Where design review is required pursuant to this article, such review shall be conducted and approved in accordance with the following levels of review prior to issuance of any building permit. (Ord. 16-4685, 11-15-2016)
A. Levels Of Design Review:
1. Level I Review:
a. A level I review will be conducted for the following designated areas, properties, and structures:
(1) City Plaza.
(2) Sidewalk cafes.
(3) Central Planning District.
(4) PRM Zone.
(5) Certain public-private partnership agreements; level of review is pursuant to the specific development agreement.
(6) Minor exterior alterations, such as window placement, and color, that do not substantially change the building concept of a Council approved plan under Urban Renewal Project, Iowa R-14.
(7) Towncrest Design Review District.
(8) Design review for Riverfront Crossings Districts.
(9) Certain building height bonus provisions as specified in subsection 14-2G-7G of this title.
(10) Rooftop service areas as set forth in chapter 4, article C, "Accessory Uses And Buildings", of this title.
b. Applications for level I review will be reviewed and approved, modified, or disapproved by the staff Design Review Committee or, in the case of Riverfront Crossings Districts, by the Form Based Code Committee, in accordance with chapter 8, article B, "Administrative Approval Procedures", of this title.
2. Level II Review:
a. A level II review will be conducted for the following designated areas, properties, and structures:
(1) Urban Renewal Project, Iowa R-14, except for minor exterior alterations, such as signage, window placement, and color, that do not substantially change the building concept of the Council approved plan. Such minor alterations will be subject to level I review.
(2) Certain public-private partnership agreements; level of review is pursuant to the specific development agreement.
(3) Structures designed with certain building height bonuses allowed pursuant to subsection 14-2G-7G of this title.
b. Applications for level II review will be reviewed by the staff Design Review Committee with their recommendation forwarded to the City Council for approval, modification, or disapproval according to the procedures for design review contained in chapter 8, article B, "Administrative Approval Procedures", of this title.
B. Approval Criteria: Applications for design review will be reviewed for compliance with the guidelines and standards as referenced below:
1. Urban Renewal Project, Iowa R-14: Design review subject to the design guidelines listed in subsection C of this section.
2. City Plaza: Design review subject to design guidelines listed in subsection C of this section.
3. Other Public-Private Partnership Agreements: Design review guidelines for each such project that is specifically designated as requiring design review will be pursuant to the development agreement between the private property owner and the City. In the absence of such guidelines, the design guidelines listed in subsection C of this section will be used.
4. Sidewalk Cafes: Design review subject to the design guidelines listed in subsection C of this section, and any additional requirements and guidelines listed in title 10, chapter 3 of this Code.
5. Central Planning District: Design review according to the applicable multi-family site development standards set forth in chapter 2, article B, "Multi-Family Residential Zones", of this title.
6. PRM Zone: Design review according to the applicable multi- family site development standards set forth in chapter 2, article B, "Multi-Family Residential Zones", of this title.
7. Towncrest Design Review District: Design review according to the applicable design provisions within the "Towncrest Urban Renewal Area Design Plan Manual" and according to the applicable standards listed in subsection C of this section. For purposes of design review, Towncrest Drive shall be considered a street, with buildings, parking areas, pedestrian amenities, landscape screening, and other streetscape elements designed and located to appropriately address Towncrest Drive as a street frontage as illustrated in the "Towncrest Urban Renewal Area Design Plan Manual".
8. Riverfront Crossings District Design Review: Riverfront Crossings District design review according to subsection 14-2G-1D of this title.
9. Rooftop Service Areas: Rooftop service areas allowed as provisional uses according to approval criteria set forth in chapter 4, article C, "Accessory Uses And Buildings", of this title.
C. Design Review Guidelines: When reviewing a project subject to design review, the Design Review Committee and City Council will adhere to the following guidelines, if applicable as stated in subsection B of this section. In no case shall these guidelines be used to attempt to replace or override the other requirements of this title.
1. Definitions:
COMPATIBILITY: Harmony in the appearance of buildings, structures and landscape developments along the same streetscape.
HARMONY: An aesthetically pleasing image resulting from an arrangement of various architectural and landscape elements along the same streetscape.
LANDSCAPE: Elements of nature, topography, buildings and other manmade objects viewed in relation to one another.
MISCELLANEOUS STRUCTURES: Structures, other than buildings, visible from public ways. Examples include memorials, antennas, sheds, shelters, fences and walls, transformers and drive-up facilities.
SCALE: The relationship of the size of elements to one another and to the human figure.
SCREENING: Structures and/or plantings that conceal an area from view of a public way.
