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Purpose
Background
Final Guidelines
Purpose
To develop citywide building design guidelines that will help to strengthen the visual identity and guide the development and redevelopment of Naperville's non-residential areas with respect to building design.
Background
As a result of rapid development activity over the past 30 years, build-out of Naperville's last remaining "greenfield" tracts is imminent; nevertheless, development remains brisk as a result of increased redevelopment and infill activity. The need for building design guidelines has become increasingly evident in order to ensure compatible, quality development and redevelopment.
In February 2005, the Naperville City Council resolved to address issues of site design and architecture during the development review and approval process. The City Council has embraced design principles and guidelines in its most recent planning documents, namely the "Building Design Guidelines" contained within the Downtown Plan (2000), the "Building Design Considerations" contained within the Southwest Community Area Plan (2002) and the Southwest Community Area Commercial Design Guidelines (2006). Additionally, the City Council has recently approved Transitional Use District Design Guidelines and the Water Street Vision Statement, which incorporates design elements to guide the of the Water Street area located just outside of Naperville's historic downtown.
The current endeavor to draft Citywide Building Design Guidelines is a component of a broader work plan adopted by the City Council in March, 2005. The document is expected to provide clear direction regarding the design and appearance of non-residential structures and to identify appropriate design criteria by which building design may be evaluated and enhanced through the architectural and development review process. Upon acceptance, the Citywide Building Design Guidelines will be incorporated by reference as a component of the city's Comprehensive Master Plan.
Input on community design preferences for the Citywide Building Design Guidelines was obtained through a stakeholders' workshop and web-based visual preference survey. The stakeholders' workshop was conducted on December 18, 2006, and included diverse participants in the development process, including attorneys, developers, architects, city staff and residents. Through discussion of specific building images there was clear feedback about acceptable design for Naperville and design that needs improvement.
An online visual preference survey was made available to city residents from December 27, 2006, to January 14, 2007. Survey respondents were asked to rate their preferences for the images with respect to various topics. The community values expressed through the survey was similar to those obtained at the stakeholders' meeting.
A second stakeholders' workshop was held on March 8, 2007, to review the preliminary draft proposed by the consultant in order to obtain early input on the direction of the document. The stakeholders' workshop highlighted areas of the document, such as submittal requirements, that require further discussion and revision.
Staff made additional revisions based on public comments received and forwarded the final draft to the Plan Commission for consideration during their July 25, August 8, and September 19, 2007 meetings. Two people spoke at these meetings. Based on the input from the two speakers as well as input from the Plan Commission, staff revised the draft document with respect to building material, visual transparency, and public spaces guidelines.
Final Guidelines
Following is a the final version of the Citywide Building Design Guidelines.
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