§ 40-500. Additional design criteria for approval.

The following design criteria will be considered by the City Planning Commission in the process of consideration applications for site design and architectural review of residential infill development projects within the residential infill overlay district:

(1)

Connectivity. Infill should achieve connectivity between on site and off-site transportation systems, streetscapes, and open space networks. Sidewalks need to be provided which connect to the existing or planned adjacent sidewalk system, and streets need to connect to the adjacent existing or planned street pattern.

(2)

Circulation. If the infill development is large enough, new streets should be laid out as an interconnected, multi-modal network (usually in a grid or modified grid pattern) to maintain continuity of the existing community's circulation system. New street systems should meet the needs of bicyclists, strollers, wheelchairs, pedestrians and motor vehicles. The overall transportation strategy should favor walkability over automobile travel. Access control may be an important component; curb cuts should be minimized whenever possible. Closed street systems and cul-de-sacs shall be avoided. Blocks should be short to increase turning opportunities and heighten pedestrian orientation.

(3)

Alley garages. Garages accessed by alleys can enhance the design and function of infill projects and therefore should be considered and implemented as appropriate.

(4)

Teardowns. Replacement structures that differ dramatically in size, footprint, mass, or height change the dominant character of the neighborhood. Teardowns typically occur in areas with low-cost houses and valuable lots, particularly when smaller, poorly designed, or obsolete structures without modern amenities are not considered historic or quaint. The City Planning Commission may direct an applicant to alter the design of a proposed replacement residence where it is considered grossly out of scale or character with existing homes in the neighborhood. If the replacement structure is proposed to be taller or a larger number of stories than exists on abutting or nearby parcels in the neighborhood, the Planning Commission shall be guided by the following considerations in determining whether such additional height is appropriate and compatible, in addition to compatible neighborhood scale: privacy, light and shadow, views, and architectural compatibility.

(Code 1997, § 40-513; Ord. of 2-6-2012, § 1(40-513))