LTC Design GuidelinesGLACIER TOWN CENTER - KALISPELL, MONTANA
Design Guidelines + Standards for the LIFESTYLE CENTER (referred to as "TOWN
CENTER" on the MASTER PLAN)
INTRODUCTION:
The City of Kalispell Architectural Design Standards vision statement concludes,
"creativity that results in quality site design, architecture, landscaping and signage is
encouraged so that new development makes a positive contribution to the community."
Design guidelines and standards for the LIFESTYLE CENTER, to be developed by
Wolford Development Montana LLC, encourage and require quality design in the site
planning, architecture, landscaping, lighting and environmental graphics that will make
up the center. The developer, major anchor department stores, minor anchors and in -
line small shop tenants are required to abide by these guidelines and standards.
Differentiation between guidelines and standards can be stated as follows: The design
guidelines express the intent of the City of Kalispell and the community of Flathead
County with regard to development in their neighborhoods, and the design standards are
the minimum design requirements considered necessary to achieve and implement the
guidelines.
Site layout, access and circulation, landscaping, signage and graphics, lighting and
building design are focused upon — but with the understanding that overall
considerations, a harmonious interaction between the various components and a "sense
of place" for the community, are the primary objective of the design guidelines and
standards.
OVERALL CONSIDERATIONS
The Lifestyle Center is an integral part of the MASTER PLAN for Glacier Town Center,
contributing to and reinforcing the objectives thereof. An holistic approach must be
evident, in which the goals of the community, respect for natural features and the
landscape, energy conservation measures, renewable resources and best management
practices are adopted and followed in the planning and design process.
Satisfying the goals of the community can further be accomplished through use of
materials common to the region, by incorporating architectural design features and
vernacular found elsewhere in the area and by portrayal of the heritage of Flathead
County and the State of Montana.
SITE LAYOUT, ACCESS + CIRCULATION
GUIDELINES
The site layout is an integral component of the MASTER PLAN, in which roadways,
bikeways, pedestrian pathways, green space, parking, buildings and landscaping are
hierarchically and spacially organized.
The site layout, shall provide convenient and safe access to the lifestyle center for
motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians. Circulation within the center shall allow for each of
these modes of travel.
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a) Place buildings, spaces between buildings and landscaping in a manner that
will enhance and ensure clarity to the network of pathways, roadways and
pedestrian areas within the center.
b) Provide for emergency vehicles and service vehicles within appropriate areas
of the Lifestyle Center and where required by City of Kalispell ordinances.
c) Distribute parking areas around buildings and in the center in order to shorten
walking distance. Accessible spaces, in accordance with code and ADA
criteria, shall be conveniently located throughout parking areas.
d) Service areas, loading docks, refuse disposal, transformers and emergency
generators are to be screened from public view with well constructed walls
using approved materials and with appropriate landscaping.
e) Provide accommodation for the circulation and stopping of public
transportation on the site.
f) Pathways for pedestrians and bicyclists are to lead not only into the center
but also to the perimeter for connections to the greater community.
g) Materials for surfacing and defining edges of roadways, pedestrian sidewalks,
cross -walks, and bicycle paths are to have changes in color, texture and
elevation to emphasize intersections, conflict points and the articulation of
movement systems. These requirements improve visibility, enhance safety
and provide visual interest and variety.
h) Safe and convenient bicycle parking is to be provided at locations throughout
the center in areas that do not obstruct pedestrian movement, impede
vehicles or affect emergency means of egress.
i) Parking design standards as set out in the City of Kalispell Architectural
Design Standards shall remain applicable for the Lifestyle Center, Glacier
Town Center.
j) The number of parking spaces provided, dimensions of parking spaces and
driveways and distances between rows, whether at 900 or angled, shall be in
accordance with all relevant city of Kalispell codes and ordinances.
LANDSCAPING
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Landscaping in and around the Lifestyle Center is again an integral part of the
MASTER PLAN, by which it is guided with regard to an overall order or framework.
This order pertains to open space, green space, trails and pathways, buffering and
demarcation within the center. Tree planting and landscaping are essential elements
in parking areas to reduce the scale of large lots, to provide shade and screening
and for vegetated swales to assist in snow storage.
Planting and use of native species play a significant role in anchoring the built
environment to the natural landscape.
RTANnARnR
a) Stormwater management and site landscaping shall not be separated and
unrelated. Flowing water, retention and snow storage are to be integrated with
the landscaping to enhance public space and improve stormwater management.
b) At least one element of "Low Impact Development" (LID) identified by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), such as grassy swales, shall be
incorporated in the landscape design.
c) Large areas of landscaping such as open spaces, buffers, storm water retention
areas or vegetated swales are to have natural characteristics rather than a
manicured appearance.
d) In combination with architectural elements, employ appropriate landscaping,
clustering of planting and seasonal variety to provide screening and a reduction
in scale of large unarticulated walls or building facades.
e) Landscaping shall be included at all entry drives, on medians, parking islands,
parking lot "canoes" and pedestrian pathways into the center.
f) Trees of appropriate variety and maturity are required to define the main
entrance boulevard to the center and the internal parking and shopping area of
the lifestyle center. Trees shall be placed at appropriate intervals in the medians
and adjacent to the public sidewalks and cross -walks.
g) All landscaping design shall comply with the section headed "LANDSCAPING,"
contained in the City of Kalispell, Architectural Design Standards.
h) City of Kalispell Zoning Ordinance and codes relating to landscaping shall be
complied with.
