American Canyon Municipal Code Ch. 19.41 Design Permits

(A) Provide for a review process that promotes excellence in site planning and architectural design, consistent with general plan design policies;

(B) Encourage the harmonious appearance of buildings and sites;

(C) Ensure that new and modified uses and development are compatible with existing and potential uses in the surrounding area;

(D) Produce an environment of stable, desirable character.

Ord. 2001-02 § 1, 2001

Design permit approval by the community development director or planning

commission is required for the following:

(A) New structures, except single-family detached dwellings and their attendant accessory structures constructed on a parcel of land. However, when a builder constructs three or more single-family dwellings in a single subdivision in one year, or on a single block in one year if the lots are not located within a subdivision, the dwelling units shall be subject to approval of a design permit.

(B) Enlargements and exterior alterations of structures, including repainting and color changes of commercial, industrial and multi-family structures, but excluding enlargements and alterations of single-family dwellings for which a design permit was not originally required, unless required as a condition of another approval.

(C) Alterations of land in commercial or industrial districts, and/or of sites of more than one acre in residential districts.

Ord. 2009-10 § 3, 2009

Ord. 2001-02 § 1, 2001

Except as provided in this chapter, no building or structure may be

erected, and no building may be enlarged or altered, and no site may be altered until a design permit application has been approved by the community development director or planning commission, as required below. Such review and approval may take place concurrently with the review of any other required approvals.

(A) Community Development Department Director Approvals. The community development director may approve the following design permit applications. No public hearing shall be required unless the design permit is being processed concurrently with other applications for which a hearing is required. In this case, the design permit shall be considered at the same public hearing.

(1) Two-family dwellings and appurtenant accessory structures.

(2) Multifamily projects containing fewer than five units.

(3) Commercial structures containing less than five thousand square feet total, industrial structures containing less than twenty thousand square feet total, and subsequent substantial changes of use to these structures.

(4) Enlargements or alterations to a project originally approved by the planning commission involving an area of less than five percent of the project's floor or site area, that the director deems to be compatible with the original approval and an insignificant alteration to the project's appearance.

(5) Any visible enlargements or alterations to projects, as determined by the community development director.

(6) Changes in use to structures or property which cause a project to not meet design standards contained in this title for landscaping, parking, signage, screening, etc.

(B) Planning Commission Approvals. The planning commission may approve the following design permit applications following a public hearing pursuant to the procedures set forth in Chapter 19.40:

(1) Multifamily dwelling projects containing five or more units.

(2) The construction in one year by a single builder of three or more single-family dwellings in a single subdivision, or on a single block if the lots are not located within a subdivision, except such construction in the PC zone district.

(3) Commercial structures containing five thousand total square feet or more and industrial structures containing twenty thousand square feet or more, and/or substantial changes of use to these structures.

(4) Enlargements and/or exterior alterations of projects and/or sites involving an area of more than five percent of the project's floor and/or site area, or lesser changes that the community development director has determined potentially represent a significant alteration to a project's and/or site's appearance.

(5) Sign programs requiring commission approval, pursuant to Chapter 19.23.

(6) Small-cell antenna facilities that do not comply with standards described in Chapter 19.53.

(7) Design permit applications referred to the commission by the director because of unique circumstances, potential public controversy or a need for policy direction.

Ord. 2018-05 § 7, 2018

Ord. 2009-10 § 3, 2009

Ord. 2001-02 § 1, 2001

The following areas of design shall be considered in reviewing

design permits:

(A) Site Planning.

(1) Appropriateness of setbacks, site coverage, building heights, and outdoor use areas,

(2) Adequacy of parking, and vehicular and pedestrian circulation,

(3) Relationship to abutting or adjacent sites and land uses; minimization of impacts on residential districts,

(4) Preservation of natural site amenities,

(5) Use of landscaping, outdoor lighting, and outdoor furniture,

(6) Usability of public and private open spaces;

(B) Structural Design.

(1) Scale, mass, bulk, and proportions,

(2) Compatibility with the desirable qualities of the area and/or streetscape,

(3) Compatibility of building materials and detailing for all structures,

(4) Relationship to other structures and accessory elements on a site,

(5) Screening of utility and mechanical facilities,

(6) Design of fences and walls,

(7) Use of architectural elements that contribute to visual interest and variety, including variation to wall planes, multiple roof lines and defined entries.

Ord. 2001-02 § 1, 2001

Approval of a design permit application may be granted by the appropriate

decision making authority only if all of the following findings are made:

(A) The project complies with all applicable provisions of this title and any applicable approvals granted for the project by any decision making authority.

(B) The project and its design complies with any applicable design guidelines.

(C) The project and its design complies with all applicable general plan policies.

(D) The project complies with applicable policies of the Napa County Airport land use compatibility plan.

(E) The project's quality and character are compatible with the surrounding area, unless physically deteriorated or blighted, and will not be materially detrimental to existing development.

(F) The proposed design is compatible with existing development in the area in terms of scale, height, bulk, proportion, materials, cohesiveness, color, and the preservation of privacy.

(G) The design improves the community's appearance by avoiding both excessive variety and monotonous repetition.

(H) The proposed design promotes a harmonious transition in terms of scale and character between areas of different general plan land use designations and zoning districts.

(I) The proposed design provides for adequate and safe on-site vehicular and pedestrian circulation.

Ord. 2010-03 § 3, 2010

Ord. 2001-02 § 1, 2001

(A) If the project for which a design permit has been approved pursuant to this chapter has not been inaugurated within two years of the granting of the design permit, the approval shall become null and void and of no effect. This provision shall not apply to applications approved in conjunction with another discretionary permit. In such cases, the expiration period shall coincide with that of the associated period.

(B) An extension of time may be granted by the community development director upon the written request by a responsible party before the expiration of the two-year period, provided that:

(1) There have been no changes in the approved plans; and

(2) There has been no change of circumstances which would prevent any of the required findings of approval to be made.

Ord. 2001-02 § 1, 2001