(a) It shall be an objective of building design that the basic architectural design principles of balance, harmony, order and unity prevail, while not excluding the opportunity for unique design.
Successful use of the basic design principles accommodates a full range of building designs, from unique or landmark buildings to background buildings.
(b) It shall be an objective of building design to address the present and future neighborhood, community, and zoning district context.
(1) Compatible Building Design.
(i) Building design shall relate to adjacent development and the surrounding area.
(ii) Compatible relationships between adjacent buildings can be achieved by creating visual transitions between buildings; that is, by repeating certain elements of the building design or building siting that provide a visual link between adjacent buildings. One or more of the building elements listed below can combine to create an overall composition that achieves the appropriate level of compatibility:
(A) Massing of building form.
(B) Building silhouette.
(C) Spacing between buildings.
(D) Street face setbacks.
(E) Character of architecture.
(F) Building scale.
(G) Proportion and composition of projections and recesses, doors and windows, and other features.
(H) Location and treatment of entryways.
(I) Finish material, texture and color.
(2) Building design should be site and area specific. Franchise type architecture may not achieve an appropriate level of compatibility and is not encouraged.
(c) It shall be an objective of building design to address scale on the appropriate levels (Scale is defined in Section 13.11.030(v)).
(d) It shall be an objective of building design to use design elements to create a sense of human scale, and pedestrian interest.
Building Articulation.
(1) Variation in wall plane, roof line, detailing, materials and siting are techniques which can be used to create interest in buildings, where appropriate. Roof and wall plane variations including building projections, bay windows, and balconies are recommended to reduce scale and bulk.
(2) All exterior wall elevations visible from and/or facing streets are to have architectural treatment. No building surface fronting on a street shall have a flat, void surface without architectural treatment. The provision of projections and recesses, windows, doors and entries, color and texture, are methods of articulating facades.
(e) It shall be an objective of building design to locate and screen mechanical equipment, and other accessory uses, so as to reduce impacts on primary building uses and on adjacent properties.
Rooftop Equipment.
(1) All rooftop mechanical and electrical equipment shall be designed to be an integral part of the building design, and shall be screened.
(2) Utility equipment such as electrical and gas meters, electrical panels, and junction boxes shall not be located on exterior wall elevations facing streets unless screened from streets and building entries using architectural screens, walls, fences, and/or plant material.
(f) It shall be an objective of building signage to relate to the building design.
(1) Building Signage. Signage attached to buildings shall relate to the building design by being an integral part of that design or by use of compatible materials and colors.
(g) It shall be an objective of building design to promote energy conservation and to reduce the impacts of environmental influences.
(1) Noise. Where noise will impact the building users, the building design shall incorporate buffering to reduce the interior sound levels.
(2) Solar Design.
(i) Buildings shall be designed so that solar access is reasonably protected for the buildable lot area of adjacent, affected properties.
(ii) Wherever lot size and setbacks permit, the building walls with major window areas shall be appropriately oriented for passive solar heating and cooling, and natural lighting. Building layout should encourage energy conservation.
(3) Recycling.
(i) Encourage recycling areas or storage systems within all commercial, industrial, institutional and residential structures for use by the building occupants. Recommended storage space and design concepts can be found in the Santa Cruz County Recycling Design Criteria.