Burbank Municipal Code Div. 7 Design Standards

The following design standards will serve as guidelines to address various aspects of design as it relates to private development. These standards are flexible and allow for a variety of design responses. However, they set forth important concepts which ensure that as private development proceeds, each project contributes to a cohesive, functional and aesthetic Media District Overlay Zone. The design standards are as follows:

A. To ensure an orderly high quality development process; to protect and enhance major public investments in the area; to protect both small and large scale private investments in the area; and to minimize development cost by eliminating uncertainty and reducing potential development problems. [Added by Ord. No. 3224, eff. 2/16/91.]

Compliance with these design standards shall be determined by the Director of Community Development as part of the Design Review process. Final approval of a project is required from the City Council or City Planning Commission. In the latter case, the City Council or the City Planning Commission shall determine compliance. These design standards shall apply to all development in the MDM-1, MDC-2, MDC-3, and MDC-4 zones. [Added by Ord. No. 3224, eff. 2/16/91. Amended by Ord. 22-3,983, eff. 12/16/22.]

High levels of pedestrian activity, such as shopping, eating, watching, resting, going to and from work, will create interest and provide a sense of safety and security to people on the streets in the Media District. Active streets are also safe streets. These guidelines encourage patterns of land use along streets so that pedestrian activity areas will be created within the media core.

The pedestrian network illustrated in Figure 3, is one of the Media District Overlay Zone’s most important elements. The key concept is continuity of ground level retail, restaurant and other “active” uses along key street frontages and open spaces. Private developments should orient active land uses in the pedestrian routes and open space system. [Added by Ord. No. 3224, eff. 2/16/91.]

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In order to maintain an active pedestrian environment, retail uses must be the predominant ground floor use. Long gaps between retail stores discourages active pedestrian shopping and activity. Non-retail first floor uses should be kept to a minimum in retail and restaurant areas. New development should provide first floor retail and restaurant frontage in character with adjacent uses. [Added by Ord. No. 3224, eff. 2/16/91.]

Non-retail uses such as offices, service and institutional uses should have visually interesting fronts. Non-retail storefronts should convey the nature of the inside activity to passersby and contribute to the visual interest of the area. Blank, monotonous walls are discouraged. Windows, signs, displays and entrances should convey information about the nature of the business inside. [Added by Ord. No. 3224, eff. 2/16/91.]

Active street and open space frontages along major and secondary pedestrian routes create an interesting and safe pedestrian environment. Whenever possible, the public entrance to shops, stores, and lobbies shall face those streets and open spaces designated as primary pedestrian routes in Figure 3. Second level walkways should not be provided in lieu of ground level walkways because the active land uses are recommended primarily for the ground level. However, in locations such as the Media Center, where multi-level pedestrian activity and retail space are encouraged, second level walkways are encouraged. Also, a second level walkway may be beneficial between the medical office building on the north side of Alameda Avenue and the St. Joseph Medical Center complex. [Added by Ord. No. 3224, eff. 2/16/91.]

The guidelines in this section regulate or establish the physical appearance and configuration of buildings in the Overlay Zone. The aspects of a building which define its appearance include numerous elements which are addressed by these guidelines including style, height, massing, shape, scale, proportion, materials and finishes, color, lighting, and storefront design. The intent of these guidelines is to assure a harmonious relationship between buildings, the immediate visual environment, and the overall design framework.

A. HEIGHT.

A cluster of tall buildings in the Overlay Zone can visually express the importance of the area and provide physical definition to streets and open space. Building height is also an important factor in the provision of light and air and the protection of public open space.

Building heights should relate to open spaces to allow maximum winter sun and ventilation, protection from prevailing winds, enhance views to public plazas and scenic landmarks, and minimize obstruction of view from adjoining structures.

B. SCALE.

Scale is the relationship between building size and the size of a human being. Large-scale buildings or building elements will look imposing to pedestrians if they are situated in a visual environment of smaller scale. The scale of the building elements should be carefully related to adjacent pedestrian areas and buildings.

Buildings should be designed so that the height and massing contributes to human-scaled pedestrian walkways and major public space.

C. PROPORTION.

Proportion is the ratio or relative size of dimensions within a building. It can refer to specific details such as height to width of a window or door, or the relationship between the height and width of the entire facade. Proportion of buildings and components of buildings should, to the greatest extent possible, relate to dominant patterns within the immediate visual environment.

D. STOREFRONTS AND WINDOW DISPLAYS.

Storefronts and window displays are vital in contributing to an interesting, lively pedestrian environment. Continuity of display windows is essential to creating a pedestrian shopping area. In contrast to shops oriented to the automobile, which must rely on large-scale signs, a shop on a pedestrian street can emphasize the quality of its goods in window displays which attract potential customers. Building design should maximize the exposure of visually interesting activities within the building along pedestrian-oriented walkways.

