Town of Canton, CT Architectural Standards

These architectural standards are intended to preserve the character of Canton as permitted by C.G.S. Title 8, Chapter 124 Zoning, § 8-2j. Village districts which states in part, "(b) The regulations establishing village districts shall protect the distinctive character, landscape and historic structures within such districts and may regulate, on and after the effective date of such regulations, new construction, substantial reconstruction and rehabilitation of properties within such districts and in view from public roadways. . ."

(2)

Brick Main-type building

The architectural standards serve to establish a coherent character and encourage a high caliber, lasting quality of development that reflect and complement the traditional materials and techniques of the Canton region and Connecticut. Buildings shall be reviewed by the ZEO to verify that they meet the architectural standards (as well as the balance of this Code).

(3)

In order to establish and maintain a sense of place, these standards specify an architectural aesthetic of load-bearing walls and all building materials shall express their specific properties. For example, stronger and heavier materials (masonry) support lighter materials (wood).

§ 470-1502 General principles.

Rustic or farm-style in Harts Corner

Intent.

(1)

Architectural style is restricted to particular historical periods that work within each district - must be determined by the design architect to represent a defined style of the area."

(2)

Consistency with overall character of the subject district shall apply to all applications and the architectural standards."

(3)

Historic Greek Revival style

Each Design Village District has variations on architectural character - see building form standards - but the materials and proportions appropriate to the region, as outlined in this article, will be similar.

(4)

Commercial "franchise," "logo," or "brand name" prototype architecture is strongly discouraged.

(5)

Buildings, lot elements, fenestration, and other architectural elements shall be designed to be appropriate for the character of each design village district (at a human scale, to have good proportions and relationships within the composition of the entire building), and to relate to the size of other buildings in the surrounding area.

Equivalent or better.

(1)

While the materials, techniques, and product types prescribed here are allowed by-right, equivalent or better practices and products are encouraged. Substitutions or alternate materials, techniques, and products may be submitted to the ZEO for review.

(2)

Additional products may be added to the list through § 470-1108, Text amendment to this Code or may be allowed on a case by case basis through a departure from a design standard approved in accordance with § 470-1105.

Clearly visible from the street-space.

(1)

These standards apply in conditions where clearly visible from the street-space. These controls therefore concentrate on the views from the public space and minimize interference in the public realm.

§ 470-1503 Building walls.

Intent. Building walls fronting on or generally facing a street define the public realm - the street-space. All walls shall express the construction techniques and structural constraints of traditional, long-lasting, building materials. Simple configurations and solid craftsmanship are favored over complexity and ostentation in building form and the articulation of details, creates in the view an appreciation, evokes an emotion, and are applicable where clearly visible from the street-space.

Wood clapboard (horizontal) siding

Brick

Primary material of wood clapboard siding with secondary material cedar shingles

Stone

Implementation.

(1)

Glass curtainwall system

Primary materials. The following materials are permitted for 75% to 100% of the building wall surface area - per facade:

(a)

Clay brick or synthetic equivalent and tile masonry.

(b)

Natural stone (or synthetic equivalent).

(c)

Wood - clapboard or shingles (or equivalent)

(d)

Fiber cement siding (such as Hardie-PlankTM) equivalent or better siding.

(e)

Glass curtainwall systems (only permitted in the EGDVD).

(f)

Vertical metal siding (only permitted in HCDVD).

(g)

Composite siding (such as BoralTM equivalent or better).

(h)

Vinyl shingles on cellular or PVC clapboard.

(2)

Split-face concrete block

Secondary materials. The following materials are permitted for a maximum 10% of building wall surface area - per facade:

(a)

Pre-cast masonry (for trim and cornice elements only).

(b)

Gypsum reinforced fiber concrete (GFRC - for trim elements only).

(c)

Metal (for beams, lintels, trim elements and ornamentation only).

(d)

Molded urethane foam (such as Fypon^TM) equivalent or better (for trim elements and ornamentation only).

(e)

Split-faced block (only for piers, foundation walls and chimneys).

(f)

Glass block (only permitted in the EGDVD).

(g)

EFIS.

(h)

PVC trim.

(i)

Vertical siding permitted as a secondary treatment.

(3)

Projections.

