DAB reviews project proposals for conformance with applicable design-related criteria and makes building design-related recommendations to the applicant, staff, Planning Board and/or City Council. The DAB review is a one-time process.
Any project within the Downtown Non-Historic or Interface Area with a project cost exceeding $25,000 proposing exterior construction on an existing building or new construction is required to be reviewed by DAB. In addition, a project may be required to be reviewed by DAB if it was referred to DAB by the City Manager, City Council or Planning Board.
DAB is an advisory board. All recommendations are advisory in nature, though design recommendations related to a proposal’s design criteria deficiencies are reviewed by staff, Planning Board and/or City Council.
In cases of site review, the DAB recommendations are incorporated into the staff review and ultimately a staff memorandum for Planning Board and/or City Council review. Not complying with the DAB design recommendations related to the criteria may be considered as part of a Planning Board approval, conditional approval or denial.
DAB summarizes the design review criteria and any recommendations as part of the meeting record. Upon completion of a DAB review, Planning & Development Services department will be notified that the applicant has fulfilled the mandatory design review.
DAB reviews are held at 4 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month. The board meetings are conducted virtually.
Application and materials are due by 4pm on the Wednesday 4 weeks before the anticipated meeting. Prior to submitting materials, please contact the planning case manager. All application materials should be emailed to the planning case manager.