Design Review

Article II in the Planning chapter of the city's code of ordinances establishes a design review process for commercial, industrial, and multifamily nonresidential development within the city. It includes a lengthy purpose statement that references the city's general development plan (§36-51) and a list of definitions (§36-53). It lists which projects require development plans and design review and which are exempt (§36-54), and describes application requirements (§36-55) and the approval process (§36-56). The ordinance uses a point system to evaluate a project's architectural and site design plan, and establishes mandatory requirements (all of which a project must meet for approval) and optional requirements (enough of which must be met to accumulate enough points for approval). Standards address site preparation, parking and traffic circulation, building form and materials, landscaping, fences and screening, and signage. An administration section establishes the design review advisory committee (§36-91) and describes the process and criteria by which the committee makes its recommendations (§36-92). For projects halted before completion, a performance guarantee is required for completion of the development plan as approved (§36-97).