155.2408. BUILDING DESIGN

   A.   Purpose

The building design provisions of this section are intended to ensure that the exterior appearance of buildings and structures enhances the aesthetic character of the surrounding development by complying with the architectural appearance standards of this Code and approved design guidelines. The purpose of this section is to establish procedures and standards for the review of applications for Building Design .

   B.   Applicability

      1.   Building Design

   Unless exempted in accordance with subsection 3 below, a development order for Building Design in accordance with this section is required before issuance of a Zoning Compliance Permit for the following development:

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TABLE 155.2408.B.1: BUILDING DESIGN APPLICABILITY
PROPERTY TYPE	RESIDENTIAL AND NONRESIDENTIAL USE
All property	All new Institutional: Open Space Uses identified in Section 155.4210, of at least 10,000 sq. ft.
Property abutting a designated arterial or collector road as defined by the Broward County Trafficways Plan	All new free standing buildings and all new attached additions facing or visible from the roadway. New free standing buildings or attached additions that are not facing or visible from the roadway shall comply with other applicable thresholds below.
	RESIDENTIAL USE		NONRESIDENTIAL USE
Designated Brownfield Area or Brownfield Site	New Development	More than 15 new multifamily dwelling units	New Development	More than 7,500 sq ft gfa
	Existing Development	Addition of more than 15 new multifamily dwelling units	Existing Development that is 7,500 sq ft gfa or less	An addition that results in development that contains more than 7,500 sq ft gfa
			Existing Development that is more than 7,500 sq ft gfa	One of the following, whichever is less: •   An addition that adds 37,500 sq ft gfa. •   An addition that increases the amount of lot coverage of such existing development by more than 37.5%. •   An addition that increases the gross floor area of the primary building of such existing development by more than 37.5%.
All Other Property Types	New Development	More than 10 new multifamily dwelling units	New Development	More than 5,000 sq ft gfa
	Existing Development	Addition of more than 10 new multifamily dwelling units	Existing Development that is 5,000 sq ft gfa or less:	An addition that results in development that contains more than 5,000 sq ft gfa
			Existing Development that is more than 5,000 sq ft gfa:	One of the following, whichever is less: •   An addition that adds more than 25,000 sq ft gfa. •   An addition that increases the amount of lot coverage of such existing development by more than 25%. •   An addition that increases the gross floor area of the primary building of such existing development by more than 25%.

 

   C.   Building Design Approval Procedure

      1.   Step 1: Pre-Application Meeting

         Applicable (See Section 155.2301.).

      2.   Step 2: Neighborhood Meeting

         Optional (See Section 155.2302.).

      3.   Step 3: Application Submittal and Acceptance

         Applicable (See Section 155.2303.)

      4.   Step 4: Staff Review and Action

   Applicable to a recommendation by the Development Services Director (See Section 155.2304.)

      5.   Step 5: Public Hearing Scheduling and Notice

         Not applicable.

      6.   Step 6: Advisory Body Review and Recommendation

         Not Applicable.

      7.   Step 7: Decision-Making Body Review and Decision

         Applicable to a final decision by the AAC (See Section 155.2307.). Except that the AAC may, in conjunction with approval of a Building Design application, waive certain standards in accordance with 155.2408.E, Building Design - Vernacular or Superior Design Alternative.

   D.   Building Design Approval Review Standards

      An application for Building Design shall be approved only on a finding that there is competent substantial evidence in the record that the exterior design and appearance of the proposed building, or structure:

      1.   Complies with the applicable design standards in Sections 155.3501.O., 155.3708., 155.3709., 155.3703.F. and Article 5;

      2.   Complies with any approved design guidelines that are applicable to the area or type of structure, including the adopted AAC supplemental Criteria;

      3.   Complies with CPTED Standards for natural surveillance, natural access control, territorial reinforcement, and maintenance; and

      4.   Complies with the approved Transportation Corridor Study, unless in direct conflict with another zoning code provision, if applicable.

   E.   Building Design - Vernacular or Superior Design Alternative

      1.   In conjunction with approval of an application for Building Design, the AAC may grant requested deviations for buildings and development which, due to their vernacular or superior design, may not be able to comply with the strict application of the design standards listed in Sections 155.3501.O., 155.3703.F.7, 155.5601., 155.5602., and 155.5603. Except for as it applies to developments within the Transportation (T) and Public Utilities (PU) Zoning Districts, the AAC shall not grant a deviation from the following standards:

         a.   Multifamily Residential Design Standards

            i.   155.5601.C.2, Maximum Building Size

            ii.   155.5601.C.7, Location of Off-Street Parking

            iii.   155.5601.C.8, Outdoor Activity Areas

         b.   Commercial, Institutional and Mixed-Use Development Design Standards

            i.   155.5602.C.1, Business Activities to be Conducted in Enclosed Buildings

            ii.   155.5602.C.10, Loading, Service, and Equipment Areas

            iii.   155.5602.D, Large Retail Establishment Design Standards

         c.   Industrial Development Design Standards

            i.   155.5603.E, Facade Articulation

            ii.   155.5603.G, Building Facade Materials

         d.   155.5604, Residential Compatibility Standards

         e.   155.3501 Transit Oriented Design Standards

            i.   155.3501.O.2.k. Live-Work Units

            ii.   155.3501.O.3. Block Requirements

            iii.   155.3501.O.4. Building Typology and Placement Regulating Diagrams and Dimensional Standards

      2.   The applicant must present competent substantial evidence that the vernacular design achieves the purpose and intent of the applicable standards in Part 6 of Article 5 and in the adopted AAC Supplemental Criteria. Competent substantial evidence shall be supported by published material defining the design vernacular and style, or superior design.

   F.   Appeal

      1.   Building Design

         A party aggrieved by the final decision of the AAC on an application for Building Design may appeal the decision to the City Commission in accordance with the procedures and standards in Section 155.2424, Appeal.

   G.   Effect of Approval

      A development order for Building Design authorizes the submittal of an application for a Zoning Compliance Permit and any other development permit that may be required before construction or other development approved by the development order.

   H.   Expiration

      A development order for Building Design shall automatically expire if a Zoning Compliance Permit for the authorized development is not obtained within two years after the date of the development order, or an extension of this time period authorized in accordance with Section 155.2308.B.2, Extension of Expiration Time Period.

(Ord. 2012-64, passed 9-11-12; Am. Ord. 2013-37, passed 1-22-13; Am. Ord. 2013-73, passed 7-23-13; Am. Ord. 2015-75, passed 9-8-15; Am. Ord. 2018-12, passed 11-14-17; Am. Ord. 2018-67, passed 7-10-18; Am. Ord. 2019-110 , passed 9-24-19; Am. Ord. 2021-09, passed 11-10-20; Am. Ord. 2023-34, passed 2-28-23)