Appendix 6. Site Improvement Design Guidelines.  


Latest version.
  • (a)

    Paving Materials. Paving materials recommended for pedestrian surfaces are listed below. In general, a maximum of two materials should be combined in a single application:

    (1)

    Stone such as slate or granite.

    (2)

    Brick.

    (3)

    Concrete unit pavers.

    (4)

    Poured-in-place concrete with any of the following treatments: integral pigment color; special aggregate; special scoring pattern; ornamental insets, such as tile. All concrete walks should be tinted to reduce glare.

    (b)

    Walls, Fences, and Piers. Walls, fences, and piers should be used to define public and private spaces and screen parking areas.

    (1)

    Design. Walls, fences, and piers should be designed to reflect the architectural style and materials of the principal building(s).

    a.

    Along streets and walks walls and fences should be low and open to maintain an open character and retain visibility. Maximum height for wall and fence panels should be 42 inches. Maximum height for columns and piers should be 54 inches, excluding luminaires, signs, and other appurtenances.

    b.

    Fences and wall panels should be divided into regular modules that relate to the architectural module of the principal building(s).

    c.

    A combination of thick and thin structural elements - should be used, with thicker elements for supports and/or panel divisions. Fence posts and/or support columns may be built up with additional trim, cornices, and/or moldings for this purpose.

    d.

    Walls and piers should have a base and coping. See wall and fence composition diagram.

    e.

    Piers - A row of freestanding piers can be effective as an open screen between parking areas and streets or walks. A continuous chain or open metal fence attached between piers can be an attractive device for creating a stronger separation.

    1.

    Spacing: no more than ten feet on center.

    2.

    Thickness: at least 18 inches per side or diameter.

    3.

    Height: at least 36 inches and no taller than 54 inches.

    f.

    Riverfront flood walls and retaining walls are highly visible from the Esplanade, Truckee River Bridges, and adjacent buildings. They should be designed as attractive architectural elements. Traditional approaches to detailing should be employed to reflect the design of the Riverfront's attractive older buildings and flood walls; e.g. wall segments should be divided into panels by regularly spaced pilasters and base and top/cornice panels.

    (2)

    Materials. Materials should be the same as or compatible with those of the principal building(s). Support post or pier materials may differ from fence materials; e.g. metal fence panels combined with masonry piers.

    a.

    Fences should be made of wrought iron, cast iron, and welded steel for commercial applications. Metal fences may be mounted on a low masonry wall, and/or spanning masonry piers. Wood fences should not be used. Metal fences should generally be painted either black or dark green.

    b.

    Walls and piers should be made of precast concrete and/or stucco-faced concrete or concrete block, brick, or stone.

    c.

    Not recommended:

    1.

    Chain link - If used, chain link should be coated with nylon, preferably of a dark color, and used in combination with heavy masonry piers or ornamental metal posts.

    2.

    Unfinished or unsurfaced concrete block walls - should not be used.

    3.

    Rustic wood fences.

    FIGURE A-7: WALKS, WALLS, AND PIERS 18.A-7.png

    (c)

    Surface Grading. Surface grading should be minimized to maintain a formal and traditional character of development. The following guidelines are recommended:

    (1)

    Sheet drainage from building to parking areas and perimeter roadways;

    (2)

    No cross slopes in excess of two percent for landscaped or walk areas. Optimum slope for paved areas is one and one-half percent, depending on roughness of paving surface.

    (3)

    Mounting earth to elevate buildings, or "berming" earth against the side of buildings is not recommended.

    (d)

    The Esplanade.

    (1)

    The Esplanade must service a variety of different purposes - shopping, strolling, outdoor dining, low speed bicycling, and just sitting in the sum. It must be a publicly owned and accessible setting that showcases the Truckee River and adjacent buildings to best effect while placing emphasis on the rich historical components found along the river corridor. And accommodate special events and/or emergency access vehicles as needed. A design that is simple, flexible, and elegant is needed to reflect the Riverfront District's rich architectural heritage and history.

    (2)

    The elements listed below are recommended as part of the Esplanade design, whether the Esplanade is developed by the City of Reno directly, or through agreements with developers as part of new private development projects. The sketch plan, Figure A-8 (Esplanade Furnishings), illustrates the recommended design concept.

    a.

    Cross-section.

    A minimum width of 25 feet as measured from the face of the riverfront retaining wall is recommended, as noted elsewhere. This 25-foot area should be organized according to functions listed below and illustrated by the "concept plan" below.

    1.

    Storefront display/dining zone.

    A public area a minimum of six feet in width should be established adjacent to the building frontage. This area would be used for window-shopping, and subject to the redevelopment agency's review and approval, outdoor dining, merchandise displays and "sidewalk sales."

    2.

    Central promenade.

    An area a minimum of 12 feet in width shall be reserved in the center of the Esplanade for strolling, low-speed bicycling, special events, and emergency vehicle access.

    3.

    Furnishings zone.

    An area a minimum of six feet in width adjacent to the river edge should be reserved for shade tree, benches, trash, receptacles, and/or other furnishings as set forth below.

    4.

    River edge fence/wall.

    An area approximately one foot in width should be reserved for an attractive fence/wall with integral pedestrian lighting.

    b.

    Paving pattern and materials.

    Patterns should be form and materials simple; a maximum of three materials should be used in combination. Patterns and materials should reflect the three major functional areas described above. A large-scale yet subtle pattern is recommended for the Central Promenade; material should be scored, tinted, concrete. A smaller-scale pattern and/or material is recommended as a border for use in the display/dining and furnishings zones; material should be concrete or granite pavers, brick, or scored concrete.

    c.

    Furnishings.

    Furnishings should be civil in appearance, heavy-duty in construction, and arranged to reflect the formal qualities desired for the Esplanade. It is recommended that benches, trash receptacles, lighting and trees, be arranged to create a series of defined sitting areas. Open, unfurnished areas should be created at regular intervals to allow for groups to stand adjacent to the fence/wall, for set of special exhibits and displays, and for additional maneuvering room for vehicles. Recommended furnishings are show on the graphic. It is also recommended that public art be incorporated into furnishings whenever possible.

    d.

    Trees and lighting.

    Deciduous shade trees and pedestrian-scale lighting should be installed at regular intervals to create a formal Esplanade edge. Lights should be installed at a relatively narrow spacing to create a well-illuminated nighttime environment. It is recommended that trees and lights alternate every 20 feet; i.e. trees would be located at 40 feet on the center and lights would be located at 40 feet on center.

    e.

    River edge fence/wall.

    The Virginia Street Bridge should serve as the model for design of the fence/wall along the river edge. Regularly spaced concrete pilasters and a continuous base should frame ornamental metal fence panels. Pilasters should be detailed and serve as basis for the Esplanade lighting. The railing design employed for the Virginia Street Bridge should be used throughout the Esplanade.

    (Ord. No. 5431, § 2, 2-25-03)

    FIGURE A-8: ESPLANADE FURNISHINGS 18.A-8.png