Neighborhood District Draft Design Guidelines 5V. Article V. Residential Town Home Design Guidelines
The Residential Town Home areas within Glacier Town Center Neighborhood District are
intended to provide a diverse housing opportunity for the local and second-homebuyer
market.
The Design Guidelines set forth in this section will govern the review and approval by the
DRC. Any drawings accompanying guidelines are illustrative only, and are intended to
provide direction and interpretation of the related guideline.
Each Residential Town Home lot shall have only one housing unit. Each of two lots shall
have a pair of townhouse units side -by -side. The Residential Town Homes shall only be
sold in these side -by -side pairs. In addition to the guidelines described here, the following
documents apply to all developments in the Residential Town Home areas:
a. City of Kalispell Zoning Ordinance
b. Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Glacier Town Center
Neighborhood District
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Kalispell, Montana Residential Town Home Design Guidelines
A. Section 1. Residential Town Home Site Design
1. Building Setbacks/Building Envelope
a. All Residential Town Home units shall be one of two attached units. These units will
be presented in side -by -side pairs only, and shall be sold in these pairs only. Each
such unit shall be located on one lot.
b. The setbacks for all Residential Town Home developments shall be as follows:
1) Front Yard: Fifteen (15) feet
2) Side Yard: Five (5) feet
3) Rear Yard: Ten (10) feet
4) Shared Side Yard: Zero (0) feet
5) Side Corner Yard: Fifteen (15) feet
6) Garage: Twenty (20) feet from the front property line
c. Outdoor storage of equipment or RV's is prohibited within the front yard setback of
any residential lot.
d. The principal structures on the site shall be the dominant elements on site. All
accessory structures shall be subordinate in size to the principal structures.
e. Building massing and scale should be responsive to the site, including views, terrain,
visibility of site and existing vegetation.
f. Dog kennels shall be screened from view.
g. Buildings should be sited and landscaped so as to minimize the impact on
neighboring lots, especially visual impacts.
2. Signs
Signs provide a strong visual connection with the community, and provide information
about the activities in the development. S'igns should enqage and complement the
design of the neighborhood. The signage guidelines allow for signs that reflect the
quality of Glacier Town Center Neighborhood District and that complement the rural
Kalispell farmland surrounding it. Signs in the residential areas are intended to be
limited in extent and size, so as not to detract from the overall agrarian ambience. The
Master Developer shall provide Subdivision Entry and Street Identification signs to be
maintained by the P.O.A..
a. Design Review: There shall be no official review of designs for signs to be located
within Residential Town Home lots. The DRC reserves the right to enter onto a
property or lot to inspect for compliance with the Signage Guidelines. The P.O.A.
shall monitor sign usage, however, and require removal of non -complying signs.
b. Since the signs associated with Residential Town Homes are limited in scope and
application, the material and design options are limited to the following:
1) Signs shall be constructed of high quality, durable materials such as stone,
metal, and wood.
2) Painted surfaces shall be minimal and well maintained for the duration of the
sign.
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Residential Town Home Design Guidelines
3) Colors shall be muted and complement the building design; bright colors may be
used only for accent features.
4) Sign illumination: Reference lighting guidelines.
c. Allowable Signs: Only the signs identified below are allowable on individual lots.
These provisions are exclusive of street identification signs as described in the
General Design Guidelines.
d. Address signs are required for all residential property within Glacier Town Center
Neighborhood District, and shall comply with the following:
1) Address signs shall have four -inch tall numbers in a legible typeface, designed to
be visible at night.
2) Such signs shall be no larger than two square feet, and shall not be mounted on
a base.
3) Address signs shall include the street number, and may'include the street name
as well.
4) An address identification sign may be incorporated into the street facade of the
residence.
5) Such signs may not incorporate identification of a home business.
e. Campaign and election signs, with the following provisions:
1) Campaign and election signs shall be located on private property.
2) Such signs shall not be larger than nine square feet.
3) Such signs shall not be installed prior to 15 calendar days before an election.
