In reviewing applications subject to provisions of this chapter, the Local Design Review Advisory Committee and the City Planning Commission shall follow the design guidelines set forth in the succeeding sections as well as any supplemental design guidelines adopted by Commission for a particular district.
(a) Design Compatibility. Alterations, additions and new development shall be compatible in scale, material, color, placement and character with the design of the subject property as well as the design of properties that are representative of the area’s most valued architectural and environmental qualities. In evaluating compatibility, consideration shall also be given to the value of diversity and individuality in design.
(b) Contemporary Design. All buildings are recognized as products of their own time. Alterations, additions and new developments which have no historical basis and which seek to create an appearance characteristic of an earlier time are not required. Conversely, compatible contemporary design is encouraged except where such design would clearly detract from the architectural unity of a grouping of architecturally significant structures.
(c) Preservation of Features. The distinguishing original qualities of a property should not be diminished through alteration or removal of distinctive architectural features.
(d) Replacement of Features. In the event that replacement of significant architectural features is necessary, the new material should closely match the original material in composition, design, color, texture and all other visual qualities.
(e) Cleaning. The cleaning of exterior wall surfaces should be undertaken by the gentlest means possible. Sandblasting and other cleaning methods that will damage facing materials and architectural features shall not be undertaken.
(f) Fences and Other Accessory Structures. Fences, walkways, lighting, benches, landscaping and other accessory structures should be compatible in design with adjoining buildings and with the most valued aspects of an area’s character. Use of chain-link fences along street frontages is discouraged unless otherwise specified in guidelines for a district.
(g) Parking Lots. Use of evergreen shrubbery and trees in combination with low ornamental fences is encouraged in screening parking lots from streets. Use of curbed, planted islands is encouraged to provide visual relief in large parking areas and to control traffic circulation. For districts characterized by buildings set along the street line, parking lots shall be located behind buildings whenever possible, with entrances located off of adjoining side streets.
(h) Sustainability. Buildings and properties should be designed and constructed to minimize energy consumption and to promote conservation of materials and natural resources.
(i) Signs. In addition to meeting Zoning Code and Building Code requirements for signs in applicable zoning districts, signs subject to approval under the provisions of this chapter shall also meet the following design guidelines. In the case of a conflict between these regulations and the Zoning Code regulations, these regulations prevail.
(1) Placement. Wall signs should be designed to fit within the architectural space intended for signage and should not cover distinctive architectural features.
(2) Compatibility. Signs to be seen as a series should be designed with compatibility in terms of location, size, shape, style, material, illumination and color. As a general rule, uniformity should be maintained in certain characteristics while other characteristics are varied to permit individual expression and identification.
(3) Color. The colors of a sign should complement the color of the building facade to which the sign relates. If a raceway or similar device is used for attachment of a sign’s letters or characters, the color of the raceway should match the color of the wall surface.
(4) Lettering and Symbols. The lettering and symbols on a sign should be large enough to be easily read but not overly large or out of scale with the building on which the sign is displayed. An excessive amount of information on signs, creating an image of visual clutter, should be avoided. Use of distinctive symbols or logos on signs is encouraged.
(5) Projecting Signs. Where permitted, projecting signs should be no larger than necessary for readability by nearby pedestrians and should contain no internal illumination other than in use of exposed neon and similar treatments. Spacing between projecting signs should be sufficient to prevent an image of clutter.
(6) Wall Signs. For signs mounted flat against the wall of a building, use of individual letters or characters is preferable to use of panel or cabinet signs in instances where individual letters or characters are less likely to detract from a building’s architectural character. Such letters or characters should be attached in a manner that will minimize damage to the wall surface after removal. For buildings lacking appropriately designed wall space for placement of a sign, consideration should be given to use of a projecting sign, window sign or canopy sign as an alternative to a wall sign.
(7) Billboards. Billboards or “advertising signs”, as defined in Section 325.64(b) of the Zoning Code, shall not be permitted in any Design Review District.
(8) Design Exceptions. In accordance with standards of Section 350.16 of the Zoning Code, the City Planning Commission, may vary the sign regulations of Chapter 350 as necessary to permit signs that are better suited to the design of the subject property or nearby properties of architectural or historic significance.
(Ord. No. 1827-08. Passed 2-9-09, eff. 2-11-09)