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2.36. 010 Created--Compensation.

There is created a design review board, which shall consist of the members of the planning commission. (Prior code § 2-119)

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2.36. 020 Duty of design review board to review plans.

The design review board shall review the exterior design of each application for a building permit in the following categories:

A. Condominiums: residential, commercial and industrial.

B. Whenever the environmental review committee reviews a proposed project, as required by the Public Resources Code of the state of California, and such committee finds under Section 7-1.7 that the project should be reviewed by the planning commission, then the planning commission shall conduct a design review. (Ord. 96-1155 § 8, 1996; prior code § 2-120)

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2.36. 030 Categorical exemptions.

The following classes of projects listed in this section are declared to be categorically exempt from the requirement for review and approval by the design review board prior to the issuance of building permits:

A. Class 1. All residential ministerial projects, except where Section 17.62.010 is invoked.

B. Class 2. Residential projects which are nonministerial only because of a variance to a section or sections of this code, except where Section 17.62.010 is invoked.

C. Class 3. All commercial and industrial projects, except those specifically called out in Section 2.36.020. (Ord. 96-1155 § 9 (part), 1996; prior code § 2-121)

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2.36. 040 Filing plan and referral to design review board.

A. Before an applicant files his application for a building permit to construct a structure in a land use zone specified in Section 2.36.020 with the building department, he shall first file the following with the building department at least ten days prior to the date set by the building department for referral of this information to the design review board:

1. Site development plan:
   • a. Roof plan of building;
   • b. Location of existing and proposed structures, including signs;
   • c. Location of existing trees or natural attributes;
   • d. Location of off-street parking and loading facilities;
   • e. Location and dimensions of street and highway dedications;
   • f. Location of points of entry and exits for vehicles and internal circulation patterns;
   • g. Location of walls and fences and the indication of their height and material of construction;
   • h. Exterior lighting standards and devices;
   • i. Grading and slopes where they affect the relationship of the buildings;
   • j. Property lines including distance from street center lines;
   • k. Building setback lines;
   • l. All easements;
   • m. All significant existing features;
   • n. Significant features to remain;
   • o. Significant features to be removed;
   • p. All proposed improvements;
   • q. Adjacent features of interest or significance including streets, buildings, parking lots, roads, paving, open space and major trees.
2. Landscaping plan.
   • a. Property lines;
   • b. Outline of existing and proposed buildings;
   • c. All existing trees and large shrubs showing sizes;
   • d. All trees to be removed;
   • e. Precise location, or pattern and spacing of all proposed plant materials;
   • f. Schedule of planting, preferably in table form, showing sizes and botanical and common names;
   • g. Proposed method of irrigation (the use of automatic sprinkler systems recommended).
3. Architectural drawings: seven copies of architectural drawings, including:
   • a. Plans to scale;
   • b. Four elevations to include all sides of development, and:
     • i. All exterior walls,
     • ii. Type of roof and wall material to be used (see subdivision 3(i) below),
     • iii. Sign locations showing relationship to building architecture,
     • iv. Location of roof equipment, trash enclosures, fences, exits, lights or other structures or fixtures to be located outside the building;
   • c. Floor plans where new construction or if there are major floor plan changes in existing structure:
     • i. Total floor area of project,
     • ii. Floor area of each separate building and room in project;
   • d. Finish schedule showing type of material proposed for all exterior surfaces;
   • e. Sections where necessary to illustrate special conditions;
   • f. Perspective, or other suitable graphic materials on any commercial developments which exceed two thousand (2,000) square feet of improvements or any residential development which exceeds four units;
   • g. Architectural drawings indicating the location, size, color, shape and type of illumination of each proposed sign;
   • h. Slides or photographs of existing conditions on all elevations of site, and adjacent to the site;
   • i. Color must be specified on plans and sample provided; materials and texture palette indicated and delineated (drawn on plans);
   • j. Projects which are not exempt from state law are to be signed by an architect or registered building designer;
   • k. Provisions for access by the elderly and physically handicapped which are required by law for buildings and facilities to be used by the public.
4. Upgrading Existing Buildings and Site. In order to gradually upgrade the appearance of existing buildings and properties in Hermosa Beach, the design review board may ask for landscaping or other improvements in conjunction with an application for equipment installation, minor building remodeling or signs. In that event, the design review board will consider each project individually and work with the applicant to arrive at a plan which will make the property more attractive, and which will be economically feasible for the owner or tenant.

B. The building department shall refer this information to the design review board for approval. The board shall either approve or disapprove of the project within thirty (30) days after its first hearing by the board; however, the applicant may waive this time limitation and agree to an extension of time within which the board must act. If the design review board disapproves, it shall specify the reason for disapproval and the applicant may appeal this decision in the manner provided in Section 2.36.060 et seq., or he may modify his project's design in a manner that satisfies each of the objections of the board and thereby be approved. (Ord. 96-1155 § 9 (part), 1996; prior code § 2-122)

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2.36. 050 Standards and consideration in passing upon applications.

