630.090 Review Criteria.
A. Approval of a design review plan shall be based on the following criteria:
(1) Relation of Design Review Plan Elements to Environment.
(a) The elements of the design review plan shall relate harmoniously to the natural environment and existing buildings and structures having a visual relationship with the site.
(b) The elements of the design review plan should promote energy conservation and provide protection from adverse climatic conditions, noise, and air pollution.
(c) Each element of the design review plan shall effectively, efficiently, and attractively serve its function. The elements shall be on a human scale, inter-related, and shall provide spatial variety and order.
(2) Safety and Privacy - The design review plan shall be designed to provide a safe environment, while offering appropriate opportunities for privacy and transitions from public to private spaces.
(3) Special Needs of Disabled Persons - Where appropriate, or required, the design review plan shall provide for the special needs of disabled persons, such as ramps for wheelchairs and Braille signs.
(4) Preservation of Natural Landscape - The landscape and existing grade shall be preserved to the maximum practical degree, considering development constraints and suitability of the landscape or grade to serve their functions. Preserved trees and shrubs shall be protected during construction.
(5) Pedestrian and Vehicular Circulation and Parking - The location and number of points of access to the site, the interior circulation patterns, the separations between pedestrians and moving and parked vehicles, and the arrangement of parking areas in relation to buildings and structures, shall be designed to maximize safety and convenience and shall be harmonious with proposed and neighboring buildings and structures.
(6) Drainage - Surface drainage systems shall be designed so as not to adversely affect neighboring properties or streets.
(7) Buffering and Screening - Areas, structures and facilities for storage, machinery and equipment, services (mail, refuse, utility wires, and the like), loading and parking, and similar accessory areas and structures shall be designed, located, buffered or screened to minimize adverse impacts on the site and neighboring properties.
(8) Utilities - All utility installations must be located underground and shall be located so as to minimize adverse impacts on the site and neighboring properties. At the time of development, public facilities and services, including public sanitary and storm sewer, water and public streets, shall be extended across a site to facilitate service to adjoining properties, unless determined unreasonable by the Design Review Board.
(9) Signs and Graphics - The location, texture, lighting, movement, and materials of all exterior signs, graphics or other informational or directional features shall be compatible with the other elements of the design review plan and surrounding properties.
(10) Plan and Code Compliance – The proposal shall be in compliance with the City, County and Regional Transportation Plans, the City Stormwater Master Plan and the City Water Master Plan. Further, ODOT access permit approval is required abutting a state roadway prior to design review approval by the City.
B. Guidelines designed to assist applications in developing design review plans may be adopted by the Design Review Board.