4) Such signs shall be removed within 15 calendar days of an election.
f. Portable yard signs, with the following provisions:
1) Portable yard signs can be used for events such as open houses and garage
sales.
2) Portable yard signs can be no more than nine square feet in area.
3) Yard signs may not be in place for more than three calendar days.
4) The yard sign must be located within the property boundary where the event is
occurring.
3. Driveways and Parking
a. All required parking shall be within the lot boundary, and shall not encroach on public
or private right-of-ways.
b. The minimum length of a driveway is 40 feet between the garage face and the
building side of the sidewalk.
c. Driveways shall not be wider than 12 feet.
d. An eight -foot landscape island shall divide adjacent driveways-
e. Access drives, driveways, and parking surfaces should be constructed of paving
units, asphalt or concrete.
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Kalispell, Montana Residential Town Home Design Guidelines
f. Locking garages for each unit are encouraged.
g. One (1) visitor parking space should be included on the lot.
4. Grading and Drainage
a. All lots within Glacier Town Center Neighborhood District shall discharge excessive
stormwater into the streets.
b. Surface drainage shall not be directed onto adjacent properties.
5. Utilities
a. All utilities shall be located underground or behind screened areas.
b. All electrical conduits for right-of-way landscaping, lighting, and s'ignage shall be
provided and installed by the project developer.
c. Each lot owner shall assume the burden and expense of supplying electricity,
telephone, cable facilities, water service, sewers, or other utilities for the lot's use.
d. The developer will install the main electrical and telephone lines, underground, along
the existing easements near each lot. The lot owner shall pay the cost of placing the
utilities underground to connect to the main line.
e. The developer will install the water and sewer lines up to the building.
6. Fences
a. Visible fencing is prohibited in the Neighborhood District of the Glacier Town Center.
7. Trash Containers and Enclosures
a. All Residential Town Home shall provide individual trash containers that meet local
collection standards.
b. Portable or individual trash containers should be stored in a shed or in the garage
8. Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs and Tennis Courts
a. Swimming pools are not permitted in Residential Town Home areas.
b. Tennis courts are not permitted in Residential Town Home areas.
c. Residential Town Home units may have one hot tub per lot, located at the rear of the
building.
d. All hot tubs shall be constructed according to industry or manufacturer standards as
well as International Building Code.
e. Hot tubs may be in -ground or above ground. If hot tubs are above ground, all
necessary mechanical equipment and support structures shall be screened from
view.
9. Recreational Equipment
a. Recreational equipment shall be setback from the rear property lines at least ten (10)
feet.
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Residential Town Home Design Guidelines
b. Any lots with play or recreational equipment in the rear yard shall screen this
from adjacent properties bv means of landscape plantings that are at least six
feet in height.
c. Individual homeowners within the Residential Town Home development may
or construct freestanding or anchored play equipment in their rear yards on
property.
10. Firewood
use
(6)
install
their
a. Residences in Residential Town Home areas shall store firewood on the individual
lots.
b. Firewood storage areas shall be constructed or situated taking into consideration
local governing fire code or restrictions.
c. Brightly colored tarps shall not be used to cover firewood.
d. The Kalispell Fire Department may be contacted regarding local fire codes or
restrictions.
e. All firewood storage areas shall be concealed from adjacent properties or land uses
by means of a fence, enclosure, or landscape plantings.
11. Dog Kennels
a. Dog kennels are permitted within the rear or side yards only.
b. Dog kennels shall not be located in the front yard of any residential lot.
c. All dog kennels or dog runs are subject to the review and approval of DRC.
d. Dog kennels should be constructed of durable materials, such as heavy gage steel
with wire grid.
e. Kennels should be placed in an inconspicuous area away from the direct view of
adjacent lots and primary roads.
f. Screening is required for all dog kennels.
12. Outdoor Storage
a. Outdoor storage is prohibited, except for stacked firewood.
barbecues and outdoor furniture stored or used on decks and
are not considered " outdoor storage."
b. Outdoor storage of recreational vehicles (RV's), trailers
They must be stored in garages or other buildings.
c. Provide adequate storage space in residences or garages.
d. Separate storage structures or sheds are not permitted.
