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34 Aesthetics, Community Character,and the Law pedestrian pathways, street furniture, landscaping, and other more straightforward aspects of site design, rather than with the architecture of a specific building. Unless the community desires buildings of a distinct architectural style, it may well be advisable to set general parameters and leave the actual building design in the hands of the developer's architect. ' An up-to-date local 5. Carefully integrate design review with other planning goals for the area. comprehensive plan is perhaps While design review of a specific site can do much to protect the character the best source for determining of an area,the relationship of a project to the overall development in a dis- preferred development trict is of equal importance.An up-to-date local comprehensive plan is per- principles and patterns for a haps the best source for determining preferred development principles community. and patterns for a community. 6. Keep records.Now that many local ordinances have real"teeth," local commissions must improve their record keeping,particularly minutes and transcripts from hearings dealing with projects that are controversial and may end up in litigation. The development of an institutional record en- sures the consistent interpretation of regulations—and the fair treatment of applicants—over time. 7. Draft efficient procedural requirements.The most effective design review programs are characterized by streamlined administrative procedures that not only comply with the law,but also reduce time and resource require- ments for local staff and applicants.Some examples of ways to make pro- 1 ceurq dal requirements more efficient include the following: The development of an institutional record ensures the • Preparing a succinct summary sheet of local preservation requirements consistent interpretation of that can be handed out to applicants by building officials. regulations—and the fair treatment of applicants—over • Holding preapplication meetings.Misunderstandings can be avoided if time. the project proponent is given a chance to meet informally with staff and commission members prior to submitting a formal application. • Imposing time limits.Many local governments are placing limits on the time a local commission has to consider a project once a completed ap- plication is submitted. These time limits usually range from 30 to 60 days. • Allowing generic approvals of preapproved sign designs. Some com- missions have published booklets that contain five or six preapproved yi 'I sign designs for a special area,such as a historic district.If the applicani adopts one of these preapproved signs, the normal review process car be waived. The most effective design 8. Be sure sufficient political will exists to enforce and maintain a design re review programs are view program.The tale of the design guidelines for the Three Rivers Park characterized by streamlined way in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, sounds a cautionary note fo administrative procedures that other communities concerning the political will needed to ensure long not only comply with the law, term acceptance and enforcement of design review programs.The park but also reduce time and way connects the new Pittsburgh airport to the downtown and serves a resource requirements for local a major gateway into the City of Pittsburgh. Along its route lies a drz staff and applicants matic series of hills and beautiful river valleys, some of which had bee obscured by insensitive past development. Pittsburgh, a number i other municipalities, and the county all have land bordering the part way. In 1992, seeking to create a distinctive new visual identity for this in portant entry corridor into Pittsburgh and to ensure quality develop ment and protect the natural environment, Allegheny County commi