In order to achieve these objectives, specific industrial development guidelines are
established. The guidelines will enable designers and developers to clearly understand the
City's intent with respect to industrial development design. In addition, the guidelines will
minimize the time required for City development review by informing developers and
designers early in the design process.
The guidelines are intended to encourage sensitive, integrated, innovative and sustainable
project designs rather than dictate any particular design theme. To that end, these
guidelines are flexible and allow a wide variety of alternative development concepts.
The industrial design guidelines are applicable to all exterior building construction,
changes in materials, repainting and mechanical equipment, as well as new or expanded
outdoor facilities, parking, fencing, landscaping and exterior lighting. The guidelines do
not apply to changes in permitted uses, interior building modifications needed to
accommodate permitted uses, and temporary uses or facilities.
Building setbacks and coverage shall comply with the limitations specified in Benicia
Zoning Ordinance Section 17.32.030.
Buildings should be located and oriented to provide a strong visual and functional
relationship with its site, adjacent sites, and nearby thoroughfares. Where feasible,
accessory facilities such as mechanical equipment, trash collection, storage areas, and
vehicle service areas should be located away from portions of the site which are highly
visible from public roadways or private properties with dissimilar improvements.
Underground utilities shall be installed in accordance with Ordinance Section 17.70.230.
3.0 - CIRCULATION, PARKING AND LOADING
Pedestrian access to primary building entrances shall be separated from auto access by
walkways as much as possible. Visitor parking should be located near the entrance of the
building and should be removed from loading areas and truck parking areas to the extent
feasible.
Driveway access along streets shall be kept to the minimum which is essential for proper
industrial traffic circulation. Driveways should be aligned with existing or planned
driveways on the opposite side of the street or oriented to existing or future street median
breaks. Where possible, driveways should be located to avoid arterial streets, close
proximity to street corners or adjacent driveways and in areas with restricted visibility.
In order to minimize interference with street circulation, a minimum driveway length of
twenty feet may be required between the property line and the first parking stall.
Parking lots or stalls which require backing directly into public streets are prohibited by
Ordinance Section 17.74.130. All new parking areas shall facilitate forward movement into
public streets unless a variance is granted.
Parking and loading facilities on each site shall be sufficient to serve its businesses without
the need to park on adjacent streets. Each project shall comply with the number and
configuration of spaces required by Ordinance Chapter 17.74.
Per Ordinance Section 17.70.190 E., parking lot design shall include landscape planters,
sidewalks, or other separators at the end of parking bays. All parking, loading and
driveway areas shall be separated from landscaped areas by concrete curbs.
Parking and loading areas should be designed so that they do not interfere with each other
or with other site activities.
Access to loading facilities shall eliminate the need for trucks to back into or out of street
rights-of-way. Provision shall be made for adequate access and circulation of emergency
vehicles. Benicia Business Park Industrial Design Guidelines Page 4
4.0 - LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Use trees, shrubs and groundcover to provide variety and to reduce the apparent mass of
large, blank facades. Earth berms are often useful in reducing the apparent mass and height
of a building.
Landscaping and berms should reinforce circulation patterns and screen and shade large
visible paved surfaces such as loading areas.
