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In considering the appropriateness of any proposed environmental change, including landscaping or exterior signage, the respective Design Review Board shall consider the following:
(a) A property shall be used for its historic purpose, or placed in a new use that requires minimal change to the defining characteristics of the building and its site.
(b) The proposed change shall respect the visual and functional components of the building and its site, including but not limited to, building height, massing and proportion, roof shape and slope, landscape design, lighting, vehicular and pedestrian circulation, and signage.
(c) The distinguishing original qualities or character of a contributing building, structure, site and/or its environment shall not be destroyed. The removal or alteration of any historic material or distinctive architectural or environmental features should be avoided when possible.
(d) All buildings, structures and sites shall be recognized as products of their own time. Alterations that have no historical basis and which seek to create an earlier appearance inconsistent or inappropriate to the original integrity of the building shall be discouraged.
(e) If changes which may have taken place in the course of time within the history and development of a building, structure or site and/or its environment, and if these changes are deemed to have acquired significance, then this significance shall be recognized and respected.
(f) Distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craftsmanship which characterize a building, structure or site shall be preserved where possible and treated with sensitivity.
(g) Significant architectural features which have deteriorated shall be repaired rather than replaced, wherever possible. In the event replacement is necessary, the new material should match the material being replaced in composition, design, color, texture and other visual qualities. Repair or replacement of architectural features should be based on accurate duplication of the feature, and if possible, substantiated by historic, physical or pictorial evidence rather than on conjectural designs or availability of different architectural elements from other buildings or structures.
(h) The surface cleaning of masonry structures shall be undertaken with methods designed to minimize damage to historic building materials. Sandblasting and other cleaning methods that will damage the historic building materials should be avoided.
(i) Contemporary design for alterations and additions to existing properties shall not be discouraged when such alterations and additions do not destroy significant historical, architectural or cultural material, and such design is compatible with the size, scale, color, material and character of the property, neighborhood or environment.
(j) Wherever possible, new additions or alterations to structures shall be done in such a manner that if such additions or alterations were to be removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the original structure would be unimpaired. Additions to the least significant and least visible of contributing properties should be given priority over other designs.
(Ord. 2003-39. Passed 4-22-03.)
(a) In addition to the design criteria adopted in 1311.09 hereof, each Design Review Board established under 1131.04 shall adopt specific guidelines for each district to put into effect the standards adopted in 1311.09 and which will be fully consistent with the same. Once duly adopted, such guidelines will have full force and effect to regulate the issuance of Certificates of Appropriateness under 1311.07.
(b) Each Board shall review its specific guidelines no less frequently than every four (4) years to consider changes in available materials, current federal or state review standards, and up-to-date techniques in building renovation and restoration.
(c) Until such time as the City of Galion Design Review Board and Harding Way West Design Review Board adopt guidelines for Design Review Districts #1, #2, and #3 pursuant to the authority given them under this ordinance, the Additional Design Criteria listed in the former 1311.10 shall continue in effect for any district in which such guidelines have not been so adopted.
(Ord. 2018-5. Passed 3-13-18.)
(a) In cases where an applicant applies for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish a structure with the Design Review District, the Design Review Board shall grant the demolition and issue a Certificate of Appropriateness if the Board finds, based upon evidence submitted by the applicant, that the structure contains no features of architectural or historical significance to the character of individual District within which it is located.
(b) In cases where an applicant applies for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish a structure within the Design Review District which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Design Review Board shall grant the demolition and issue a Certificate of Appropriateness only if the Board finds, based upon evidence submitted by the applicant and based upon a case-by-case determination, that the public interests in preserving a structure containing features of architectural and historical significance is outweighed by a substantial economic hardship to the applicant.
(c) In cases where the applicant applies for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish a structure within the Design Review District which is not listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but contains features of architectural and historical significance to the character of the District within which it is located, the Board may deny such application only if the Board finds, based upon a case-by-case determination, that such structure satisfies all the eligibility requirements to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places and that the applicant will not suffer a substantial economic hardship by reason of such denial. However, prior to making any decision, the Board may impose a waiting period of at least thirty (30) days, but not to exceed three (3) months for the purposes described in (f) below.
(d) In cases where an applicant applies for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish a structure within the Design Review District which contains features of architectural and historical significance to the character of the District within which it is located, but the Design Review Board finds, based upon evidence submitted by the applicant, that structure fails to meet the eligibility requirements to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Board shall grant such application. However, prior to making any decision, the Board may impose a waiting period of at least thirty (30) days, but not to exceed three (3) months, for the purposes described in (f) below.
(e) To establish the existence of a substantial economic hardship, an applicant has the burden of proving one or more of the following:
(1) Denial of a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish the structure will result in a substantial reduction in the economic value of the property;
(2) No reasonable alternative exists consistent with the architectural standards and guidelines for the property; and/or
(3) The property is not able to be sold within the previous two (2) years as established by testimony and relevant documents showing any real estate broker or firm engaged to sell the property, the reasonableness of the price sought by the applicant, and any offers received.
