. of 2-22-1993, Doc. #26392; Ord. of 6-4-2001, § 15, Doc. #33841; Ord. No. 2016-60, § 2, 8-29-2016, Doc. #1608291201)