(a) Purpose and Establishment. The University Circle Design District (UCDD) is established as a Public Land Protective District to safeguard public and community investments in the institutions and parks of the University Circle area, while promoting development of well-designed commercial, residential, and institutional uses in the district. Review and oversight of the character, design, and placement of buildings, structures, roadways, and open spaces, as required for properties located within the district, is fundamental to fostering positive growth and social welfare of the community and is critical to ensuring development of a premiere urban district in University Circle.
(b) Boundaries and Mapping. The boundaries of the UCDD shall be established and amended by ordinance of City Council and shall be shown on the Zoning Map of the City of Cleveland as an overlay district, supplementing the underlying zoning districts.
(c) Administration. Building Permit applications for properties located within the UCDD shall be reviewed and approved in accordance with the regulations of this chapter pertaining to Public Land Protective Districts. The University Circle Design Review Advisory Committee shall review building permit applications in meetings that are open to the pubic and shall make recommendations to the Commission. In making its recommendations to the Commission, the Advisory Committee shall consider any recommendations provided by the University Circle Architectural Review Board and other organizations and individuals offering comment.
(d) Advisory Committee. The University Circle Design Review Advisory Committee shall be composed of at least seven (7) and no more than nine (9) voting members appointed by the City Planning Commission. A majority of the members shall be design professionals with expertise in architecture, landscape architecture, historic preservation, urban planning, public art, or graphic design. Members who are not design professionals shall be representatives of organizations or businesses in the District or residents of the District. The City Planning Commission shall appoint those members who are not design professionals from nominations made to the Commission by the City Council members representing wards that are located in whole or in part within the boundaries of the District. The Advisory Committee shall hold at least two (2) regularly scheduled meetings each month, unless there is no business to conduct. A majority of the Advisory Committee’s membership shall constitute a quorum, without which no votes may be taken. Any recommendation regarding an application shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present.
(e) Approvals. Applications subject to the provisions of the UCDD shall be approved by the City Planning Commission or by its Director acting on behalf of the Commission, pursuant to rules established by the Commission. Within thirty (30) days of receipt of a complete application by the City Planning Commission office, the University Circle Design Review Advisory Committee shall recommend approval, approval with conditions, or disapproval of the application, unless the applicant agrees to an extension. Within thirty (30) days of action by the Advisory Committee, or expiration of its action period, the City Planning Commission or its Director shall approve, approve with conditions, or disapprove the application, unless the applicant agrees to an extension.
(Ord. No. 1766-06. Passed 12-11-06, eff. 12-15-06)