(A) Generally. The Board of Architectural Review shall have such responsibilities, powers and duties as are hereinafter set forth.
(1) The Board of Architectural Review shall consist of five members, all of whom shall be residents of the village and shall be appointed by the Mayor. Each member shall have to the maximum extent possible, a recognized interest in architecture and historic preservation and a determination to work for the overall improvement of the quality of the physical environment of the Municipality. Members of the Board of Architectural Review shall serve without compensation.
(2) The Board shall have the authority to appoint a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary at its initial meeting and at its first meeting after January 31 of each year. The Chairman shall conduct the meetings of such Board according to established rules of procedure, determine the order of meeting agendas, administer oaths to each person offering testimony for consideration of such Board, and be responsible for the recording of each public meeting. The Vice- Chairman shall perform the duties of the Chairman in the event of the Chairman’s absence. The Secretary shall be the keeper of minutes on the meetings, keep the calendar of meetings and events pertaining to such Board, keep each member apprised of meeting times, dates and agendas, distribute a copy of documents, drawings, and other papers for each item of business which comes before such Board, maintain records and communicate all correspondence to and on behalf of such Board and sign any certificates or documents as ordered by a vote of such Board. The Board shall have further authority to enact By-Laws and Rules of Procedure governing its operation.
(3) The Board shall meet at a time, day and location selected by the Board.
(B) Terms.
(1) Length of term and appointing authority. The term of members of the Board of Architectural Review shall be deemed to commence on January 1 of each applicable year. The terms of the original members of the Board shall be as follows:
(a) Two persons shall be appointed for one year;
(b) Two persons shall be appointed for two years; and
(c) One person shall be appointed for three years.
(d) Thereafter, all appointments shall be made for a full four-year term. Council shall designate which Members shall initially have three year terms, which shall have two year terms, and which shall have one year terms. Members may be removed for cause by Council.
(2) Vacancies. Any vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the manner the original appointment was made.
(3) Meetings. A majority of the members of the Board of Architectural Review shall constitute a quorum, and any actions or decisions of the Board shall have the support of such majority of its Members. All meetings of the Board of Architectural Review shall be open to the public and the conduct of such meetings shall be subject to all legal criteria that would apply to Village Council meetings, including providing advance public notice. All applicable Village Council legislation is hereby incorporated by reference. The Board of Architectural Review shall meet not less than bi-monthly, and more often if specific actions are required. Special meetings may be held at the call of the Chairman. To avoid conflicts of interest, the Board of Architectural Review members shall not vote on cases in which they have economic interests. The minutes of meetings shall be maintained for a period of six years.
(C) Powers of the Board of Architectural Review. The Board of Architectural Review shall have and is hereby vested to exercise the following powers and perform such duties as are consistent with the scope of its authority:
(1) The Board of Architectural Review shall be empowered to hear, review, grant, deny, and recommend modifications to proposals for applications involving environmental changes within the Architectural District where such determinations are reviewed against adopted design standards and guidelines.
(2) Conduct a continuing survey of cultural resources in the community, including all buildings, structures, site, objects and areas of architectural, historic, or aesthetic interest.
(3) Recommend to Council the creation of any additional architectural districts and their boundaries within the municipality.
(4) Recommend to Council the establishment of any new or modified design standards and guidelines within the District, or any subsequently created district, which standards and guidelines may relate to the following characteristics; structural proportion, structural foundations, exterior wall appearance, building height, building width, building materials, roof type/materials, exterior architectural features such as trim, windows, and/or porches, paving and walkways, plantings and landscaping features, exterior building colors as they relate to surrounding structures, signs or other commercial fixtures, and types, materials and colors of fences.
(5) Make recommendations to Council concerning the utilization of grants from Federal and State Agencies, private groups, individuals and the utilization of budgetary appropriations to promote the preservation of historic or architecturally significant structures within the District or to recommend the creation of new districts, and promoting the architectural and aesthetic comparability of structures within a district.
(6) Evaluate and comment upon decisions by other municipal agencies which affect the physical development and land use patterns with regard to historic or architecturally significant structures in a district and the aesthetic compatibility of buildings within said district.
(Ord. 19-96, passed 10-7-96; Am. Ord. 06-2006, passed 5-1-06; Am. Ord. 23-2007, passed 8-20-07)