A. Purpose. The site plan review process is intended to promote orderly development in the Village, and to assure that such development occurs in a manner that is harmonious with surrounding properties, is consistent with the Village's Comprehensive Plan, and promotes the public health, safety, and welfare. This section provides standards by which to determine the physical layout and design to achieve compatibility of uses and structures, efficient use of land, and minimization of traffic and safety hazards.
B. Authority. The Village Board reviews and issues final approval of site plans.
C. Applicability. Site plan review is required for the following:
1. Development within the O/R, H, TC, and OS Districts.
2. Any non-residential use within an R-1 or R-2 District.
D. Procedure. All applications must be filed with the Village Clerk in accordance with Section 15.1103.
1. After receipt of a complete site plan, the Village Board will review the proposed site plan at a public meeting. The Village Board must approve or deny the site plan.
2. Following approval of a site plan, the Zoning Administrator will issue a building permit, provided all other provisions of applicable ordinances, statutes, and/or other regulations have been satisfied by the applicant.
3. If a site plan is denied, the Village Board will notify in writing the applicant or his/her representative of the review standards that have not been satisfied and the aspects of the proposed site plan that should be modified. No building permit will be issued for a structure until the modified site plan has received the approval of the Village Board.
4. The Village Board will evaluate the site plan based upon the review standards of this section.
E. Review Standards.
1. General Application and Purpose.
a. The purpose of these review standards is to provide a means to evaluate those items which may affect the physical aspects of the Village's environment and the development. Pertinent to appearance is the design of the site, building and structures, plantings, signs, detention and/or retention basins, and other site elements that are able to be observed by the public.
b. These standards and criteria are not intended to restrict imagination, innovation, or variety, but rather to assist in solutions that will develop a satisfactory visual appearance within the Village, preserve taxable values, and promote the public health, safety and welfare.
2. Siting Standards.
a. The site must be planned to accomplish a desirable transition of scale, style, line, and mass of buildings and signs within the site and adjoining buildings.
b. Without restricting the permissible limits of the district, the scale of each building or other structure must be compatible with its site and existing or anticipated adjoining buildings.
c. Newly installed utility services and service revisions necessitated by exterior alterations must be underground.
3. Compatibility Standards.
a. Landscape treatment, screens and materials must be used to provide a harmonious transition between buildings within the site and adjacent to the site which may vary in architectural style.
b. Scale of structures within the site to those adjoining the site must be made compatible by providing a gradual transition of building scale from the boundaries of the site.
4. Landscape and Site Treatment. Landscape elements included in these criteria consist of all forms of planting and vegetation, ground forms, rock groupings, water patterns, and all visible construction except buildings and utility structures.
a. Where natural or existing topographic patterns contribute to the beauty and utility of a development, they must be preserved and developed. Modification to topography will be permitted where it contributes to good appearance.
b. Grades of walks, parking spaces, terraces, and other paved areas must provide an inviting and stable appearance for walking and, if seating is provided, for sitting.
c. Landscape treatment must be provided to enhance architectural features, strengthen vistas and important axes, and provide shade.
d. Unity of design must be achieved by repetition of certain plant varieties and other materials, and by correlation with adjacent developments.
e. Plant material must be selected for interest in its structure, texture, and color and for its ultimate growth. Plants that are indigenous to the area and others that will be hardy, harmonious to the design, and of good appearance must be used.
f. Plant materials cannot be located where they will be susceptible to injury by pedestrian or motor traffic.
g. Parking areas and traffic ways must be enhanced with landscaped spaces containing trees or tree groupings. Shrubs may be used only where they will not obscure vision and will not require excessive maintenance.
h. Exterior lighting, when used, must enhance the landscape adjacent to any permanent identification sign or, in the case of buildings, the building design and the adjoining landscape.
i. Lighting standards and building fixtures must be of a design and size compatible with the building and adjacent areas. Excessive brightness must be avoided.
j. All lights in parking facilities must be designed and situated so as to reflect light downward and away from residential property.
5. Building Design.
a. Architectural style is not restricted. Evaluation of appearance of a project must be based on quality of its design and relationship to surroundings.
b. Buildings must have harmonious scale with permanent neighboring development.
c. Materials must have good architectural character and must be selected for harmony of buildings within the site. In any design in which the structural frame is exposed to view, the structural materials must be compatible with themselves and harmonious to their surroundings.
d. Building components, such as windows, doors, eaves, and parapets, must have good proportions and relationship to one another.
e. Mechanical equipment or other utility hardware on roofs, ground, or buildings as well as refuse and waste removal areas, service yards, storage yards, and exterior work areas must be screened from public view with materials harmonious with the building or located as not to be visible from public ways.
f. Monotony of design in single or multiple building projects must be avoided. Variation of detail, form, and siting must be used to provide visual interest. In multiple building projects, variable siting or individual buildings may be used to prevent a monotonous appearance.
(Ord. 885, passed 11-21-2023)