Carpinteria Municipal Code Ch. 2.36 Architectural Review Board

There is established a committee consisting of five regular members, residents of the Carpinteria planning area, to be known as the "architectural review board of the city of Carpinteria." The members shall be lay and professional citizens skilled in the interpretation of architectural and landscaping drawings and able to evaluate the effects of the proposed development upon surrounding areas. The city manager or his designee shall be an ex officio member and secretary of the board. The city council may waive the residence requirement for members with verified professional qualifications.

(Ord. 373 § 1, 1985: Ord. 335 § 1, 1982: prior code § 2414)

A. The city council finds that the exterior appearance of buildings, structures, signs and the type and extent of landscaping and the development of the site affect the desirability of the immediate area and neighboring areas for residential, commercial, industrial or other purposes. It is in the interest of the city to prevent the introduction of elements which may be incompatible with the highest quality of development sought by the city and which might impair the value of both improved and unimproved property. It is the intent of the city council to preserve property values and to encourage the most appropriate and beneficial use of land so as to safeguard the general welfare of the community.

B. The city council recognizes that in order to protect and preserve the natural historic charm and beauty of the city of Carpinteria it is necessary to regulate the design appearance in order to insure the present and future aesthetic appeal and beauty.

(Prior code § 2417)

Each boardmember shall serve at the pleasure of the city council and shall be appointed by the mayor with the advice and consent of the city council. The term of all members of the board shall expire pursuant to Section 2.24.010 of this code.

(Ord. 440 § 3, 1989: Ord. 373 § 2, 1985: Ord. 326 § 4, 1982: prior code § 2415)

A. The architectural review board shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its voting members. Decisions shall be made by a majority of members present and voting.

B. The secretary of the board shall maintain summary minutes of the board's findings and determinations and shall furnish all necessary and reasonable assistance to the board.

C. The board shall determine a regular meeting time and date.

D. Compensation for boardmembers shall be set by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. 566 § 2, 2000: Ord. 462 § 4, 1990: Ord. 373 § 3, 1985: prior code § 2416)

A. The architectural review board shall review, at a noticed public hearing, design and landscaping plans as they affect the architecture of structures and signs for which a building permit is required (except for remodeling and minor additions, as defined in this section, to one lot single-family residences as determined by the community development department) as well as screening in instances where screening is deemed advisable. Architectural elevations of all homes, street trees and landscaping within a proposed single-family subdivision shall be reviewed by the architectural review board.

B. Determinations by the community development department shall be based on the following criteria:

1. Remodeling shall mean exterior or interior changes requiring a building permit not involving a substantial change in the building's appearance.

2. Minor additions shall mean single-story rear yard additions, or single-story side yard additions, to single-family structures where the addition is compatible with the design, color and materials of the existing single-family structure. Single-story yard and side yard additions which are determined to be not compatible with the existing single-family structure shall be referred to and reviewed by the architectural review board.

C. The architectural review board shall, on referral from community development department staff, review applicant's request for front yard (including driveways) paving in excess of three hundred twenty-four square feet. (Ord, 593 § 1, 2003; Ord. 539 § 1 (part), 1997; Ord. 519 § 1 (part), 1996; Ord. 477 § 1, 1992)

The architectural review board shall provide the planning commission or community development director, as the case may be, with recommendations on the architectural and landscape design of each project subject to review pursuant to this chapter. The planning commission or community development director shall consider the board's recommendation in making its final decision. Further review by the architectural review board shall not be required unless further recommendations are requested by either the city council, planning commission, or the community development director.

(Ord. 587 § 1 (part), 2003: Ord. 578 § 1 (part), 2002: Ord. 296 § 1, 1980: prior code § 2422)

* Editor's Note: The July 14, 2003 amended section was published prematurely, beginning with the March 2002 Supplement, prior to the date of enactment.