A. The design review board shall approve the issuance of a building permit if it finds that the proposed structure meets the following criteria:

1. Consistency and compatibility with applicable elements of the city's general plan;
2. Concept compatibility of design with the immediate environment of the site;
3. Appropriateness of the design to the site and purpose of the project;
4. In areas considered by the board as having a unified design character or historical character, to determine that the design is compatible;
5. Whether the design promotes harmonious transitions in scale and character in areas between different land uses;
6. Compatibility with future construction both on and off site;
7. Whether the amount and arrangement of open space and landscaping are appropriate to the design and purpose of the structures;
8. Whether sufficient ancillary features and/or buildings are provided to support the main design of the project, and whether the same are compatible with the project design and concept;
9. Whether access to the property and circulation thereon are safe and convenient for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles;
10. Whether natural features are appropriately preserved and integrated with the project;
11. Whether the materials, textures, colors and details of construction are an appropriate expression of its design concept, and whether the same are compatible with the adjacent and neighboring structures;
12. Whether the design features are consistently carried through on all building elevations; this shall apply not only to those visible from a public right-of-way but to all elevations;
13. Whether the roof line, design and features are consistent and compatible on all building elevations.

B. The design review board is empowered to review each of the following items with respect to the proposed work:

1. Lot size;
2. Building coverage;
3. Setbacks;
4. Building height;
5. Parking and other paved areas, striping of any paved areas;
6. Use of open space;
7. Landscaping;
8. Signs and graphics;
9. Aesthetics;
10. Quality of design;
11. Character;
12. Scale;
13. Building materials;
14. Color;
15. Pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular circulation;
16. Compatibility with neighboring properties and uses;
17. Exterior lighting;
18. Noise;
19. Visibility and effect upon view at all sight lines;
20. Location on site;
21. Disturbance of existing topography, trees, shrubs and other natural features;
22. Accessory buildings, including garages, sheds, utility facilities and waste receptacles;
23. Artwork, sculpture and other artistic features;
24. Flues, chimneys, exhaust fans, air conditioning equipment, elevator equipment, fans, cooling towers, antennas, or similar structures placed upon the roof or the exterior of the building which are visible from the street or from any building in the immediate vicinity;
25. Sunshades, awnings, louvers, or any side device for deflecting, filtering or shielding the structure or interior from the elements;
26. Balconies, penthouses, loading docks, or similar special purpose appendages;
27. Distance between buildings;
28. Fire safety, life safety and fire access;
29. Fences, walls or screening;
30. Such other features as affect the design and ultimate appearance of the work, as determined by the design review board.

C. It is not a purpose of this chapter that control of architectural character should be so rigidly interpreted that individual initiative is stifled in the design of any particular building or substantial additional expense incurred. Rather, it is the intent of this chapter that any control exercised be the minimum necessary to achieve the overall objectives of this section.

Good design is based upon the appropriateness of the structure in its environment and the suitability for its intended use.

If the above criteria are met, the application shall be approved. Conditions may be applied when the proposed building or structure does not comply with the above criteria and shall be such as to bring said building or structure into conformity. If an application is disapproved, the design review board shall detail in its findings the criterion or criteria not met. The action taken by the design review board shall be reduced to writing, signed by the chairman, and a copy thereof made available to the applicant upon request. (Prior code § 2-124)

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2.36. 060 Appeal from decision of design review board.

The applicant or any interested party who is dissatisfied with the findings of the board may appeal to the city council by filing a written appeal with the city manager within ten days after the date of the board's action. A copy of said written appeal shall immediately be transmitted to the building department. (Prior code § 2-125)

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2.36. 070 Setting time for hearing appeal.

Upon receipt of a copy of the written appeal, the building department shall transmit all files and papers to the city manager. The city manager shall have the general authority to fix the date of hearing the appeal. The hearing on appeal shall be set for a time not later than thirty (30) days from the date the appeal is taken. (Prior code § 2-126)

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2.36. 080 Notice of hearing on appeal.

The city manager shall give notice of the time and place of hearing on appeal by mailing a copy of the notice by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the applicant, to the person making the appeal, and to any other person who has filed a written request for notice with the planning department. (Prior code § 2-127)

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2.36. 090 Form of notice of hearing on appeal.

The notice on appeal shall state:

A. The time and place of hearing;

B. A brief description of the land which is the subject of the appeal;

C. The purpose of the hearing; and

D. Any other information deemed necessary and desirable in the public interest. (Prior code § 2-128)

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2.36. 100 Hearing of appeal and decision by city council.

The city council shall hear the matter and shall make its findings and conclusions in writing within thirty (30) days following the close of the hearing unless good cause is shown for an extension of time and the applicant or opponent or both are notified of this extension and the reasons therefor. The city clerk shall file copies of the findings and conclusions of the city council with the planning department and with the applicant or opponent or both. In the findings, the city council shall report the facts found and in its conclusions the council shall report whether the appeal is granted, granted with conditions, or denied. The decision of the city council is final. (Prior code § 2-129)

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2.36. 110 Fee schedule.

There shall be an application fee for hearings before the design review board as established by resolution of the city council. (Prior code § 2-130)

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