(a) These standards are intended to promote the design of an urban environment that is built to human scale, encourage attractive street fronts, and accommodate pedestrians in a safe manner as recognized in a "Complete Streets and Walkable Communities" platform while also accommodating vehicular movement. It is desirable that there be a base level of quality architecture of scale, color and materials that will allow a project to blend into its setting and build upon the existing aesthetic identity of an area. Building shapes can be articulated to provide a sense of human scale at the ground level that is inviting to the public through the application of horizontal and vertical patterns expressed by architectural features such as cornices, columns, windows, doors or variations in massing.
(b) The intent of building design standards is to ensure a base level of quality architecture that is responsive to its context and contributes to the established architectural character of an area rather than a design solution that is based on a standardized formula or market prototype superimposed on the selected site. Not all structures in the surrounding area contribute equally to the area character and each example shall be weighed against the balance of all other projects. In areas with little, no or poor immediate context, or under redevelopment, proposals should add to area character without rigid uniformity of design.
(Ord. 093-2020. Passed 7-6-20.)