Morro Bay Municipal Code § 17.38.020 Applicability

This chapter establishes the design review procedure to ensure that new development supports the goals and objectives of the general plan and other adopted plans and guidelines. The specific purposes of the design review process are to:

A. Promote excellence in site planning and design and the harmonious appearance of buildings and sites;

B. Ensure that new and altered uses and development will be compatible with the existing and potential development of the surrounding area; and

C. Supplement other city regulations and standards in order to ensure control of aspects of design that are not otherwise addressed.

(Ord. No. 662, § 2, 12-13-23)

Design review is required for all projects that require a permit for new construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, alteration, or other improvements to the exterior of a structure, site, or a parking area except for:

A. Additions, construction, reconstruction, alterations, improvements, and landscaping for a project developed in compliance with a previous design review approval; and

B. Replacement of exterior materials, including openings, with the same materials.

(Ord. No. 662, § 2, 12-13-23)

A. Planning Commission. The planning commission shall have design review authority for the following projects:

1. Single-Unit Development. Single-unit development of more than two thousand five hundred square feet of floor area.

2. Multi-Unit Development. Multi-unit development consisting of four or more units, or more than six thousand square feet of floor area.

3. Non-Residential Development. All new construction and any improvement or addition that results in more than a ten percent increase in floor area, or more than two thousand square feet of floor area.

4. Other Projects. All projects otherwise requiring planning commission approval.

B. Director.

1. The director shall have design review authority for all projects that do not meet the criteria listed in subsection A for a decision by the planning commission.

2. The director may refer items directly to the planning commission when in his/her opinion the public interest would be better served by having the planning commission conduct design review.

(Ord. No. 662, § 2, 12-13-23)

A. Forms and Fees. Written applications for design review applications shall be submitted to the planning division in compliance with the application procedures in Chapter 17.36, Common Procedures.

B. Concurrent Processing. When a development project requires a use permit, variance, coastal development permit, or any other discretionary approval, the design review application shall be submitted as a part of the application for the underlying permit, coastal development permit, use permit, or variance.

(Ord. No. 662, § 2, 12-13-23)

A. Design Review by the Planning Commission. For all projects for which the planning commission is the design review authority, public notice shall be provided pursuant to Section 17.36.060, Public Notice.

B. Design Review by the director. No public notice is required for design review for projects for which the director is the design review authority.

(Ord. No. 662, § 2, 12-13-23)

A. Design Review by the Planning Commission. All projects for which the planning commission is the design review authority, shall require a public hearing before the planning commission pursuant to Section 17.36.070, Conduct of Public Hearings.

B. Design Review by the director. No public hearing is required for design review where the director is the design review authority.

(Ord. No. 662, § 2, 12-13-23)

A. Design Review Considerations. Design review shall be based on consideration of the requirements of this chapter as they apply to the design of the site plan, structures, landscaping, and other physical features of a proposed project, including:

1. Building proportions, massing, and architectural details;

2. Site design, orientation, location, and architectural design of buildings relative to existing structures on or adjacent to the property, topography, and other physical features of the natural and built environment;

3. Incorporation of sustainable design features;

4. Size, location, design, development, and arrangement of on-site parking and other paved areas;

5. Exterior materials and, except in the case of design review of a single-family residence, color as they relate to each other, to the overall appearance of the project, and to surrounding development;

6. Height, materials, design, fences, walls, and screen plantings;

7. Location and type of landscaping including selection and size of plant materials, and design of hardscape; and

8. Size, location, design, color, lighting, and materials of all signs.

B. Reduction in Density. Design review shall not result in a reduction in the residential density.

(Ord. No. 662, § 2, 12-13-23)

When conducting design review, the review authority shall evaluate applications to ensure that they satisfy the following criteria, conform to the policies of the general plan and any applicable specific plan, the residential design guidelines and any other applicable design guidelines, and are consistent with any other policies or guidelines the city council may adopt for this purpose. To obtain design review approval, projects must satisfy the following criteria to the extent they apply.

A. The overall design of the project including its form, scale, massing, site plan, exterior design, and landscaping will implement the general plan vision for community character areas for the particular area in which it is located as well as complement the natural and built features of surrounding properties and incorporate sustainable development features.

B. The project design is appropriate to the function of the project and will provide an attractive and comfortable environment for occupants, visitors, and the general community.

C. Project details, materials, signage and landscaping, are internally consistent, fully integrated with one another, and used in a manner that is visually consistent with the proposed architectural design.

D. The design of streetscapes, including street trees, lighting, and pedestrian furniture, is consistent with the intended character of the area.

E. Parking areas and other hardscape areas are designed and developed to buffer surrounding land uses; compliment pedestrian-oriented development; enhance the environmental quality of the site, including minimizing stormwater run-off and the heat-island effect; and achieve a safe, efficient, and harmonious development.

F. Lighting and lighting fixtures are designed to complement buildings, be of appropriate scale, provide adequate light over walkways and parking areas to create a sense of pedestrian safety, avoid creating glare, and conform to dark sky principles.

G. Landscaping is designed to be compatible with and enhance the vision for the community character area in which the development is located as well as the architectural character and features of the buildings on site.

(Ord. No. 662, § 2, 12-13-23)

A. Planning Commission. The planning commission shall review and approve a design review permit for those projects for which it is the review authority.

B. Director. The director shall review and approve a design review permit for those projects that include a second story addition or for additions of over one thousand square feet. For all other development, the director shall conduct design review as part of the building permit plan review process.

(Ord. No. 662, § 2, 12-13-23)

A. Appeals. Design review decisions are subject to the appeal provisions of Section 17.36.130, Appeals.

B. Expiration, Extensions and Revisions. Design review approval is effective and may only be extended or revised as provided for in Chapter 17.36, Common Procedures.

C. Revocation. Design review approval may be revoked pursuant to Section 17.48.080, Revocation, if any of the conditions or terms of the approval are violated or if any law or ordinance is violated.

(Ord. No. 662, § 2, 12-13-23)