The Olmsted Falls Architectural Board of Review shall have the following duties and powers:
(a) The Board shall have the specific power to grant a certificate of appropriateness as required by Section 1444.05(a).
(b) The Board shall prepare and adopt design guidelines for:
(1) New construction and exterior alterations to any non-historic buildings, landmarks or structures, requiring review as per this chapter.
(2) New construction and exterior alterations both to Designated Historic Buildings, Landmarks and Structures and to buildings, landmarks or structures within an Historic District, requiring review as per this chapter. These guidelines, and any subsequent revisions to these guidelines, shall be submitted for review and comment to the Planning Commission and the Building, Housing and Zoning Administrator and, in the case of historic structures and districts, to the Ohio Historic Preservation Office. Once established, the design guidelines shall be distributed by the Building, Housing and Zoning Administrator to all parties applying for building permits.
(c) The Board shall review and make recommendations to the Planning Commission on preliminary plats for major residential subdivisions required under Section 1224.05, new professional, commercial and industrial developments, and conditional uses. Said plats and development plans are to be reviewed regardless of whether the properties are outside or within historic districts. The Planning Commission shall refer such matters to the Board for review and the Board shall make its recommendations, along with a written report, to the Planning Commission within thirty days. If disapproving an action, the Board shall state changes that might make the project acceptable. Failure of the Board to act within thirty days shall constitute approval of the plans.
(d) The Board shall review and approve proposed signs in the Municipality pursuant to Chapter 1272, but shall not review or approve signs in Mixed Use Traditional Neighborhood Districts.
(e) The Board shall prepare a comprehensive plan for the community that highlights historic areas and notes distinctive themes or patterns of development that are significant to the Municipality and that also chart a course for future preservation activities within the community. This plan shall be complementary to the City’s overall Comprehensive Plan that has been approved by Council.
(f) The Board may recommend that City Council pursue the designation of any building, structure, landmark or site for inclusion on the Ohio Historic Inventory.
(g) The Board shall have the power to recommend the creation, alteration or expansion of Historic Districts to the Planning Commission and then to Council according to the procedures set forth for such actions in Section 1262.03.
(h) The Board shall keep a list of Designated Historic Buildings, Landmarks, and Structures and Historic Districts and shall furnish such list to the City’s Building, Housing and Zoning Administrator and make such list available to the public.
(i) The Board shall review all nominations to the National Register of Historic Places within the Municipality and shall seek to expand the National Register Program within the community.
(j) The Board shall work to record landmarks located within the Municipality through the Ohio Historic Inventory.
(k) The Board may seek to promote interest in preservation and to educate local citizens by holding workshops, seminars and other educational programs on historic preservation.
(l) The Board shall encourage its members to attend workshops, seminars and other educational programs on historic preservation.
(m) The Board shall recommend to the Planning Commission and then to Council restrictions on uses within Historic Districts which might otherwise be permitted by the underlying zoning district.
(n) The Board shall make known that its advice is available to owners or occupants, especially in business areas, on matters such as painting or exterior decoration, to ensure the enhancement of appropriate character or quality in the area concerned.
(o) The Board shall act in an advisory capacity to any official, board, commission or resident of the Municipality upon request.
(p) The Board may recommend to Council the acceptance of grants, gifts and bequests for the benefit of the City and may further recommend to Council that the Municipality apply for such funds as may be available to advance its work.
(q) The Board may recommend to Council the employment of qualified consultants in the fields of architecture and historic preservation for advisory purposes within the limits of moneys appropriated by Council.
(r) The Board shall review and approve all exterior elevation plans relating to the construction or alteration of any commercial, industrial, multifamily, or public or semi-public structure, or any such property requiring a building permit.
(s) The Board may do, or perform, any other such acts that are necessary and proper to assist the Board in performing its duties under the terms of this chapter.
(Ord. 25-2016. Passed 6-28-16.)