B. Section 2. Residential Town Home Landscape Design
1. Lot Landscaping
Items such as bikes,
in side or rear yards
and boats are prohibited.
a. All Residential Town Home lots shall be planted with at least one (1) large,
deciduous canopy tree per lot.
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Kalispell, Montana Residential Town Home Design Guidelines
b. All Residential Town Home lots shall be planted with at least one large, coniferous
tree per lot.
c. All Residential Town Home lots shall be planted with at least two (2) small,
ornamental trees per lot.
d. All Residential Town Home lots shall install and maintain at least 20% of the lot as
landscaped (either native or ornamental) area.
e. Definitions of plant material sizes are located in Chapter IV, section on "Plant Sizes."
f. Foundation plantings shall be used to conceal foundations, mechanical equipment,
play equipment, firewood storage or other undesirable views onto the property.
g. Respect views from neighboring lots.
h. Be aware that fruit -bearing trees may attract wildlife in the fall and that these animals
may damage these trees. Fruit -bearing trees should not be planted near walkways
or trail corridors due to dropping debris.
i. Street tree spacing may be adjusted by the DRC at the time of installation to respond
to driveway locations.
J. Fences and privacy berms are strongly discouraged. Vegetative hedges are
preferred.
k. If used, berms should be contoured to look as natural as possible and they should be
planted.
2. Lawn Areas
a. Lawn areas shall be mowed to maintain attractive leaf blade lengths throughout the
growing season.
b. Lawns should be watered adequately to prevent sun scorching or dying off of large
expanses of grass.
c. Irrigation of lawns should be adjusted to maintain a healthy lawn and conserve water
during these times.
3. Irrigation
a. All residential lots within Glacier Town Center Neighborhood District shall be irrigated
with an automatic irrigation system.
b. Landscape designs shall take into consideration conservation of water during
irrigation and design systems to use water as efficiently as possible.
4. Maintenance of Landscaping
a. These landscaped areas shall be maintained in a good condition throughout the
year.
b. If fencing or netting is required in the fall to protect against animal damage, it should
be installed on October 1st and removed on May 1st of every year.
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Kalispell, Montana Residential Town Home Design Guidelines
5. Foundation Plantings
a. Foundation plantings are required in order to conceal foundations, mechanical
equipment, play equipment, firewood storage or other undesirable views onto the
property.
C. Section 3. Residential Town Home Building Design
The guidelines which follow are in addition to the General Building Guidelines discussed
above. The guidelines are intended to facilitate design which adapts well to the overall vision
of Glacier Town Center Neighborhood District townhouse community while encouraging
designs which uniquely reflect the user and designer.
1. Maximum Building Footprints & Minimum Floor Areas
a. Each Residential Town Home in Glacier Town Center Neighborhood District shall
comply with the following:
1) Maximum building footprint: 1,800 square feet (excluding exterior parking
spaces, garages, carports, porches, and decks):
a) Ground level, walk -out portions of basements shall be included in maximum
floor area calculations.
b. Maximum Lot Coverage The maximum allowable coverage of any lot by any built
surface (driveway, garage, primary residence, auxiliary structure, decking, etc.) shall
be no greater than 45% of the lot including said setbacks.
c. Maximum Building Height: The maximum allowable building height is 35' (thirty-five
feet) from the natural, established ground surface to the highest point on the roof or
parapet wall.
2. Pre -Fabricated Architectural Components
Manufactured homes, as defined by the Kalispell Zoning Ordinance are not permitted at
Glacier Town Center Neighborhood District. Pre -fabricated architectural components
are permitted, provided that they are of high -quality materials, detailing, and finishes.
They must comply with the Kalispell Zoning Ordinance and all the Design Guidelines
stated herein.
3. Porches/Decks/Terraces
Front porches are encouraged, as they stimulate neighborhood interaction while
providing a safe transition zone between the private residence and the outside world.
Porches also contribute to variation in the building mass and provide a welcoming entry
to the home.
