Monterey Park City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 21
36 DESIGN REVIEW
§ 21.36.010 Generally.
Whenever a site plan is required by the provisions hereof, the same shall be prepared and submitted in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 2097 § 3, 2013)
§ 21.36.020 Purpose.
This chapter establishes standards of design, architectural quality, style and compatibility, landscape treatment, and functional integration of buildings and structures for residential, commercial and industrial developments in the City. The purpose of design review is as follows:
(A)
To promote the public health, safety and general welfare by establishing such procedures and providing such regulations as deemed necessary to preserve and protect existing neighborhoods.
(B)
To prevent the development of structures or uses which are not of acceptable exterior design or appearance or are of inferior quality or likely to have a depreciation or negative effect on the local environment or surrounding area by reason of use, design, appearance or other criteria.
(C)
To assure compatibility in the permitted use and enjoyment of property within the neighborhood or surrounding area and imposing regulations, conditions and restrictions to protect the use, integrity and character of the neighborhood and surrounding properties.
(Ord. 2097 § 3, 2013)
§ 21.36.030 Applicability.
Design review shall be required for the following projects:
(A)
New commercial building.
(B)
Expansion or conversion of an existing commercial or industrial structure.
(C)
Construction or conversion of a structure to permit a mixed-use development.
(D)
New single-family residential dwelling.
(E)
Additions to single-family residential dwellings that will result in a total square footage of 2,000 square feet or more.
(F)
New multiple residential development.
(Ord. 2097 § 3, 2013)
§ 21.36.050 Design Review Submittal Requirements.
(A)
Following review by the City Planner of concept plans, the applicant shall submit the required number of copies to the City Planner which shall contain or depict the following information:
(1)
The name, address and telephone number of the record owner, and of the person or company who prepared the plans;
(2)
The street address and a complete legal description of the property involved, and the location, names and widths of the streets which serve the subject property;
(3)
All pertinent zoning information, including lot size, required floor area ratio and total floor area, required yards, building height, number and size of parking spaces, driveway width, size of trash enclosures, utility sites, and landscaped areas;
(4)
Existing site conditions drawn at a minimum scale of one-eighth inch equals one foot showing the entire lot or lots, their dimensions and total area; existing and proposed easements; the location of curbs, driveways, and street trees;
(5)
The location of all proposed structures, parking areas, driveways, curbs, walkways, site features such as loading and trash areas, lighting structures, and landscaping, with dimensions shown for setbacks and easements;
(6)
Above-ground and below-ground conditions, including foundation and retaining wall structures, and existing and finished grade elevations;
(7)
Building floor plans at a minimum scale of one-quarter inch equals one foot or larger showing use of spaces and location of entrances, windows, and special features;
(8)
Elevations of all frontages showing proposed building materials and colors, awnings, proposed building and/or freestanding signage, walls, and landscaping;
(9)
Complete landscape planting plans for the entire site, and parking area as required in Section 21.22.270, including the size, number and type of automated irrigation system, trees, shrubs and groundcover;
(10)
Photographs of street front elevations of subject property and adjacent lots and buildings on 8-1/2 x 11-inch paper;
(11)
Materials and color samples mounted on presentation board; and
(12)
Colored rendering mounted on presentation board and the specified number of photo-reduced copies of not smaller than 8-1/2 x 11-inch size;
(13)
All sheets of plans shall show north arrow, scale, and the date of submittal;
(14)
All sheets of plans shall be drawn to fit on 18 inch by 24 inch or no greater than 24 inch by 36 inch paper.
(Ord. 2097 § 3, 2013)
§ 21.36.060 Standards for Approval.
Before any approval shall be granted, the applicant must show, to the satisfaction of the City Planner, the following:
(A)
The architecture and mass of new buildings and structures and modifications of existing buildings and structures are compatible and in keeping with the character of the neighborhood and not detrimental to the general welfare of the neighborhood in which they are located.
(B)
The design and architecture reflects the values of the community; enhances the surrounding environment; and harmonizes with its surroundings.
(C)
The landscaping provides a visually pleasing setting for structures on the site.
(D)
The design, quality, and location of signs are consistent with the character and scale of the structures to which they are attached and are visually harmonious with surrounding development.
(Ord. 2097 § 3, 2013; Ord. 2181 § 3, 2020; Ord. 2185 § 6, 2020)
§ 21.36.110 Effect Upon Building Permits.
Where the provisions of this code require a site plan be submitted for approval, no building permit shall be issued, or, if one is issued in error, the same shall be suspended until a site plan has been approved in the manner set forth in this chapter.
(Ord. 2097 § 3, 2013)
§ 21.36.130 Binding Site Plan.
Whenever a development which is submitted according to requirements of Section 21.36.050 is approved by the designated City Planner, such plan shall be binding upon such property and all subsequent owners thereof, and no use may be made of such property nor building constructed without substantial compliance therewith until such site plan has been amended in the manner set forth in this chapter for processing of an original site plan.
(Ord. 2097 § 3, 2013; Ord. 2181 § 3, 2020; Ord. 2185 § 6, 2020)
§ 21.36.140 Expiration of Design Review Approval.
Design review approval shall expire and be of no further force or effect one year following the date upon which the site plan was approved unless, prior to such expiration date, a building permit is issued and construction is diligently pursued until completion. An extension of time, not to exceed one year, may be granted by the City Planner, Planning Commission or City Council, whichever gave the final approval on the design review of the site plan, upon application filed prior to expiration of design review approval.
(Ord. 2097 § 3, 2013; Ord. 2181 § 3, 2020)