STREET FURNITURE: Manmade objects, other than buildings, that are part of the streetscape. Examples include benches, litter containers, planting containers, sculptures, vending machines and newspaper dispensers.
STREETSCAPE: The scene of a public street or way composed of natural and manmade elements, including buildings, paving, plantings, street furniture and miscellaneous structures.
2. Building Design:
a. The project evaluation will be based on the architectural concepts of the design and the project's relationship to and compatibility with the defining characteristics of the buildings and site features of the surrounding area, or alternatively, in areas proposed for redevelopment or revitalization, the proposed building(s) will be evaluated according to the goals of the revitalization plan, whether it be to strengthen or preserve the integrity of the existing area or to support a new architectural theme or set of unifying characteristics for a particular development or area. (See figure 3C.1 of this section.)
b. Architecturally significant buildings proposed for renovation or rehabilitation should retain the original architectural style and the essential and prominent features and materials of the original facade.
c. Alignment of the horizontal and vertical architectural features on building fronts is desirable so as to enhance the visual continuity of the streetscape. (See figure 3C.2 below.)
d. The development of the first floor level should provide visual interest to and interaction with pedestrians through the use of such features as windows, doors, and lighting. Blank stretches of wall will be discouraged.
e. Exterior lighting and fixtures should blend with the architectural design. They should provide adequate illumination for safety purposes without excess glare.
f. Colors should be an integral part of the architectural style.
g. Rooftop equipment should blend with building design or be screened.
3. Relationship Of Building(s) To Site:
a. The project should integrate with adjoining properties, provide a transition between the project and pedestrian uses, and provide appropriate landscaping.
b. Parking and service areas should blend with the street frontage or be screened from public view.
c. The scale of each building should be compatible along a street frontage to preserve the character of the street or to create the desired streetscape anticipated by the development plan or agreement. Rhythm and proportion of buildings, doors, windows and other projections should be considered. (See figure 3C.2, located at the end of subsection C2c of this section.)
d. Building materials, colors, textures, lines and masses should harmonize with adjoining buildings and sites, or alternatively, in areas proposed for redevelopment or revitalization, the proposed building materials, colors, textures, lines and masses should be in harmony with the architectural theme or goals of the revitalization plan, whether it be to strengthen or preserve the integrity of the existing area or to support a new architectural theme or set of unifying characteristics for a particular development or area.
e. Site grading work should blend with surrounding site grades.
4. Landscaping:
a. Landscaping should enhance and complement architectural features and improve the visual and aesthetic quality of the streetscape.
b. Plants should be protected by appropriate curbs, raised planting surfaces, tree guards or other devices when located in areas where plants may be susceptible to injury by pedestrian or motor traffic.
c. Paved areas, such as sidewalks and parking spaces, should be designed to facilitate the safe and efficient circulation of pedestrians and vehicles.
d. Service yards, trash receptacles and storage areas should be screened by buildings, fencing, plantings, walls or an appropriate combination of these.
e. Existing natural features should be maintained and incorporated into site design if possible.
f. Street furniture and miscellaneous structures should be integrated with the architectural concept and be located and designed to be convenient and functional for the public. Their design should be compatible with surrounding buildings and streetscape in scale, materials and color scheme. Alternatively, in areas proposed for redevelopment or revitalization, the proposed street furniture and miscellaneous structures should be integrated with the architectural theme or goals of the revitalization plan, whether it be to strengthen or preserve the integrity of the existing area or to support a new architectural theme or set of unifying characteristics for a particular development or area.
5. Canopies And Awnings:
a. Canopies and awnings must respect the style and character of the structure on which they are located, particularly in the material and color.
b. The highest point of a canopy/awning or its superstructure must not be higher than the midpoint of the space between the second story windowsills and the top of the first floor storefront window or transom. (See figure 3C.7 of this section.)
c. Along sidewalks and pedestrianways, canopies and awnings should project a sufficient distance from the building wall to be functional, i.e., to provide shade and weather protection for pedestrians and to prevent reflective glare on storefront windows that may block views into the storefront or display window.
D. Appeals: Any person or persons, jointly or severally, aggrieved by any decision of the design review committee regarding a level I design review application may appeal such decision to the board of adjustment according to the applicable procedures for appeals set forth in chapter 8, article C, "Board Of Adjustment Approval Procedures", of this title. (Ord. 05-4186, 12-15-2005; amd. Ord. 11-4421, 2-1-2011; Ord. 14-4586, 6-3-2014; Ord. 15-4641, 9-15-2015; Ord. 16-4675, 9-20-2016; Ord. 16-4685, 11-15-2016; Ord. 22-4882, 6-21-2022)