(a)

Stoop

Only porches (between eight feet and 10 feet deep with a width not less than 1/3rd of the facade), overhanging eaves, awnings, storefronts, bay windows, stoops (not more than five feet deep and eight feet wide not including steps), steps, balconies, or handicapped ramps approved by the ZEO may project beyond the BTL.

(b)

Awnings shall maintain a clear height of at least eight feet.

(c)

Awnings may have supporting columns/posts at their outer edge provided that a minimum of eight feet clear width is maintained between columns, there is a minimum of 24 inches between the columns/posts and the back of curb, and a clear walkway of five feet minimum occurs adjacent and parallel to the awning columns/posts. A minimum eight feet clear height is required.

(d)

Balconies and stoops shall not project within five feet of a common lot line.

(e)

Covered sidewalks or arcades shall have a minimum clear height of nine feet (signage or lighting permitted to nine feet clear) and a minimum clear width from BTL to inside column face of 10 feet. The area shall include a minimum five feet of clear walkway.

(f)

All improvements must comply with the American with Disabilities Act.

(4)

Configurations and techniques. The following configurations and techniques are permitted.

(a)

Walls.

[1]

Building walls visible from the street have windows and doors per § 470-1506.

[2]

Fenestration and wall openings shall not span vertically more than one story.

[3]

Fenestration shall correspond to interior space and may not span across building structure, such as the ceiling to floor above thickness required for structure and mechanical systems.

[4]

Material changes shall be made with construction details typical for each abutting material - as where an addition (of a different material) is built onto the original building.

(b)

Wood siding and wood simulation materials.

[1]

Siding shall be in a lap (horizontal or shingle) configuration. East Gateway and Harts Corner Design Village Districts may use vertical siding.

[2]

Siding shall be smooth or rough-sawn finish.

(c)

Brick, block, and stone.

[1]

All masonry shall be detailed in load-bearing configurations - lighter weight material on top e.g., wood siding over masonry base.

[2]

Please refer to § 475-1204C(2), Blocks.

(d)

Finish coat siding shall be in a lap same as wood.

Lap wood siding
Loading-bearing configuration	Projecting awnings	Glass block in transom of storefront

§ 470-1504 Roofs and parapets.

Dormer in asphalt shingle roof

Intent. Roofs and parapets shall demonstrate recognition of the climate by utilizing appropriate pitch, drainage, and materials in order to provide visual coherence to the district and are applicable where clearly visible from the street-space.

(1)

The roof type is integral to the design of the building and its architectural character.

(2)

The roof design shall help maintain the balance, setbacks and visual lines of the street-space.

(3)

Roof types, excluding flat roofs, shall have overhanging eves such as gabled or hipped roofs.

(4)

Parapets are low guarding walls at the edge of roofs (usually flat) and are formed by extensions of the building facades.

(5)

Cornices are crowning (trim) projections on a parapet wall. While this Code requires certain horizontal dimensions, these elements shall be designed for the architectural style of the building and proportionate for the dimensions of the facade.

Eaves - projecting from the gable end of the building form - with decorative trim	Projecting cornice at parapet
	Standing seam material with snow guards

Implementation.

(1)

Materials. Only the following materials are permitted:

(a)

Clay or concrete (faux clay).

(b)

Tile (beavertail or flat roman).

(c)

Slate (or equivalent synthetic or better).

(d)

Metal (standing seam shingles, equivalent or better).

(e)

Cedar shingles.

(f)

Membrane materials meeting state building code for flat roofs.

(g)

Asphalt shingles in the slate architectural or shale style.

(h)

Cornices and soffits may be a combination of wood, vinyl, and/or metal.

(i)

Gutters and Downspouts may be wood, PVC, vinyl, and/or metal.

(2)

Configurations and techniques.

(a)

Parapet roofs are allowed on main, main storefront, and Town BFS where the roof material is not visible from any adjacent street-space.

(b)

Pitched roofs (exclusive of roofs behind parapet walls) are allowed on all building form standards:

[1]

Simple hip, gable roofs, and dog house dormers, shall be symmetrically pitched between 5:12 and 18:12.

[2]

Shed roofs, attached to the main structure, shall be pitched between 3:12 and 8:12.

[3]

Dog house dormers pitched in-between.

(3)

Overhang requirements.

