(1) 
Excessive uniformity, dissimilarity, inappropriateness or poor quality of design on the exterior appearance of structures and signs and the lack of proper attention to site development and landscaping in Kalispell hinders the harmonious development of the City, impairs the desirability of residences, investment or occupation in the City, limits the opportunity to attain the optimum use and value of land and improvement, adversely affects the stability and value of the property, produces degeneration of property in such areas with attendant deterioration of condition affecting the peace, health and welfare of the City, and destroys a proper relationship between the taxable value of property and the cost of municipal services.
(2) 
The purposes and objectives of architectural site design review procedure are to:
(a) 
Encourage originality, flexibility and innovation in site planning and development, including the architecture, landscaping and graphic design of said development;
(b) 
Discourage monotonous, drab, unsightly, dreary and inharmonious development;
(c) 
Conserve the City's natural beauty and visual character and charm by insuring that structures, signs and other improvements are properly related to their sites, and to surrounding sites and structures, with due regard to the aesthetic qualities of the natural terrain and landscaping, and that proper attention is given to exterior appearances of structures, signs, and other improvements;
(d) 
Protect and enhance the City's appeal to tourists and visitors and thus support and stimulate business and industry and promote the desirability of investment and occupancy in business, commercial and industrial properties;
(e) 
Stabilize and improve property values and prevent blighted areas and, thus, increase tax revenues;
(f) 
Achieve the beneficial influence of pleasant environments for living and working on behavioral patterns, and thus decrease the cost of governmental services;
(g) 
Foster civil pride and community spirit so as to improve the quality and quantity or citizen participation in local government and in community growth, change and improvement;
(h) 
Sustain the comfort, health, tranquility and contentment of residents by reason of the City's favorable environment, and thus to promote and protect the peace, health and welfare of the City; and
(i) 
Protect and enhance the historic character of downtown Kalispell for the educational, cultural, and economic benefit and enjoyment of the traveling public and citizens of Kalispell.
(Ord. 1677, 7-19-2010; amd. Ord. 1860, 7-19-2021)
(1) 
The Mayor, with the approval of the Council, shall appoint an Architectural Review Committee (ARC) of at least five persons, with qualifications including, but not limited to, special education, training or experience in the financing of commercial real property, architecture, historic preservation or landscape architecture; active engagement in business, commerce or industry; and/or education, training or experience in the area of graphic or allied arts. Whenever possible, the Mayor shall appoint individuals who are either property owners, residents, historic preservation specialist, or actively engaged in business or employment in the City.
(2) 
The members shall serve four year terms. The specific terms shall be initially established so that up to two four-year appointments are made each year until all positions have been appointed. The Mayor, with approval of the Council, may remove any member of the ARC after hearing, for misconduct or non-performance of duty. Any vacancies of the ARC shall be appointees of the Mayor with the approval of the Council.
(3) 
The ARC may adopt and amend rules to govern the conduct of its business including, but not limited to: officers, quorum, voting, schedule of meetings and records.
(Ord. 1677, 7-19-2010; amd. Ord. 1824, 3-18-2019; Ord. 1860, 7-19-2021)
(1) 
Except for single-family and duplex dwellings, no building permit shall be issued for a new building or major remodeling of an existing building, and no sign permit shall be issued for the construction or alteration of a sign, until the plans, drawings, sketches and other documents required under Section 27.21.050 have been reviewed and approved by the ARC in conformity with the criteria specified in Section 27.21.040. Wall signs are exempt from ARC review. For purposes of this section, the term "major remodeling" shall mean any remodeling that substantially changes the exterior appearance of the building. The façade improvements outlined in Section 27.21A.020 may not require a building permit but shall require ARC review and approval prior to commencing work.
(2) 
Construction, site development and landscaping, signing and graphics shall be carried out in the substantial accord with the plans, drawings, sketches and other documents approved by the ARC, unless altered with the ARC's approval. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent ordinary repair, maintenance and replacement of any part of the building or landscaping which does not involve a substantial change from the goals and objectives of Section 27.21.010.
(Ord. 1677, 7-19-2010; amd. Ord. 1824, 3-18-2019; Ord. 1860, 7-19-2021)
(1) 
The following standards shall be utilized by the ARC in reviewing the plans, drawings, sketches and other documents required under Section 27.21.050. These standards are intended to provide a frame of reference for the applicant in the development of site and building plans as well as a method of review for the ARC. These standards shall not be regarded as inflexible requirements. They are not intended to discourage creativity, invention and innovation. The specifications on one or more particular architectural style are not included in these standards.
(a) 
City of Kalispell, Montana, Architectural Design Standards. The project should be designed to follow the architectural design standards.
(b) 
Relation of Proposed Buildings to Environment. Proposed structures shall be related harmoniously to the terrain and to existing buildings in the vicinity that have a visual relationship to the proposed buildings. The achievement of such relationship may include the enclosure of space in conjunction with other existing buildings or other proposed buildings and the creation of focal points with respect to avenues of approach, terrain features or other buildings.
(c) 
Advertising Features. The size, location, design, color, texture, lighting and materials of all exterior signs and outdoor advertising structures or features shall not detract from the design of proposed buildings and structures and the surrounding properties.
(d) 
Special Features. Exposed storage areas, exposed machinery installations, service areas, truck loading areas, utility buildings and structures and similar accessory areas and structures shall be subject to such setback, screen plantings or other screening methods as shall reasonably be required to prevent their being incongruous with the existing or contemplated environment and the surrounding properties.
(e) 
Application of Design Standards. The standards of review outlined in this section also apply to all accessory buildings, structures, exterior signs and other site features, however related to the major buildings or structures.
(2) 
The ARC shall also be guided by the objectives of Section 27.21.010, and such objectives shall serve as additional criteria and standards.
(Ord. 1677, 7-19-2010; amd. Ord. 1860, 7-19-2021)
(1) 
Submission of Documents. A prospective applicant for a building or other permit, who is subject to site design review, shall submit to the planning department the following:
(a) 
A site plan, drawn to scale, showing the proposed layout of all structures and other improvements including, where appropriate, driveways, pedestrian walks, landscaped areas, fences, walls, off-street parking and loading areas, and railroad tracks. The site plan shall indicate the location of entrances and exits and the direction of traffic flow into and out of off-street parking and loading areas, the location of each parking space and each loading berth and areas of turning and maneuvering vehicles.
(b) 
A landscape plan, drawn to scale, showing the location of existing trees proposed to be removed and to be retained on the site, the location and design of landscaped areas, the varieties and sizes of trees and plant materials to be planted on the site, other pertinent landscape features, and irrigation systems required to maintain trees and plant materials.
(c) 
Architectural drawings or sketches, drawn to scale, including floor plans, in sufficient detail to permit computation of yard requirements and showing all elevations of the proposed structures and other improvements as they will appear on completion of construction.
(d) 
Specifications as to type, color and texture of exterior surfaces of proposed structures or alterations.
(e) 
Specifications for each exterior light fixture.
(f) 
A sign plan, drawn to scale, showing the location, size, design, material, color and methods of illumination of all exterior signs.
(2) 
The ARC shall make a decision in a timely manner pursuant to their rules and schedule. An applicant may appeal a decision to the City Council. The appeal shall be filed in writing to the City Manager within 30 days after the ARC has rendered its decision at the scheduled meeting.
(Ord. 1677, 7-19-2010; amd. Ord. 1860, 7-19-2021)