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A. MASSING AND SCALE.

1. Minimum Density. The minimum residential densities in Table 20.670.040-1 shall apply in the HX district.

Table 20.670.040-1. Minimum Residential Density

Sub-District

Minimum Density

Activity Center

75 dwelling units/acre

Residential Neighborhood

45 dwelling units/acre

Innovation Hub

30 dwelling units/acre

District Gateway

30 dwelling units/acre

2. Building Heights. The building height standards in Table 20.670.040-2 shall apply in the HX district.

Table 20.670.040-2. Maximum Building Heights

Sub-District

Maximum Height

Activity Center

Maximum of 85 feet

Residential Neighborhood

Maximum of 85 feet

Innovation Hub

Maximum of 50 feet

District Gateway

Maximum of 55 feet not abutting residentially zoned properties

Maximum of 40 feet abutting residentially zoned properties

Maximum of 35 feet fronting Idaho Street

Note: For the Heights district, “abutting” is defined as sharing a property line with residentially zoned property.

3. Height exceptions. In addition to the height exceptions allowed by VMC 20.910.030, maximum height limitations set forth in this chapter and elsewhere in this title shall apply to the following in the HX district:

a. Parapets and railings. Parapets and rooftop railings may extend four feet above the maximum height limit;

b. Walls or fences located between individual rooftop decks may extend six feet above the maximum height limit if the wall or fence is set back at least four feet from the edges of the roof;

c. Rooftop mechanical equipment, any required screening for the mechanical equipment, and stairwell enclosures that provide rooftop access may extend above the maximum height limit as follows, with the requirement that the equipment and enclosures must be set back at least 15 feet from roof edges on street-facing façades:

i. Elevator mechanical equipment may extend up to 16 feet above the maximum height limit; and

ii. Other mechanical equipment, required screening, and stairwell enclosures may extend up to 10 feet above the maximum height limit.

d. Roof-mounted solar energy production equipment may extend up to three feet above the maximum height limit; and

e. Wind energy production equipment may extend up to 30 feet above the maximum height limit.

4. Building step downs and transitions. In the District Gateway sub-district, building heights shall be reduced to a maximum of 40 feet within 60 feet of a shared property line with residential uses, and a maximum of 35 feet within 140 feet of Idaho Street.

5. Building façades. Building façades shall not exceed 165 feet in length without an intervening break.

6. Build to Line.

a. Building shall comply with the provisions of VMC 20.630.020 that describe building lines provisions for street frontages except no portion of the structure shall extend into the right-of-way except as specified in subsection (E)(2) of this section. Residential uses may include setbacks per subsection (C)(2) of this section.

b. Setbacks for Pedestrian Amenities. Setbacks up to 20 feet for up to 50 percent of the building frontage are allowed if the setback is used for a walkway, plaza, courtyard, or other pedestrian-oriented amenity or public space.

7. Ground floor plane. For buildings five stories and above, the maximum ground floor plane area shall not exceed 16,000 square feet. An option to this standard is to demonstrate significant massing breaks in the building façade to include breaks and ground plane openings as pedestrian connections.

B. MODULATION AND FAÇADE ARTICULATION.

1. Ground floor transparency. Buildings with ground floor commercial uses visible from the public way or public areas such parks and other publicly accessible space shall have a minimum 75 percent ground level façade transparency between two feet and eight feet above sidewalk grade.

2. Ground floor to floor height. The ground floor of commercial buildings shall have a minimum of 16 feet building floor to floor height.

3. Modulation. A minimum building modulation along the façade shall be one foot in depth and the minimum width shall be five feet.

4. Building entry. Main entrances shall be easily identifiable through the use of building articulation and modulation.

C. ENTRANCES.

1. Ground floor level. Ground floor residential uses shall be elevated above the sidewalk grade a minimum of two feet six inches to create privacy adjacent to the public realm. For these units, ensure an alternate access point that is accessible (as required by the building code).

2. Entryways. Ground floor residential entrances shall be set back from the property line a minimum of six feet and a maximum of 10 feet to ensure privacy from the public realm. Porches, patios, private spaces allowed within the setback.

3. Recessed ground floor level. Recessed ground floors shall be restricted to one level height, except at main entrances.

