This chapter establishes review procedures and standards for
proposed development and new land uses to: ensure compliance with
the required standards, design guidelines, and ordinances of the city;
minimize potential adverse effects on surrounding properties and the
environment; implement the Land Use and Urban Design, and Public Open
Space Elements of the General Plan; and promote the general health,
safety, welfare, and economy of the residents of the city. Therefore,
it is the purpose of this chapter to:
A. Enhance
the overall appearance of the city by improving the appearance of
individual development projects within the city;
B. Promote
open space around structures, for access to and around buildings,
and the establishment and maintenance of landscaping for aesthetic
and screening purposes;
C. Promote
areas of improved open space to protect access to natural light, ventilation,
and direct sunlight, to ensure the compatibility of land uses, to
provide space for privacy, landscaping, and recreation;
D. Ensure
that new or modified use and development will complement the existing
or potential development of surrounding neighborhoods, and to produce
an environment of stable and desirable character;
E. Implement
and promote the goals and policies in the Land Use and Urban Design
chapter of the General Plan;
F. Ensure
that all new development builds on the city's character and does not
have an adverse aesthetic impact upon existing adjoining properties,
the environment, or the city in general;
G. Recognize
the interdependence of land values and aesthetics and provide a method
by which the city may implement this interdependence to the benefit
of its constituents;
H. Promote
the use of sound design principles that result in creative, imaginative
solutions and establish structures of quality design throughout the
city and which avoid monotony and mediocrity of development;
I. Promote
maintenance of the public health, safety, general welfare, and property
throughout the city;
J. Further
communication between building interiors and their surroundings, and
contribute meaning and visual interest to the pedestrian environment;
and
K. Recognize
that the greater the project (e.g., impact, location, size, etc.),
the more important the need to look at projects in greater detail.
(Ord. 01-594 § 2, 2001)
The standards of this chapter shall be considered and applied
to proposed development and new land uses by the review authority
through the applicable land use permit process required by Article
19-2 (Zoning Districts and Allowable Land Uses) to authorize the proposed
use.
(Ord. 01-594 § 2, 2001)
Conditions of approval to secure compliance with the provisions
of this chapter may be adopted as part of the approval of a discretionary
land use permit to bring the proposed design into conformity. When
the proposed design does not meet the adopted standards or design
guidelines, and cannot be conditioned to comply, the proposed project
shall be denied and referred to the applicant for potential redesign
and resubmittal.
(Ord. 01-594 § 2, 2001)
Land use permit approval may be granted by the appropriate review
authority only if the proposed project complies with all of the following
standards:
A. The
architectural design and situation of structures and their materials
and colors are compatible with the scale and character of surrounding
development and other improvements on the site or of a higher caliber
design quality than surrounding development. Specific design elements
(e.g., screening of equipment, exterior lighting, signs, awnings,
etc.) have been incorporated into the project to further ensure the
compatibility of the structures with the character of surrounding
development;
B. The
landscape design, including the location, type, size, color, texture,
and coverage of plant materials, provisions for irrigation, protection
of landscape elements, and lighting have been considered to create
visual relief, complement structures, and provide an attractive environment;
C. The
proposed design promotes a harmonious transition in terms of scale
and character between areas of different land use designations where
relevant;
D. The
proposed plans provide for adequate and safe pedestrian and vehicular
circulation; and
E. Non-residential
projects shall contribute to a pedestrian environment by providing
visual access to the interior or other visual interest or other pedestrian
amenities, and residential projects shall contribute to the visual
interest of the neighborhood.
(Ord. 01-594 § 2, 2001)