Design Guidelines

All site development shall conform to applicable municipal and state regulations (i.e. zoning ordinance, subdivision, wetland, etc.). Regulated items include, but are not limited to:

1. Lot coverage and dimensional setback

2. Roadway, parking and pavements

3. Stormwater detention/retention and treatment systems.

4. Erosion and sediment control

5. Utility services

6. Landscaping

7. Site lighting

8. Signage

All Lots shall be graded in a manner that is sympathetic, and with minimal disruption, to the existing topography of the Lot. All buildings, structures, facilities, roads, and parking areas shall be aligned parallel to land contours to minimize site disturbance or major divergencies from the existing contours of the terrain. Parking areas shall be terraced, and buildings stepped, as necessary, to achieve this. Disturbed cut and fill areas shall be smoothly blended to meet adjacent existing grades.

The width of access roads, driveways and parking aisles shall comply with applicable regulations.

All exterior service loading, storage, refuse dumpsters, and utility areas (including transformers, cooling towers, etc.) shall be located at the side or rear of the buildings and will be screened or sheltered to minimize visibility from the street right-of-way or from adjacent parcels. No other material, supplies, or equipment shall be permitted to remain outside any building, unless screened from the road.

Adequate loading and maneuvering space shall be provided for each use, separated from the parking areas.

Soil erosion and sediment control measures shall be incorporated into the site design of the individual development parcels in order to minimize erosion, off-site sedimentation, and water quality degradation. Stormwater management and conveyance systems shall be designed to meet, or exceed, the latest version of the MADEP Stormwater Management standards and any local regulation pertaining to stormwater. Proponents are encouraged to utilize low-impact development strategies and promote groundwater recharge.

All parking areas and driveways shall be paved with bituminous concrete pavement, concrete or unit pavers.

All parking areas shall be curbed with granite curbing. Sloped granite curbs may be used in areas where curbing does not abut sidewalks.

Retaining or freestanding walls shall be finished with brick, stone, or concrete compatible with adjacent buildings.

Sidewalks shall be provided to connect parking areas to building entrances. Walks shall be constructed of concrete or unit pavers such as brick or stone.

The parking ratio shall comply with City requirements for the proposed use. Planting and screening of parking spaces, consistent with the City of Worcester’s guidelines for surface parking lots is recommended.

Parking shall be set back a minimum of ten feet from property lines, unless approved by the WBDC.

Structured parking facilities shall comply with the recommended building design.

Parking areas shall provide electric vehicle, or electric vehicle ready, parking infrastructure in accordance to the latest Massachusetts Stretch Code and any applicable local requirements., unless a reduction in the requirement is approved by the City and WBDC.

Proponents shall strictly comply with all Laws concerning lighting. The Design Plans for each Lot shall provide for exterior lighting in appropriate relationship to any building, structure or facility on the Lot. Levels of light intensity in any parking areas and all exterior walkways shall be maintained by the Owner at safe levels, and all bulbs shall be promptly replaced as failure occurs. Light standards shall be maintained in good report and kept functional at all times. Glare and light spillage from and lighting on any Lot to any adjacent Lots shall be strictly prohibited. All lighting shall have appropriate “cut-offs” to reduce or eliminate glare and light spillage onto any frontage roads and adjacent Lots. Owners are encouraged to source sustainable, energy efficient light fixtures such as LED.

One freestanding identification sign containing the building address and tenant name(s) may be erected at the entrance to each parcel, at a location deemed to be suitable, visible and appropriate by review and approval of the WBDC. The entrance identification sign shall be fabricated with durable, weather-protected materials and finishes to complement the building architecture, as approved by the WBDC.

Exterior signs should conform with the City Sign Ordinance and is subject to approval by WBDC.

Tenants within the campus will have the ability to have their company name and/or address included on any installed campus directory sign, at the sole cost of the tenant.

Directional, traffic, parking and regulatory signs in the campus shall be consistent with the graphic image of the campus and will be provided by the proponent. Those signs will be restricted to the minimum necessary and will be visually unobtrusive.

The Proponent shall be responsible for the enhancement of the site landscape on said Owner’s Lot. Any unbuilt areas of any Lot shall be landscaped with the appropriate combination of trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials and turf grass. To the extent practicable, the Proponent shall employ sustainable practices to reduce the need for irrigation, shade impervious surfaces to reduce heat island effect, supports groundwater recharge and restores wildlife habitats. Sustainable landscapes utilize lawn alternatives and native or adapted vegetation that are hardy to the Massachusetts climate.  To relieve pressure on stormwater drainage systems and reduce flooding, Owners are encouraged to install Green Infrastructure like rain gardens, permeable pavement, green roofs, and bioswales designed to capture and infiltrate stormwater where it lands. Refer to City of Worcester climate resilience hub https://www.worcesterma.gov/sustainability-resilience.

Proposed trees shall be Asian Longhorn Beetle and Emerald Ash Borer resistant varieties. Do not propose any plant listed on the State of Massachusetts invasive species inventory. To the extent practicable, minimize large expanse of lawn areas and increase planting areas to cool and shade the environment and impervious surfaces.

All landscaped areas within a Lot shall be regularly maintained by the Proponent, at the Proponent’s sole cost and expense. Maintenance shall include without limitation, and where applicable: fertilization, mowing, elimination of weeds, and replacement of dead or diseased plant materials as required. To the extent practicable, the Owner shall maintain landscapes using Integrated Pest Management five step approach 1) Pest Identification, 2) Monitoring, 3) Control, 4) Action Threshold, 5) Prevention. The use of electric power equipment to maintain landscaped areas is strongly encouraged.