4. Vehicle entries. For mixed use residential and commercial buildings requiring vehicular garage entrances, the garage opening shall be set back from the building frontage a minimum of six feet. Adhere to all required visual sight setbacks.

5. Townhome Garage Parking. A minimum of three-foot setback shall be applied for alleyway garage or tuck under parking.

D. ROOF FORMS.

1. Roof lines. The length of any continuous flat roofline shall not exceed more than 165 feet without modulation.

2. Roof Materials. Roof materials shall meet the minimum SRI (solar reflectance index) standards to reduce urban heat gain. Inappropriate materials such as wood shingles, cement tiles and plastic slate and shingles shall be discouraged.

3. Rooftop Projections. Elevator cores, stair projections, solar panels and mechanical equipment shall be incorporated into the architecture of the building with consistent building materials. See subsection (A)(3) of this section for provisions regarding height, setbacks, and screening of rooftop features.

4. Roof Decks. Accessible roof decks shall provide safety setback standards from the roof edge and mechanical equipment as required.

E. SECONDARY ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES.

1. Visual Interest. Add visual depth to façades where appropriate by incorporating balconies, canopies, awnings, decks, or other secondary elements into the façade design.

2. Encroachment. A building’s enclosed occupiable space shall not encroach into the right-of-way, with the exception of bay windows or balconies. Bay windows and balconies shall not extend more than four feet into the right-of-way and 30 percent of width of residential units or 50 percent of the width of hospitality units.

3. Weather Protection. Overhead weather protection shall be provided along all streets with a minimum clear height of 10 feet and maximum clear height of 15 feet consistent with the provisions of VMC 20.630.030 except in instances where the pedestrian amenities articulated in subsection (A)(6)(b) of this section are utilized.

4. Pedestrian oriented features. At least 75 percent of the width of any new or reconstructed ground-level building wall facing a street shall be devoted to pedestrian-oriented features or material variation, pedestrian entrances and/or windows affording views into retail, storefront, office or lobby space.

5. Blank walls. Continuous blank walls shall not exceed 15 feet in length. Where blank walls are present, incorporate a range of design approaches such as green walls, façade articulation, art or other approved applications to create interest at the adjacent pedestrian area.

F. MATERIALS AND COLORS.

1. Prohibited materials. The following are prohibited exterior building materials: plastic laminate, glossy or large expanses of acrylic or plexiglass, pegboard, mirror, highly polished or plated metals (except as a trim), mirrored glass, fabric or paper wall coverings, plywood or particle board, sheet or modular vinyl, shingles, shakes and horizontal lap siding.

2. Mechanical equipment. Mechanical equipment and above grade utilities shall be located or screened with quality materials to minimize visual impact on the public right-of-way.

G. LANDSCAPE DESIGN.

1. Adaptive Plant Types. Use The Heights-Specific Preferred Native and Adaptive Plant Species List as a primary resource for all at-grade planting areas both on site and within the public right-of-way. If the plant species are not available, applicants shall submit no less than five statements from wholesale plant nurseries stating that plant materials are not available. If the planning official approves, applicants must provide plant substitutions that meet the same characteristics of the preferred plants such as but not limited to size, shape, fall color, flower, genetic potential. The characteristics must come from objective sources, such as books, manuals, or green industry cut sheets. The full Heights-Specific Native and Adaptive Plan Species List can be found in The Heights District Urban Design Standards and Guidelines, Appendix 1.0.

2. Landscape requirements. All development will meet or exceed landscaping standards in VMC 20.925.030-1 for the HX zone.

3. Tree Cap Program. Establish minimum standards for the district consistent with the city of Vancouver Tree Canopy Achievement Program (Tree CAP) neighborhood Gold Leaf standard for neighborhoods. More information about the city of Vancouver Tree CAP program can be found at: https://www.cityofvancouver.us/publicworks/page/tree-canopy-achievement-program-treecap.

4. Landscaped Buffers, Planter Strips, and Vegetated Swales. All landscape buffers, planter strips and vegetated swales approved as part of the development on site and/or within the public right-of-way shall be maintained. Plants shall be maintained in a vigorous and healthy condition, free from diseases, pests, and weeds. Competing vegetation shall be controlled to the extent necessary to allow establishment, survival, and growth of the plantings per the approved landscape plan. Plants which become diseased, severely damaged, or which die, shall be removed and replaced by the owner as soon as possible but no later than 60 days if notified by the city. All plants removed shall be replaced with a healthy plant of the same size and species as required by the approved landscape plan for the property.

