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Section 5.03

Provisions Applicable to All Commercial Districts

Adopted July 27, 2026

(a) Intent. The Commercial Districts, Central Business (CBD), Historic Downtown (HBD), and Local Commerical/Mixed Use (LCD) Districts, are intended to accommodate commercial establishments that serve community-wide shopping and service needs, including motorists using Goodrich, Huron, and Main Streets. These districts are intended to create cohesive commercial areas that take advantage of access provided by the Village's roadway system but also provide convenient vehicular access between businesses in attractive settings, thereby ensuring the safety and discouraging undesirable commercial development.
(b) Building Design. Building design shall complement the intended traditional small- town character and architectural heritage of the community. The design shall consider the adaptive reuse of the building. Building design shall incorporate a clear and well-articulated design concept, and architectural detailing that creates a positive and visually consistent image shall be encouraged. Any facade work being done in the Historic District Zone must have prior approval of the Planning Commission. (Reference – Attachment B, Full View Zoning Map)
(c) Front façade design. All building façades that are visible from a street and/or neighboring property shall conform to the following design criteria: a. Linear, or blank walls are prohibited on the front façade. b. Architectural features, details and ornaments such as archways, colonnades, cornices, contrasting bases, contrasting masonry courses, water tables, molding pilasters, columns, and corbelling, contrasting bands of color, stone or accent features are encouraged. c. Windows. Large window openings shall be provided at ground level with transparent, nonreflective, minimally tinted glass. Window shapes should be rectangular, square or Palladian (mostly rectangular with a semi-circular top). Circular, octagonal, or diamond shaped windows are not permitted unless they are consistent with specific traditional architectural style. d. On a residential first floor building, the doors and windows will be of a residential style. The door will be solid or frosted glass.
(d) Rear or side façade design. All sides of a building shall be similar in design, detail, and material to present a cohesive appearance to neighboring properties. Whenever a side or rear façade is visible from a public street, or if parking is located at the side or rear of a building, the façade shall be designed to create an appearance similar to the front façade.
(e) Building materials. The selection of materials shall enhance the architectural ambiance of the area and shall reinforce the permanency of the structure and the development as set forth herein. a. Durable materials required. b. Materials shall have good architectural character, be durable and be selected for their compatibility with adjacent buildings and properties. A preference shall be given to the use of “green” building materials that can be recycled. c. Reflective materials are discouraged. d. Special attention shall be given to the durability of materials used around the ground floor of buildings. Such materials shall require minimal maintenance and have colors integral to the material. e. Materials visible from the street.
1. 1) A minimum of 60 percent of the exterior finish material of all building façades visible from any public street, parking lot or adjacent residentially zoned land (exclusive of window areas) shall consist of brick, cut stone, cast stone, architectural precast concrete, or wood. These materials must be used in any façade area subject to abuse or damage.
2. 2) The planning commission may allow, upon applicant’s request, the use of split face or burnished face concrete masonry units; however, such units must have an integral color. The remaining 40 percent of the façade (exclusive of window areas), including parapets and accent features, may incorporate other materials such as fiberglass-reinforced concrete, polymer plastic (Fypon) or exterior insulation and finishing systems (EIFS) materials for architectural detailing.
3. 3) The planning commission may permit other material for façades that are not visible from a public street or parking lot and are adequately screened from adjoining land uses.
(f) Building material colors. The planning commission shall review building colors as a part of site plan approval. a. Exterior finish materials and colors shall be consistent or compatible with existing finish materials/colors in the case of building additions or renovations. b. As part of review, samples of building materials may be required. c. Exterior colors shall be compatible with colors on adjacent buildings and shall reinforce the visual character of the environment of the proposed building, subject to the review and approval of the planning commission. The colors shall be such that the buildings are not competing for attention; colors shall not, in any way, constitute “signing” of the building. d. The following natural colors are encouraged to be used for the main portions of building façades and roof forms: neutral earth tones (sand to brown); shades of gray; traditional colors (brick red, forest green, navy blue, etc.); light subdued hues (salmon, putty, etc.) or white. e. Contrasting accent colors that are compatible with the primary colors listed above are encouraged for trim, accent and other decorative architectural features. The use of bright or fluorescent colors (purple, orange, pink, lime, yellow, etc. is discouraged. f. Architectural consistency of colors, materials and detailing shall be provided between all building elevations, subject to the review and approval of the planning commission. All elevations need not look alike however, a sense of overall architectural continuity shall be achieved.
(g) Material or color changes. Material or color changes shall only occur at a change of plane. Material changes at the outside comers of buildings that give the impression of “thinness” and/or discloses or highlights the artificial nature of the material shall be prohibited. Inconsistent adornment and frequent changes in material or color shall be avoided.
(h) Soffits and architectural elements. Soffits and other architectural elements visible to the public shall utilize materials compatible with other exterior materials on the building.
