(a) Intent. The appearance of buildings, structures, open spaces and landscape throughout the City is of public concern and in the public interest; therefore, provisions are established in this Section to achieve, among others, the following purposes:
(1) To conserve the attractive environment of the community and to guide future development to further improve the appearance of the community.
(2) To maintain community values, as well as individual property values, through the relationship of design among neighborhood properties.
(3) To assure that each new development shall be attractive within itself.
(4) To apply such concepts impartially according to design criteria of form, composition, color and materials.
(5) To carry out the objectives of the Plan of the City.
(b) Establishment, Organization and Proceedings. The creation and composition of the Design and Construction Board of Review shall be as provided for in the Charter of the City of Rocky River
(1) The Design and Construction Board of Review originally established by Ordinance 17-66, passed January 24, 1966, shall consist of three (3) regular members and two (2) alternate members, each of whom shall be residents of the City and shall be an architect or professional engineer duly registered and authorized to practice such profession in an under the laws of the State of Ohio.
(2) The members of the Architectural Review Board shall be appointed by the Mayor to three (3) year terms ending December 31 of a given year, arranged so that one (1) term of a regular member expires in each year, and so that the terms of alternate members do not expire in the same year. A vacancy in any unexpired term of a member or alternate member shall be filled in the same manner and for the same term as the original appointment. A chair and secretary shall be chosen by and from the regular members of the Architectural Review Board.
(3) In the event of the absence or temporary disability of any regular member, one (1) of the alternate members shall be designated by the Chair of the Architectural Review Board to serve during the temporary absence or disability, so that the number of members, regular and alternate, present and voting at any meeting shall be not less than two (2) nor more than three (3). During such time as the alternate member so serves in the place of a regular member, he shall have the same powers, perform the same duties and receive the same compensation as a regular member.
(4) The Board shall establish a schedule of regular meetings, and procedures for the calling of and giving notice of special meetings. If a proper application for a Zoning Certificate or design plan review, including all required documents is filed, it shall be considered and acted upon at the next regular meeting, unless an extension of time has been agreed to by the applicant or the application is deemed incomplete by the Zoning Administrator. When the application is deemed complete, the Zoning Administrator shall officially accept the application for consideration place it on the Board of Review's agenda
(5) All actions by the Architectural Review Board, including approval, approval subject to revisions, deferment for additional information or for a conference with the applicant or disapproval require the affirmative concurring vote of at least two (2) members voting on the action.
(6) A member of the Board shall not participate in the review of any work in which he, his partner or his professional associate has any direct or indirect interest.
(7) Compensation for the services of regular and alternate members, and provisions, if any, for the services of a compensated recording secretary, shall be as from time to time established by ordinance.
(c) Powers and Duties. For the purposes of this Development Code, the Design and Construction Board of Review shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) To review and act on all plans and specifications for the construction, alteration or relocation of any building or structure according to the procedures, standards, and criteria stated in this Development Code or in the Charter of the City of Rocky River.
(2) In making its determinations in accordance with the purpose of the Architectural Review Board and acceptable architectural principles, the Architectural Review Board shall have a duty to consider the elements of the application including, but not limited to:
A. Building massing, which shall include the relationship to the view's from the building and the building's scale and relationship to nearby buildings and pedestrian walkways;
B. Window treatment, which shall include the size, shape and materials of the individual window units and the overall harmonious relationship of window openings;
C. Exterior detail and relationships, which shall include all projecting and receding elements including but not limited to, porches and overhangs;
D. Roof shape, which shall include type, form, and materials;
E. Materials, texture and color, which shall include a consideration of material compatibility among various elements of the structure;
F. Compatibility of materials on the exterior;
G. Pedestrian environment, which shall include the provision of features which enhance pedestrian's visual perspective; and,
H. Any other factors necessary to fulfill the purposes of this Development Code and any other design criteria as set forth in this Code.
(3) To assist the City in establishing, if so requested, according to accepted and recognized architectural principles, additional design criteria to be applied in evaluating: the design, use of materials, finished grade lines, dimensions, orientation of all main buildings to be erected, moved, altered, remodeled or repaired, subject to the provisions of the Development Code and other applicable ordinances of the City.