The ARB will review development concepts or proposals and give general guidance at an informal "workshop" session. There is no formal recommendation made by the ARB at a workshop session. Materials submitted for workshop sessions are expected to clearly communicate the nature of the proposal and may include written narratives, drawings, or other graphic forms. Applications for informal workshop reviews are due in the PLUS application portal ONE WEEK prior to the ARB meeting.

When the ARB formally reviews more fully developed and detailed proposals, the proposed project is evaluated for compatibility with the HOD using the adopted design guidelines for each HOD. Successful projects protect the historic and contributing properties and the overall historic character of the HOD. In addition to exterior architectural design elements - such as scale, form, material, texture, and color – the ARB reviews plans for site design, grading, clearing, parking, travelways, access points, landscaping, outdoor lighting, signage, and other site features.

As a practical matter, all elements of a proposal need not be reviewed at the same time. It is the choice of the applicant whether to prepare a single presentation, or present in multiple phases. When the formal review of each element of the proposal (e.g. site design, architectural design, landscape design) is completed, the ARB will issue a determination of either approval, approval with modifications, or disapproval for building permits, and a recommendation for approval, approval with modifications, or disapproval for site permits. The ARB determination and comments are recorded in the minutes of the meeting(s) at which the review takes place.

Applications for formal ARB review and decision are due in the PLUS application portal TWO WEEKS prior to the ARB meeting.

Applications for ARB review and decision are due in PLUS TWO WEEKS before the meeting at which the applicant wishes to present the proposal (see schedule below). 

Some proposals are more complex than others and the documentation presented will reflect this. At a minimum, documentation is expected to clearly communicate to the ARB, and for the record, the nature of the proposal and its impact on the historic character of the district. DPD staff will clarify documentation expectations for each applicant. When appropriate, based on the nature of the submission, applicants are expected to submit copies of the following:

1. Architectural drawings, including elevations of all building facades, floor plans, and sections, as necessary, to help interpret the form of the building. Minimum scale should be 1/4" = 1' (1/8" = 1’ may be appropriate for structures larger than a single-family house). If a proposal is particularly complex, a perspective drawing may be helpful.
2. Photographs of the subject property and adjacent land and/or development, including photographs that show the view from the street or other public right-of-way.
3. Cut Sheets/Spec Sheets from the manufacturer for the various finish materials for the proposed project.
4. Site and grading plan, including as appropriate building footprints and limits of clearing and grading, Resource Protection Area (RPA) delineation and/or Environmental Quality Corridor (EQC) limits, trails and/or other pedestrian paths; any easement boundaries and in-ground features, such as swimming pools, or unusual features such as high fences or other structures. Minimum scale should be 1" = 30'.
5. Landscape plan, including a tabulation of the plant and tree species and size at time of planting. Minimum scale should be 1" = 30'.
6. A cross section of the subject property showing the proposed development in relation to the historic structure(s) in the historic district. This is to give an idea of what can be seen of the development from the historic site. Sight lines should be shown on this cross section and any existing or proposed vegetation within the view line should be shown.
7. Outdoor lighting and sign plan. Provide a drawing or rendering of outdoor lighting fixtures with industry specifications and show the location the sign(s), mounting details, materials, dimensions, placement, and colors. Provide industry specifications for sign lighting and conduit placement.
8. Drawings of accessory features, such as street furniture, fences, retaining walls, dumpsters, that show the design and location.

If more detailed information is available, this may be included in the package.

Presentation materials, either in PowerPoint or pdf format, are submitted through the PLUS portal, and will be shown during the meeting by county staff. Your application materials may serve as your presentation materials. Applicants must attend the ARB meeting in-person to guide the ARB through the presentation materials and address any questions that the ARB might have. 

Samples of materials and colors. Only one set of sample materials needs to be provided during the meeting, and samples do not need to be submitted prior to the meeting. As noted above, cut sheets or spec sheets of proposed materials are to be included in your application.

Upon approval of a project by the ARB, the ARB approval letter and ARB-approved plans will be retained for the record and will be made available to the applicant via PLUS for required permitting and for review by other County agencies as appropriate. 

For complex or phased projects, certain elements of a proposal, such as a site and grading plan, may receive preliminary approval by the ARB prior to approving all elements of a proposal. However, before a building, sign, or other construction permit may be granted by a County reviewing agency, all elements within its jurisdiction (per Section 3101 of the Zoning Ordinance) must be approved by the ARB. If the building permit submission differs in any way from that approved by the ARB, the applicant must bring all relevant materials back to the ARB for review and  re-approval.