It is the policy of the city to preserve and enhance the small-town qualities of Winters, to improve property values and to conserve the overall visual character of the community. Further, the design review process is intended to ensure that the location and configuration of structures and corollary site improvements are visually harmonious with their site and that of surrounding sites and structures. To implement these policies, the city requires design review for certain types of development or when development occurs in certain locations. The design review process may include an analysis of proposed architectural styles, construction materials, colors, site landscaping and similar development criteria. The Winters design guidelines shall be used as a basis for this review.
(prior code § 8-1.4211(A); Ord. 2001-04 (part); Ord. 2016-10 § 3 (part))
Design review shall be required before the planning commission for the following projects:
A. 
Construction of nonresidential buildings or structures of five hundred (500) square feet or more, or additions of five hundred (500) square feet or more to such existing buildings;
B. 
New construction of multifamily residential units;
C. 
New construction of any single-family residential units is subject to design review. Design review for multiple units in a project can be approved as a group and shall occur prior to the issuance of the first building permit;
D. 
If lots in a project are sold to a subsequent builder, these lots are subject to design review prior to the issuance of a building permit for these lots;
E. 
Modifications to existing buildings involving collectively significant exterior changes, which may include changes of building materials, addition/deletion of doors, windows and awnings, changes to rooflines or parapet walls, etc., as determined by the community development director. In making a determination as to the significance of a proposed exterior building change, the director shall be guided by the potential for the proposed project to result in substantial visual alteration of the building in question as viewed from the street including the secondary frontage and its relative overall importance to the visual quality of the surrounding area. The review shall be at the discretion of the community development director:
F. 
Metal buildings in excess of one hundred twenty (120) square feet in any district.
(prior code § 8-1.4211 (B); Ord. 2001-04 (part))
Design review shall be accomplished pursuant to site plan review.
A. 
The planning commission shall review the site plan application where site improvements involving landscaping or parking lots are proposed.
B. 
The planning commission may consider a site plan for design review concurrently with other applications for a project (such as a use permit) which requires planning commission action. A public hearing shall be held to consider the site plan, noticed pursuant to the requirements contained in Section 17.16.040.
(prior code § 8-1.4211 (C); Ord. 2001-04 (part); Ord. 2011-06 § 1(A))
The planning commission shall consider the following aspects for design review of a site plan, as applicable:
A. 
The overall visible mass of the structure(s). This analysis may include review of visible building mass as it relates to property line setbacks, building height, roofline profiles, lot coverage and the overall size and scale of a building, and the orientation of the proposed building(s) to the street and adjoining properties;
B. 
The proposed use and quality of exterior construction materials striving for long-term compatibility with the general setting of the subject property and visual character of the general neighborhood. Exterior building colors, on new construction only, may also be considered, but only to the extent that they may detract from the desired design theme for a neighborhood;
C. 
Avoidance of buildings which are characterized by large, blank or unbroken wall planes, as well as buildings which exhibit a general lack of architectural detailing, shadow lines, etc., which collectively lack general visual interest. Uniform treatment of all building elevations shall be required unless such treatment is found unnecessary, on a case-by-case basis;
D. 
Effective screening of ground- and roof-mounted mechanical equipment;
E. 
The use of landscaping, decorative site paving, etc. which provides effective visual screening or softening of the development, as necessary. The planning commission shall consider the appropriate mix of plant materials, plant sizes, etc. pursuant to landscaping criteria contained in Chapter 17.76.
F. 
Achieve conformity with the Winters design guidelines, form-based code for downtown (Chapter 17.58), and the Grant Avenue design guidelines, as applicable.
G. 
With respect to single-family residential production housing, the above design criteria shall be considered, but with the design review focus on avoiding use of repetitive designs and site plans. Design review should encourage elements of individuality in residence design through inclusion of features such as modified front and side yard setbacks, varying architectural styles, building siding and roofing materials, creative use of fencing and landscaping, and/or other design features. To the extent possible, designs should also encourage pedestrian activity while reducing emphasis on vehicular access as the focal point of a residential lot.
(prior code § 8-1.4211 (D); Ord. 2001-04 (part); Ord. 2011-06 § 1(B))
The planning commission shall make findings relative to compliance with the provisions of Section 17.36.040 prior to approving a site plan for design review. The planning commission may impose conditions of approval to ensure conformance with the above design provisions.
(prior code § 8-1.4211 (E); Ord. 2001-04 (part))
Applicants have the option of filing conceptual (preliminary) site plans for design review in advance of formal site plan review. Conceptual design review allows for submittal of more basic site plan information (such as building elevation sketches) for an initial review by the planning commission. Conceptual design review shall be considered only as an informational item and is intended to provide informal feedback to an applicant, who could consider any comments received when preparing the formal site plans. Planning commission review and comments stemming from conceptual design review would be only advisory in nature. As such, and as no action would be taken by the planning commission at this stage, comments offered in conceptual design review would not affect or otherwise be binding upon a planning commissioner's vote on a subsequent application for formal design review.
(prior code § 8-1.4211 (G); Ord. 2001-04 (part); Ord. 2011-06 § 1(C))