(i) Roof materials, color and design. a. Roof materials, color and design are considered an integral part of material and color features of the proposed building and as such shall be consistent with the design intent. b. Pitched roofs on single story buildings shall be encouraged. c. Shingles shall be asphalt, fiberglass, tile, slate or cedar in color subject to review and approval of the planning commission. d. Standing seam metal roof systems may be permitted by approval of the planning commission. e. Single story buildings with flat roofs or higher buildings shall have decorative cornices. If a flat roof is used, they may be made or rubber or build-up composition and shall be enclosed by parapets or peaked architectural features with a full roof return, at least 42 inches high or of a height to screen rooftop mechanical or other equipment. The planning commission shall determine the specific requirements of such screening.
(j) Accessory buildings. Accessory buildings that are part of a new development shall incorporate the same materials as are utilized in the primary structure. Accessory buildings that are connected on an existing site should incorporate a unifying element(s) with the existing principle building. The new accessory structure shall, however, make every effort to follow the intent of this document and incorporate the recommendations herein in the design of the new accessory structure.
(k) Building entrance design. All buildings shall have at least one primary public entrance. Main entrances to buildings shall incorporate devices such as canopies, roof overhangs, recessed entrance ways, or other similar features to provide protection from the elements. The primary building entrance shall be clearly defined and provide a sense of entry. In addition, long blank walls along the sidewalk leading to the entrance should be avoided.
(l) Stylized or prototype buildings. Building design such that the building itself is an advertisement shall not be permitted. Building architecture shall not be of a design which intends to advertise a particular corporate or franchise style.
(m) Screening (fences and walls). The impact of those elements of a site, which have an adverse effect on the subject site and surrounding sites, should be minimized.
(n) Service areas. Unattractive project elements including, but not limited to, delivery zones, storage areas, trash receptacles, transformers, and generators shall be located in areas that are generally not visible to the public. Such elements shall be screened by the use of landscaping or screening materials compatible with the principal building.
(o) Dumpsters. The location and method of screening of waste receptacles shall be shown on all plans, and an illustration depicting the path of refuse vehicles should be provided to ensure that conflicts with parked cars and structures are minimized.
(p) Walls and fences. a. All sound walls, masonry walls, or fences should be designed to minimize visual monotony through changes in plane, height, material, texture, or significant landscaping massing. b. All fencing shall be designed as an integral part of the site, such as a planter wall or continuation of an architectural wall feature, rather than as a separate fence.
(q) Overhead doors. Overhead loading doors shall not face a public street or residential district. The planning commission can waive this requirement upon a determination that there is no reasonable alternative, it is essential to the operation of the business, and the visual impact will be moderated through use of building materials, architectural features or landscaping. This provision is not intended to regulate retail customer access; however, overhead vehicular access doors facing a public street are discouraged.
(r) Existing Buildings. The following shall apply to additions or remodeling of existing buildings or to accessory buildings on existing sites: a. Where a new wall material is proposed for an existing building wall, only that portion of the building being altered shall be subject to this Section. However, in considering the proposed alteration, the Village may modify the material requirements of this Section to ensure consistency with the architecture of the remainder building. b. Where an addition is proposed to an existing building, the Planning Commission or Zoning Administrator may allow the use of existing or compatible wall materials for the addition; provided that the design of the alteration is consistent with the existing building wall design.
(s) Modification Requiring Planning Commission Approval. Modifications to the building design standards of Sec. 5.03.2 may be approved by the Planning Commission. A

modification shall require an application that includes a site plan and a front elevation drawing of the proposed building superimposed on a color drawing or photograph of the entire block showing the relationship of the proposed building to other buildings on the block. The application shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission based upon the following criteria: a. The design of the building shall be in keeping with the architectural character of Mayville, as articulated in the Master Plan. This shall not prevent innovation and creativity in design that is in keeping with the Master Plan, as determined by the Planning Commission. b. The building shall be oriented toward the front sidewalk, have a functioning entrance and enhance the continuity of the pedestrian-oriented environment. A modification shall not result in increasing the dominance of vehicular parking or garage doors along the front of the building. c. The design of the roof shall be compatible with character of other buildings along the block and shall meet district height requirements. d. The exterior finish materials shall be of equal or better quality, in terms of durability and appearance/texture similar to brick, stone, or wood, as those permitted in the district. Th e intent is to accommodate new technologies and building material while maintaining the desired character of Mayville, as defined in this section, above. e. Ground floor windows shall be provided along the front sidewalk to maintain the pedestrian-orientation of the streetscape and upper story windows and shall not be incompatible with the rhythm and proportions of windows on other buildings along the block.