BACKGROUND: The Design Review Committee (DRC) was established by the Board of Supervisors to review design and planning issues that involve quality of life considerations, the appearance of development projects, and the impact of projects on surrounding neighborhoods and streetscapes. Design and planning issues are often technical in nature and include balancing engineering and public safety concerns with aesthetics and amenities. The DRC’s review includes (1) environmental and aesthetic factors such as native plant and riparian habitat preservation, architecture, site design, lighting, color, signs, and landscaping, and (2) overlapping technical site engineering factors such as traffic and transportation, utilities, and flood control/drainage.

The committee is composed of private sector professionals and County technical staff experienced with the technical and aesthetic aspects of site planning, site engineering, landscaping, architecture, drainage/hydrology, and transportation.

The DRC’s main focus is to resolve a request in conformance with County standards and to assure a balance between Pima County’s conservation objectives, environmental and esthetic factors, and the rights of a property owner to make a reasonable use of his/her property. The DRC often approves a case with special conditions. One or more continuances may be required for an applicant to make revisions and adjustments as required to reach a point of acceptability and DRC approval.

STATUTORY INTENT: According to Section 18.99.030, the review provided by the DRC is intended to:

1. Protect the character and desirable living conditions of surrounding areas through careful site planning that alleviates impacts of new development;

2. Encourage site planning and building design that establishes a sensitive relationship both internally and between the elements of the site plan and contextual features of scenic, environmental or cultural significance;

3. Preserve the visual amenity of the county for residents and visitors, especially through the enhancement of roadway aesthetics;

4. Accomplish other goals for specific types of development, as described in Sections 18.09 (General Residential and Rural Zoning Provisions), 18.49 (CPI Campus Park Industrial Zone) and 18.63 (Historic Zone).

REVIEW AND ADVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: According to Sections 18.90.060 B and 18.99.030, the DRC has the following review and advisory functions:

1. Provides procedural or development recommendations to applicable decision making bodies - 18.99.030 E;

2. May require revisions to specified development proposals prior to review by the Subdivision and Development Review Committee. This includes referrals from the Board of Supervisors - 18.99.030 E2;

3. Historic District Zone review: The final voting body on development proposals in a historic district zone except that the DRC shall decide on appeals of County staff review of development plans within the San Xavier environs historic zone - 18.63.100 F;

4. Landscape review: A hearing body for appeals of decisions or requirements of the landscape review representative concerning final landscape plans - 18.73.070 D;

5. Cluster development review in applicable zoning districts - 18.09.040;

6. CPI Campus Park Industrial Zone development review prior to rezoning ordinance adoption - 18.49.050 B.2.;

7. RVC Rural Village Center Zone development plan architectural design review - 18.71.060 A thru C;

8. Specific Plan review: Prior to approvals of specific plans, the DRC reviews proposed variances to Chapters 18.72 Native Plant Preservation, 18.73 Landscaping, Buffering and Screening Standards, 18.75 Off-Street Parking and Loading Standards, 18.77 Roadway Frontage Standards, and 18.79 Sign Standards - 18.90.060 B.

THE DRC ALSO CONDUCTS:

1. MR Major Resort Zone development review - Section 18.40.040;

Reviews required by conditions in a rezoning or a specific plan: May include architectural and site plan review, the coordination of development review within view corridors and viewsheds along scenic routes, and reviews to assure conformance with Comprehensive Plan Special Area Plan Policies;

3. Reviews signs in landscaped buffer yards to assure compatibility in materials and size with the landscaped area - 18.79.030 E4;

4. Reviews subdivision directional signs for sign materials and structure - 18.79.110 E19b6);

Nonconforming signs review: grants landmark sign status - 18.79.060 F;

6. Hillside Development Zone: The DRC may grant exceptions to the requirements of the development mitigation and performance standards in this zone - 18.61.070 A1;

7. Buffer Overlay Zone: The DRC may grant exceptions to the requirements of the performance standards in this zone - 18.67.060 A1. The DRC also reviews the adequacy of a site analysis for a rezoning or specific plan request in this zone, and makes a recommendation to the Planning and Zoning Commission on the proposed design as it relates to the site in its natural state - 18.67.070 B;8. Native Plant Preservation: The DRC reviews variance requests and appeals - 18.72.080 D1a;

9. CI-1 Light Industrial/Warehousing Zone: The DRC reviews conditional uses - 18.51.040 A1g;

10. Landscaping, Buffering, Screening Standards Zone: to review and approve streetscape sculpture and furniture in streetscape buffer yards - 18.73.030 B10; and the review and approval of amenity landscaping for cluster option approval or other action of the DRC in other zones - 18.73.050 A1.

CURRENT MEMBERSHIP OF DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE: According to Sections 18.99.030C and 18.73.030 B10, the following persons or their representatives shall be members of the committee:

1. The planning and development services director;

2. The director of the department of transportation and flood control district;

3. The chief zoning inspector;

4. One architect appointed by the board of Board of Supervisors;

5. One landscape architect appointed by the Board of Supervisors;

6. One civil engineer or land planner appointed by the Board of Supervisors;

7. One person experienced in residential and commercial property development, appointed by the Board of Supervisors;

8. One person representing homeowners’ associations in the community at-large, appointed by the Board of Supervisors;

9. One person representing all affected homeowners’ associations of a specific development proposal, approved by such association(s) for review of that proposal only. In review of historic zone development, a member of the applicable historic district advisory board shall fill this position; and

10. One person representing the Tucson-Pima Arts Council or the Director of Art in Public Places, City of Tucson, to only review and approve streetscape sculpture and furniture.

ADMINISTRATION: The DRC is administered by the Planning Division of the Development Services Department. The day to day activities of the DRC and the preparation of staff reports and recommendations to the DRC are directed by an Executive Secretary and planning staff in the Subdivision Review Section of the County’s Planning Division. For more information regarding the DRC, call 740-6800.

revised: August 12, 1999