(A) The purpose of this section is to ensure that residential development be designed in a manner that creates an architecturally integrated structure with unified site development. Dwelling units and garages shall be designed within a single structure, except as set forth in subsection (B) of this section, with the use of unified architectural and landscape design. A single structure shall have common roofs and building walls that create enclosed space substantially above grade. Unified architectural and landscape design shall include, but not be limited to, the use of compatible building materials, architectural style, scale, roof forms, massing, architectural details, site grading and landscape materials and features.
(B) The presence of significant site constraints may permit the physical separation of units and garages on a site. The determination of whether or not a lot has significant site constraints shall be made by the Design Review Board.
SIGNIFICANT SITE CONSTRAINTS shall be defined as natural features of a lot such as stands of mature trees, natural drainages, stream courses and other natural water features, rock outcroppings, wetlands, other natural features and existing structures that may create practical difficulties in the site planning and development of a lot. Slope may be considered a physical site constraint that allows for the separation of a garage from a unit. It shall be the applicant’s responsibility to request a determination from the Design Review Board as to whether or not a site has significant site constraints before final design work on the project is presented. This determination shall be made at a conceptual review of the proposal based on review of the site, a detailed survey of the lot and a preliminary site plan of the proposed structure(s).
(C) The residential development may be designed to accommodate the development of dwelling units and garages in more than one structure if the Design Review Board determines that significant site constraints exist on the lot. The use of unified architectural and landscape design as outlined herein shall be required for the development. In addition, the Design Review Board may require that one or more of the following common design elements such as fences, walls, patios, decks, retaining walls, walkways, landscape elements or other architectural features be incorporated to create unified site development.
(D) Exemption.
(1) Residential development meeting all the following criteria may be exempt from the unified architectural and landscaping design requirement of subsection (A):
(a) Existing separated duplexes (where two dwelling units share a development lot but are not physically connected);
(b) That do not share a unified architectural and landscape design, as determined by the Design Review Board; and
(c) That received Design Review Board approval prior to May 7, 2019.
(2) A registry of qualifying properties shall be kept by the Community Development Department and made publically available.
(3) This section shall not exempt separated duplexes from any other approval requirements of this code, including without limitation, § 12-11-3.
(Ord., 9-21-1999; Ord. 29(2005) § 82; Ord. 9(2019) § 1)