H. STORMWATER. In addition to the standards of Chapters 14.24, 14.25 and 14.26 VMC, the following standards apply in The Heights:

1. Integrated Stormwater Management Systems. The district shall incorporate stormwater management systems as a principle design element in order to manage and direct stormwater runoff while creating an opportunity to integrate public space amenities as part of the sustainable site management approach.

2. System Design. Stormwater infrastructure shall be designed as a complete system connecting buildings, sites, parcels and blocks as an interconnected system. The loop feature is a key stormwater management infrastructure that shall be connected to the MacArthur Greenbelt. These corridors shall serve as a passive public space and amenity while integrating functional roadway and stormwater features using the existing street rights-of-way.

3. Sustainable Plant Materials. Select plant materials conducive to periods of high-water levels, as well as prolonged periods of drought shall be utilized to mitigate varying seasonal conditions.

4. Stormwater Management Infrastructure. Stormwater infrastructure located in the public right-of-way shall be provided consistent with the city of Vancouver Transportation Standard Details for The Heights District and The Heights District Stormwater and Urban Forestry Guidance Document.

I. SIGNAGE.

1. All signage shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 20.960 VMC for number, location and size restrictions unless as modified herein.

2. Sign Location. Building signage shall be located no higher than the first floor of the building.

3. Monument Signage. Standalone monument signage is permitted if located on private property and shall not impede right-of-way vision triangles. Monument signs shall be no taller than eight and one-half feet above grade, no wider than four feet and be constructed of materials contained on the exterior of adjacent buildings.

4. Electronic Message Center signage. Electronic message center signage shall not be permitted.

5. Master Sign Program – Individual Buildings. Individual buildings that accommodate multiple businesses and require signage for each business shall produce a master signage program that defines the size, number, and locations of signs. The design of signs shall be reviewed and approved by the city as a part of the master sign program and building design review process to ensure the signage is integrated into the architecture and overall development.

6. Master Sign Program – District. All signs shall adhere to the master development signage program for The Heights district.

7. Materials. Signage shall be constructed of high quality, durable materials.

8. Illumination. Direct illumination such as goose neck, exterior illumination as well as halo style lettering or back lit lettering are the preferred method of signage illumination. Channel letter signage is allowed as an option only if exterior lighting applications are demonstrated to not be possible based on constraints for the mounting location, ambient light levels or to eliminate the use of a backer board.

9. Prohibited signage. In addition to prohibited signage contained in VMC 20.960.030, the following signage or signage materials are prohibited:

a. Cabinet signage/box signage/can signage.

b. No exposed raceways.

10. Application. Signage shall be appropriate for its intended use such as residential, office, and retail.

11. Public Realm Signage. Kiosk, wayfinding and interpretive signage intended to promote a comprehensive district placemaking strategy shall be allowed upon review from the city.

J. PARKING.

1. Parking Strategy. Provide a dispersed, shared parking strategy through a combination of surface, at-grade, podium and above-grade mixed-use parking structures that meet the demand of residents, visitors, and employees.

2. Parking Ratios. Parking will be provided to meet the acceptable city of Vancouver standards for the HX zone as listed in Table 20.670.040-3 and 20.670.040-4 below.

Table 20.670.040-3. Parking Minimums for Residential Uses

Sub-district

Required off-street parking

Parking reductions with transportation demand management (TDM) measures

Activity Center

1 space per dwelling unit

0.75 spaces per dwelling unit

Residential Neighborhood

1 space per dwelling unit

0.75 spaces per dwelling unit

Innovation Hub

1.25 spaces per dwelling unit

1 space per dwelling unit

District Gateway

1.25 spaces per dwelling unit

1 space per dwelling unit if development not abutting residentially zoned properties

No reductions for development abutting residentially zoned properties

Note: For The Heights district, abutting is defined as sharing a property line with residentially zoned property

