(a) Statement of Purposes. A building or buildings proposed to be developed for any use permitted in Multifamily Districts shall be arranged so as to take advantage of any unique conditions of the site and so as to be coordinated with adjoining building, parking and other site developments, and the building and facilities within the development area should be related to each other so as to best serve their respective functions. Buildings shall be arranged to assure privacy between adjacent buildings and intersecting wings of buildings and from streets, parking areas and recreation areas. To accomplish such purposes and objectives, the criteria set forth in this chapter shall be applied.
(b) Building Design. The design of any building or buildings proposed to be developed for any use permitted within any of the Multifamily Districts must provide a unified architectural treatment of buildings and open spaces throughout the entire development. The design of these buildings shall be administered on behalf of the City by the Architectural Board of Review. The following standards shall be followed:
(1) The exterior appearance and form of all buildings shall be appropriate and suitable for the building proposed and in accord with principles and standards of design which shall be adopted by the City Planning Commission. The building shall be set at proper grades and otherwise in proper relation to the proposed surroundings. A proposed development shall not be rejected for reasons based on personal preference as to taste or choice of architectural style, and a finding of inappropriate design shall include that it is of such nature as to produce one or more of the harmful effects set forth in Section 1327.02.
(2) The purpose of these provisions is to protect properties on which buildings are constructed or altered to maintain the high character of community development and to protect real estate within the City from impairment or destruction in value, by regulating according to approved architectural principles of design, use of materials, finished grade lines and orientation of all new buildings erected, and the moving, alteration, improvement, repair, adding to or razing, in whole or in part, of all existing buildings, and the powers and duties herein provided shall be exercised in such a manner as to accomplish the objectives of these provisions.
(3) The bulk or floor area of a dwelling, the exterior design of buildings, the site plan or other significant features shall not be excessively dissimilar to that of any other building existing, or one for which a permit has been issued in the immediate vicinity, in relation to one or more of the following:
A. Bulk and area. The minimum bulk and gross floor area for a dwelling unit shall be similar to that of the dwellings in the neighborhood and shall not be less than previously established.
B. Height. The height of the roof of buildings may vary. However, in general, the variation shall not exceed nine feet upon the same dwelling or between adjoining dwellings.
C. Yards. The width and arrangement of yards may vary as permitted in the regulations for yards as heretofore set forth in this Zoning Code for various districts.
D. Exterior design. Materials and other significant design features for all building types shall not be excessively dissimilar, provided, however, that a finding of excessive dissimilarity shall include that it is of such nature as to produce one or more of the harmful effects set forth in Section 1327.02.
(Ord. 96-61. Passed 4-21-97.)