(a) Membership. The Design Review Board shall consist of seven (7) members. Members shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of Council. All members should have a demonstrated interest in historic preservation together with a determination to work for the overall improvement of the quality of the City's physical environment. An effort should be made to appoint persons with special expertise that may be of assistance in the efficient operation of the Review Board.
(1) To the extent possible, membership should be selected from the following:
A. Safety/service director,
B. Registered architect,
C. Licensed building contractor,
D. Planner from the community development department,
E. Representative of downtown business interests,
F. Representatives of planning, real estate, design, building trades, landscape architecture, law or finance,
G. Resident within the design review overlay district, and
H. Individual with education and/or training in architectural history, history or archaeology.
(2) All members shall satisfy at least one (1) of the following conditions:
A. Reside within the City of Lorain.
B. Own property within the City of Lorain.
C. Own a business that is based within the City of Lorain.
D. Be employed within the City of Lorain.
(3) The Design Review Board shall elect from its membership a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and a secretary.
(4) Each appointed member shall serve a term of two (2) years and may be reappointed for subsequent terms, except that the initial appointments that shall be staggered; three (3) members shall be appointed for a one (1) year term and may be reappointed. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as original appointments.
(5) Members shall serve without compensation from the City.
(6) Any member of the review board shall be subject to removal for just cause by the Mayor with the consent of Council.
(b) Applicability.
(1) The Design Review Board shall function to improve the quality of life in the City by striving to further and achieve the spirit and purpose of this Ordinance; and
(2) The Design Review Board shall promote the protection of property values in order to further the City's goals of sound economic and community development.
(c) Procedures.
(1) The presence of four (4) members shall constitute a quorum and be necessary to conduct business. All meetings and records of the Review Board shall be public. Decisions of the Review Board shall be made by a majority vote of the members present at the meeting.
(2) Meetings of the Design Review Board shall be held monthly when there is business to transact. There shall be a fixed place of meeting and all meetings shall be open to the public. The Design Review Board shall adopt its own rules of procedure and keep a record of its proceedings, showing the action taken and the vote of each member upon each matter considered.
(d) Powers and Duties. The Review Board shall have the following duties:
(1) The Design Review Board may make recommendations to the Planning Commission and Council for additions or revisions to this Ordinance or recommend legislation that would best serve to develop, preserve, restore and beautify the City.
(2) The Design Review Board shall be responsible for reviewing and providing a recommendation for proposed projects within the design review overlay district and on properties containing a designated historic or landmark structure, as prescribed by this Ordinance.
(3) Until such time as a Historic District Commission And/or Landmarks Commission is established by the City, the Design Review Board may conduct or cause to be conducted or assist in a continuing survey of all property, sites, or areas of architectural, archaeological, historic, and aesthetic interest in the City which the Board, on the basis of information available or presented to it, has reason to believe are or will be eligible for designation as a landmark or preservation district.
(4) The Design Review Board shall work for the continuing education of the citizens of the City with respect to the architectural and historic heritage of the City, its landmarks and preservation districts as designated under the provisions of this Ordinance, and shall make every effort to improve the overall design and the environmental awareness of the people. The Design Review Board shall keep current a register of all landmarks and preservation districts. All landmarks shall be given a number and a description accompanied by a photograph. The reason for designating a landmark or for recommending the establishment of additional preservation districts shall be set forth in writing. This register shall be made available to Council, the City Planning Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals, all City departments and the public.
(Ord. 4-21. Passed 1-4-21.)
(a) Authority. The duty of administering and enforcing the provisions of this Zoning Code is conferred upon the Zoning Administrator. For this purpose, he/she shall have those powers prescribed by this Ordinance and as may reasonably be implied. The Zoning Administrator may be assisted by such personnel deemed necessary by the City Council.
(b) Powers and Duties.
(1) Upon finding that any provision of this Ordinance is being violated, he shall notify in writing the person responsible for such violation, ordering the action necessary to correct the violation.
(2) Order discontinuances of illegal uses of land, buildings or structures.
(3) Order removal of illegal buildings, structures, additions, or structural alterations and order discontinuance of any illegal work being done.
(4) Issue certificates of completion for projects meeting the requirements of this Code. In those cases when a request is not in conformance with applicable requirements, he shall inform the applicant in writing regarding the noncompliance and deficiencies.
(5) Keep permanent records of all applications, permits and other transactions.
(6) Maintain the official copy of the Zoning Map and recording amendments as they occur.
(7) Conduct inspections, as necessary, to enforce the Zoning Ordinance and keep records of such.
(8) Serve as secretary of the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Commission, without voting power, and provide staff assistance and information as may be requested by those bodies.
(Ord. 4-21. Passed 1-4-21.)