The following guidelines apply within the Commercial/Industrial DPA:

GENERAL

The following guidelines apply to all areas shown on Schedule O.

These guidelines are not intended to be exhaustive; other imaginative design solutions are encouraged provided they meet the general design intent. Each design will be reviewed in the context of surrounding development, and the specific design objectives for the lands. In the case of mixed-use developments that are subject to guidelines for more than one type of land use (i.e., multi-family residential and commercial/industrial), the application of land use-specific guidelines to particular buildings and portions of buildings is a matter of discretion and the designer should apply the guidelines in a manner that results in an effective and coherent overall design.

SITE PLANNING BUILDING DESIGN

• (a) Position buildings on the site to create a defined street edge common to attractive commercial areas.
• (b) Mass and scale of development should fit with the surrounding neighbourhood character and mountain resort community character.
• (c) Minimize the overall mass appearance of any one building.

BUILDING DESIGN

• (a) Building articulation and innovative and interesting façade treatments, consistent with the resort community character, are strongly encouraged to create identifiable, attractive commercial/industrial areas. For example:
  • (i) Use of a variety of colours, architectural features and building materials. Large areas of glass and singular materials are strongly discouraged.
  • (ii) Use of building colours complementary to neighbouring buildings or identifiable with the area. Colours should be muted and consist of natural colours found in the Whistler setting. Limited use of complementary accent colours for focal points, doors and storefronts is encouraged.
  • (iii) Entrances to buildings should be clearly identifiable from sidewalks and other public areas.
  • (iv) Integrate balcony and terrace areas as appropriate to building uses.
• (b) Building materials should be consistent with the mountain character, sufficiently durable to withstand Whistler’s harsh climate, and consistent with the intended use of the building.
• (c) Roof form should be modulated and of a mountain character to reduce the apparent bulk of a building. Deep roof overhangs are encouraged. Whistler’s extreme freeze/thaw cycle and frequent large accumulations of snow are to be considered in design and material selection. Protect all pedestrian and vehicle access points from snow shed and ice accumulation.
• (d) Roof colour should be generally neutral or muted in order to blend with the colours of the natural landscape.
• (e) Roof designs which incorporate evolving technology and best practices for stormwater management and energy systems are encouraged within the context of other building design guidelines.
• (f) Roof mounted equipment should be integrated with the overall roof design and adequately screened so it is concealed to the greatest extent possible from pedestrian viewpoints.
• (g) Site and building design should address the functional needs of persons with disabilities, including those who are mobility, visually and hearing impaired, and/or have reduced strength or dexterity. Provide accessible routes from the street and parking to building entrances in all seasons, and at an appropriate width for expected pedestrian volumes. Consideration should be given to snow clearing and snow storage areas.
• (h) Trail connections should be maintained and strengthened. The municipality may accept or encourage the dedication of public trails to promote pedestrian movement.

ACCESS, PARKING AND WASTE FACILITIES

• (a) Shared parking facilities and shared access points are encouraged to reduce the amount of curb-cuts, and allow for efficient traffic circulation and utilization of parking supply.
• (b) Locate parking areas to minimize the visual impact of parking from the street. All surface parking areas should be screened by a combination of landscaping and berms.
• (c) Provide adequate space to accommodate snow storage and drainage from parking areas.
• (d) Locate all accessible parking spaces as close as possible to building entrances.
• (e) Provide adequate bicycle parking facilities on-site and within buildings where appropriate.
• (f) Service bays and solid waste storage should be integrated with site and building design, contained within the building or suitably screened from the street and public areas, and adequately sized to meet the needs of uses on site.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

• (a) Outdoor lighting should be used for safe pedestrian passage and property identification firstly. Seasonal festive lighting and limited architectural and landscape feature lighting is permitted.
• (b) Illumination levels should be of sufficient intensity to provide safe pedestrian mobility but not overpower the nightscape. Use warm lighting. Coloured lighting is restricted to seasonal festive lighting and public amenities.
• (c) Direct light downward by choosing the correct type of light fixture. Acceptable fixtures are full cut-off and fully shielded fixtures that shield the light source to reduce glare.

SIGNAGE

• (a) Signage programs should be integrated in design and coordinated with the architectural features of the building and character of the area.
• (b) The size, number and placement of signs pertaining to a development should ensure a hierarchy of signage. Within this hierarchy, there should be a balance between consistency and individual creativity. Consistency may come in the location, size and materials of signage and lighting to create a rhythm; creativity may come in the shape, colour, materials and individual mounting brackets to create interest and individual business expression. Signs that visually exhibit or express the character of their site or business enterprise to which they pertain are encouraged.
• (c) All sign materials and mounting brackets should be high quality, textured and durable. Raised or recessed letters or symbols are strongly encouraged. Lighting fixtures should be quality, unobtrusive fixtures and related electrical conduits should be concealed behind fascia.
• (d) Signs may support intense colour applications, but should be harmonious with the colour scheme of the building with which they are associated.
• (e) All signage must also meet the requirements of the Sign Bylaw, except that the bylaw requirements may be varied to authorize signs that are demonstrated to better achieve the overall objectives of these form and character guidelines.

FENCING

• (a) Fencing is generally discouraged but may be used where necessary, along with vegetative planting, to limit public access to utilities or dangerous areas.
• (b) Fence design should be appropriate to its function, location and context in the neighbourhood. Fences should be of a high quality, reflecting and extending the building details and integrated with landscaping to minimize their visual impact.
• (c) Chain link fencing where utilized should be screened such that the fencing is not visible from pedestrian areas, a street or a highway.

LANDSCAPING

• (a) Properties adjacent to Highway 99 should maintain a 20 metre wide landscaped area adjacent to the Highway 99 right-of-way that contributes to the mountain character and complements the development.
• (b) Wherever possible, mature trees should be preserved and integrated with new landscaping.
• (c) Landscaping, tree plantings and screening methods should be used to:
  • (i) screen surface parking lots;
  • (ii) screen surface storage areas;
  • (iii) screen blank building façades; and
  • (iv) provide buffers between other adjacent land uses.
• (d) Landscaped areas with the capacity to infiltrate and accommodate stormwater runoff, such as planting beds and grassed areas, are encouraged to reduce stormwater runoff from surface parking lots and rooftops.
• (e) Landscaping and screening elements should be able to withstand Whistler’s harsh climatic conditions and be coordinated with adjacent landscaping.
• (f) Use plant species suited to the local climate, requiring minimal irrigation, which also provide dynamic seasonal interest.