No Building Permit shall be issued for the construction of a new building in an Institutional- Research District without the approval of the site plan and building design by the City Planning Commission or its Director, in accordance with rules promulgated by the Commission and in accordance with the following standards.
(a) Master Plan. In reviewing development proposals in an Institutional-Research District, the City Planning Commission shall assess the development’s consistency with any applicable master plan that has been adopted or accepted by the Commission. If no current master plan for the district is available to the Commission, the Commission may request submission of a master plan from an organization deemed responsible for preparation of a plan for the district.
(b) Urban Form. Except where such design would be clearly inconsistent with the character of an area, new development should take an “urban form,” characterized by multi-story buildings, streetside building placement, and parking located in garages or in lots behind buildings.
(c) Architectural Design. In addition to meeting high standards of architectural design, buildings should be compatible with nearby properties with respect to scale, height, setback, spacing, orientation to existing streets, architectural style, materials, and colors. Variations and innovations in design are, however, encouraged in order to achieve visual interest and to create distinct identities for individual buildings and districts. The goal is compatibility in design, not uniformity.
(d) Pedestrian, Bicyclist and Transit Access. Developments should be designed to facilitate safe and convenient access by pedestrians and bicyclists and to facilitate use of public transit.
(e) Parking and Circulation. Developments should be designed to provide adequate and convenient off-street and on-street parking and to utilize opportunities for parking that is shared by buildings and uses. Streets, driveways, sidewalks and paths should be designed in a manner that facilitates safe and convenient circulation for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users.
(f) Landscaping and Open Space. Developments should include landscaped areas and open spaces that enhance the appearance of a property and provide areas for recreation and scenic enjoyment, while meeting the environmental design standards of this section.
(g) Environmental Design. Developments should incorporate “sustainable” building techniques and other measures, as feasible, in order to conserve energy, minimize water usage, recycle wastes, re-use building materials, and to achieve other goals that promote environmental sustainability.
(Ord. No. 656-05. Passed 6-6-05, eff. 6-15-05)