1Description

Municipalities can adopt design review laws for the purpose of controlling community appearance. Municipalities may establish an architectural review board to administer design standards.

2Purpose

Promote development that supports community character beyond what can be described in zoning.

3Issues

It may be difficult to establish design and aesthetic standards that cannot be challenged as arbitrary and capricious.

Capacity Requirements: additional administrative burden because discretionary review will be necessary.

4Advantages

Enables some measure of discretionary judgment and control by the community as to whether a particular development is designed appropriately.

5Links

Useful Community Development: Design Guidelines

resource link