(Ord. No. 765 § 2 (Exh. A) (part))

44-3.70.010 Applicability.

The requirements in this section shall apply to new residential projects of 10 or more units located in the R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 zones and to new non-residential development projects of 8,000 square feet or more located in the commercial (C-1, C-2, C-H, C-R, and MU), and industrial (M-1, M-2, and RD) zones. (Ord. No. 765 § 2 (Exh. A) (part))

44-3.70.020 General Design Criteria.

The following design criteria apply to all projects identified under Section 44-3.70.010.

A. The site plan should be sensitive to the natural environment, avoiding impacts to natural resources to the extent feasible.

B. The site plan should provide for functional and attractive public spaces and, where applicable, should maximize natural features by framing views, connecting to open spaces, and providing public access to lakes, rivers, and public or quasi-public areas.

C. Building design shall include appropriate use of materials to provide high quality development and should complement the scale, form, and proportion of existing development.

D. Where large structures are proposed, building mass should be broken up through the use of varied roof heights, multiple story heights, and, where appropriate, providing building offsets to relieve the visual effect of a single long wall. Buildings with excessive blank walls are discouraged. Variation in color, trim, and building materials is encouraged.

E. The project should emphasize a low environmental impact, including use of local and recycled materials, passive and active solar systems, and use of efficient appliances and heating and cooling systems.

F. Landscaping and design elements shall screen unsightly elements, such as mechanical equipment, utility hardware, and trash/recycling disposal areas, from public and neighboring views. (Ord. No. 765 § 2 (Exh. A) (part))

44-3.70.030 Downtown Design Criteria.

The following design criteria apply to projects identified under Section 44-3.40.010 that are located in downtown Arbuckle or downtown Maxwell (see Figure 44-3.50-4).

A. Buildings shall be sited toward the street, except for approved plazas, seating areas, and entryways that are oriented toward a significant feature or a public right-of-way.

B. Off-street parking, if any, shall be located to the rear of the building or lot.

C. Building architecture shall incorporate a pedestrian-scale with building features, including elements such as varied articulated facades, windows, doors, columns, and canopies.

D. Building and site design shall incorporate a pedestrian-scale and be community oriented with community design features, such as landscaping, entry features, fountains, plazas, pedestrian furniture, and similar features. (Ord. No. 765 § 2 (Exh. A) (part))

44-3.70.040 Subdivision Design Criteria.

In addition to the criteria identified under Section 44-3.70.020, the following design criteria apply to residential subdivisions with 10 or more units:

A. All subdivisions shall comply with the requirements established by Appendix IV (Subdivisions) of the Colusa County Code.

B. Residences shall be sited toward the street providing primary access to the parcel.

C. Residences within a single subdivision shall be compatible in terms of unit size and scale.

D. Subdivisions should include a variety of design options to provide for variability in exterior facade design. Facade designs within a subdivision should incorporate consistent and complimentary architectural features, while providing for variety within the subdivision.

E. Residences within a single subdivision shall use similar and complimentary building materials and colors to provide consistency between exterior facades, roofing materials, driveways, windows, etc.

F. Front yard setback areas shall be landscaped. Landscaping shall comply with Section 44-3.10.

G. Applicants, or those wishing to further develop subdivisions that have been partially constructed, shall construct new homes to be visually compatible with and similar in scale to existing homes within the same subdivision. Examples include partially developed subdivisions with one or more existing homes and one or more developable lots that were not developed within the same general timeframe as the existing homes within the subdivision. The intent of this requirement is to ensure that subdivisions remain internally consistent and that new development within a subdivision remains visually compatible and complimentary to existing development within a subdivision. (Ord. No. 765 § 2 (Exh. A) (part))