1. Provide a pleasant, rich, and diverse pedestrian experience by connecting activities occurring within a structure to adjacent sidewalk area.

2. Encourage compatible design between residential and commercial uses.

3. Encourage surveillance/security opportunities by restricting fortress-like facades at street level.

4. Avoid a monotonous pedestrian environment.

1. Where ground floor window standards are required, exterior walls on the ground floor that are within thirty feet (30') of a street lot line shall meet the general window standard below. However, on corner lots, the general standard needs to be met on only one (1) street frontage. On the other street, the requirement is one-half (1/2) the general standard. The general standard shall be met on the street that has the highest classification on the Comprehensive Plan’s Existing Arterial Function Classification and Street Plan, Map TE-1 or its successor. If the streets have the same classification, the applicant may choose on which street to meet the general standard.

2. General Standard. The windows shall be at least forty percent (40%) of the length and twenty percent (20%) of the ground level wall area. Ground level wall area includes all exterior walls up to nine feet (9') above finished grade. The requirement does not apply to walls of residential units or to parking structures when set back at least five feet (5') and landscaped consistent with Chapter 18.57 in the C-1 and C-1A Zones or Section 18.31.060 in the NC Zone.

3. Qualifying Window Features. Required window areas shall be either windows that allow views into working areas or lobbies, pedestrian entrances, or display windows set into the wall. Doors and display cases attached to the outside wall do not qualify. The bottom of the windows shall be no more than four feet (4') above the adjacent exterior grade.

4. The applicant may submit a ground floor window plan that differs from the specific criteria set forth in this section, except that the amount of window area may not be less than the amount required in this chapter. The applicant shall clearly and in detail state what adjustments of requirements are being requested and the reasons that such adjustments are warranted. The request shall be accompanied by supplemental data, such as sketches and statistical information, that is necessary to support the adjustment. The Planning Commission may approve, modify, or deny the requested adjustment. In approving the alteration request, the Planning Commission shall make the following findings: