Ordinance 3072-08 - Laserfiche WebLink

3. Illustrations The design standards and guidelines contain graphic examples of design elements which satisfy the requirements of this chapter. For public convenience, the planning department shall maintain photographs and illustrations of examples of developments and buildings that contain design elements consistent with the requirements of this chapter. 4. Application The planning director shall have the authority to require changes in project design to meet these standards, and,pursuant to subsection 6 of this section, to allow deviation from certain standards of this chapter and modify the multiple-family design standards and guidelines as they apply to individual properties if necessary to allow for the reasonable development of the site. Such design modifications shall not undermine the intent of the design standards and guidelines. 5. Interpretation of Design Standards and Guidelines These standards use words such as "shall", "must", "is/are required", or"is/are prohibited" and signify required actions. Guidelines use words such as "should" or "is/are recommended"to signify voluntary measures. 6. Modification of Design Standards and Guidelines An applicant may propose and the planning director, using the review process described in EMC Title 15, Local Project Review Procedures,may allow an applicant to deviate from the core residential design standards and guidelines, provided the proposal satisfies the evaluation criteria of this subsection. This process differs from the variance procedure in that rather than approval being based upon unusual circumstances or a physical hardship such as steep slopes, it is based upon the quality of the proposed design. This alternative process is intended to promote well-designed housing which does not strictly comply with the development standards of this chapter and/or the core residential design standards and guidelines,but which meets the criteria contained herein. In evaluating such a proposal, the planning director, using the criteria in paragraph c of this subsection, shall determine if the alternative design provides superior results to that which would be required by compliance with the development standards of this chapter and the design guidelines. a. What Can Be Modified. The following standards can be modified using this process: (1) Core residential design standards and guidelines as described herein. (2) Building setbacks. b. What Cannot Be Modified. Except for the standards identified in subsection 1 of this section, no other standards, including the following, can be modified using this process: (1) Number of off-street parking spaces. (2) Building height. (3) Uses permitted by the zone in which the property is located. (4) Regulations for nonconforming uses. (5) Standards of Chapter 37 of the zoning code(Critical Areas). (6) Shoreline regulations, where applicable. (7) Standards adopted as part of"H"historic or"D" design overlay zones. 47