For the purpose of promoting compatible development, stability
of property values, and to prevent impairment or depreciation of property
values, no person shall erect any structure without first obtaining
the approval of the Plan Commission or Architectural Review Board
of the Architectural Plans as set forth in this Division. On matters
that require zoning approval by the Plan Commission, the Plan Commission
shall act as the Architectural Review Board, and the Plan Commission
may request assistance of the Architectural Board.
The following principles and standards for architectural review
are used by the Architectural Review Board in its review, approval
or denial of the Architectural Review Application. These are also
intended to be a design aid for builders and owners to use in the
preparation of architectural plans. To implement this Ordinance, the
following architectural review principles and guidelines are established:
A. Building Scale and Mass. The relative proportion
of a building to its neighboring existing buildings, to pedestrians
or observers, or to other existing buildings shall be maintained or
enhanced when new buildings are built or when existing buildings are
remodeled or altered.
B. Building Rooflines and Roof Shapes. The visual continuity
of roofs and their contributing elements (parapet walls, coping, cornices,
etc.) shall be maintained in building development or redevelopment.
C. Materials. Material selection for architectural
design shall be based upon the prevailing material already used on
existing buildings in the area. No building shall be permitted where
any exposed facade is constructed or faced with a finished material
which is aesthetically incompatible with other building facades in
the area or which presents an unattractive appearance to the public
and surrounding properties.
D. Colors. Since the selection of building colors has
a significant aesthetic and visual impact upon the public and neighboring
properties, color shall be selected in general harmony with the existing
area or neighborhood buildings.
E. Design Repetition. A building design may not be
repeated within four lots, adjacent or facing on same street. This
shall apply to all buildings, whether or not they are constructed
by the same builder.
F. Elevations of Buildings Facing the Public Streets
on a Corner Lot. Buildings located on corner lots shall continue the
major front elevation design elements around the corner elevation.
G. Building Elevations Clad with a Singular Exterior
Surface Material. Building elevations clad with a singular exterior
surface material shall provide some additional architectural design
element(s) to break up the plane of the wall. This may be done by
the addition of window(s), gable end wall treatments, siding design
and accent panels, or other architectural design treatments consistent
with the principal building design.
H. Foundations Below Overhanging Bays. Buildings shall
be designed with foundations below all bays which overhang the building
foundation. The Architectural Review Board will allow the construction
of bay windows, projections of floors above the first floor. Front
window bays will be permitted, provided that they are a minimum of
12 inches above grade.
I. Enclosure of Metal Furnace Vents. All chimney and
fireplace vents shall be enclosed in a chase constructed of materials
similar to those materials used on the building elevations; metal
housings designed by the vent manufacturer to enclose the chimney
vents are acceptable.
Architectural Review Applications including Architectural Plans
and related data and materials shall be submitted to the Building
Inspector who shall transmit all Architectural Review Applications
and their accompanying data and materials to the Architectural Review
Board for their review and approval. The Architectural Review Board
shall review plans for new buildings and building plans for additions
to, or alterations of buildings which significantly alter the original
design. (Second floor additions to ranch style houses and two-story
additions attached to one-story buildings are typical of the type
of plans relating to existing buildings which are required to be reviewed.)
When the Plan Commission acts as the Architectural Board, the same
plans shall be submitted to the Planning and Zoning Administrator.
Architectural Plan(s) submitted with Architectural Review Applications
shall include the following:
A. Required Application Submittal Materials. Architectural
plans, elevations, and perspective drawings and sketches illustrating
the design and character of all proposed structures. A color building
elevation or perspective rendering of the exterior of the proposed
building(s) shall be required for review by the Architectural Review
Board for all nonresidential and multiple-family dwelling structures.
Said elevations and perspective drawings shall indicate the location
and placement of all auxiliary building equipment such as heating,
ventilating, and/or air-conditioning equipment. These drawings are
to be drawn to a recognized architectural scale with the name of the
project noted. Building plans shall be submitted with all details
drawn on each elevation. Plans drawn with partial building details
indicated will be returned to the Architectural Review Applicant for
redrafting. Red-line drawings will only be accepted for minor detail
change;, major changes will require redrafting of the building elevations.
In addition, the following data, information, and materials are to
be included:
1. Owner/Developer. Owner's and/or developer's name
and address noted.
2. Architect/Engineer. Architect's and/or engineer's
name and address noted.
3. Date. Date of submittal of plans.
4. Scale. Scale of drawings noted on each drawing.
5. Building Type, Size, and Location. The type, size,
and location of all structures with all building dimensions shown.
6. Height. The height of building(s).
7. Plan Commission Approved Site Plan Required. The
Plan Commission approved Site Plan indicating building location drawn
to a recognized engineering or architectural scale, with the name
of the project noted and north arrow shown.
8. Exterior Materials Samples to be Provided. Samples
of exterior materials and their colors.
9. Additional Information May be Required. Additional
information and data which may be required by the Building Inspector
or Architectural Review Board may include, but not be limited to,
the following upon request:
a. Photographs from the site of adjacent neighboring
structures and/or property.
b. Detailed drawings of decorative elements of the
building(s) or structure(s).
c. Sectional building or site drawings drawn to a recognized
engineering or architectural scale.