Division III. General Development Regulations
Chapter 18.120
DESIGN REVIEW
Sections:
18.120.030 Application requirements.
18.120.040 Design review process.
18.120.010 Purpose.
The purpose of the design review process is to allow for architectural and design review of new construction and exterior improvements to buildings and developments in Poulsbo. Specifically, this chapter’s purpose is to:
A. Promote the health, safety and welfare of the public.
B. Preserve the character and quality of the city’s cultural and architectural heritage.
C. Encourage innovation and flexibility in design of new developments while maintaining standards necessary to protect the public interest.
D. Ensure design compatibility between existing and new development.
E. Promote qualities in the built environment that enhance the value of the area to the community.
F. Contribute, through the use of design review, to the city’s economic development by promoting healthy, vibrant and attractive residential, commercial and industrial areas that will attract additional private investment. (Ord. 2013-04 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2013)
18.120.020 Applicability.
A. The city’s design review process applies to development proposals, new construction and projects requiring a building permit that includes alteration to the building facade exterior of an existing building, for the following:
1. Neighborhood commercial and nonresidential projects located in the RL zoning district. Projects located in the RM and RH zoning districts, including multifamily developments; live/work, neighborhood commercial, and mixed use; assisted living, congregate care facilities and the like; and nonresidential uses.
2. Projects located in the C-1, C-2, C-3, and C-4 zoning districts.
3. Projects located in the OCI, BP and LI zoning districts.
4. Projects utilizing the master plan overlay provisions.
B. The following activities shall be exempt from design review:
1. Minor exterior alterations to buildings which do not result in an increase in floor area and are substantially consistent with the existing building design and character, such as, for example, replacement of doors, windows, trim, awnings, and the like determined by the planning director to be exempt.
2. Interior work.
3. Building permit for single-family residence.
4. Utility facilities.
5. Any other work determined by the planning director to be minor or incidental in nature and consistent with the intent and objectives of this chapter and the specific zoning district provisions.
C. Building architectural design requirements are as set forth under each specific zoning district’s provisions. (Ord. 2020-10 § 2 (Exh. A § 11), 2020: Ord. 2013-04 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2013)
18.120.030 Application requirements.
Design review occurs concurrent with the underlying land use permit review process or building permit application. The following shall be submitted with the underlying land use permit or building permit application:
A. Elevation Drawing. Complete elevation drawings of all buildings and building sides, showing dimensions and proposed materials including roofing, siding, windows and trim. Drawings shall include trim and cornice design, roof pitch, and siding materials.
B. Color and Material Palette. A schematic color and material palette of the building’s exterior siding, trim, cornice, windows and roofing.
C. Perspective drawings, photographs, color renderings or other graphics that accurately represent the proposed project.
D. Conceptual profiles of other site elements, such as lighting fixtures, signage, equipment screening, paving materials (pedestrian and vehicular), bicycle and pedestrian fixtures, and the like. (Ord. 2013-04 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2013)
18.120.040 Design review process.
A. Review Authority. The review authority shall be the same as the associated land use permit. In the case of building permits, the planning director/building official shall be the review authority.
1. Design review shall occur concurrent with the associated land use permit review process or building permit application.
2. Design review decision shall accompany the associated land use permit approval. Any person aggrieved by a decision may appeal pursuant to the provisions of Title 19.
B. If a project which received design review in conjunction with an associated land use permit submits a building permit with a building design that is found not to be in substantial compliance with the approved land use permit’s building design, it will be treated as a new design review application, pursuant to the requirements in this section.
1. “Substantial compliance” means the building design is as approved under the original land use permit; or is to a large extent similar in architectural design, scale, height, materials, color and site design to the original approved land use permit.
C. For projects that are administratively reviewed and approved, the planning director, at his/her discretion, may request the planning commission review the proposed building design and offer a recommendation to the director. (Ord. 2013-04 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2013)