(A) For the general purposes of this subchapter and specifically to preserve and protect historic places and areas in the town through the control of demolition of such places and through the regulation of architectural design and uses of structures in such areas, there is hereby created a board to be known as the “Architectural Review Board” (ARB) to be composed of five voting members. The members of said Architectural Review Board shall be appointed by the Town Council.
(B) The membership shall consist of five members, a majority of which shall be residents of the town, and all of whom have reasonable knowledge and have demonstrated an interest in historic or architectural development within the town.
(C) Members shall be appointed for a term of four years. Initial appointments shall be three members for four years, and remaining members for two years. The term of any Planning Commission member shall be concurrent with his or her appointment to the Planning Commission.
(D) The ARB shall elect from its own membership a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson who shall serve annual terms and may succeed themselves. The ARB shall appoint a Secretary who shall serve at their pleasure.
(E) (1) The ARB shall meet in regular session at least semiannually or whenever an application has been filed for their consideration. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Chairperson or a majority of the members after 24 hours’ written notice to each member served personally or left at his or her usual place of business or residence. Such notice shall state the time and place of a meeting and the purpose thereof.
(2) Written notice of a special meeting is not required if the time of the special meeting has been fixed at a regular meeting, or if all members are present at the special meeting or file a written waiver of notice. For the conduct of any hearing and the taking of any action, a quorum shall be not less than a majority of all voting members of the Board. The Board may make, alter or rescind rules and forms for its procedures, consistent with the ordinances of the town and the general laws of the state.
(3) The Board shall establish procedures for all matters coming before it for review and all meetings shall be open to the public. Adequate notice shall be given to applicants, but meetings need not be advertised in advance except in the case of a proposal to demolish or move a designated landmark or contributing structure. Notice when required shall be publication of the agenda in a newspaper of general circulation in the county seven days prior to the meeting.
(F) The Architectural Review Board shall have the power and authority of issuing or denying certificates of appropriateness for construction, reconstruction, substantial exterior alteration, razing or relocation within the historic district, with right of direct appeal of an adverse decision to the Town Council.
(G) In addition to the aforementioned powers and duties, the Board shall have the following duties:
(1) To assist and advise the Town Council, the Planning Commission, and other town departments, agencies and property owners in matters involving historically significant sites and buildings, such as appropriate land usage, parking facilities and signs;
(2) To advise owners of historic landmarks, or contributing structures on problems of preservation; and
(3) To propose additional historic districts.
(H) In addition, the Board shall have the following powers:
(1) To conduct studies deemed necessary by the Town Council or Planning Commission concerning additional districts, and means of preservation and utilization of historic assets in the town;
(2) To formulate recommendations to the Town Council concerning the establishment of an appropriate system of markers for selected historic sites and buildings, including proposals for the installation and care of such historic markers; and
(3) To cooperate with and enlist assistance from the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and other interested parties both public and private in its efforts to preserve, restore and conserve historic landmarks, buildings, sites or areas within the town.
(1996 Code, § 176-131)