Chapter 14. Design Review 
14.1 Purpose
The purpose and intent of design review is to secure the general purposes of this Ordinance and the Rockville Town General Plan and to ensure that the general appearance of buildings and structures and the development of land shall not impair the orderly and harmonious development of the neighborhood.
It shall not be the intent of this Chapter to restrict or specify the particular architectural design proposed or to specify the exterior detail of design, color, or materials proposed by the applicant, except as such detail is of such magnitude as to affect the general appearance and compatibility of the development with its surroundings.
14.2 Application and Review
All applications for building permits for all buildings and structures shall be accompanied by architectural and site development plans to scale, which shall show building locations, landscaping, prominent existing trees, general treatment, fences, off-street parking and circulation, location and size of the adjacent streets, north arrow and property lines, drawings of the major exterior elevations, the building materials, proposed exterior color scheme, existing grades and proposed new grades. All of the above required architectural and site development plans shall have been reviewed.
14.3 Planning Commission Review
The Rockville Town Planning Commission, or the Rockville Town Zoning Administrator, shall determine whether the proposed architectural and site development plans submitted are consistent with this Chapter and with the general objectives of this Ordinance.
14.4 Consideration and Review of Applications
The Rockville Town Planning Commission or the Rockville Town Zoning Administrator, shall consider the following matters, and others when applicable, in their review of applications:
A. Considerations relating to traffic safety and traffic congestion.
1) The effect of the site development plan on traffic conditions on abutting streets.
2) The layout of the site with respect to locations and dimensions of vehicular and pedestrian entrances, exits, drives, and wall ways.
3) The arrangement and adequacy of off-street parking facilities.
4) The circulation patterns within the boundaries of the development.
5) The surfacing and lighting of off-street parking facilities.
B. Consideration relating to outdoor advertising.
1) All signs shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 8 of this Ordinance.
C. Consideration relating to landscaping.
1) The location, height, and materials of walls, fences, hedges, screen plantings to insure harmony with adjacent development, or to conceal storage areas, utility installations, or other development.
2) The planting of ground cover or other surfacing to prevent dust and erosion.
3) The unnecessary destruction of existing healthy trees.
D. Considerations relating to buildings and site layout.
1) Consideration of the general silhouette and mass, including location on the site, elevation, and relation to natural plant coverage, all in relationship to the neighborhood.
2) Consideration of exterior design in relation to adjoining structures in height, bulk, and area openings, breaks in facade facing on the street (or streets), line and pitch of roofs, and the arrangement of structures on the parcel.
14.5 Findings and Decisions
Upon a finding that the application meets the intent of this Chapter, the design approval shall be recommended, subject to such conditions as are necessary.
14.6 Notification
Upon the Town’s review of the design, the secretary of the Rockville Town Planning Commission shall prepare and mail or deliver to the applicant a formal statement thereof, stating the fact of the grant and any conditions attached thereof, or the fact of denial and the reasons thereof.
14.7 Time Limitations
If construction in harmony with the permit for any development for which design approval has been granted has not been commenced within one (1) year from date of notification of approval, the approval shall be deemed automatically revoked. Upon application, an extension of time may be granted.
14.8 Transfer of Approval Upon Change in Use
Design approval shall be deemed revoked if the buildings erected or the classification of their use or the classification of the use of land for which the approval was granted is changed. Any change must be reviewed by the Rockville Town Planning Commission, or the Rockville Zoning Administrator and approved by the Rockville Town Council. If the transfer is not approved, a new application must be filed.
14.9 Conformation to Approval
Development for which design approval has been granted shall conform to the approval and any conditions attached thereto.
14.10 Modifications
Upon request of the applicant, modifications in the approved plan may be recommended by the Rockville Town Planning Commission or the Rockville Town Zoning Administrator if it is found that the modifications will meet the requirements of this Chapter. The Town may revoke or modify a design approval which does not conform to the requirements of the approved permit.