(a) Intent. It is the intent of these regulations to encourage development that helps maintain the visual qualities of the town that make it the unique, resort-retirement, mountain town of retreat and recreation that it is today. It is also the intent of these regulations to encourage the development of pedestrian-friendly, human scale buildings that achieve variety and creative design to protect property values and interests of residents and visitors. The town endeavors to set a high standard for commercial construction, which uses basic architectural design principles and encourages harmony with the eclectic mix of the original Mediterranean revival style commercial buildings, and the cottage type dwellings consisting mostly of natural materials such as wood and stone. The town wants to ensure that commercial buildings are in harmony with existing natural environment, neighborhood and community character. These regulations include basic design elements that are appropriate for such buildings in the town.
(b) Applicability. These regulations establish architectural design standards for all new commercial buildings in commercial zoning districts, new commercial buildings in residential zoning districts, any addition with a gross floor area of 1,000 square feet or greater to an existing commercial building in either a residential or commercial zoning district, or any addition to an existing commercial building where the length of the original building facade will be increased by more than 50 percent as a result of the proposed additions in those same zoning districts. These regulations are used as criteria by which to judge plan submissions.
(c) Neighborhood character compatibility. New or modified buildings in or adjacent to existing developed areas shall be compatible with the established architectural character of adjacent areas by using a design that is complimentary. In some cases, it may not be desirable to create compatible character with surrounding buildings. Character compatibility shall be achieved through techniques such as repetition of rooflines, the use of similar proportions in building mass and outdoor spaces, similar relationships to the street, similar window and door patterns, and/or the use of building materials that have color shades and textures similar to those of existing in the neighborhood of the proposed development. Any addition less than 1,000 square feet, or any addition less than 50 percent of the original facade length, shall be deemed to be compatible with neighborhood character if the addition mimics with the architectural style of the existing structure.
(d) Building size, height, mass, and scale. Buildings shall either be similar in size and height, or, if larger, be articulated and subdivided into massing that is proportional to the mass and scale of other structures in the neighborhood.
(e) Alternative design. Upon the recommendation of the zoning and planning board, the board of adjustment may grant a special use permit for a commercial building which departs from the design standards contained in sections 36-107 through 36-110 so long as the design of such development is in substantial compliance with the town design guidelines for new commercial construction.
(Code 1989, § 92.054; Ord. of 11-15-2005; Ord. of 6-10-2008; Ord. of 3-9-2010; Ord. No. 21-05-11, 5-11-2021)