(a) The purpose of the following design criteria is to further the goals of the Village including:
(1) The promotion and protection of the public health, convenience, comfort, prosperity and general welfare by regulating the exterior design of buildings and structures to assure orderly and reasonably harmonious development;
(2) The protection and preservation of property values when buildings are constructed or altered to prevent the impairment or destruction of real estate values;
(3) The regulation, according to accepted and recognized architectural principles, of the design and use of materials on all principal and accessory buildings to be created, moved, altered, remodeled or repaired;
(4) The construction of high-quality buildings in terms of the design and materials selected given the architectural style of the building; and,
(5) The prevention of the harmful effects of excessively similar, dissimilar, or inappropriate exterior design of buildings or structures in relation to the exterior design of buildings prevailing in the Village.
(b) The provisions of this Section shall apply to all residential development including principal and accessory buildings. Any addition, remodeling, relocation, or construction requiring review shall adhere to the guidelines in this Section, where applicable. The Architectural Board of Review may exempt applicants from these standards when the exterior building modifications are minor in nature, meaning the design modifications will have no discernable impact on neighboring properties, the public, the public right-of-way, or those intended to occupy or use the proposed development.
(c) Character of Dwellings. Principal dwellings and accessory building are to be designed and located on the site and be of a scale to complement buildings in close proximity and enhance the character of the surrounding area by having features that are appropriate and compatible with existing buildings and structures. In making this determination, the following shall be considered:
(1) Building height, width, and general proportions;
(2) Architectural features, including patterns of windows and doors, roof pitch, balconies, porches, shutters, dormers, eaves and other decorative detail;
(3) Building materials.
(4) Explanation Of Terms. Certain terms and words shall be interpreted with regard to the following explanations:
A. Appropriateness. A proposal is judged to be appropriate when it respects the existing architectural style of a building or buildings and fits comfortably within its setting, neighborhood and overall community. This condition applies to landscaping and accessory structures, as well.
B. Compatibility. A design or a material selection is compatible when it does not strongly deviate from the buildings on the site, or the overall character of the neighborhood. To be compatible does not require look alike designs, but rather designs that reflect some aspects of the building or buildings in the general vicinity, such as scale of windows, overhangs, building materials, patterns of siding, roof slope. Conversely, incompatibility occurs when an architectural design, landscape design or accessory building proposal is aesthetically harsh or overwhelming relative to its neighbors. The Architectural Board of Review need not consider compatibility when the building under review is determined to be so isolated that it has no bearing on adjacent property or the neighborhood.
C. Proportion. The relationship of parts of a building, landscape, structures, or buildings to each other and to the whole balance.
D. Proximity. Proximity shall be considered in terms of the potential for one property, by virtue of its location, to materially affect other properties. In determining a property to be in proximity to another, the following factors shall be considered:
i. The visibility of both properties from a common point; or,
ii. The location of both properties within a relatively compact network of streets, walkways, or spaces.
(d) Façade Articulation. The articulation of facades and the massing of structures give them richness and scale. Long uninterrupted exterior walls should be avoided. All building walls should have relief to create interest and reduce bulk.
(e) Roof Articulation. For sloped roofs, both vertical and horizontal articulation is encouraged. Rooflines should be representative of the design and scale of surrounding dwellings. Roof articulation may be achieved by changes in plane and/or the use of traditional roof forms such as gables, hips, and dormers.
(Ord. 2011-14. Passed 4-9-12.)