Gainesville › Unified Land Development Code
Article 8 — Site and Architectural Design Guidelines, Chapter 8-2 — SITE AND ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN REVIEW
§ 8-2-1
Design Review Required
For all lands, developments, buildings, and structures subject to compliance with this article, an application or applications shall be made by the property owner or agent for the property owner to the Community and Economic Development Department for site and architectural design review approval, as required by and in accordance with this article.
§ 8-2-2
Division of Design Review
(a)Site and architectural design review requires two applications and approval processes, one for the development site and one for the building or structure. Typically, the civil review is completed prior to starting architectural review.
(b)The division of design review applications and approval processes into two distinct components is appropriate and permissible when a property owner or land developer desires to proceed with land development approval but elects at that time to defer application for the architectural review and approval of the building or buildings until a subsequent stage of the permitting process.
(c)The Director may choose to divide the design review application when it is determined that site design review, as would be required by this article, is unnecessary given the existing developed state of the lot. In such instances the Community Development Director may exempt a development proposal from the site design requirements of this article and require only that the architectural design review process be completed.
§ 8-2-3
Application Requirements for Site Design Review
(a)When a preliminary plat, minor land development permit, or land development permit is required, the application requirements for site design review shall at minimum be those plans and information required for such application, as specified in Article 11 of this code. In addition, an application for site design review shall include all information necessary to demonstrate compliance with the site design requirements of this article.
(b)The Director or their designee may refuse to act on an incomplete application or an application for site design review that fails to contain submission materials with respect to design that it finds necessary to make a decision on said application.
(c)The Director or their designee may waive submission requirements where, in their opinion, such information is not necessary to ensure compliance with this article.
§ 8-2-4
Site Design Approval
(a)The Director or their designee is authorized to review, approve, conditionally approve, or deny applications for site design approval, in accordance with this article.
(b)When an application for a preliminary plat or land development permit is made, the applicant shall be required to comply with the site design requirements of this article, as well as all other applicable development regulations of this code. Plans and information submitted as a part of an application for a preliminary plat, minor land development permit, or land development permit shall constitute an application for site design approval as required by this article only if said application includes all the information required or necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of this article for site design.
(c)When site design review is applied for and accomplished in conjunction with a preliminary plat, minor land development permit, or land development permit application, a decision on site design review shall be made in accordance with procedural requirements for considering preliminary plats or the land development permit.
(d)If a preliminary plat or land development permit is not required by this ULDC, then compliance of said development or building with the requirements of this article relative to site design shall be reviewed by the Director or their designee in conjunction with a building permit application or prior to issuance of a building permit for a building on the property.
(e)When site design review is applied for and accomplished in conjunction with an architectural design application, a decision on site design review shall be made in accordance with the procedures applicable for architectural design review as specified in this ULDC.
§ 8-2-5
Architectural Design Approval
(a)The Director or their designee is authorized to review, approve, conditionally approve, or deny applications for architectural design review, in accordance with this article, except as specifically provided in this section.
(1)Demonstration of compliance with the architectural review requirements of this article at the time of rezoning or special use application approval, or as part of a planned unit development, shall be construed as satisfying the architectural design review requirements of this article.
(2)When an application for a building permit is made, the applicant seeking design approval shall be required to comply with the applicable architectural design requirements of this article. Architectural design review applications may be coordinated with existing administrative processes established by the Inspections Services Division of the Community and Economic Development Department for building plan reviews and the issuance of building permits. It shall be the responsibility of the Community and Economic Development Department to review building permit applications for compliance with the architectural design requirements of this ULDC.
(3)The Director shall not authorize the issuance of a building permit or certificate of occupancy until and unless an application for architectural design review of the building or buildings proposed has been submitted and approved in accordance with this ULDC.
§ 8-2-6
Application Requirements for Architectural Design Review
Applications for architectural design review shall include the following:
(a)Application fee (included in other review fees).
(b)Application form furnished by the Community and Economic Development Department, including signature of property owner or authorized agent.
(c)Survey plat of the property.
(d)Letter of intent describing the proposed building(s) on the property, which may include a description of any special conditions voluntarily made a part of the request.
(e)Site plan of the property at an appropriate engineering scale showing the proposed use and relevant information regarding proposed improvements.
(f)Exterior elevation drawings drawn to scale and signed by an architect, engineer or other appropriate professional. Exterior elevation drawings shall clearly show in sufficient detail the exterior appearance and architectural design of proposed buildings and structures.
(g)Material and colors samples, which may be provided as written descriptions, product summary sheets, photographs, or other information in lieu of actual color and material samples.
(h)Other information as may be determined by the Director as essential to demonstrate compliance with this article.
§ 8-2-7
Criteria for Decision on Architectural Design Applications
In acting upon applications for architectural design approval, the Director or their designee shall consider:
(a)Whether the proposal complies with the requirements of this article and other applicable provisions of this ULDC.
(b)Whether the proposal is consistent with the design guidelines of this article.
(c)Whether the proposal is consistent with the descriptions, intentions, and purposes of the character area in which the property is located, as described in the comprehensive plan, as may be applicable.
(d)Whether the design, scale, arrangement, materials, and colors of the proposed building or structure is compatible with buildings and structures along the same street block.
§ 8-2-8
Decision with Regard to Architectural Design Applications
(a)The Director shall render a decision on the architectural design application no more than 15 calendar days from the date a complete application is received.
(b)If the Director finds that the proposal meets the criteria for architectural design as specified in this article, the Director shall approve the application.
(c)If the Director finds that the proposal is mostly acceptable but requires modifications, the Director may approve the application with conditions, or the Director may request changes and require modifications to the proposed design for consideration as a modified application at a future date.
(d)If the Director finds that the proposal fails to meet the criteria for architectural design specified by this ULDC, the application shall be denied.
(e)The following additional items may be considered by the Director when reviewing a design application:
(1)The design introduces an architectural character foreign to the area.
(2)The design utilizes extreme contrasts of material or color, or intense or lurid colors.
(3)The design includes multiplicity or incongruity of details resulting in a restless and disturbing appearance.
(4)An absence of unity and coherence in composition not in agreement with the density and character of the present structure or surrounding area.
§ 8-2-9
Notice of Decision
(a)The Director shall notify the applicant in writing of the action taken on design review applications promptly after the date action was taken on said application.
(b)If the application was denied, the reasons for the denial shall be stated in the written notice of decision.
§ 8-2-10
Reapplication and Appeal
(a)An applicant for architectural design approval may revise plans and reapply for architectural design approval.
(b)Any decision by the Director with respect to a design review application required by this article may be appealed in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 18-7 of this code, with the following exception: Where Chapter 18-7 refers to the Planning and Appeals Board, for purposes of any such appeal per this Article, the Governing Authority of the City of Gainesville shall be substituted.
§ 8-2-11
Compliance with Approved Applications
(a)Approval of site and architectural design applications is conditioned on compliance with the approved applications.
(b)After the development and building are constructed and completed, but prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the Director or their designee shall inspect the site and building for compliance with the approved design plans.
(c)The Director shall instruct the building inspector not to issue a certificate of occupancy if the site or building is not in compliance with approved design plans.
(d)The Director shall instruct the building inspector not to issue a certificate of occupancy until all documents required by this ULDC, including but not limited to all documents required by the City Department of Water Resources, have been submitted with proper signatures.