(A) The Board may approve, approve with conditions or disapprove the issuance of a building permit, occupancy permit or building moving permit in any matter subject to its jurisdiction after determining whether the proposed development, improvement or action meets the following criteria.
(1) The plan for the proposed building or structure reflects proper consideration for the relationship between the proposed buildings and structures and those that exist or have been approved for the general neighborhood.
(2) The plan for the proposed building or structure reflects the manner in which the structures are protected against noise, vibrations and other factors which may tend to make the environment less desirable.
(3) The proposed building or structure is not, in its exterior design and appearance, so at variance with the appearance of other existing structures in the general neighborhood as to cause the nature of the local environment to materially depreciate in appearance and value.
(4) The proposed building or structure is in harmony with the proposed developments on land in the general area, especially in those instances where buildings are within or adjacent to land shown on the General Plan as being part of the civic center or in public or educational use or are within or immediately adjacent to land included within any precise plan which indicates building shape, size or style.
(5) The proposed development is in conformity with the standards of the code and other applicable ordinances insofar as the location and appearance of the buildings and structures are involved.
(B) If all the criteria designated in this section are met, the application shall be approved. If some but not all the criteria area met, the Board may approve the application subject to conditions, the fulfillment of which shall cause the proposed building or structure to conform to all the criteria designated in this section. If an application is disapproved, the Board shall state by detail in its written findings the criterion or criteria that are not met. All action taken by the Board shall be by motion, reduced to a written report and signed by the Chairperson. A copy of such report shall be sent by certified mail to the applicant at his or her address as stated on his or her application no later than five days after the Board’s action.
(`78 Code, § 17.100.070.)