E. GLARE AND REFLECTIONS.

Glare and reflections can seriously interfere with the visibility of window displays. Careful design can minimize glare to enable displays to communicate more effectively. Arcades, canopies, non-reflective paving and artificial illumination shall be utilized to overcome the problem of glare to the extent possible.

Building elevations with 50 percent or more of the building surface in glass or other reflective materials shall be limited to a maximum of 15 percent reflectivity for those materials. Building elevations with less than 50 percent of surface in glass or other reflective materials shall be limited to a maximum of 20 percent reflectivity for those materials.

F. MASSING.

Building massing is the overall volumetric relationships of major building elements; building massing contributes significantly to overall building appearance and scale and will largely define the relationship of the building to its immediate visual environment and its place on the skyline of the City.

To lessen the appearance of excessive bulk, the following design techniques may be used: varying the planes of the exterior walls in depth and/or direction; varying the height of the building so that it appears to be divided into distinct massing elements; articulating the different parts of a building’s facade by use of color, arrangement of facade elements; and using landscaping and architectural detailing at the ground level to lessen the impact of an otherwise bulky building.

G. SETBACKS.

Building setback has a distinct impact on the quality and scale of urban spaces. Creative use of setbacks along pedestrian-oriented streets helps to create a sense of enclosure and creates the opportunity for outdoor uses.

Such setbacks should include, but are not limited to, space for: plazas, pedestrian areas, outdoor eating spaces, and landscaped areas.

Olive Avenue setbacks, in particular, can be used for landscaped open areas because of the street’s diagonal orientation. New construction or major remodeling should employ corner setbacks or cutoffs where appropriate. Landscape setbacks shall be provided in proportion to the height and mass of the structure. Setbacks in excess of 150 feet shall provide emergency access in accordance with the City of Burbank Fire Department requirements.

All required setbacks on designated pedestrian corridors shall be accessible to pedestrians and designed with seating, landscaping and other amenities which promote pedestrian activity.

H. MATERIALS AND FINISHES.

Depending upon specific design applications, a range of materials and finishes are appropriate within the Media District Overlay Zone. Primary building surfaces that are most appropriate include: concrete with fine exposed aggregate or sandblasted finish, metal, glass, stone or brick. Limited areas of finished wood or plaster may be appropriate in protected areas. Exterior finishes of buildings should contribute to a cohesive physical environment and should convey a sense of appropriateness to the Media District Overlay Zone. Materials and finishes should be selected for appropriateness, ease of maintenance and durability.

I. COLOR.

Color dramatically affects the visual appearance of buildings and the Media District Overlay Zone as a whole; therefore, the colors used must be carefully considered in relation to the urban design concept and the overall design intent of the building. Color can also affect the apparent scale and proportion of buildings by highlighting architectural elements such as doors, windows, fascias, cornices, lintels and sills.

Depending on the overall color scheme, an accent color may be effective in highlighting the dominant color by providing contrast or by harmonizing with the dominant color. The accent color may be brighter, more intense, more subdued, lighter, or darker than the dominant color.

Contrasting colors may be used to accent building elements, such as door and window frames and architectural details at the pedestrian level. Contrasting colors can also be used to accent appropriate scale and proportion or to promote visual interest in harmony with the immediate environment.

J. HARDSCAPE.

Hardscape elements are streetscape items such as paving, benches, shelters, fountains, light fixtures, and public art and other street furnishings. The following guidelines will apply to any hardscape elements that are located in private development areas.

The City will be implementing public improvements to define public-private site relationships. Private site streetscape improvements should be compatible with public right-of-way improvements.

Street furniture elements included within private developments should complement the street furnishings planned for adjoining public spaces. The relative sizes and design of private street furnishings shall be compatible with the building to which they relate. Street furnishings shall be constructed of durable, easily maintained material that will not fade, rust, rot or otherwise deteriorate. The furniture shall be maintained in good condition at all times.

K. PAVED SURFACES.

In places where private and public paved areas join, such as plazas, outdoor cafes and gallerias, the surfaces of each should be compatible.

Paved surfaces on private property which abut public sidewalks or other pedestrian areas shall be extended into the public right-of-way whenever possible in order to minimize the perception of street width, and maximize the appearance of sidewalk width.

L. WALL MURALS.

Wall murals should be used to enhance the environment and/or streetscape. Wall murals should be maintained in good visual condition throughout the life of the mural. [Added by Ord. No. 3224, eff. 2/16/91.]