(a)

Eaves shall overhang six to 30 inches on the primary structure.

(b)

Eaves and rakes on accessory buildings, dormers, other similar structures and accessory features may, but are not required to, overhang between zero to 12 inches.

(c)

Timber eaves and balcony brackets shall be a minimum of four inches by four inches in dimension.

(4)

Cornices and other features.

(a)

Buildings without visible roof surfaces and overhanging eaves shall satisfy the overhang requirement with a cornice or similar form projecting from the top of the building wall horizontally between six and 12 inches beyond the building walls on the primary structure.

(b)

Skylights and roof vents are permitted only on the roof plane opposite the street-space (or BTL), when perpendicular to the street-space or when shielded from street-space view by the building's parapet wall.

§ 470-1505 Street walls.

Intent.

(1)

The public space in part is physically defined by buildings, walls, embankments, or fences. Land should be clearly public or private - in public view and under surveillance or private and protected.

(2)

Street walls establish a clear edge to the street-space where there are no buildings. These requirements include masonry walls, wooden fences, or planted hedges that define outdoor spaces and separate the street- space from the private realm (e.g., parking lots, trash cans, gardens, and equipment). All street walls shall be as carefully designed as the building facade, with the finished side out (i.e., the "better" side facing the street-space).

(3)

Planted landscape screening shall be equally effective throughout the year.

Wood fence

Implementation.

(1)

Materials. The following materials are permitted:

(a)

Native/regional stone and equivalent imitation stone.

(b)

Metal (wrought iron, welded steel and/or electro-statically plated black aluminum) - may be used for gates.

(c)

Metal work may additionally be treated to imitate a copper patina (aged green finish).

(d)

Stone all with iron railing

Brick.

(e)

Stucco on concrete block or poured concrete (only when a brick or stone coping on top of the wall is provided).

(f)

A combination of materials (e.g. stone piers with brick infill panels).

(g)

Wood (picket fence, no split rails).

(h)

Hedges.

(i)

Continuous row of densely planted shrubs.

(j)

Composite or cellular PVC.

(2)

Configurations and techniques.

(a)

Street walls along any unbuilt BTL, or forward line (PSL) of a build-to zone, shall be built to the height and length specified in the building form standards, § 470-1302C(3).

(b)

Copings shall project between one and four inches from the face of the street wall. Street walls taller than four feet shall be subject to the fenestration requirements of § 470-1506B.

Hedges and dense plantings

Planted embankment and grade change

§ 470-1506 Windows and doors.

Main entrance door with sidelights and a covered stoop

Intent. The placement, type, and size of windows and doors on the facade largely establish the scale and vitality of the street-space. The types and numbers of windows (divided by multiple panes of glass) and doors that define the facade and maintain a design and spacing of the fenestration along the street-space appropriate for the character description of the district. For commercial buildings, windows and doors allow interplay between the shop interiors and the street-space. Restaurants and retail establishments benefit from exposure to the passers-by and the street-space benefits from the visual activity. For residences, windows form the "eyes on the street" surveillance, which provides for the security and safety for the area.

Implementation.

(1)

Minimum fenestration requirement:

(a)

Store front: 50% to 90%.

(b)

Ground floor: 35% to 70%.

(c)

Upper story: 20% to 70% (not required for existing facade walls in the East Gateway greater than 24 feet in height, measured to the bottom of the roof soffit or equivalent feature where no roof soffit exists).

(2)

Materials.

(a)

Window frames shall be of metal, wood, clad wood, vinyl, steel or fiberglass.

(b)

Window glass shall be clear, with light transmission at least 72%.

(c)

Untinted Low-E coatings are permitted.

(d)

Nontransparent specialty windows, such as round or oval or hexagonal, limited to one per facade, may utilize stained or opalescent glass or other material approved by the ZEO.

(e)

Window screen frames shall match the window frame material, or be dark in color (anodized or painted).

(f)

Doors shall be of wood, clad wood or metal and may include glass panes or fiberglass.

(g)

Shutter materials shall be painted wood, clad wood, composite or cellular PVC.

Storefront

12-over-12 divided lights

(3)

Configurations and techniques.

(a)

All windows.

[1]

The horizontal dimension of the pane shall not exceed the vertical dimension except where otherwise prescribed in this Code (no more squat than square), excluding transom and auxiliary windows.

