(a) Review of architectural character shall not be so restrictive that individual initiative is stifled in the design of any particular building or site, or that substantial additional expense is unreasonably required. Rather, the intent of this Section is that the review exercised shall be only the amount necessary to achieve the overall purposes stated herein.

(b) Good architectural and landscape architectural character is based upon the suitability of a building or site for its purposes; upon the appropriate use of sound materials and good relationship with other aesthetically-designed structures within the city; and upon principles of harmony, proportion, and design in the elements of the building or site.

(c) Good architectural and landscape character and site planning design are not, in themselves, more expensive than poor architectural character and poor site planning design, and are not dependent upon the particular styles of architecture.

(d) Review of sign graphics shall be based upon suitability of sign colors, placement, design to overall building design and adjacent sign themes.

(a) The scope and intensity of design review shall be governed by the type of construction activity, as follows:

(b) The Planning Commission and Design Review Committee shall make findings in each instance where the design review criteria set forth in this Section are applied.

(a) To preserve the design character of existing development, to protect the visual pattern of the community, and to promote harmony in the visual relationships and transitions between new and older buildings, new buildings should be in harmony with principles of design which include balance, rhythm, emphasis, scale, proportion and harmony (unity and variety). In addition, buildings should make appropriate use of design elements which include texture, pattern, line, form, space, color and mass.

(b) The use of unusual shapes, color, and other characteristics that cause new buildings to call excessive attention to themselves and create disharmony shall be avoided or reserved for structures of broad public significance.

(c) The height and bulk of new buildings shall be related to the prevailing scale of development to avoid overwhelming or dominating existing development.

(d) Building additions should be designed to reflect existing buildings in scale, materials, and color. Facade renovations should include as few different materials as possible.

(e) The architectural style of new or redeveloped structures shall be compatible with the predominant architectural themes of the district. Contemporary design for new buildings in old neighborhoods and additions to existing buildings or landscaping should not be discouraged if such design is compatible with the size, scale, color, material, and character of the neighborhood, building, or its environment.

(f) Adjacent buildings of different architectural styles shall be made compatible by such means as materials, rhythm, color, repetition of certain plant varieties, screens, sight breaks, etc.

(g) The construction of additions to existing buildings should be generally discouraged in yards adjoining public streets and should instead be confined to side and rear yards which are generally out of public view.

(h) To preserve the continuity prevailing along each block face, the orientation of the building’s principal facade shall complement that of the majority of buildings in the same block face.

(i) The open expanse of front lawns and the quantities of planting within them of new or redeveloped structures shall be comparable to that of existing structures.

(j) Projects shall be designed in context with their surroundings. This means that enough visual linkages between existing buildings and the proposed project shall be provided so as to create a cohesive overall effect. In addition to those noted above, visual linkages shall include window proportions, entryway placements, decorative elements, style, materials, and silhouettes.

(k) Where quality is mixed - good buildings mixed with more mundane construction - a selective approach may be warranted. In such cases, positive identifiable patterns should be reinforced wherever possible and negative design qualities, however much they may characterize an area, should be avoided.

(l) Doors, shrubs, fences, gates, and other physical design elements should be used to discourage access to an area by all but its intended users.

(m) Surveillance should be encouraged by placing windows in locations that allow intended users to see or be seen while ensuring that intruders will be observed as well. Surveillance shall be enhanced by providing adequate lighting and landscaping that allow for unobstructed views.

(n) Territoriality should be augmented by the use of sidewalks, landscaping, porches, and other elements that establish the boundaries between public, semi-private, and private areas.

(o) Projects should be designed with a human scale foremost.

(a) Rehabilitation work should not destroy the distinguishing qualities or character of the property and its environment. The removal or alteration of architectural features should be held to the minimum, consistent with the proposed use.

(b) Distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craftsmanship which characterize older structures and often predate the mass production of building materials, should be treated with sensitivity.

(c) Wherever possible, new additions or alterations to buildings should be done in such a manner that if they were to be removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the original building would be unimpaired.

(a) Signs should complement the architectural style and scale of the building and should be designed as an integral architectural element of the building and site to which it principally relates. As an architectural element, the sign should reflect the period of architecture and be in harmony with building character and use. It shall not interfere with architectural lines and details. Each sign shall be compatible with signs on adjoining premises and shall not compete for attention. The number of graphic elements on a sign shall be held to the minimum needed to convey the sign’s major message and shall be in proportion to the area of the sign face.