18.64.010 Purpose.
A. The key design goals of the City include:
1. Maintaining a proper balance between manmade features and the natural environment. The location, design, material and color of manmade development should harmonize and be compatible with the natural setting.
2. Preserving the unique character of Larkspur neighborhoods and commercial areas.
3. Promoting new construction that is in harmony with the physical characteristics of the site and compatible with existing residential neighborhoods and commercial areas.
4. Fostering consideration of neighbors’ concerns with respect to privacy, scale and massing, solar access, and streetscape.
B. It is in the public interest in order to promote and protect the safety, convenience, comfort, prosperity and general welfare of the citizens of this City and to preserve and to enhance the social, economic and visual values in the City that we:
1. Preserve and enhance the natural beauties of the land and of the manmade environment, and the enjoyment thereof.
2. Maintain and improve the qualities of and relationships between individual buildings, structures and physical developments in such manner as to contribute best to the amenities and attractiveness of the City.
3. Protect and ensure the adequacy and usefulness of public and private developments as they relate to the site, each other, and to the neighborhood.
4. Give guidance to the functioning, appearance and location of buildings and improvements so as to maintain and enhance a balance between private prerogatives and preferences and the public safety and welfare.
C. In order to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change, it is necessary for the City of Larkspur to ensure that site planning, building design, and construction practices promote resource conservation through climate-responsive design, use of renewable energy and resources, and green building techniques.
D. It is further necessary and essential to a rational and continued improvement of our City that we prevent the erosion of beauty and decay of environmental amenities by:
1. Stimulating creative design for individual buildings, groups of buildings and structures, and other physical developments.
2. Encouraging the innovative use of materials, methods and techniques.
3. Preserving balance and harmony within neighborhoods.
E. In furtherance of these purposes and objectives, the review and approval of certain plans for the physical development of land or structures are required and shall be designated as “design review.” (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 956 § 2(1), 2007; Ord. 933 § 4, 2004; Ord. 448 § 1 (part), 1973)