SIGNAGE + GRAPHICS
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Environmental Graphics, encompassing identification, branding, way -finding, traffic
control or simply conveying information, is an essential ingredient in "place making."
Pylon signs, monument signs, directional signs and directories are to be integrated
with the architectural vocabulary of buildings in the Lifestyle Center, with regard to
materials, scale, colors and planting. Environmental Graphics for the Lifestyle
Center can be a useful tool for associative or emblematic reference, tying the
development to the community, its history and the natural environment.
M C I V
a) The size of signs, lettering, symbols, logos and supporting elements shall be
appropriate in scale, color and illumination to how they are viewed: from
automobiles at high speed, bicycles at moderate speed, or pedestrians at
walking pace.
b) All signage shall be in accordance with the Architectural Design Standards, City
of Kalispell and the sign regulations in the city's Zoning Ordinance.
SITE LIGHTING
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Outdoor illumination is necessary and is to be provided through a unified and
integrated lighting system that reinforces the hierarchy and delineation of the
movement and circulation of cars, service vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. The
illumination shall be sufficient to enhance safety and visibility in the Lifestyle Center
without being obtrusive. In addition to providing a safe and comfortable environment,
"design ambience," is achieved through good lighting design.
RTANnARnR
a) Balanced light levels are to be maintained in and around the Lifestyle Center and
competing light levels shall be avoided.
b) Type of fixtures, mounting heights and the elevation of potential viewers are
mitigation measures that shall be utilized to control glare.
c) General floodlighting of building facades is not permitted and all outdoor fixtures
shall be fully shielded.
d) The Design Standards under the heading "LIGHTING" in the City of Kalispell
Architectural Design Standards, shall be adhered to.
e) City of Kalispell Zoning Ordinance and Building Code Regulations relating to Site
Lighting and Building mounted lighting remain in force.
BUILDING DESIGN
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The Lifestyle Center is comprised of a number of buildings including major anchor
Department Stores, minor anchor stores and small in -line specialty shops, attached
in various combinations into larger blocks with continuous shopping frontage.
The buildings, or combinations of buildings shall be designed to reduce the massive
scale and uniformity associated with large department stores. Large wall surfaces
are to be articulated by changes in plane; horizontally and vertically, by use of
different materials, particularly at the base, by varying color and texture and by
accenting elements at corners and adjacent to entrances. Articulation of roof lines
and building parapets likewise is required.
Visual interest and scale of buildings making up the pedestrian shopping
environment are essential in the architectural design of all buildings in the Lifestyle
Center, in order to create a sense of place for the community.
The architectural character, materials, forms, decoration, accents and details are to
be familiar to the community, its heritage and the region.
It is recognized that in most instances the major anchors, minor anchors and small
tenant shops are from or associated with national chains with corporate identities
and branding, portrayed in the design of display windows, entrances, logos, signs,
color schemes and building illumination.
All building owners and tenants with leases are required to incorporate in their
building or storefront designs, materials, colors, illumination, signs and landscaping
that is compatible with the overall architectural character of the Lifestyle Center. The
"Tenant Design Criteria Manual" sets out all criteria with which tenants shall comply.
RTANnARnR
a) Building design shall incorporate variations in building height, building mass, roof
forms, roof lines, changes in wall plane and articulation of building facades.
b) Bases of walls, columns, pilasters, piers and architectural accent features at
street level shall be constructed with finish materials of brick, natural stone,
reconstructed stone or concrete masonry units with textured and pigmented face.
Use of exposed heavy timber framing and timber architectural features, common
to the region, is encouraged.
c) Exterior Insulation Finish Material — EIFS — is not permitted below a height of 50"
measured from building floor elevation.
d) Building parapets shall be constructed to conceal flat roofs and roof -mounted
mechanical equipment.
e) Consistency in architectural character, materials and details is required on all
sides of buildings visible from pedestrian walkways, parking areas and public
squares or plazas.
f) Incorporate porticos, recessed entryways, arcades, display windows, awnings
and entrance canopies to add variety, visual interest, a pedestrian scale and
cover from the elements.
g) The City of Kalispell "Architectural Design Standards" under the section "Building
Design" shall be adhered to.
h) All sections of the City of Kalispell Zoning Ordinances or Building Codes which
relate specifically to building types, building envelopes, dimensional
characteristics or materials, shall be complied with.