A. The site plan review committee shall be the reviewing authority for the downtown retail overlay district, with powers and duties as specified in this chapter.
B. The site plan review committee shall review applications only as specified in this chapter, consistent with the rules and regulations in this chapter. Applications shall be approved or disapproved based solely on those building design criteria in this chapter, for which compliance is mandatory. The board may suggest that building design criteria that are permissive be followed; however, applications shall not be approved or disapproved on the basis of any such nonmandatory criteria. The duties and responsibilities of the site plan review committee shall include the following:
C. At the option of the planning commission, the site plan review committee may review proposed zoning actions (zone changes, conditional use permits, special zoning exceptions, planned unit developments and variances) within the district. The site plan review committee may recommend approval, conditional approval, modification or disapproval of an application based upon the expected impact of the proposed zoning action on the character of the affected improvement(s), neighboring properties, or the entire district. The board's recommendation shall be forwarded to the planning commission for its consideration.
D. It shall be the duty of the site plan review committee to review all applications for the construction or exterior alteration or enlargement of improvements within the overlay district. The site plan review committee shall have the power to approve, modify or disapprove such applications before a building permit can be issued.
E. It shall be the duty of the site plan review committee to review all applications for sign permits within the district. Applications for sign permits shall be obtained from and filed with city pursuant to Chapter 17.48, and thereafter the application shall immediately be referred to the site plan review committee for their review and recommendation. The site plan review committee may recommend approval, conditional approval or denial of the sign permit application. The application shall then be presented to the proper issuing authority for sign permits, pursuant to Chapter 17.48 of the Municipal Code. Sign permits shall be issued only in compliance with the recommendation of the site plan review committee. Approval by the site plan review committee in no way implies approval by the issuing authority for sign permits, whose approval must also be secured pursuant to Chapter 17.48.
F. It shall be the duty of the site plan review committee to review all applications for the moving or demolition of structures within the overlay district. The site plan review committee shall have the power to approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove such applications, subject to the provisions of Section 17.58.060.
G. Permits may be issued for air conditioners, electrical work and plumbing work that is visible from a public right-of-way when the chief building official determines that the work insignificantly affects the exterior of a structure, or that reasonable alternatives as to location or screening have been employed. The building official may forward to the site plan review committee applications for permits for this type of work when it appears that the appearance of a structure may be significantly altered. This subsection shall not apply to the following types of permit applications:
1. Reroofing with like materials;
2. Residing with like materials;
3. Masonry repairs with like materials;
4. Chimney repair with like materials. (Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017: prior code § 7724)