This chapter is authorized by the City Council as a major implementation tool of the Mountlake Terrace Comprehensive Plan. Overall, this chapter intends to:
A. 
Provide clear objectives for the planning and design of development projects in the Town Center and other applicable mixed-use areas.
B. 
Preserve and protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Mountlake Terrace.
C. 
Ensure that new multifamily, mixed-use, and commercial development is of high quality and appropriate to Mountlake Terrace's character and context.
D. 
Promote increased pedestrian, bicycling, and transit use in commercial and multifamily areas.
E. 
Enhance the livability of residential developments.
F. 
Increase awareness of design considerations among the citizens of Mountlake Terrace.
G. 
Maintain and enhance property values within Mountlake Terrace.
(Ord. 2755 § 3 (Exh. B), 2019)
A. 
The design provisions in this chapter apply to all new development within the Town Center and TCR zone, including, but not limited to, building additions and site improvements. Exception: Additions to single-household dwellings are exempt from this chapter.
B. 
Relationship to Other Codes and Documents. Where provisions of this chapter conflict with provisions in any other section of the Mountlake Terrace Municipal Code (MTMC), this chapter prevails unless otherwise noted.
C. 
For building additions, remodels, and site improvements, two different thresholds have been established to determine how the standards herein are applied to such projects.
1. 
Level I improvements include all exterior remodels, building additions, and/or site improvements that affect the exterior appearance of the building/site and/or cumulatively increase the gross floor area on a site by up to 50 percent within three years of the date of permit issuance. The requirement for such improvements is only that the proposed improvements meet the standards and do not lead to further nonconformance with the standards.
For example, if a property owner decides to replace a building facade's siding, then the siding must meet the applicable exterior building material standards, but elements such as building articulation would not be required.
2. 
Level II improvements include all improvements that cumulatively increase the gross floor area on a site by 50 percent or more within three years of the date of permit issuance. Such developments must conform to all applicable standards, except in a case where there are multiple buildings on one site, and only one building is being enlarged. In that scenario, improvements to the additional buildings are not required, but conformance with all other standards apply.
(Ord. 2755 § 3 (Exh. B), 2019)
Most sections within this chapter herein include the following elements:
A. 
Purpose statements, which are overarching objectives.
B. 
Standards use words such as "must" and "is/are required," signifying required actions.
C. 
Guidelines use words such as "should" or "is/are recommended," signifying voluntary measures.
D. 
Departures are provided for specific standards. They allow alternative designs provided the reviewing authority determines the design meets the purpose of the standards and guidelines and other applicable criteria. See MTMC § 19.110.260 for related procedures associated with departures.
E. 
This chapter contains some specific standards that are easily quantifiable, while others provide a level of discretion in how they are complied with. In the latter case, the applicant must demonstrate to the director, in writing, how the project meets the purpose of the standard or standards.
(Ord. 2755 § 3 (Exh. B), 2019)