Alameda Municipal Code § 30-35 Purpose, Declarations, Findings

It is the intent of the City Council in enacting this article to promote and protect the health, safety and general welfare of the City by conserving the value of property by encouraging construction of buildings which are compatible and harmonious with the decision and use of surrounding properties, and to discourage the construction of buildings which will have a deleterious effect upon, impair the occupancy of, or jeopardize the value of, such properties. At the same time it is the intent that the review and control procedures herein accommodate and stimulate a broad range of individual and creative design, so that monotony and mediocrity of construction will be avoided and owners of property are not deprived of the full, efficient and lawful use thereof.

(Ord. No. 1716 N.S.)

The City Council finds and determines that inappropriate exterior design of improvements to real property affects adversely the general welfare of residents of the City because such design gives rise to conditions in which:

a. The maintenance, repair, replacement or improvement of surrounding properties is discouraged with resulting degeneration thereof, and there is an accompanying deterioration of conditions which affect the health, safety, comfort and general welfare of the inhabitants of the area and the inhabitants of the City at large;

b. The most appropriate development of other properties within the vicinity is impaired;

c. Instability of property values in the general area occurs;

d. The desirability of other properties within the vicinity for their classified land uses is affected adversely;

e. The proper relationship between the taxable value of said real property in the vicinity and the cost of municipal services to such properties is threatened; and

f. The benefits of occupancy of other property within the vicinity are threatened.

(Ord. No. 1716 N.S.)

Land values and construction aesthetics are dependent upon one another if sound land use development is to be successfully promoted. The purpose of this article is to recognize such interdependence, and thereby to assist in the development of architectural standards and guidelines for all structures, buildings, and improvements to real property in the City.

(Ord. No. 1716 N.S.)