(f) When a waiting period is imposed by the Design Review Board, the Board and the applicant shall meet as requested and undertake meaningful and continuing discussions in order to find a means of preserving the structure. During this period, the Board and the applicant shall investigate the feasibility of all means of preserving the structure and the applicant shall make every reasonable effort to find a demolition alternative for that structure. If the applicant or a representative fails to meet with the Board at the time specified, then the Board may deny a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish the structure. During such period, the owner of such structure shall also maintain or mothball the structure to prevent further deterioration.
(Ord. 2003-39. Passed 4-22-03.)
Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to prevent ordinary maintenance or repair of any property within the Design Review District, provided such work involves no change in material, design, texture, color or exterior appearance; nor shall anything in this Chapter be construed to prevent any change, including the construction, reconstruction, alteration or demolition of any feature which by order of the Zoning and Building Department is required for the public safety because of an unsafe, insecure or dangerous condition.
(Ord. 2003-39. Passed 4-22-03.)
(a) Before any person or entity erects, constructs, reconstructs, replaces, or modifies any exterior sign on any building or structure in a Design Review District, said person or entity shall prepare and file an application with the City Building Inspector for review by the applicable Design Review Board, which application shall be accompanied by a full and accurate description of the size of such sign(s), the manner and method by which it will be affixed to the structure or building, the materials which make up said sign, the color and graphics of said sign(s), the method of illumination of such sign, if any, and any other items deemed necessary by the City Building Inspector or such Design Review Board to review said application.
(b) Such Design Review Board shall make its decision approving, denying or denying with proposed modifications, the application submitted to it within sixty (60) days after the application was first considered by the Board at a regular or special meeting. Any denial shall describe the basis for such finding and the person or entity aggrieved by the decision of such Design Review Board may appeal the decision to the Board of Zoning Appeals by giving ten (10) days written notice to such Design Review Board.
(c) No new sign(s), including replacements of existing signs, shall be permitted in any Design District except as follows:
(1) Wall signs. One principal wall sign shall be permitted on the business establishment which it represents. One secondary wall sign is permitted where a business has frontage on another street or where there is a rear or side entrance commonly used by the public. The wall sign shall be proportionate to the size of the face of the building upon which it is attached.
(2) Directory signs. Each building may have one directory sign, in addition to the above wall sign, that shall provide not more than two (2) square feet of area for each building occupant. Directory signs shall be mounted flat against the face of the building like a wall sign.
(3) Projecting signs - special exception. One projecting sign shall be allowed for each business establishment occupying a building subject to the following conditions:
A. Maximum size - ten (10) square feet
B. Minimum clearance to grade - eight (8) feet
C. Maximum horizontal projection from face of building - two (2) feet
D. May not project above the roof line of the building to which it is attached.
E. Each applicant must complete a statement holding the City harmless from any liability resulting from accident or injury caused by erection and maintenance of such sign(s) and must provide throughout the time that such sign(s) exist proof of insurance in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00).
(4) Awnings.
A. No awning or canopy may extend beyond two (2) feet back of the curb line.
B. All awnings and canopies shall be erected so that their lowest point is at least eight (8) feet above the sidewalk.
C. One double-faced nameplate may be suspended from an awning or canopy perpendicular to the store front, provided the requirements of subsection (3) above are met.
D. Each applicant must complete a statement holding the City harmless from any liability resulting from accident or injury caused by erection and maintenance of such sign(s) and must provide throughout the time that such sign(s) exist proof of insurance in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00).
(5) Incidental signs. Not to exceed four (4) square feet each and sixteen (16) square feet in total area for any business and which contain no advertising messages.
(6) Temporary signs on public sidewalks. One temporary sidewalk sign may be displayed by any business in any Design District, providing said temporary sign conforms to the following criteria:
A. Maximum sign area dimension: three (3) feet wide and four (4) feet high for any free standing sign.
B. Temporary sign may be used by a new business, a business changing location or to advertise a special sale.
C. Temporary sign may not be used for longer than two (2) weeks.
D. Temporary sign may not be used more than four (4) times each year per business.
E. Each applicant must complete a statement holding the City harmless from any liability resulting from accident or injury caused by erection and maintenance of such sign(s) and must provide throughout the time that such sign(s) exist proof of insurance in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00).
F. All temporary mobile or portable banners, pennants, streamers and balloons shall be considered temporary sidewalk signs, and shall be subject to the restrictions of subsection (6) above, except for those contained in paragraphs a. and e. thereof.
(7) Prohibited signs. All animated signs, all mobile or portable banners, pennants, streamers and balloons, all signs that interpret movement of any kind and all off-premises signs which identify or provide information related to a good, service or event that is not located on the property where the sign is located are prohibited.
(Ord. 2003-39. Passed 4-22-03.)
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