The elements of design consideration shall include but not necessarily be limited to the exterior appearance of buildings, structures, signs, lighting, street furniture, landscape planting, site development and other outdoor appurtenances.

(Prior code § 2419)

The architectural review board shall objectively review all projects submitted to determine whether the buildings, structures, landscaping, screening, signs and lighting are appropriate. Such determination shall be based upon the following standards:

A. Overall building shapes, as well as parts of any structure (buildings, walls, screens, towers or signs), in proportion to and in scale with the site and with other existing or permitted structures in the area;

B. Harmonious relationship with existing and proposed adjoining developments avoiding excessive variety or monotonous repetition but allowing similarity of style and random location;

C. Harmony of materials, colors and composition of all sides of a structure or building;

D. Consistency and unity of composition and treatment of exterior elevations;

E. A limited number of materials on the exterior face of the building or structure (wood, concrete, brick, stone). The use of natural materials is encouraged;

F. Adequate landscaping in proportion to the project and the site, with due regard to preservation of specimen, landmark or other healthy trees; selection of a size and type of planting which will be appropriate to the project and will grow on the site; and adequate provision for maintenance of all plantings, including a maintenance bond for a minimum of three years;

G. Site layout, orientation and location of structures, buildings and signs in an appropriate and well designed relationship to one another with consideration given to open spaces, topography, definition of pedestrian and vehicular areas, and exterior building lighting;

H. Good design and appropriateness of structure to site;

I. Overbuilding of a site is to be discouraged and every effort shall be made to provide open space suitably landscaped;

J. A harmonious palette of earth-tone colors;

K. Design of signs and lighting and other advertising media should harmonize with and be subordinate to the building it serves;

L. Mechanical and electrical equipment and trash storage should be concealed and integrated in the total design concept;

M. Parking and loading areas should be attractively landscaped and otherwise screened, and there should be landscaping between property lines and parking areas;

N. Storage areas should be defined as to height limits and architectural screening where exterior of structure;

O. The location, color and screening of roof features shall be integrated into the overall design;

P. Landscaping to soften large expanses of paved areas shall be emphasized.

(Prior code § 2420)

Projects submitted for review by the architectural review board will conform to the following design criteria:

A. Site Plan. A scaled drawing of a dimensioned site plan which should include an indication of all of the following items:

1. The buildings and adjacent land use surrounding subject property,

2. Street rights-of-way, property lines and setback lines,

3. All existing and proposed buildings, fences, walks, driveways, parking spaces and loading areas,

4. A screened trash enclosure,

5. Areas to be landscaped,

6. Existing trees and structures,

7. Consistency and unity of all features of the site plan,

8. Topography,

9. Drainage patterns and grades;

B. Elevations. A scaled and dimensioned drawing of each face of the proposed structure showing materials, colors, textures, doors, windows, architectural detailing, mechanical equipment, etc.;

C. Landscape Plan. A detailed landscaping plan indicating:

1. The size, species, amount and location of all plant materials. Each item shall be labeled as to number, size, and botanical and common name;

2. An adequate irrigation system to cover all landscaped areas, including layout of heads, pressure and point of connection;

3. Six-inch curbing or approved planting division equivalent surrounding all landscaped areas;

NOTE: Landscaping and open space in the DR zone should approximate a minimum of forty percent. Landscaping and open space in the DMX zone should approximate a minimum of thirty percent;

D. Signs. A scaled and dimensioned plot plan and elevation of all proposed signs showing:

1. Street rights-of-way, property lines, setback lines, structure and site features,

2. Location, size, materials, colors and copy,

3. An indication of affected or proposed planters, parking areas, buildings, etc.,

4. Elevation of signs in relation to buildings.

(Prior code § 2421)

A. Standard Process. The standard architectural review process shall be as follows:

1. Following staff and environmental review and recommendation, the applicant shall submit complete sets of plans in conformance with Section 2.36.090 in accordance with the administrative filing requirements of the community development department. Said plans shall be reviewed at the next regularly scheduled board meeting at which the applicant or his representative shall be present. Within thirty days of the first scheduled review by the board, the board shall prepare and forward its recommendations to the planning commission.

