DAB reviews project proposals for conformance with applicable design-related criteria and makes building design-related recommendations to the applicant, staff and Planning Board (PB). The DAB review is a one-time process.

Yes, projects are required to be reviewed by DAB if they trigger the review requirement thresholds or if they have been referred to DAB by the City Manager, City Council (CC) 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, PB and/or CC. In cases of site review, the DAB recommendations are incorporated into the staff review and ultimately a staff memorandum for PB and/or CC review. Not complying with the DAB design recommendations related to the criteria may be considered as part of a PB 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 (P&DS) 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. Reviews are generally held in the Municipal Building lobby, located at 1777 Broadway.

Application and materials are due by 4pm on the Wednesday 4 weeks before the anticipated meeting. Prior to submitting materials, please confer with the planning case manager for the project.