A. Purpose and Intent. The purpose and intent of this article is to provide important community design standards to ensure that the site layout, design, building orientation, materials, and appearance of new development or redevelopment promotes an exterior design pattern that is functional, practical, equitable, creative, of an aesthetic quality, and furthers the objectives of this section and design principles of Section 2. Through enforcement of this article, the local appointed and elected officials shall determine the basic aesthetic character to be achieved in the development of the community. The specific objectives of this article are as follows:
1. Sense of Place. Create a sense of permanence and place by promoting development which respects and contributes to the positive image of the city as a whole;
2. Focal Points. Establish visual interest through landmarks or focal points near major intersections, points of interest, activity nodes, and/or prominent gateways to the city;
3. Versatility. Allow for buildings to be adaptively reused without the need for extensive remodeling or demolition, by designing them according to classic architectural styles and principles, as opposed to unique corporate themes, images, marketing strategies, or "disposable" prototypes;
4. Desirability. Sustain the comfort, health, tranquility, and contentment of residents and attract new residents by contributing to a desirable built environment;
5. Property Value. Minimize incompatible surroundings and visual blight which prevent orderly community development and reduce community property values;
6. Amenities. Encourage and promote development with amenities and various types of structures that provide comfort, recreation, aesthetics, and protection from the elements;
7. Sense of Community. Foster civic pride and community spirit by maximizing the positive contribution of development to community attractions, gathering places, and streetscape; and
8. Sustainability. To promote sustainable or "green" building practices that conserve energy, water and other natural resources, preserve local and global environmental quality, strengthen the local economy, promote human health and safety, create higher quality enduring structures, and offer cost reductions in maintenance, solid waste disposal, and energy.
B. Administration. The Director of Planning and Zoning shall have the authority to interpret and administer this article.
C. Applicability. The provisions of this article shall apply to all new construction, major modifications to existing sites in connection with site plan review (Chapter 2, Article II, Section 2.F.), and minor modifications to building or site elements that are regulated by this article, excluding those buildings and site improvements exempted in Section 1.D. below.
D. Exemptions. The following building and site improvements shall be exempt from the standards of this article:
1. Interior renovations to existing buildings and structures;
2. Construction of a single-family or duplex dwelling unit on an individually platted lot within single-family or two-family residential districts; and
3. Buildings exempt from local building permits or government review pursuant to State of Florida or federal statutes.
E. Terms and Definitions. See Chapter 1, Article II for all applicable terms and definitions which pertain to the regulations and standards contained herein.
F. Rules. The regulations and provisions of this article shall be interpreted to represent the minimum requirements adopted for the protection and promotion of the public health, safety, comfort, convenience, order, appearance, prosperity, or general welfare.
G. Conflict. Whenever the regulations and requirements of this code conflict with any other lawfully enacted and adopted rules, regulations, ordinances, or laws, the most restrictive shall apply, unless otherwise stated herein.
H. Relief from Standards. Any deviation from the exterior building and site design standards contained herein requires the approval of a community design appeal application, which is subject to review and approval by the City Commission. All applications shall be reviewed in accordance with Chapter 2, Article II, Section 4.B.
(Ord. 10-025, passed 12-7-10)