For the purpose of this section, certain terms and words shall be interpreted with regard to the following explanations:
(a) Appropriateness. A proposal is judged to be appropriate when it respects the proposed architectural style of a building prescribed by this chapter, and fits comfortably within its settings, neighborhood and overall community. This condition also applies to landscaping and accessory structures.
(b) Compatibility. A design or a material/color selection is compatible when it does not strongly deviate from its parent building, and the overall desired character of the neighborhood as defined in this chapter. To be compatible does not require look alike designs, but rather designs that reflect some aspects of its parent building or buildings in the general vicinity meeting the design guidelines, such as scale of windows, overhangs, building materials, patterns of siding, roof slope. Conversely, incompatibility occurs when an architectural design, landscape design or accessory building is aesthetically harsh or overwhelming relative to its neighbors or is not within the character of the neighborhood as defined in this section.
(c) Noncontributing. A factor in a proposal or part thereof that is taken from an existing building characteristic or site feature such as design, scale, fenestration, architectural feature, material or color that is determined by the Planning and Design Commission to be not appropriate for replication in new projects or modifications to existing projects when:
(1) It does not fall within the specific guidelines established by this chapter;
(2) It does not enhance or improve the character of the City and/or the surrounding environs of the project; or
(3) It is unrepresentative of the overall character of the City and/or the prevalent character of the surrounding environs of the project.
(d) Proportion. The relationship of parts of a building, landscape, structures, or buildings to each other and to the whole balance.
(e) Proximity. Proximity shall be considered in terms of the potential for one property, by virtue of its location, to materially affect other properties. In determining a property to be in proximity to another, the following factors shall be considered:
(1) The visibility of both properties from a common point; or
(2) The location of both properties within a relatively compact network of streets, walkways or spaces.
(f) Style. Style relates to a building's character and configuration in plan and elevation. It also relates to architectural conventions of a particular time period concerning details of windows and doors, eaves, corner boards, pitch of roofs and the material of the building's skin.
(g) Visibility or Visible. The ability for any item or element to be seen from an eye level of 70" above grade at any point on an adjacent public right of way or an immediately adjacent property.
(h) Prototype. A building design for a franchise or similar business venture which is intended for use or has been used at more than one location. Any building design which is intended to reflect the details and elements of a building or buildings typically used by a franchise or similar business venture.
(Ord. 02-43. Passed 12-2-02.)