[2]

Windows may be ganged horizontally if each grouping (maximum five per group) is separated by a mullion, column, pier or wall section that is at least four inches wide.

[3]

No ground floor window may face or direct views toward a common lot line within 10 feet unless:

[a]

That view is contained within the lot (e.g., by a privacy fence/street wall); or

[b]

The sill is at least six feet above the finished floor level.

[4]

Double-hung with storm windows

Bay windows shall not project more than 36 inches beyond the BTL; must have a five-foot clear walkway; shall have a minimum interior clear width at the facade of four feet; walls and windows shall be between 90° (perpendicular) and 0° (parallel) relative to the primary building wall from which they project.

[5]

Exterior shutters, if applied, shall be sized the full height and 1/2 the width of the window opening and mounted at the edge of the window opening, over the trim if it exists, even if inoperable.

[6]

§ 470-1506B(3)(a)[6]

Windows with multiple panes shall represent divided lites or simulated true, profited or grill in between the glass. Removable muntins or grills are allowed.

(b)

Upper-story windows.

[1]

Windows shall be double-hung, single-hung, awning, or casement windows.

[2]

Fixed windows are permitted only as a component of a system including operable windows within a single wall opening. Per § 470-1303, in the East Gateway, upper story windows are not required to be operable if the upper story is accomplished through the provision of unoccupied/unfinished interior space, facade elements, and other architectural features allowed in that district.

[3]

Residential buildings/floors: panes of glass no larger than 36 inches vertical by 30 inches horizontal.

[4]

The maximum pane size for office uses is 48 inches vertical by 42 inches horizontal.

[5]

Egress windows shall be installed according to the appropriate building code.

[6]

§ 470-1506B(3)(b)[6]

On the BTL side of the roof-pitch, attic stories may have windows only via dormers and windows in gable-ends.

(c)

Storefront windows.

[1]

Single panes of glass shall not be permitted larger than eight feet in height.

[2]

Ground story windows shall not be made opaque by window treatments (excepting operable sunscreen devices within the conditioned space). (See § 470-1507, Signage.)

[3]

A minimum of 75% of the window surface shall allow a view into the building.

[4]

Storefronts may extend up to 24 inches beyond the facade or BTL into the street-space.

(d)

Doors.

[1]

At least one functioning entry door shall be provided along each ground story facade at intervals not greater than 60 feet, and must be utilized as an entrance. (This requirement shall be satisfied for large footprint uses, such as groceries and street front parking garages, through the use of liner shops.)

[2]

Double-height entryways (those that span more than one story) shall not be permitted.

[3]

A door shall not be recessed more than three feet behind its facade or storefront and, in any case, shall have a clear view and path to a 45° angle past the perpendicular from each side of the door.

§ 470-1506B(3)(c)[3]	§ 470-1506B(3)(d)[3]
	§ 470-1506B(3)(c)[1]

§ 470-1507 Signage.

Painted within ground floor windows

Intent.

(1)

See Zoning Regulations § 470-703, Signage.

(2)

Signs along commercial frontages should be clear, informative to the public, and durable.

(3)

Signs in the Collinsville Village Design Village District are subject to review by the Collinsville Historic Commission and should be scaled and detailed for this mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented area and not for high speed automobile traffic.

(4)

Signage that is glaring or too large creates distraction, lessens the urban experience, and creates visual clutter.

(5)

These standards may be supplemented by a coordinated sign theme approved under § 470-703G of the Zoning Regulations.

(6)

A change in signage does not constitute a change in facade area calculated under § 470-1104B.

Wall sign within area between ceiling of ground floor and second story sill	Company logo
	Wall sign lighting

Implementation.

(1)

General design and materials.

(a)

Wall signs are permitted within the area between the second story window sill line and the first floor ceiling, within a horizontal band not to exceed three feet in height. This band shall be no higher than 24 feet or lower than 12 feet above the adjacent sidewalk.

(b)

Letters shall not exceed 24 inches in height or width and three inches in relief. Signs shall not come closer than two feet to an adjacent common lot line.

(c)

Company logos may be placed within the horizontal sign band or placed or painted within ground story windows.

