(a) It shall be the duty of the Review Board to review all plans for new construction or the reconstruction, construction, alteration, repair, moving, and demolition of existing structures in the Village of Burton Historic District, and it shall have the power to pass upon such plans before a Historic District Construction Permit for such activity can be granted through a Motion of the Review Board. In reviewing the plans, the Review Board shall give consideration to:
(1) The historical or architectural value and significance of the structure and its relationship to historic value of the surrounding area;
(2) The general compatibility of exterior design, arrangement, texture and materials proposed to be used; and
(3) Other relevant factors such as those delineated in Section 159.10 which are in conformance with the purpose of this chapter.
(b) The Review Board shall pass only on exterior features of a structure and shall not consider interior arrangements, nor shall it disapprove applications except in regard to considerations as set forth in subsection (a) hereof.
(c) It is the purpose of this chapter that in order to issue a Historic District Construction Permit, the Review Board shall require that new construction be compatible with the character of the Historic District. It is further the purpose of this chapter that the making of alterations and repairs to existing structures in the Village of Burton Historic District be made in the spirit of their architectural style. Finally, additions to structures may be made in styles other than the one in which the structure was built, providing that such additions are architecturally and aesthetically compatible with the original structure and any later additions up to the date of adoption of this chapter. It is not the intent of this chapter to limit new construction, alteration, or repair to any one architectural style. Suggestions of appropriate design criteria are contained in the Village of Burton Historic District Design Review Guidelines.
(d) The Review Board shall have the power to retain experts to aid in its deliberations subject to normal financial procedures.
(e) The Review Board shall have the power to issue a Historic District Construction Permit if it approves of the plans submitted for its review. (See Section 159.13: Role of Zoning Inspector for the procedure that applies.)
(f) The Review Board shall conduct or cause to be conducted or assist the conduction of a continuing survey of all areas, places, buildings, structures, works of art, or other objects of environmental, aesthetic, historic, or architectural interest in the Village which the Review Board, on the basis of information available and presented to it, has reasons to believe are or will be eligible for designation as a Listed Property or additional Historic District. The Review Board shall make recommendations to the Village Planning Commission and Village Council for designation of properties as a Listed Property or designation of areas as an addition to the Historic District. No property may be listed and no Historic District shall be established except upon the approval of Village Council after review and recommendation by the Planning Commission.
(g) The Review Board may recommend to the Planning Commission and Council the acquisition by eminent domain, or otherwise, easements, or any other interest, in real property and the buildings thereon, or any part thereof, for the purpose of securing conformity of any real property and the buildings thereon, or any part thereof in the Village of Burton Historic District.
(h) The Review Board shall prepare a report on an annual basis summarizing its activities, cases heard, decisions made, special projects undertaken, and the annual reports shall also include a list of the Members of the Review Board along with their qualifications. The annual report shall be kept on file in the Village's offices and available for public inspection.
(i) The Review Board shall:
(1) Act in an advisory role to other officials and departments of the Village concerning protection of local cultural resources;
(2) Act as a liaison on behalf of the Village to individuals and organizations concerned with historic preservation;
(3) Work toward the continuing education of citizens and business owners within the Village's jurisdiction regarding historic preservation issues and concerns;
(4) Undertake additional responsibilities upon mutual written agreement between the Village and the State of Ohio Historic Preservation Office;
(5) Conduct or encourage Review Board members to attend training/educational sessions at least one time per year or engage in in-depth consultation with the Ohio Historic Preservation Office concerning the work and functions of the Review Board and specific historic preservation issues. Barring extenuating circumstances, all Review Board members must attend a training/educational session at least one time per year.
(j) In order to avoid an actual or perceived conflict of interest, Review Board members shall follow the following procedures:
(1) Any Review Board member who has a financial interest, direct or indirect, in any agenda item shall notify the Review Board of that interest.
(2) The Review Board member shall refrain from voting on or participating in any of the Review Board's discussion or debate on the issue of concern.
(3) Any member of the Review Board who knowingly conceals such financial interest or violates the requirements of this section may be removed from the Review Board by the Village Council.
(Ord. 2196-10. Passed 3-22-10.)