San Marcos Downtown Area Plan

CHAPTER 4: RECOMMENDATIONS

BUILDING FORM & INFILL DEVELOPMENT GROUND FLOOR DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS (Recommendation B.1) Ground floors should be designed to contribute to an active pedestrian realm including inviting storefronts, transparency, facade detail/visual interest, lighting, signage, art, and amenities. Downtown architectural design standards currently exist in the Development Code and Design Manual.

INVITING BUILDINGS: Successful retail environments contribute to the Downtown economy, energy, and experience. The street level design of buildings are essential to ensure a

positive retail environment. Key Design Elements:

· Improvements such as building articulation, transparency/ windows, door aesthetics, seasonal flexibility, and accessibility · Facade enhancements such as color, varied materials, lighting, awnings, historic restoration · Amenities outside the storefront such as signage, art, seating, lighting, landscaping, and outdoor displays RESIDENTIAL: Residential ground floors should provide privacy to the residents while still creating an interesting pedestrian environment in the public realm. · Entryways and windows elevated by 1/2 story · Small front porches, patios, and front lawns · Maintained landscaping · Clear and well-defined addresses for units at residential entrances · Lighting Key Design Elements:

Example photos demonstrating various building design elements

Example photos of residential ground floors with key design elements

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SAN MARCOS DOWNTOWN AREA PLAN