Table 20.670.040-4. Parking Minimums for Nonresidential Uses

Nonresidential Uses

Uses

Required off-street parking

Office

1 space per 1,000 square feet

Hotel

0.5 spaces per lodging unit

Senior Living

1 space per living unit

Commercial/All Other Uses

No minimum requirement for ground floor uses

a. The minimum number of parking spaces required for residential uses may be reduced per Table 20.670.040-3 below, if the city approves a transportation demand management (TDM) plan for the proposed development.

b. The TDM plan described in subsection (J)(2)(a) of this section shall include the following elements:

i. Narrative describing the characteristics of the proposed development and how it is served by the larger transportation system, including roads, transit facilities and services, and other multimodal transportation facilities.

ii. Specific TDM measures to be employed to reduce transportation via single-occupancy vehicles and resulting on-site parking needs. Eligible TDM measures are listed in subsection (J)(2)(c) of this section.

iii. A description of how TDM measures will be communicated to users of the development.

iv. A description of how users will be required or encouraged to use TDM measures.

v. A proposed process for monitoring individual and overall use of TDM measures and reporting their use to the city on an annual basis.

c. TDM plans must include specific provisions to be eligible for residential parking reductions. TDM plans must include either measure from subsection (J)(2)(c)(i) or (ii) of this section, and at least three other measures selected from subsection (J)(2)(c)(iii), (iv), (v), (vi) or (vii) of this section, for a total of at least four measures:

i. Provision of annual transit pass or equivalent for residents at no charge or a rate reduced by 75 percent or more.

ii. Pricing for parking spaces that is charged separately from residential units.

iii. Designation of at least five percent of available parking spaces for high occupancy vehicle use.

iv. On-site presence of car-share vehicles and parking spaces (which account for at least five percent of the total number of parking spaces).

v. Use of a guaranteed ride home program or an agreement to pay into and utilize the city of Vancouver’s existing guaranteed ride home program.

vi. On-site presence of shared cargo bikes available to all residential tenants.

vii. On-site provision of repair facilities and/or services for bicycles and other nonvehicular mobility devices available for all residential tenants.

d. Operators of an approved TDM program shall submit a report summarizing operation, and results of the program on an annual basis beginning one year after occupancy of the building. The report shall describe the following:

i. Specific TDM measures used.

ii. Certification that all TDM measures selected for the TDM program are operating as described in the TDM plan.

iii. Documented participation of program users, including average number and frequency of use of measures and services.

e. Additional information about TDM program requirements shall be provided to participants by city staff.

3. Parking Standards. All parking shall meet the requirements contained in Chapter 20.945 VMC as applicable unless as contained herein.

4. Parking Structures.

a. All structured parking shall be accessory to and integrated into a block and building envelope and will support multiple permitted uses in the district. Standalone parking structures are not permitted.

b. Any above grade structured parking shall be screened from public view by integrating into the overall building design, and/or through a combination of screen walls and landscape buffer areas. Screening provides an opportunity to enhance building design through the use of art, green walls, and innovative materials.

c. Semi subterranean parking shall be screened along all sides with the exception of entrances and exits. Separate openings for ventilation shall be screened with evergreen landscape planting and/or metal mesh screens.

5. Surface Parking. New surface parking lots shall be located behind buildings and screened from the public right-of-way. In the event screening by the building is not feasible, staff may consider surface parking lots located along the right-of-way with required screening.

6. Parking Lot Screening. A wall, fence, or evergreen planting is required between an off-street parking area and a street frontage in the HX district.

a. This screening is required for new construction or paving or repaving of a parking area over 1,000 square feet.

b. The wall or planting shall be a minimum height of two and one-half feet and a maximum height of three feet.

c. A fence shall be a maximum height of five feet. The total height of a combined wall and fence structure also shall be a maximum of five feet.

d. A pedestrian access (break in the screening) is required a minimum of every 150 feet or a minimum of one per street frontage.

e. Fencing shall be wrought iron.

f. A wall shall be a solid, decorative concrete, or masonry wall.

g. If a solid, plain wall, the wall must incorporate one of the following design features:

i. Decorative panels;

ii. Integrated planting (systems);

iii. Public art; or

iv. Other features as approved by the planning official.

7. Existing Parking. Existing surface parking lots will be allowed to be maintained until replaced by development of the parcels.

8. Parking Access. Access to structured parking shall only be from alleys or side streets. Access to structured parking is anticipated to be from designated secondary streets consistent with the city of Vancouver standards or approved road modifications.

