(A) Establishment. In recognition of the need for the establishment of a public body with the authority to advise upon changes to structures and objects within the city and in order to encourage changes that are compatible with the restoration movement now in progress, the Design Review Board is hereby established as included in the duties of the organization known as “Project Gas City.”
(B) Composition.
(1) The Design Review Board shall consist of three appointees by the Mayor, upon approval by the Council.
(2) The members shall be one member of the Board of Works, one member of the City Council, and the Zoning Officer of the city.
(3) Each member shall serve a term of three years.
(4) The members shall serve without compensation from the city and may be removed for just cause by the Mayor.
(5) A subcommittee will be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Council to consist of seven members. The subcommittee shall make recommendations to the Design Review Board and shall serve in an advisory capacity.
(C) Organization and rules.
(1) Within 30 days of adoption, the Review Board shall meet and organize by election of a Chairman and Secretary. The Review Board shall adopt its Rules of Procedure to accomplish the purpose of this subchapter.
(2) Before adoption of such Rules of Procedure by the Review Board, such rules shall be submitted to the Mayor and the City Council for review, recommendations, and approval. Such rules shall not be adopted without prior approval by the Mayor and City Council.
(D) Duties. The Review Board shall have the following duties.
(1) The Review Board shall review and act upon all applications for certificates of appropriateness as required in this subchapter.
(2) The Review Board shall conduct or cause to be conducted or assist in the conduction of a continuing survey of all areas, places, buildings, structures, homes, works of art, or other objects of environmental and aesthetic interest in the designated area in the city.
(3) The Review Board shall work for the continuing education of the residents of the city, with respect to the architectural and historic heritage of the city, and shall make every effort to improve the overall design and the environmental awareness of the people.
(4) The Review Board shall establish criteria, rules, and regulations not otherwise included in this subchapter for evaluating applications for certificates of appropriateness submitted to it and the manner in which they shall be processed. These criteria shall include specific considerations to be given to building materials, landscaping, signs, lighting, and architectural style for properties within the designated area, as described in this subchapter. Such criteria, rules, and regulations shall not be adopted by the Review Board until after review, recommendations, and approval by the Mayor and Council.
(5) The Review Board may recommend to Council legislation that would best serve to beautify, preserve, restore, and develop the designated area. Towards these ends, the Review Board shall work with the appropriate officials, employees, and departments, and joint meetings with such officials, employees, and departments may be held for this purpose.
(6) The Review Board may make recommendations to the Council for additions or revisions to this subchapter.
(7) The Review Board may, within its capabilities, perform such other design review related tasks as may be required by these preservation and design review regulations and as may be requested or authorized by the Mayor with the approval of the Council.
(Ord. 8, 1996, passed 12-17-1996)