In addition to the provisions of Section 1149.05, the Planning and Design Commission shall review proposed developments in accordance with the following provisions so as to encourage the benefits of good community appearance:
(Ord. 95-74. Passed 10-16-95.)
(a) Basis for Review.
(1) The quality of the design of buildings and the relation of buildings to each other and to open space interact and affect both the environment and neighborhood values. The value and usefulness of each parcel of land is vitally affected by the use and design of buildings and land and generally affects the values of the entire community.
(2) New developments, if not properly related, may impair the appearance and value of both improved and unimproved real property and may prevent the most appropriate development of land and may cause attendant depreciation of community values. A degree of conformity of use and appearance stabilizes and assures the value of land and the welfare of the entire community. Each new development, therefore, should be designed to be beneficial and enhance the use of each development.
(b) Building Design Criteria.
(1) An underlying architectural character should prevail throughout each neighborhood and area. There should be some repetition of basic elements through harmony of color, materials and a common scale. Each individual building should express its function; moreover, it should have an identity, individual character and variety in the overall design.
(2) It may be found that the proposed design is incompatible and inappropriate in relation to other existing buildings or buildings for which a permit has been applied for or issued in respect to significant design features such as disharmonious compositions, color or texture of exterior wall and roof materials or quality of architectural design. While there should always be creative variety in the placement, size or bulk of buildings in each neighborhood, there should, however, also be an underlying unity or design.
(c) Environment Design Criteria.
(1) All new buildings and developments shall be brought together into an orderly arrangement with the landscape and nature, other buildings, open areas and surroundings. This should not result in uniformity of style or subordination to existing buildings, except where the overall composition needs a dominant feature. There should be a harmonious transition from the proposed building to adjacent buildings and open space; also a transition in scale between diverse uses at the boundaries.
(2) Not only the present, but also desirable future designs and surroundings should be considered in the composition of new buildings. Possibilities of making gradual improvements to the appearance of existing parts of the community should always be considered.
(Ord. 84-62. Passed 1-7-85.)