A. The City Council finds that excessive uniformity, dissimilarity, inappropriateness, or poor quality of design in the exterior appearance of structures and signs, and the lack of proper attention to site development and landscaping, in the business, commercial, industrial and certain residential areas of the city hinders the harmonious development of the city; impairs the desirability of residence, investment or occupation in the city; limits the opportunity to attain the optimum use and value of land and improvements; adversely affects the stability and value of property; produces degeneration of property in such areas with attendant deterioration of conditions affecting the peace, health and welfare of the city; and destroys a proper relationship between the taxable value of property and the cost of municipal services thereof.
B. The City Council declares that the purpose and objectives of site development requirements and the design review procedures are to:
1. Encourage originality, flexibility and innovation in site planning and development, including the architecture, landscaping and graphic design of said development.
2. Discourage monotonous, unsightly, dreary and inharmonious development.
3. Promote the city's natural beauty and visual character and charm by insuring that structures, signs and other improvements are properly related to their sites, and to surrounding sites and structures, with due regard to the aesthetic qualities of the natural terrain and landscaping, and that proper attention is given to exterior appearances of structures, signs and other improvements.
4. Protect and enhance the city's appeal to tourists and visitors and thus support and stimulate business and industry and promote the desirability of investment and occupancy in business, commercial and industrial properties.
5. Stabilize and improve property values and present blighted areas and thus increase tax revenue.
6. Achieve the beneficial influence of pleasant environments for living and working on behavioral patterns and thus decrease the cost of governmental services.
7. Foster civic pride and community spirit so as to improve the quality and quantity of citizen participation in local government and in community growth, change and improvement.
8. Sustain the comfort, health, tranquility and contentment of residents and attract new residents by reason of the city's favorable environment and thus promote and protect the peace, health, and welfare of the city.
9. Determine the appropriate yard setbacks, building heights, minimum lot sizes and sign sizes, when authorized to do so by city ordinance.
10. Encourage the use of Low Impact Development (LID) techniques to manage stormwater through the use of natural features, protect native vegetation, preserve and create open space, and minimize impervious surfaces. (Ord.. 848, Part I, section 1, 1991, Ord.. 1338; 2010)
C. Alternatives for how the Design Review Board or a Design Review Committee is organized give the City the flexibility to use several options, including a Design Review Board that consists of Planning Commission members only, or a Board with a broader representation that can be expanded when appropriate. Provisions also allow for creation of a Design Review Committee which would be strictly advisory in nature. (Ord. 1296, 2008)