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Kalispell, Montana Residential Town Home Design Guidelines
a. Front porches shall be sufficiently sized to accommodate seating. In most cases,
porches should be at least five feet in depth to allow adequate room for furniture.
b. Front porches shall have full roof coverage, to provide protection from the elements
and for more direct incorporation association with the house.
c. Front porches shall have railings.
d. Front porches should be open (i.e. not enclosed with wood, glass, or other
materials).
e. Porches may be screened if the support is visually minimized and the screening is
placed behind the columns or railings.
Rear porches, decks, and terraces are
permitted. They can provide a natural
transition from the home to the site.
These are typically considered to belong
more to the private zone of the dwelling
and are often less formal and more
utilitarian than front porches.
a. Rear decks are not required to have
roof coverage.
b. Rear decks and porches shall have
railings as required by code.
2. Balconies
w=_
a. Balconies create an extension of the living space and a comfortable connection to
the outdoors.
b. Balconies shall be integrated into the overall building design.
cm
e.
baiconies snail nave a soiia Tloor maieriai ana iniernai arain or aired run-oTT away
from the building. If the latter, balcony shall not be located over an occupied area.
Balconies shall have railings as
required by code.
Balconies shall be open (i.e. no solid
enclosures will be permitted).
3. Entries
A home's entry is a major component of
the overall design and conveys much
about the owner. Careful, integrated
design is essential in the expression of
the individual within this complex
community. See Openings -Windows
and Doors for further elaboration on entry
doors.
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Kalispell, Montana Residential Town Home Design Guidelines
a. Entries shall be treated as a transition from exterior to interior space.
b. Entries shall be celebrated as a design element through the incorporation of
overhead elements, porches, and lighting.
4. Exterior Materials
The exterior materials of a building represent more than a skin applied to a shell - they
represent the building construction method, the nature of the material itself, and
contribute to the overall design and energy efficiency of the building.
a. The following general practices apply:
1) Energy efficiency and sustainable practices shall be considered during the
design process.
2) Synthetic materials that attempt to simulate the appearance of natural materials
shall not be permitted unless detailed to emulate the natural material.
3) Where there are changes in material, they shall occur at changes in plane. This
practice contributes to a more substantial and integral appearance.
4) Masonry shall only be installed in bond patterns that imply non -veneer, solid
masonry construction.
5) Contrast in material textures shall be integrated into the design.
6) Colors of primary components shall be muted and of low gloss.
7) Colors of accent components can be more dynamic and of higher gloss.
b. Walls: The materials noted below apply to cladding and trim components:
1) The following wall surface materials shall be permitted:
a) Corrugated metal or sheet metal.
b) Poured concrete.
c)
d)
e)
f)
9)
h)
i)
Stone and cast stone.
Split -face and ground -face concrete block.
Brick of standard modular units.
Wood, including siding,
Cementitious siding.
Stucco.
panels, shingles, and clapboards.
Steel used as an honest expression of support, such as for support braces
and for trellises.
2) The following wall surface materials shall not be permitted:
a) Vinyl, steel, and aluminum siding.
b) EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems like Dryvit Systems, Inc.).
c) T-1 11 wood siding.
d) Jumbo brick (as defined earlier).
e) Utilitarian, unfinished concrete block.
c. Chimneys: Exposed chimneys shall be clad with brick, stone, stucco, or concrete.
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Residential Town Home Design Guidelines
d - Roofs:
Roof shapes and materials have a
primary visual impact on the
appearance of a building. Their
design should be treated as an
integral component (essentially the
fifth elevation) of a building.
1) The following design parameters
shall be followed:
a) A variety of roof forms and the
interaction between them
(such as cross -gable roofs
anri rinrmarc) iQ anrni iranari f =_� ` _ _- - -- - '. _ _ _ .•
b)
C)
as a means of breaking up the "
roof expanse and relating to the building forms below.
Roofs should be pitched and overhang the outside wall
feet is preferable). Rakes shall overhang the outside
inches.
