An applicant may propose, and the director may approve an alternative project design that does not strictly comply with applicable design guidelines, but is consistent with the intent of the design guidelines. In evaluating the project, the director shall determine if the alternative design provides equivalent or superior results when compared with strict compliance with applicable guidelines. The director may also approve an alternative project design on the basis of physical constraints of the project site. The director may also approve an alternative design for special types of public facility projects such as park-and-ride lots and transit centers on the basis of the unique functions they are designed to serve. Zoning code requirements and standards are not subject to design departure. (Ord. 2388 § 13, 2001)