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Guest column

New nonresidential building standards a big plus

By DENNIS DAMATO
Published November 28, 2005

It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was being sworn in as your District 1 county commissioner. It is hard to believe that I have already completed the first year of my four-year term.

As I reflect, I am very proud of many endeavors that the County Commission has achieved. In previous months I have written about some of those accomplishments: the revised Noise Ordinance, Old Homosassa Redevelopment Overlay District and the 25-Year Transportation Master Plan, just to name a few.

I appreciate this opportunity to communicate with the citizens of District 1 on a regular basis as a way of advising and explaining programs, services and code enhancements in detail.

In June, county commissioners adopted additional standards to encourage enhanced building and site design that is attractive, pedestrian-oriented, well-landscaped, safe and efficient for all nonresidential development projects. The new design standards went into effect Oct. 10.

These standards are now included in the Citrus County Land Development Code and address building and site design for small and large nonresidential projects. The new standards are extremely important as Citrus County observes explosive growth patterns with an increase in retail projects as a result.

The goal of these new regulations is to manage growth that will strive to enhance the county's beauty rather than hinder it.

Facades, defined as fronts and sides of buildings visible to the public, are to be attractive and articulated. The design components must include one or more features such as columns, canopies, parapets, colonnades and feature color, texture and material changes as part of the building design. Entryways must be clearly defined for customers and embrace two of the following: roof treatment features, facade design components, facade detail features, or landscaped sitting areas.

The new standards also require materials that provide permanent aesthetic enhancement of the building and meet facade, entryway and roof standards. As part of the site design, all nonresidential projects are required to be pedestrian-oriented with a clear definition between vehicular areas and pedestrian walkways.

Sidewalks must be present, connecting entrances and parking lots, adjacent projects and public sidewalks. Any pedestrian amenity areas also shall have landscaped, shaded seating areas in scale with the size of the project.

The parking lot requirements have become more stringent as well. Parking spaces need to be grouped to avoid vast unbroken parking lots designed to provide safe and comfortable pedestrian flow. In the nature of providing enhanced aesthetics, additional landscaping that complements the building provides for screening and shade for the benefit of the public.

The new and improved nonresidential development standards will ensure the county's beauty is protected while still allowing for growth in a controlled and efficient manner. Initiatives such as this are what make me proud to serve as your county commissioner while we work together to make Citrus County better.

--Dennis Damato is the District 1 county commissioner. Guest columnists write their own views on subjects they choose, which do no necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.

[Last modified November 28, 2005, 01:04:15]