(a) After at least ten days public notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the City and a public hearing, the Architectural Board of Review may adopt, modify or amend specific standards for the erection or attachment of appurtenances and fixtures on real estate or the buildings, structures or other improvements situated thereon, including, without limitation, cupolas, street scape fixtures, news boxes, facades, signage, fencing and walls. The professional standards so adopted may be established for similarly situated structures in the City at large or in limited designated areas, such as zoning districts, streets or portions thereof or contiguous buildings or units of buildings. Building and other permits for erection or attachment of any appurtenance or fixture meeting such previously adopted standards shall be issued by the Director of Public Safety or his designee upon otherwise proper application without any further architectural review pursuant to this chapter. Where the appropriate authority finds that the design for erection or attachment of any appurtenance or fixture on a permit application does not meet any applicable and previously adopted standards, or if such authority is uncertain as to the application thereof, such permit application shall be referred to the Board for review and decision as in all other cases.
(b) All standards of design established pursuant to this section shall be consistent with the designs available in a particular service or industry and shall be consistent with the professional standards of that service or industry. Further, no such standards shall be set or used in such a manner as to effectively deny an application that would otherwise be permitted under these Codified Ordinances. Changes in standards, including, but not limited to, color, shall not be effective regarding permits presently issued, but only for new permits and/or permit renewals.
(Ord. 91-88. Passed 3-6-1989.)