A. 
The city's history, location and ideal climatic conditions render the aesthetic quality of the city an important asset.
B. 
All of these factors constitute an important economic asset for the city, both for those who reside here and for those who earn their living here.
C. 
The appearance of buildings, structures and the land, as visible from public and private streets, places and ways, has a material and substantial relationship to property values in the city.
D. 
To protect the economic welfare of the community, it is the policy of the city council to protect, maintain and enhance the social and economic values created by past and present investments in the community, by requiring all future developments to become a compatible part of the total community environment.
E. 
The policy will be implemented and maintained by the creation of an architectural review committee to develop appropriate standards and guidelines for all future development projects. The guidelines shall specify an Early California theme defined in broad terms to include elements of Western, Ranch, Spanish, Monterey and Victorian styles of architecture.
(Ord. 535 § 1, 1991)
A. 
The purpose of the architectural review committee is to recognize the interdependence of land values and aesthetics, and to provide a method by which the city may implement this interdependence to its benefit, and to the benefit of its individual citizens.
B. 
To preserve and enhance the beauty and environmental amenities of the city by:
1. 
Stimulating creative design;
2. 
Encouraging the innovative use of materials, methods and techniques;
3. 
Preserving balance and harmony;
4. 
Integrating the functions, appearance and locations of buildings and improvements, including parking, so as to best achieve a balance between private prerogatives and preferences and the public interest and welfare.
(Ord. 535 § 1, 1991)
An architectural review committee is established, consisting of the members of the planning commission, as appointed by the city council. The planning commission rules and procedures for the conduct of business shall be applicable to the committee. The architectural review committee shall have the authority to review, conditionally approve and disapprove architectural plans, drawings and sketches.
(Ord. 535 § 1, 1991)
All applications for permits for the construction of any building, structure, physical improvement, addition, extension, exterior change or sign, except for residential developments, shall be preceded by architectural review, unless the committee certifies that the project is minor or incidental, and need not be reviewed.
(Ord. 535 § 1, 1991)
A. 
The architectural review committee shall review architectural plans immediately following review and approval of the required land use permit, such as conditional use permit or site plan review, by the planning commission.
B. 
A representative of the planning staff shall serve the committee. A design resource person will, when available, provide staff with a review of all architectural plans.
(Ord. 535 § 1, 1991)
A. 
The committee may adopt rules, regulations and procedures as required for the transaction of its business.
B. 
The committee shall establish, and the city council shall adopt, standards and guidelines which shall be applied by the committee in reviewing applications for development. Such guidelines and standards are to be set forth in pictorial and/or narrative form and may illustrate undesirable as well as desirable examples of design. A document containing the guidelines and standards shall be available for public reference in the planning department. The committee shall periodically review these standards and architectural guidelines and may make appropriate amendments subject, in all cases, to the city council approval.
C. 
The architectural theme for the city will be Early California, and will be specifically defined in the architectural guidelines. The theme is defined in broad terms to include elements of Western, Ranch, Spanish, Monterey and Victorian schools of architecture. Some characteristics of this theme are as follows:
1. 
Use of structural, architectural design element, i.e., corridors, heavy beams, posts, arches, columns, colonnades, canopies, cornices, etc.;
2. 
Strong textured look, using woods, tiles, pavers, stuccos, stones, blocks and bricks, colors, plant material, recesses, etc.;
3. 
Strong feeling of overhead treatment such as roof overhangs, balconies or dark fascias;
4. 
Earthen colors. Colors with warm, natural tones. Colors range from whites, yellows, browns, clays, slates;
5. 
Wall relief (graphics, three dimensional design, landscaping, heavy textured stucco, wood, tiles, etc.);
6. 
Strong window statement (treatment of frame, mullions, border, etc.)
(Ord. 535 § 1, 1991)
In the event the applicant, any interested person, or the city, is aggrieved by the decision of the architectural review committee, an appeal may be made to the city council in the manner set forth under Chapter 17.68.
(Ord. 535 § 1, 1991; Ord. 12-05 § 2, 2012)
All projects shall be developed in strict conformance with the plans approved by the architectural review committee. Failure to conform in any respect with the architectural plans shall constitute grounds for immediate stoppage of work, or, if the work or any part thereof is already completed, it shall be demolished or otherwise modified to conform with said approved plans.
(Ord. 535 § 1, 1991)
In the case of noncompliance with any of the conditions imposed by the architectural review committee, the planning commission may recommend revocation of the architectural review committee approval. The procedure for revocation shall be the same as revocation of conditional use permits, as set forth in Section 17.54.080.
(Ord. 535 § 1, 1991)
The duration of the architectural review approval shall be one year from the date of approval. If construction has been commenced and is being pursued diligently toward completion within this one-year period, the approval shall stay in force for another year period. In the case of unavoidable delay, the architectural review committee may, upon application, extend the time limit for completion of the project, subject to the amendment of previously adopted conditions of approval.
(Ord. 535 § 1, 1991)