A. Design Review: The purpose and intent of the design review process within the MCCD is to secure the purposes of this chapter and the General Plan, and to ensure that the general appearance of buildings, signs, and the development of the lands does not detract from the purpose and intent of this chapter.
B. Design Review Approval Required: No exterior portion of any buildings or improvements on any properties shall be erected, altered, restored, or moved within the MCCD until after an application for a design review approval has been submitted, reviewed, and approved. Application for design review approval shall be made on forms furnished by the City's Community and Economic Development Department. The Director or designee shall determine if the application is a major or minor alteration. The determination of the Director or designee may be appealed to the appeal authority.
1. Minor Alterations: Administrative staff shall review and approve applications for minor alterations, signs, awnings, and lighting. Minor alterations denied by the administrative staff may be appealed to the appeal authority. A design review application, when determined to involve signs, awnings, lighting, or minor alterations may be reviewed and approved by administrative staff. A design review application for minor alterations must be approved or denied within thirty (30) days from receipt of a complete application.
2. Major Alterations And New Construction: The design review process for major alterations and all new construction consists of the following:
a. Pre-Application Conference: Application materials will be submitted to the Community and Economic Development Department and a time will be scheduled for a general concept review of the application. The applicant will receive input from staff on the process, design standards and other applicable elements prior to submittal of a final application.
b. Design Review: After a complete application for formal review is submitted:
(1) Meetings will be scheduled for staff review to gain City department input on the plans and review the proposal in relation to this chapter and design guidelines.
(2) The proposal shall go before the MCCD Review Committee for its review and recommendation in relation to this chapter and the design review guidelines.
(3) The application will then be forwarded to the Planning Commission for final action. The application shall be made on a form available from the Community and Economic Development Department and shall include minimum application submittal requirements as determined by the Community and Economic Development Department.
c. Design Review Approval: Design review approval must be issued by the Planning Commission prior to the issuance of a building permit or other permit granted for purposes of major alterations including constructing, altering, and moving structures and buildings. Design review approval is required whether or not a building permit is required. The Planning Commission shall review the plans for conformance with the requirements of this title and the MCCD design guidelines. The City shall determine the following before approval is given:
(1) The project is in general conformance with the current Murray City General Plan.
(2) The project is in general conformance with the specific area plan, if any, adopted for the area.
(3) The project conforms to the requirements of the applicable sections of the land use ordinance.
(4) The project does not jeopardize the health, safety, or welfare of the public.
(5) The project is in harmony with the purpose of the MCCD Zone and adheres to the principles of the MCCD design guidelines.
d. Obtaining A Building Permit: No person shall obtain a building permit for new construction or for renovation of existing buildings without first preparing and presenting the information required by this section, paying the applicable design review fees, and receiving design approval from the Community and Economic Development Department. Any building permits or such other permits not issued in conformity with this chapter shall be invalid.
e. Public Utility Companies: The State of Utah, the City, Salt Lake County, and all public utility companies shall be required to obtain design review approval prior to initiating any changes in the character of street paving, sidewalks, utility installations, lighting, walls, fences, structures, and buildings.
f. Design Elements Subject To Review:
(1) Overall building design including design character, alignment and setback, size, height, proportion, and scale of the building.
(2) Exterior facades including exterior walls and building materials, roof and parapet, storefronts including windows and doors, bulkheads, cornices, ornamental detail, color, and back entrances.
(3) Site landscape including pavement, steps, lighting, trees, and ground cover.
(4) Parking.
(5) Lighting and other appurtenant fixtures.
(6) Signs and awnings.
(7) Public improvements.
(8) Site amenities.
g. Exceptions: Even if all design guidelines are not met, design review approval may be granted if the Planning Commission finds that compliance with the design guidelines or certain design guidelines would:
(1) Deprive owner of all viable economic use of the owner's property, or
(2) Result in substantial diminution in value of owner's property.
h. Compliance: Design review approvals shall be issued for a period of eighteen (18) months. All work performed pursuant to a design review approval shall conform to the requirements of the approval. If the construction of building improvements has not commenced within eighteen (18) months of the design approval or if construction has ceased for a period of one (1) year or longer, the approval and any associated building permits shall expire. Applicants may request two (2) extensions of six (6) calendar months during the final month prior to expiration. Requests for extension must be made in writing to the Community and Economic Development Department. (Ord. 21-21: Ord. 19-40)