(A) Scope.
(1) In every zoning district, no building or structure shall be demolished or razed, except for dangerous or condemned buildings, erected, converted to other use, or structurally altered, except as may be otherwise provided in this chapter, until Common Council has reviewed and approved a site plan for such use. Each action taken with respect to site plan review and approval shall be duly recorded in the minutes of Common Council. One and two-family residential structures shall be exempted from the application of the provisions of this section.
(2) The Building Code Official or their designee may administratively approve applications to modify previously approved site plans, or site plans which renovate, expand or convert the use of buildings or site improvements which legally existed prior to the adoption of this section, which meet all of the following standards:
(a) The modification would comply with all other requirements of this chapter and other applicable regulations;
(b) The modification would comply with all previously imposed conditions of approval, if any;
(c) The modification would not otherwise increase the overall scale or intensity of the use in a way that would have a material adverse effect on adjacent properties, natural features, public streets or public services;
(d) The modification would not increase by more than 20% any or all of the following characteristics of the property: the total floor area of building(s); the total residential occupancy; or the total number of parking spaces provided;
(e) The modification would not decrease by more than 10% any of the principal building setbacks from the perimeter of the property; and
(f) The modification would not materially alter more than 20% of the architectural style, façade materials to be used, or other architectural features and adornments of the street front façade wall area in any way other than in compliance with the requirements of the zoning ordinance.
(B) Purpose. The purpose of site plan review is to provide flexibility in the placement and interrelationship of the buildings and uses within each building site subject to plan approval, and to provide for the implementation of design concepts while at the same time maintaining the overall intensity of land use, density of population, and amounts of light, air, access and landscaped open space as required in this chapter. The objectives of site plan review are to:
(1) Discourage monotonous, drab, unsightly, dreary and inharmonious developments, and poor quality;
(2) Conserve the city's natural beauty and visual character and charm by ensuring that structures, signs, and other improvements are properly related to their sites, and to surrounding sites and structures, with due regard to the aesthetic qualities of the natural terrain and landscaping, and that proper attention is given to exterior appearance of structures, signs, and other improvements;
(3) Stabilize and improve property values and prevent blighted areas;
(4) Foster civic pride and community spirit so as to improve the quality and quantity of citizen participation in local government and in community growth, change and improvement;
(5) Sustain the comfort, health, tranquility, and contentment of residents and attract new residents by reason of the city's favorable environment; and
(6) Provide for consultation and cooperation between the developer and the Commission so that both parties might realize maximum utilization of land and minimum adverse effects upon the surrounding area.
(Ord. 497, passed 2-3-2004; Am. Ord. 523, passed 6-13-2006; Am. Ord. 2011-7, passed 12-13-2011; Am. Ord. 2019-02, passed 10-8-2019; Am. Ord. 2020-28, passed 3-3-2020; Am. Res. 2021-46, passed 4-13-2021; Am. Ord. passed 8-24-2021; Am. Ord. —, passed 12-12-2023)