(a) There is hereby established a Village of Milan Design Review Board (hereinafter Referred to as "Board") and the Mayor is given the authority to appoint the members of the Board and as more specifically set forth below:
(1) There shall be a minimum of five members of the Board.
(2) Members shall be appointed and removed by the Mayor subject to confirmation by a majority of the members of Council.
(3) Members of the Board shall be selected from the following:
A. One member from the Village of Milan Council.
B. One member from the Chamber of Commerce and commercial property owner in the C-1 Business District.
C. One designated member from the Milan Museum Board.
D. One Village of Milan resident not located in the C-1 Central Business District.
E. One member, who does not have to be a Village of Milan resident, with the necessary expertise to assist the Board such as: architects, landscape architects, planners and building contractors.
(4) The term of the members shall be three years, except that of the initial membership, two members shall be appointed for one year and three members three years. Members shall serve without compensation and at the pleasure of the Mayor. Members shall elect their own Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary.
(b) The Board shall be charged with the following functions:
(1) To exercise aesthetic judgment to maintain a desirable character in the C-1 Central Business District.
(2) To study the problems and determine the needs of the Village in furthering the purpose of restoring and preserving the area known as the C-1 Central Business District.
(3) To conduct surveys of buildings for the purpose of determining those of local historic and/or architectural significance.
(4) To formulate recommendations concerning the preparation of maps, brochures and historical markers for selected historic and/or architectural sites and buildings.
(5) To cooperate with and advise the Planning Commission, Council and other Village agencies, in matters involving historic sites and buildings, as to legislation necessary, if any, to preserve and develop the C-1 Central Business District.
(6) To advise owners of historic buildings regarding various solutions (options) for building preservation and restoration.
(7) To review exterior building and site plans, orientation of buildings and use of materials, and to determine, in the opinion of the Board, whether the character of the improvement is in harmony with existing development in the C-1 Central Business District. All proposals for alterations to existing structures or construction of new buildings in the C-1 Central Business District must be reviewed and approved by the Board for advice, prior to the Building Inspector issuing a permit. The Board shall respond in writing to each proposal within thirty days of first discussing said proposal, provided the Board receives all requested information. If the Board refuses to act within 30 days, said Proposal would be granted.
A. Nothing shall be construed to prevent the construction, reconstruction, alteration or demolition of any exterior architectural feature which the Building Inspector shall determine is required by public safety because of dangerous or unsafe conditions.
B. Nothing shall be construed as authorizing the Board, in acting with respect to district uses, or in the adopting regulations in relation thereto, to regulate or limit the height and bulk of buildings, to regulate and determine the area of yards, courts and other open spaces, to regulate density of population or to regulate and restrict the location of trades and industries or the location of buildings designed for specific uses or to create districts for any such purpose.
(8) To provide for regular and special meetings to accomplish the purpose of paragraphs (b) (1) to (7) hereof.
(c) The Board shall be guided by the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. Should the Board choose to modify the aforesaid Standard, such modifications shall be forwarded to the Planning Commission for study and recommendation and approved by Council.
(d) Within the C-1 Central Business District limits, the Board shall review any proposed new construction, alterations to property and signage herein defined. The Boards approval of such new construction, alterations and signage shall be secured before any owner of property may commence work thereon.
(1) Materials shall be approved for the use of the proposed structures, weathering, and the relationship to other materials, including those used on adjacent structures.
(2) Colors and textures shall be approved for the size and scale of proposed structures, weathering, and the relationship to other colors and textures, including those used on adjacent structures.
(3) Architectural details and ornamentation shall be meaningful to the overall design and appropriate for the size and scale of proposed structures, weathering and the relationship to other architectural details and ornamentation, including those used on adjacent structures. Detailing such as trim, moldings, bands of contrasting siding or brick, and varying textures of concrete or stone are encouraged as part of an overall design which is in-scale with the building and carefully related to other elements.
(4) Mechanical equipment shall be of appropriate size and scale in relation to rooftop appearance, sidewall openings, sound levels, smoke and other nuisances. The location, color, size type, and screening or mechanical equipment, whether on the roof, walls, or ground, shall be designed to be concealed, and/or to be compatible with or attractively complement the other elements of the structures and site improvements.
(5) Windows, doors and other openings shall be located on the facades and be of such dimensions as are appropriate for the style, scale, and orientation of the building and in a pattern which contributes to a balanced facade appearance. Customer entrances should be accentuated. Decorative elements, caps, brickwork, and trim are encouraged around windows and doors to add interest to the overall design.
(6) Architectural styles similar to or compatible with existing historical buildings of uses adjacent to or across the street from the site shall be encouraged. Compatibility and complementarily among existing and proposed new structures shall be encouraged in all locations.
(7) Scale of new construction should be similar to that of the majority of surrounding buildings.
(8) Varied roof lines, roof details and features such as dormers, turrets, eave breaks, and overhangs are encouraged in new construction as a means to break up the mass of large buildings and to provide visual interest.
(9) Wall mounted signs shall be designed to fit within and complement the architectural forms, colors, and textures of the building, shall fit within any architectural space specifically designed for signs, and shall not cover architectural features. Signs located as part of a series of signs (as in a shopping center), shall be designed with compatibility of location, size, shape, style, material, illumination, and color with other signs in the series.
(10) Sign colors shall complement the color of the building facade on which the sign is mounted, letters and symbols shall be in scale with the building and its features. Excessive information and clutter is discouraged.
(11) Freestanding signs shall be designed to fit within and complement the characteristics of the site, building, and wall signs in terms of color, materials, texture and scale.
(12) Alterations and additions to existing buildings shall be compatible in scale, material, color, placement, and character with the existing buildings.
(13) Distinctive architectural features of existing buildings should not be altered or removed unless replaced with features of similar composition, texture color, design, and other characteristics. Restoration of historic features and building characteristics shall be encouraged.
(14) Side and rear walls shall be so designed as to relate to and be compatible with the front or main entry wall and overall design of the building, although they may be less detailed and articulated.
(15) Site features such as fences, walls, and signs compatible in color, texture, scale, materials, and other characteristics with the main building shall be encouraged.
(Ord. 736-06-18. Passed 5-23-18.)