The planning commission shall be the design review board. A committee of the board may be appointed to review plans and make recommendations to the board prior to any presentation to the design review board (planning commission) regarding aesthetics and visual appearance. The board shall review all applications as described in section 17.56.030 and no building or other required permit as set forth above shall be issued prior to approval by the board.

(Prior code § 11-224.1; Ord. No. 265, § 1 (Exh. A), 5-26-2009)

The purpose and objectives of the design review process are to:

A.

Preserve the natural beauty of Del Rey Oaks and protect the visual character and charm of the city by insuring that structures, signs and other improvements are properly related to their sites and to surrounding sites and structures, with due regard to the aesthetic qualities of a natural terrain and landscaping, and that proper attention is given to exterior appearance of structures, signs and improvements;

B.

To encourage high quality development and good professional design practices and site planning;

C.

To discourage poor exterior design, appearance and inferior quality, which is likely to have a depreciating effect on the local environment and surrounding properties; and

D.

To protect, preserve and enhance the values of properties in recognition of the interdependence between land values and aesthetics.

(Prior code § 11-224.2)

The design review board shall consider all plans, architectural plans, and all color and material designations of exterior in all commercial districts and all developments in residential districts which require: (1) a variance; (2) a use permit; or (3) a building permit for a new building or structure or for exterior remolding or changes of or to existing buildings which involve structural changes (and excluding thereby building permits for sidewalks, driveways, grade level slabs or decks, new siding or stucco exteriors, retaining walls, door and window replacements not requiring structural changes, and fences of allowable heights). The matters by the board shall include but not be limited to the following:

A.

The height, bulk and area of buildings;

B.

The setback distances from all property lines;

C.

The colors and materials on the exterior;

D.

The type and pitch of roofs;

E.

The size and spacing of windows, doors, and other openings;

F.

Towers, chimneys, roof structures, flagpoles, radio, television and satellite dish antennae and towers;

G.

The size, type and location of signs;

H.

Plot plan landscaping and automobile parking areas;

I.

The relocation to the existing buildings and structures in the general vicinity and area; and

J.

Lighting of buildings, signs and grounds.

(Prior code § 11-224.3)

The following shall apply with regard to the design review process:

A.

Plans of the exterior architectural design and appearance of all buildings and structures, plot plans, landscape plans, advertising sign plans, parking area plans and building setback plans shall be subject to the approval of the design review board in order that the proposed buildings, structures, signs and landscaping will be in harmony with other structures and improvements in the area, and not of undesirable or unsightly appearance.

B.

Site Assessment and Flagging Requirements.

1.

General. In order for the Planning Commission/Design Review Board to properly consider a project and identify any physical features related to and/or affected by a proposed project, the following "Site Assessment" and "Flagging" must be completed as part of the application and consideration of a project or structure. A Site Survey and/or Site Topographic Survey, as described herein, may be required to comply with this Site Assessment policy. Applications/packages not conforming to these requirements will be rejected.

2.

Project Drawings. If an applicant can demonstrate that the project can be fully explained and evaluated without submittal of a Site Survey and/or Topographic Survey identified in this Policy, the Planning Commission may waive one or more of the required elements set forth in this Policy. Any request for such a waiver shall be submitted with the application for the project or structure. Staff may approve such waivers subject to final approval by the Planning Commission provided, however, if the Planning Commission does not approve the waiver and any identified requirements are not contained in the application, the application shall not be heard by the Commission and the item will be continued to a later meeting.

3.

Site Survey. A Site Survey shall be required for all Variance applications and any new construction. A Site Survey is also required for any construction that is proposed within three foot of a minimum setback or where the owner believes the setback to be. A Site Survey shall locate and indicate all buildings, structures, trees and improvements in relationship to property lines and shall also include a benchmark for determining elevation, spot elevations at the property corners and spot elevations at building corners.

4.

Topographic Survey. A Topographic Survey is required for variance applications and construction that can reasonably be expected to involve assessment of slope, topographic findings in support of a variance, considerations of building height or its potential impact on views, and building height that is proposed within three feet of a maximum allowed height. A Topographic Survey will include all the information in a Site Survey, along with topographic contour lines at one foot intervals and building height elevations for plate and ridge of roof elevations.

5.

Survey Standards. All surveys will be prepared, stamped and signed by a State of California licensed land surveyor or civil engineer (pre 1982). Although the original drawing size and scale may vary depending upon the limits of the site, the level of detail and other factors, copies of Site Surveys shall be presented on not less than 11" x 17" bond paper. In addition to the requirements of section 17.56.040(B)(4) above, drawings shall clearly show property lines, adjacent street paving edges, all trees (six inches diameter and greater) on site and in the adjacent areas, all easements and or deed restrictions, all fences and walls.

6.

Flagging. For new structures, including, but not limited to, requests for sheds, fences and retaining walls, addition of a story to an existing structure, change to the existing roofline or change to the existing building footprint, once an application is scheduled for a Planning Commission meeting the property shall be "flagged" or outlined with "netting" to show the proposed change. Flagging/netting shall be at the applicant's expense and shall be shown by orange colored netting and ribbon in bright contrasting color in sufficient detail to show the proposed changes and shall be installed on the property not later seven days prior to the scheduled Planning Commission meeting date. Applications for property not flagged pursuant to this section shall not be considered by the Planning Commission. Within seven days of the expiration of any appeal period of a final action by the Planning Commission or final action by the City Council on appeal or 90 days after the last consideration by the Planning Commission, all flagging/netting shall be removed by applicant,

C.

In the event it is determined that such proposed structures are inharmonious or unsightly in appearance, the design review board shall confer, at an open public meeting, with the applicant in an endeavor to have the plans changed so that the structures will be harmonious and attractive in appearance. The design review board may approve or disapprove all or any part of the plans or may approve subject to specified changes, additions or conditions. Disapproved plans may be resubmitted after revision. In case the applicant or any other affected person is not satisfied with the action of the design review board he or she may within 20 days after such action, appeal in writing to the city council. The city council shall hold a public hearing on said appeal and shall render its decision thereon within 30 days after the filing thereof. Upon approval by the city council, the building or other permit shall be issued, provided all other requirements of law have been complied with.

D.

Additional regulations and procedures to assist the design review board in the implementation of this section may be adopted from time to time by the board.

(Prior code § 11-224.4; Ord. No. 265, § 1 (Exh. A), 5-26-2009)