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(1) Purpose.

(a) To avoid untreated blank walls.

(b) To retain and enhance the character of Covington’s streetscapes.

(2) Blank Wall Definition. A wall (including building facades and retaining walls) is considered a blank wall if it is over 10 feet in height, has a horizontal length greater than 15 feet, and does not include a transparent window or door.

Figure 18.31.560(2). Blank Wall Definition

(3) Blank Wall Treatment Options. Untreated blank walls visible from a street, public space, residential amenity space, or pedestrian walkway are prohibited. Methods to treat blank walls include the following (a variety of treatments may be required to meet the purpose of the standards):

(a) Display windows at least 16 inches of depth to allow for changeable displays. Tack on display cases do not qualify as a blank wall treatment.

(b) Landscape planting bed at least five feet wide or a raised planter bed at least two feet high and three feet wide in front of the wall with planting materials that are sufficient to obscure or screen at least 60 percent of the wall’s surface within three years.

(c) Installing a vertical trellis or “green wall” in front of the wall with climbing vines or plant materials. The method shall be sufficient to obscure or screen at least 60 percent of the wall surface within three years. This option requires an irrigation and maintenance plan sufficient to maintain healthy plants for the life of the building.

(d) Installing a noncommercial mural or other permanent art feature such as metal work or mosaics, after consulting with the Arts Commission and subject to final approval by the Director.

(e) Building detailing that adds visual interest at a pedestrian scale such as belt courses of masonry, decorative tile work, or accent lighting. Such detailing shall use a variety of surfaces; monotonous designs will not meet the purpose of the standards.

Figure 18.31.560(3). Blank Wall Treatment Examples

Image A uses an artistic mural and Image B uses a landscape planting bed.

(4) Firewalls. Firewalls shall be designed to provide visual interest except where firewalls directly abut an adjacent building. Examples of visual interest include the blank wall treatment standards in subsection (3) of this section, and the use of varying materials, textures, and/or colors, noncommercial mural, the use of green or living walls, and/or the use of modulated building walls to form design patterns.

Exception: The Director may waive this requirement if development plans that include adequate firewall protections have been approved, on a neighboring property.

Figure 18.31.560(4). Firewall Design Where Visible to the Public

The left images uses a combination of landscape screening, modulation, changes in material, and color patterns to enhance the appearance of this large exposed firewall. The building in the right image uses simple scoring patterns, modulation, a top-floor step back and roof overhang, and change in materials and color to add visual interest.

Plain-gray concrete block firewalls (left image) and undifferentiated, limited-color firewalls (right image) are not allowed when visible from the street.

(Ord. 08-21 § 3 (Exh. B))