(d)

A single masonry or bronze plaque bearing an owner's or building's name may be placed in the building's cornice/parapet wall or under the eaves, and above the upper story windows. Any such plaque shall be no larger than a rectangle of 18 square feet in size. Company logos or names in this position shall not be larger than a rectangle of eight square feet in size.

(e)

Blade signs (not more than four square feet with a minimum eight feet clear height above the sidewalk) may be hung within the permitted wall sign area, perpendicular to the BTL or from a ground story overhang or awning.

(f)

Prohibited signs: billboards, freestanding pole signs, marquees, any kind of animation, and roof signs (except for Canton Village Design Village District) are prohibited.

(g)

Monument signs are prohibited in Canton Village and Collinsville Design Village Districts.

(h)

Internally lit signs are permitted in Canton Village, East Gateway or Harts Corner Design Village Districts only. See Zoning Regulations § 470-703, Signage for details.

(i)

Signs painted directly on facades are prohibited (excepting those existing prior to January 2015).

(2)

Awnings/sidewalk overhangs.

(a)

See § 470-1503B(3) for dimensional restrictions.

(b)

Only the following materials are permitted: canvas or equivalent (no shiny or reflective fabric/material), metal, or glass.

(c)

Lettering on awnings shall be limited to nine inches in height on the vertical face of the curb side of the awning.

Blade sign perpendicular to building

Awning with lettering

No suburban monument signs

§ 470-1508 Lighting and mechanical equipment.

Pedestrian-scaled street lamps

Intent.

(1)

Appropriate lighting is desirable for nighttime visibility, crime deterrence, and decoration. However, lighting that is too bright or intense creates glare, hinders night vision, and creates light pollution. Every attempt should be made to preserve the ambiance of the night by applying the appropriate fixtures in the correct locations - street lights are pedestrian - scaled and should occur along all streets but "cobra-head" highway fixtures should only occur at intersections if absolutely necessary. All materials and equipment chosen for lighting fixtures should be durable to age well without demanding maintenance requirements.

(2)

Mechanical equipment is generally any Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) or electrical machinery but also includes air compressors, hoods, mechanical pumps, exterior water heaters, water softeners, utility and telephone company transformers, meters or boxes, garbage cans, storage tanks, and similar elements. These elements shall not be located in any public visible areas or be visible from the public street. Mechanical equipment should not detract or interfere with the pedestrian space or block the sight triangle.

(3)

The illustrations below are examples of mechanical equipment arrangements that are only acceptable away from and/or not visible from a street-space (e.g. within an alley or hidden from view).

No highway fixtures (except Route 44)

No electrical equipment on front facade

No unscreened dumpsters

Implementation.

(1)

Stormwater management.

(a)

See Zoning Regulations § 470-713, Stormwater management.

(2)

Lighting.

(a)

See Zoning Regulations § 470-704, Outdoor lighting.

(b)

Lighting standards should be developed to meet the minimum standards of the Illumination Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), with the design criteria giving equal weight to the lighting of the pedestrian areas and the automobile areas.

(c)

Streetlights shall be located and specified per § 470-1404C, Streetscape elements.

(d)

When mounted to the front of the building, exterior lights shall be located between six feet and 15 feet above the adjacent grade.

(e)

Lighting elements shall be specified to include LED, metal halide, or halogen elements with a spectrum of light in the daylight range. Low-pressure sodium lamps are prohibited. High-intensity discharge (HID) or fluorescent lights (excepting compact fluorescent bulbs that screw into standard sockets) shall not be used on the exterior of buildings. These standards may be updated as technologies advance and produce additional equivalent or better elements.

(f)

Floodlights or directional lights (maximum 100-watt bulbs) may be used to illuminate alleys, common access easements, parking garages and working (maintenance) areas, but shall be fully shielded.

(g)

Lighting for parking garages shall consider general crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) intent and guidelines.

(h)

Flood or uplighting may not be used to illuminate private building walls. Accent lighting may be permitted on civic use buildings, historic or locally significant buildings, or monuments to highlight architectural features (such as church steeples or courthouse domes).

(i)

Site lighting shall be of a design similar to and a height no taller than the streetlights and be located so as to illuminate only the lot - shielded or aimed in such a way that they do not shine into other lots or the street-space. An exterior lighting plan may be required and be approved as consistent with these standards by the ZEO.

(j)