A. 
Purpose. This article is intended to establish the general requirements for the appearance of buildings which are subject to site plan review and approval and, through the application of these standards, promote and protect a cohesive architectural character within the Town.
B. 
Applicability. This article shall apply to all developments in the Town where site plan review is required in accordance with the provisions of Part 2 and shall be enforced through the site plan approval process. This article is in addition to, and not in lieu of, the Chesapeake City, Maryland, Architectural Design Standards, adopted by resolution of the Town in 2006, as may be amended and revised from time to time.[1] In the event of any conflict between this article and the Architectural Design Standards, the Architectural Design Standards shall control unless a standard is less stringent than the applicable provision herein.
[Amended 9-9-2013 by Ord. No. 08.12.2013]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Architectural Design Standards are included as an attachment to this chapter.
C. 
Required submittals.
(1) 
All Category 1 site plans and all site plans in the Historic District shall include proposed street front elevations prepared by a licensed architect for all buildings.
(2) 
The Zoning Administrator may require that Category 2 site plan submittals contain street front building elevations prepared by a licensed architect.
A. 
Terms.
(1) 
"Proportion" refers to the relationship between width and height of building facades.
(2) 
"Rhythm" refers to the repetition and space of openings (windows and doors) on individual buildings as compared with adjacent structures. "Rhythm" also refers to the space of repetitive building masses along a street.
(3) 
"Scale" refers to the size (height/width) relationship between adjacent structures. "Human scale" refers to the comfortable size relationship between buildings and people.
B. 
Standards. Illustration 4 shows the appropriate and inappropriate application of the basic design standards set forth below.
(1) 
The proportional relationship of individual facades shall emphasize the vertical rather than the horizontal.
(2) 
Large disparities between the height, width, and length of a building shall be avoided.
(3) 
Large blank walls shall be avoided. Buildings shall be designed to support a human-scale environment. One of the windows on each floor may be substituted with another architectural element such as a chimney, door, garage, deck, or other element that creates visual interest and eliminates blank walls.
(4) 
Buildings and accessory structures shall be compatible with neighboring buildings and structures in terms of height, proportion, rhythm, and scale.
(5) 
All of the design elements of a building shall maintain the same architectural style in terms of proportion, rhythm, and scale as the overall style of the building.
(6) 
Buildings shall be designed to promote a pattern of closely spaced buildings with multiple entrances.
(7) 
Rooftop and exposed mechanical electrical equipment shall be screened from view. Screening shall be architecturally integrated with buildings.
(8) 
Building orientation. Buildings and their main entrances shall face the front yard on the lot.
(9) 
In new construction, the roof of buildings should conform to the predominant orientation of roofs on the street.
(10) 
Neighborhood context should dictate the choice of materials for exterior of buildings. Standards on exterior building materials are contained in the Town's Architectural Standards.
Illustration 4
120 Illustration 4.tif
C. 
Architectural Design Standards. The Chesapeake City, Maryland, Architectural Design Standards, which were adopted pursuant to the Architectural Review Resolution, 2006, which may be revised from time to time by resolution, and which were previously designated as Section One of the Planning and Zoning Ordinances and Regulations, are hereby adopted and made a part of this chapter as if fully set forth herein, and are incorporated herein by reference.[1]
[Added 5-15-2017 by Ord. No. 01.09.2017]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Architectural Design Standards are included as an attachment to this chapter.
The Planning Commission, in relation to a Category 1 site plan, or the Zoning Administrator, in relation to a Category 2 site plan, may modify the requirements of this article provided there are findings of facts that the modification will not have any deleterious effect on existing or planned development of adjacent properties, and where deemed appropriate due to the location, size, configuration or topographic condition of the lot, provided the Planning Commission finds that the purposes of this article will be met.