The planning commission shall review the design of the building proposed in an application for a land use permit or a building permit, as the case may be, in each land use district other than single-family residential.
The city council shall adopt design guidelines that shall be applied by the zoning administrator, the planning commission, and on appeal, the city council, in any application for a zoning permit in that portion of the downtown designated commercial core, as depicted in Figure 5-1 of the general plan, as amended from time to time. Said guidelines shall conform to the provisions of PMC § 15.84.080. Said guidelines are to be set forth in pictorial or narrative form and may illustrate undesirable as well as desirable examples of design. A document containing the guidelines shall be available for public reference in the planning department. The city council may periodically review these guidelines and may make appropriate amendments. Should any section of the guidelines conflict with any sections of this code, then the guidelines will prevail for the downtown commercial core.
(Ord. 979 § 2 (Exh. A), 1990; Ord. 05-1252 § 2, 2005; Ord. 07-1284 § 3 (Exh. C), 2007)
A. 
Site plan showing:
1. 
General location of property;
2. 
Property boundaries;
3. 
Existing topography and proposed grading (for property no less than 10 acres, a contour interval no greater than five feet and a horizontal map scale of one inch equals 50 feet or larger shall be used; for property larger than 10 acres, a contour interval no greater than 10 feet and a horizontal map scale of one inch equals 100 feet or larger shall be used);
4. 
All existing and proposed structures, the height of each structure and number of dwelling units in each structure;
5. 
All existing and proposed signs;
6. 
Location and approximate height of all adjacent structures on abutting sites;
7. 
Location, dimensions and quantity of existing and proposed off-street parking, with a statement indicating whether it conforms to applicable regulations;
8. 
Existing and proposed vehicular and pedestrian ways, and trails, with grades, widths and types of improvements;
9. 
Proposed vehicular access between site and public street;
10. 
Locations, names and widths of abutting streets;
11. 
Existing and proposed utilities;
12. 
Existing and proposed recreational facilities;
13. 
Existing and proposed storm drainage facilities;
14. 
Location of existing trees on the site;
15. 
Locations and heights of existing and proposed retaining walls;
16. 
Locations and dimensions of trash disposal areas;
17. 
Roof overhangs;
18. 
Distances between buildings and from building walls to property lines;
19. 
Proposed street names;
20. 
Handicap facilities;
B. 
Architectural drawings showing:
1. 
Floor plans at one-eighth inch or one-quarter inch equals one foot zero inches;
2. 
Four elevations (or more if necessary) to include all sides of development at no less than one-eighth inch equals one foot zero inches;
C. 
Landscaping plan, including plant names and sizes, and an irrigation plan;
D. 
A recent photograph of the site itself and of adjacent properties showing the current condition of the properties;
E. 
Color and texture chips of actual samples of materials;
F. 
Additional information which may be requested by the planning commission including but not limited to the following:
1. 
Recent photographs of sight line profiles in sufficiently large scale, taken from commonly used vantage points in the city (shopping centers, road intersections, scenic lookouts, etc.) with the outline of the proposed structure in proper scale and perspective superimposed on it;
2. 
Architectural drawings showing the locations, size, color, shape and type of illumination of each proposed sign;
G. 
Other information as determined by the city planner.
(Ord. 979 § 2 (Exh. A), 1990; Ord. 07-1284 § 3 (Exh. C), 2007)
A. 
The planning commission shall consider the following aspects of each application to the extent that they are applicable to the proposal:
1. 
Maximum height, lot coverage and setbacks (if not covered in the zoning ordinance);
2. 
Overall mass and bulk of structures;
3. 
Special features of the development, such as walls, screen, towers and signs;
4. 
Effective concealment and sound attenuation of exposed mechanical and electrical equipment;
5. 
Colors and materials on the exterior face of building or structure, striving for a limited number of colors and materials for each project;
6. 
Avoidance of repetition of identical entities whenever possible;
7. 
Harmonious relationship with existing and proposed adjoining developments, avoiding both excessive variety and monotonous repetition, but allowing similarity of style, if warranted;
8. 
Pleasing landscaping which incorporates existing landscaping and terrain as a complement to the structure, using plants which thrive in the Pittsburg climate and which are large enough in size to be effective.
B. 
The standards to be used by the planning commission in reviewing an application are whether:
1. 
The structure conforms with good taste, good design and in general contributes to the character and image of the city as a place of beauty, spaciousness, balance, taste, fitness, broad vistas, and high quality;
2. 
The structure will be protected against exterior and interior noise, vibrations and other factors which may tend to make the environment less desirable;
3. 
The exterior design and appearance of the structure is not of inferior quality as to cause the nature of the neighborhood to materially depreciate in appearance and value;
4. 
The structure is in harmony with proposed developments on land in the general area;
5. 
The application conforms with the criteria set forth in any applicable city-adopted design guidelines.
C. 
Standards for Review for Designated Historic Buildings and All Properties Located in a Designated Historic District. The reviewing authority shall utilize the standards for design review set forth in subsections (A) and (B) of this section, and the adopted design guidelines described in PMC § 15.84.080, Design criteria code. The reviewing authority shall also find:
1. 
With regard to an application for design review of a designated historic building, or designated contributing building within a historic district, the proposed work will not adversely affect the exterior character-defining features of the structure.
2. 
With regard to an application for design review of a designated noncontributing building, or an application for new development located within a designated historic district, the reviewing authority shall find that the proposed improvement complements adjacent development through massing, form, composition, setbacks, fenestration, exterior architectural features, materials, finishes, colors and details of ornamentation among other building elements and features.
(Ord. 979 § 2 (Exh. A), 1990; Ord. 05-1252 § 2, 2005; Ord. 07-1284 § 3 (Exh. C), 2007; Ord. 07-1290 § 5, 2007)
The planning commission shall discuss the application for design review approval and integrate it with the land use approval process applicable to the project.
(Ord. 979 § 2 (Exh. A), 1990; Ord. 07-1284 § 3 (Exh. C), 2007)
Approval terminates according to its terms, if any, or upon the expiration of one year from approval unless a building or grading permit has been issued. The planning commission may extend the duration of the approval upon written request filed within the effective period of approval.
(Ord. 979 § 2 (Exh. A), 1990; Ord. 07-1284 § 3 (Exh. C), 2007)