2. Upon receipt of the board's recommendation, the planning commission shall, at its next regular meeting, consider the project and, taking into account the provisions of Section 2.36.060, render its decision.

B. Preliminary Process. The preliminary architectural review process may be as follows:

1. At the applicant's option, tentative preliminary plans may be submitted to the board for conceptual review prior to completing the environmental review process. Said tentative plans shall be reviewed and advisory recommendations made for the use of the applicant and planning commission. Said advisory recommendations shall constitute a conceptual review only, with final review and recommendation by the board to be taken after the planning commission conceptual review.

2. Following the conceptual review and recommendation by the board, the planning commission shall review the project in concept and make advisory recommendations. Any such review or recommendations shall not be binding upon the city nor the planning commission as to any further determinations to be made with respect to the project and the planning commission shall be wholly free to render a different determination and/or decision following the formal procedures thereafter followed pursuant to subsection A of this section.

3. Upon completion of the environmental review process, the applicant shall submit his project to the board in accordance with subsection A of this section for the formal review and consideration.

4. If the applicant elects to utilize the option provided by subsection B of this section to request advisory recommendations, the applicant agrees that such a request, and any papers filed in conjunction therewith, shall not constitute a filing, a request for formal approval, nor in any other way commence the official processing of the project so as to commence any statutory time limits, and that any statutory time limit shall commence only when the formal procedure and filing is initiated pursuant to subsection A of this section.

(Ord. 296 § 2, 1980)

A. In design zones, any substantial changes to the appearance of an existing structure or a structure under construction or landscaping shall be subject to administrative review by the community development department. The director shall advise the architectural review board and planning commission of such changes prior to issuing a building permit. In the event the commission does not concur with the proposed change, the matter shall be set for further review and consideration by the commission.

B. In design zones, any substantial changes which are not in accordance with the approved plans and conditions shall be deemed a violation of the plans and any permit or approval issued with respect to the same, and shall be cause for revocation of the same.

(Ord. 296 § 3, 1980)

The city has not adopted an official theme. However, all new and remodeled structures are encouraged to follow a concept reflecting and preserving the small town, Spanish and beach oriented character of the community.

(Ord. 296 § 4, 1980)

In keeping with the purpose of the architectural review board ordinance as set forth in Section 2.36.020 of this chapter, the city council recognizes single-family neighborhoods to be a valuable resource. In furtherance of this purpose, the architectural review board shall review single-family homes as provided in Section 2.36.050 of this chapter to promote and protect the aesthetic appeal and beauty of the community. Specific single-family neighborhood criteria area as follows:

A. Single-family neighborhoods shall mean those areas of the city designated by a low density zoning district as shown on the official city zoning map.

B. The review of all second-story additions and any additions at the front of an existing single-family structure shall be conducted so as to achieve neighborhood compatibility, including but not limited to protection of appropriate residential density, privacy and significant public views. In the case of all such additions, owners of property sharing a common boundary line with the subject site shall be mailed notice by the city of the time, place and date of the architectural review board meeting at which the addition will be reviewed.

C. New carports and conversion of garages to habitable floor area at the front of existing residences and/or in the front yard setbacks are prohibited. All carports and garage conversions previously authorized by permit shall be deemed nonconforming uses subject to Chapter 14.82 of this code.

D. The city council expressly finds that excessive paving of front yards (including driveways) can detract from the visual quality of the single-family neighborhoods. Excessive paving is defined as a paved area in excess of three hundred twenty-four (324) square feet of contiguous paved area.

(Ord. 539 § 1 (part), 1997; Ord. 533 § 1 (part), 1997; Ord. 519 § 1 (part), 1996; Ord. 516 § 1, 1995; Ord. 477 § 2, 1992)