131-47 - Design Requirements for Ground Level Setbacks

LAST AMENDED
6/6/2024

Wherever a #building# base below a tower is set back from the #street line#, and the #building# walls bounding such setback area are occupied by non-#residential uses#,
such setback area shall comply with the provisions of this Section. Where two such setback areas adjoin one another at the intersection of two #streets#, the combined area of
such spaces shall determine the applicability of such provisions.

(a)    Minimum and maximum areas

       No such setback area shall be less than 240 square feet nor greater than 1,000 square feet.

(b)    Pavement
       The setback area shall be paved with materials distinctive from the adjoining public sidewalk.

(c)    Wall treatments

       All ground floor level #building# walls bounding such setback area not otherwise subject to the transparency requirements of Section 131-15, shall comply with the
       provisions of either paragraphs (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this Section.

       (1)    If such #building# wall is a #street wall# wider than 10 feet, such #street wall# shall comply with the provisions of Section 131-15.

       (2)    All other #building# walls shall comply with one of the following provisions:

               (i)    such #building# walls shall be glazed with transparent materials in accordance with the transparency provisions of Section 37-34 (Minimum
                      Transparency Requirements); or

              (ii)    such #building# walls shall be articulated with artwork or landscaping to a height of at least 10 feet.

(d)    #Building# entrances

       A public entrance to a #building# shall front upon such setback area. No ramps shall be permitted within the setback area.

(e)    Landscaping

       A minimum of 20 percent of such setback area shall be planted with, at a minimum, evergreen ground cover or shrubs in planting beds, with a minimum of six inches
       in height and a maximum height of four feet. Such planting beds may not occupy more than 50 percent of the width of the setback area, as measured along the #street
       line#.

(f)    Additional amenities

       For setback areas of 500 square feet or more, there shall be the following additional amenities:

       (1)    an additional public entrance to the #building# that fronts upon such setback area; and

       (2)    a minimum of one linear feet of seating for every 20 square feet of setback area shall be provided. At least 40 percent of such seating shall be fixed, of which at
              least half shall have backs with a minimum height of 14 inches. All fixed seating shall have a minimum depth of 18 inches and a maximum depth of 24 inches,
              and a minimum seat height of 16 inches and a maximum seat height of 20 inches. At least 50 percent of required seating shall be moveable chairs.