Extended rafter tails, brackets, and exposed supports.
at least one foot (two
wall no more than six
2) The following are the only allowable roof shapes:
a) Flat Roof (if concealed by a parapet, railing, or decking material)
b) Gable Roof
c) Shed Roof
3) The following roofing materials
shall be permitted:
a)
Standing seam metal roofing.
b)
Flat seam metal roofing.
c)
Architectural asphalt shingles.
d)
Plain asphalt shingles.
e)
Wood shingles and shakes
(and concrete substitutes).
f)
Flat rubber roofing can be
used if it is concealed by a
parapet, railing, or decking
material.
g)
Photovoltaic integrated roofing
systems.
4) The following roofing materials shall not be permitted:
a) Exposed fastener metal roofs.
b) Metal shingles.
c) Clay tile.
d) Wood batten roofing.
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Residential Town Home Design Guidelines
e.
fm
e) Slate roofing.
f) Flat rubber roofing where covering more than 25% of the building's roof area.
Roof Accessories:
The appearance of swell-designed home with an interesting roof can be detracted
by roof accessories. When considered as part of the design process, roof
accessories can complement the roof design.
1) The following materials shall be permitted:
a) Flat, sloped skylights.
b) Low -profile light domes.
c) Vents that are incorporated into the
component of the roofing material.
ridges and hips, or are an integral
2) The following materials shall not be permitted:
a) Mushroom style vents.
b) Bubble -type skylights on exposed surfaces.
c) Traditional PV modules that are mounted above the roof on racks.
d) Mechanical equipment mounted above the roof.
Openings — Windows and Doors:
Windows and doors are essential
components of a home. They fulfill
necessary functional requirements
such as natural illumination and
ventilation, entry, and connection
between building interior and
exterior. They also form an `� s
important role i n enerav
consumption and efficiency,
Darticularlv in this environment. In �-�r� •���
addition, the detailing and window
treatment relate directly to the �
overall aesthetics of the home. Placement,
considered throughout the design process.
material, and size shall be carefully
1) The following general guidelines apply:
a) Windows shall be sized and configured to provide adequate natural
illumination in the building.
b) The scale and locations of openings shall be consistent with the overall
facade and building design.
c) The size, location, and wall placement of openings shall be in accord with the
perceived structure of the building (i.e. windows and doors will be recessed
from, rather than flush with, the facade).
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Kalispell, Montana Residential Town Home Design Guidelines
2)
The following materials shall be
permitted:
a) Wood windows and doors.
b) Aluminum -clad windows.
h) Glass block that is detailed
like the masonry component it
is and appears to be properly supported.
3) The following materials shall not be permitted:
a) Glass block that does not reflect it as a masonry construction.
b) Sliding glass doors at main front entry.
c) Doors or windows with reflective glass, or glass tinted other than those tints
permitted above.
5. Garages
The placement and design of garages has a profound impact on the image of a home,
particularly in the side -by -side townhouses. It is important that each townhouse read as
the primary component of that lot; that the townhouse not be overpowered by the
presence of the garage. Each garage is intended to be an ancillary structure to each
townhouse. The garage shall be designed to be read as a secondary component of the
composition. This will require integration of the garage design during the early design of
the townhouses and the site.
a. The following general guidelines apply to garages:
1) Each townhouse that doesn't have alley access shall have an attached single -car
garage.
2) Garage design shall be consistent with the house design in material, general
massing, roofing, and color.
3) Garages shall be enclosed and roofed. They shall have three solid walls, and
openings as required in the fourth wall.
4) Garage doors should not be the primary visual focus on the front elevation of any
building.
b. The following guidelines apply to doors in garages:
1) Garage doors:
a) The use of insulated doors and those that comply with sustainability
guidelines is encouraged.
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Residential Town Home Design Guidelines
b) The use of wood or painted metal doors is encouraged.
c) Doors should appear to be recessed behind the wall, rather than flush with
the exterior wall.
d) The design of the door should be compatible with those of the house.
c. Entry doors: See guidelines for Openings — Windows and Doors above.
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Kalispell, Montana Residential Town Home Design Guidelines