Standards, regulations and criteria are hereby set forth to be administered by the Board for the purpose of alleviating, to the extent possible, the occurrence of adverse effects. The Board may require a redesign or may disapprove any application for a permit referred to it, provided that it finds that the building, structure or sign for which the permit was applied would, if erected, be so detrimental to desirable property values or the development of the surrounding areas as to provoke one or more of the harmful effects.
(a) Excessive Similarity. There shall be no excessive similarity to any other building, structure or sign existing or for which a permit has been issued, or to any other building, structure or sign included in the same permit application, facing upon the same street and with the same setback of the proposed site, with respect to one or more of the following features of exterior design or appearance:
(1) Apparently identical facade, bulk and mass of building;
(2) Substantially identical size and arrangement of either the entrance, windows or other openings or breaks in the facade facing the street, including a direct reverse arrangement; or
(3) Other significant identical features, such as, but not limited to, materials, roof line and height or other design elements.
(b) Excessive Dissimilarity. There shall be no excessive dissimilarity in appropriateness in relation to any other building, structure or sign existing or for which a permit has been issued, or to any other building, structure or sign included in the same permit application, facing upon the same street and with the same setback of the proposed site, with respect to significant design features such as material or quality or architectural design, provided that it is found that the excessive dissimilarity is of such a nature as to be expected to provoke beyond reasonable doubt one or more of the adverse effects.
(c) Architectural Character. An underlying architectural character should prevail. There should be some repetition of basic elements through harmony of colors and a common scale. However, each individual dwelling should have an identity and the result should be an aesthetic unity. The findings shall not be based on personal preference as to taste or choice of architectural style and a finding of inappropriate design shall mean that it is of such a nature as to produce one or more of the adverse effects.
(Ord. 16-00. Passed 2-1-00; Ord. 80-01. Passed 7-3-01.)