The Planning Commission may adopt rules and regulations governing its procedures and transactions relating to and consistent with this Chapter. The Planning Commission shall meet as required to carry out the review of applications for projects, or in the case of a sign, a request for a permit, as required by this Chapter and such other related work as may be accepted through request of Council or undertaken on its own motion. Meetings shall be held in accordance with the rules of the Planning Commission as required when there are applications to be considered and not less than once annually. Special meetings may be held at the call of the chairperson of the Planning Commission.
Within the City limits, the Planning Commission shall review any proposed new construction, alterations to property, and signage as herein defined. The Planning Commission's approval of such new construction, alterations, and signage shall be secured before any owner of property may commence work thereon.
In reviewing proposed new construction, alterations, and signage, the Planning Commission shall at a minimum use as evaluative criteria, the following:
(a) Materials shall be appropriate for the use of the structures, weathering, and the relationship to other materials, including those used on adjacent structures.
(b) Colors and textures shall be appropriate for the size and scale of the structures, weathering, and the relationship to other colors and textures, including those used on adjacent structures.
(c) Architectural details and ornamentation shall be meaningful to the overall design and appropriate for the size and scale of the structures, weathering, and the relationship to other architectural details and ornamentation, including those used on adjacent structures. Detailing such as trim, moldings, bands of contrasting siding or brick, and varying textures of concrete or stone are encouraged as part of an overall design which is in-scale with the building and carefully related to other elements.
(d) Mechanical equipment shall be of appropriate size and scale in relation to rooftop appearance, sidewall openings, sound levels, smoke detectors and other nuisances. The location, color, size, type, and screening or mechanical equipment, whether on the roof, walls, or ground, shall be designed to be concealed, and/or to be compatible with or attractively complement the other elements of the structures and site improvements.
(e) Windows, doors, and other openings shall be so located on the facades, and be of such dimensions, as are appropriate for the style, scale, and orientation of the building and in a pattern which contributes to a balanced facade appearance. Customer entrances should be accentuated. Decorative elements, caps, brickwork, and trim are encouraged around windows and doors to add interest to the overall design.
(f) Architectural styles similar to or compatible with existing historical buildings adjacent to or across the street from the structure shall be encouraged. Compatibility and complementary elements among existing and proposed new structures shall be encouraged in all locations.
(g) Scale of new construction should be similar to that of the majority of surrounding buildings.
(h) Varied roof lines, roof details and features such as dormers, turrets, eave breaks, and overhangs are encouraged in new construction as a means to break up the mass of large buildings and to provide visual interest.
(i) Wall mounted signs shall be designed to fit within and complement the architectural forms, colors, and textures of the building, shall fit within any architectural space specifically designed for signs, and shall not cover architectural features. Signs located as part of a series of signs (such as in a shopping center), shall be designed with compatibility of location, size, shape, style, material, illumination, and color with other signs in the series.
(j) Sign Design Sign colors shall complement the color of the building façade on which the sign is mounted, letters and symbols shall be in scale with the building and its features. Excessive information and clutter are discouraged.
(k) Freestanding signs shall be designed to fit within and complement the characteristics of the site, building, and wall signs in terms of color, materials, texture, and scale.
(l) Alterations and additions to existing buildings shall be compatible in scale, material, color, placement, and character with the existing buildings.
(m) Distinctive architectural features of existing buildings should not be altered or removed unless replaced with features of similar composition, texture, color, design, and other characteristics. Restoration of historic features and building characteristics shall be encouraged.
(n) Side and rear walls shall be so designed as to relate to and be compatible with the front or main entry wall and overall design of the building, although they may be less detailed and articulated.
(o) Site features such as fences, walls, and signs compatible in color, texture, scale, materials, and other characteristics with the main building shall be encouraged.
(Ord. 2021-36. Passed 10-26-21.)