Agenda - 02-07-2012 - 7e - Laserfiche WebLink

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78 Article 6: Development Standards Section 6.5:Architectural Design Standards 6.5.1 Economic Development DistfiGtss Transition Activity Nodes, Commercial Transition Activity Nodes,Commercial-Industrial Transition Activity Nodes, Rural Community Activity Nodes, and Rural Neighborhood Activity Nodes 92 (A) Purpose and Intent The purpose of the architectural design criteria is to produce development which provides a strong visual relationship between the building[s], the site, and adjacent development. It is the intent of these criteria to encourage innovative architectural design which relates to the surrounding environment in terms of texture, scale, mass, proportion, and color. High standards of construction and quality materials must be incorporated into each new development. (B) Applicability ('1) The design standards established in this Section shall be applicable to all new non-residential development within the R ^,rhnrn nnrl (=nn F=Ms Economic Development Transition Activity Nodes, Commercial Transition Activity Nodes, Commercial-Industrial Transition Activity Nodes, Rural Community Activity Nodes, and Rural Neighborhood Activity Nodes, as designated by the Comprehensive Plan. #ed aRrl shall be Gnmeiclorarl in nl•+ 93 r d in d However,4h®nnc3 shall nr+ be andat^rv. (C) Design Standards (1) The project prepenent Fnu&t applicant shall submit materials that document the existing architectural character of the F^ ®V°I^p—e-Rt nie+ri^$ Node and/or adjoining neighborhood and define those aspects of the nistript Node94 and/or neighborhood which are most important.The project plans must identify the ways the project improves upon or incorporates those aspects. (2) Site Considerations (a) To insure that new development is designed to respect the specific conditions of its site, the design of a building, its location on the site, and its layout must respect the topography of the site and be consistent with significant landforms. (b) The architectural form of building[s] must reflect the underlying topographic form and retain the integrity of a natural slope. (c) Architectural form at the base of a hill must provide a natural transition between the intersecting slope and the base. [A—Figure 6.5.1.C.2] 92 In response to questions raised at the November 21,2011 quarterly public hearing,staff is suggesting that the Architectural Design Standards be applied to all Nodes for which a conditional district(CU or CZ)would no longer be required if the proposed changes in Sections 6.2.5 and 6.2.6 are adopted. Having projects be subject to the architectural design standards will allow staff to have standards available when reviewing site plans and a basis for approval or denial. If an applicant does not wish to provide a building meeting these standards,they would still have the option of rezoning to a CU or CZ District and gaining BOCC approval of alternative architectural measures through the conditional zoning process. If an applicant applies for site approval and staff does not approve the site plan because it does not meet the requirements of this Ordinance(all requirements,not just architectural standards), the applicant would have the option to appeal to the Board of Adjustment,as per the process laid out in Article 2. 93 Staff is suggesting this paragraph be deleted to ensure that all standards will apply to all new non-residential development in the designated growth areas. 94 This paragraph contains language changes necessary to reflect the change in geographic applicability. Orange County,North Carolina—Unified Development Ordinance Page 6-23