9. Parking Lot Lighting. Parking lots shall be well lit to provide for visibility at night.

10. Garage Openings. Garage openings visible from public streets shall include decorative screening to soften the appearance of the garage façade.

11. Parking Setbacks. Parking garage entrances and exits shall be set back six feet from the building façade.

12. Parking Signage. All parking shall have clear signage and entrances/exits lighted.

13. Bicycle parking. Bicycle parking shall be provided to meet acceptable city of Vancouver standards for the HX zone as listed below in Table 20.670.040-5, and shall be consistent with the standards of VMC 20.945.050 and the city of Vancouver Bicycle Parking Guidelines.

a. Up to 50 percent of long-term bicycle parking spaces may be provided in individual residential dwelling units, if they meet the following criteria:

i. The bicycle parking is located within 15 feet of the entrance to the dwelling unit.

ii. The bicycle parking is located in a closet or alcove of the dwelling unit that includes a rack.

iii. For buildings with no elevators that utilize the in-unit long-term bicycle parking provisions, in-unit long-term bicycle parking spaces may only be located in ground floor units.

Table 20.670.040-5. Bicycle Parking Minimums

Uses

Required Short-Term Bicycle Parking

Required Long-Term Bicycle Parking

Residential

0.05 per dwelling unit, 2 spaces minimum

1 per dwelling unit for buildings with 5 or more dwelling units

Commercial

1 per 5,000 sf of floor area, 2 spaces minimum

1 per 15,000 sf of floor area, 2 spaces minimum

Office

1 per 25,000 sf of floor area, 2 spaces minimum

1 per 5,000 sf of floor area, 2 spaces minimum

Civic/Institutional Buildings

1 per 5,000 sf of floor area, 2 spaces minimum

1 per 15,000 sf of floor area, 2 minimum

Lodging

2 spaces minimum

1 per 10 rooms, 2 spaces minimum

Parks

1 per 5,000 sf park area, 2 spaces minimum

None

b. Additional Development Standards. The following standards apply to sites where more than 20 long-term bicycle parking spaces are required and provided in one or more shared bicycle parking facilities outside of individual dwelling units:

i. Minimum Number of Horizontal Bicycle Parking Spaces. At least 20 percent of spaces must be in a horizontal rack, or on the lower level of a stacked bicycle parking rack.

ii. Parking for Larger Bicycle Spaces. At least five percent of spaces must accommodate a larger bicycle space for cargo bikes, placed in a horizontal rack. These spaces must be a minimum of three feet (36 inches) in width, 10 feet (120 inches) long with three feet and four inches (40 inches) of height clearance.

iii. Electrical Outlet Requirement. At least 20 percent of spaces must have electrical sockets within four feet of the spaces. Each electrical socket must be accessible to horizontal bicycle parking spaces.

K. UTILITIES AND SCREENING.

1. Utility and Solid Waste Locations. Utilities shall be located away from primary streets and pedestrian sidewalks and located on alleys or from secondary streets wherever possible.

2. Below Grade Utilities. Utilities shall be located below grade in vaults or inside buildings where possible. Solid waste containers and disposal areas shall be located inside buildings. If not possible, screening shall be provided per Chapter 20.970 VMC.

3. Venting System Locations. Venting of air exhaust and mechanical building systems shall be away from primary streets and main pedestrian areas and shall be architecturally incorporated into buildings.

4. Wall-Mounted Utilities. Utilities mounted on building walls shall not intrude on the public right-of-way space adjacent to a pedestrian path of travel, shall be set back, or have a landscape zone for a buffer.

5. Mechanical Vents. Mechanical vents required on building exteriors shall be located eight feet above grade or between grade and 18 inches and shall be integrated into the façade design to minimize visual impacts.

L. Limited Access Frontages. Vehicular access to development sites is prohibited along key frontages, where indicated, to reduce conflicts between automobiles and pedestrians and promote a safe and pleasant experience for walking. Vehicular access is restricted to one curb-cut per block frontage where indicated in Figure 20.670-3:

Figure 20.670-3. Vehicular Access Restrictions

(Ord. M-4424 § 2, 2023; Ord. M-4402 § 3(Q), 2023; Ord. M-4341 § 3 (Exh. A), 2021)