(a) Purpose and Applicability
The neighborhood preservation combining district is intended to modify the regulations of the RMD two unit multiple-family residential district areas where it is deemed essential to maintain the visual and historic character of existing neighborhoods. The combining district is intended to foster retention of existing single-family structures, to foster additions to existing properties without demolition of sound residential structures, and to assure compatibility of design of new residential units with existing structures on the same or surrounding properties.
Properties in the (NP) combining district are subject to the following regulations:
(b) Design Review
(1) Purposes
The purpose of design review of properties in an (NP) combining district is to achieve compatibility of scale, silhouette, façade articulation, and materials of new construction with existing structure on the same property or on surrounding properties within a combining district.
(2) Design Review Required
For properties on which two or more residential units are developed or modified, design review and approval shall be required by the architectural review board in compliance with procedures established in Section 18.76.020 for any new development or modification to any structure on the property and for site amenities. No design review is required for construction of or modifications to single-family structures that constitute the only principal structure on a parcel of land or for accessory dwelling units or junior accessory units.
(3) Design Review Guidelines
The architectural review board shall, at its discretion, develop specific design review guidelines for each specific area to which this combining district is applied.
(c) Exceptions to Development Standards
(1) Applicability
Subject to the provisions of Section 18.76.040 and the general purposes of this title to foster retention of existing single-family structures and to maintain the existing historic and general character of the neighborhood, the planning director may grant exceptions to site development regulations (except limitations on residential density), parking regulations, and from the special setback requirements of Title 20 applicable to the underlying zone district where combined with the neighborhood preservation (NP) combining district. This exception procedure is the exclusive procedure for procuring an exception to development standards in the NP combining district. It is not necessary for the property owner to obtain a variance.
(2) Findings
The director may only grant an (NP) District Exception if, from the application or the facts presented at the public hearing, he finds:
(A) The granting of the exception will facilitate the preservation of an existing residential structure on the same property and will be of benefit in maintaining the existing historic and general character of the surrounding neighborhood, and
(B) The granting of the application will not be detrimental or injurious to property or improvements in the vicinity and will not be detrimental to the public health, safety, general welfare, or convenience.
(3) Conditions
In granting NP District Exceptions, reasonable conditions or restrictions may be imposed as deemed appropriate or necessary to protect the public health, safety, general welfare, or convenience, and to secure the purposes of this title.
(4) Procedures
(Ord. 5412 § 9, 2017: Ord. 4875 § 2 (part), 2005)