Lincoln Municipal Code Ch. 18.68 Administrative Design Review

The city council finds that there exists in the city, conditions with promote disharmony and reduce land and property values. The council also finds that the lack of appropriate guidelines for the design of new single-family structures and property contributes to these conditions. It further finds desirable the provision of such guidelines for the protection and enhancement of land and property values, for the creation and preservation of a high-quality environment and for the promotion of the health, safety and general welfare of the community. Based upon the above findings, the city council hereby establishes an administrative design review process for all newly constructed dwellings (including all modular/prefabricated dwellings) placed upon a single family lot subdivided pursuant to a final or parcel map approved by the city council prior to July 1, 1979, which pursuant to Section 18.64.010 is not subject to design review as provided in Division VII of Title 18 of this code.

(Ord. 678B §2 (part), 1999)

The community development director or his/her designee shall have authority to approve an administrative design review application upon a determination that the criteria set forth in Section 18.68.030 have been met. Within ten days of receiving a complete application, the community development director will render a determination regarding the approval of the application. The director shall have the authority to approve, approve with conditions, or deny an application. The community development director may, at his or her discretion, schedule for review by the planning commission any application for approval. The planning commission shall have the authority to approve, approve with conditions or deny all applications for design review if so scheduled by director.

(Ord. 678B §2 (part), 1999)

Single-family dwellings are required to meet the following criteria in order to be approved for administrative design review:

(1) The structure is covered with an exterior material customarily used in new residential structures in the surrounding neighborhood. This includes garages as well as the main structure.

(2) The exterior covering material extends to the ground. If a solid concrete or masonry perimeter foundation is used, the foundation shall be textured or colored to match the exterior covering material. Alternate skirting materials customarily used in residential structures in the surrounding neighborhood will be considered compatible.

(3) The roofing material is of a material customarily used on residential structures in the surrounding neighborhood.

(4) The roof pitch design is one customary to the pitch on residential structures in the surrounding neighborhood.

(5) The evaluations including the placement of doors, windows, eaves and gable overhangs are typical for those customarily used in residential structures in the surrounding neighborhood.

(6) The dwelling meets all of the requirements for the zoning district, including setbacks, lot coverage, off-street parking requirements and other development standards applicable to the district in which it is to be located.

(7) The façade that fronts on the street is designed with sufficient detail to make it visually compatible with residential structures in the area.

(Ord. 678B §2 (part), 1999)

Any applicant or other person aggrieved by a decision made by the director of community development under Section 18.68.020 may appeal to the planning commission pursuant to Chapter 18.94.

(Ord. 678B §2 (part), 1999)