157.06 DESIGN REVIEW BOARD.

   (a)    The Design Review Board shall consist of seven members of the Redevelopment and Planning Corporation. The chairman of the Design Review Board shall be the chairman of the Redevelopment and Planning Corporation. The Design Review Board shall use registered architects as advisors to the Design Review Board. Such advisors shall be used on a rotating basis in order to ensure objectivity in matters relating to project review. In addition, the First Ward Councilperson, the Building Commissioner and the City Planning Director shall serve as ex-officio members.

   (b)    The Design Review Board shall adopt rules for the transaction of its business and consideration of applications not inconsistent herewith which shall provide for the time and place of regular meetings and for the calling of special meetings. All meetings of the Board shall be open to the public and public records shall be kept of the Board's resolutions, proceedings and actions.

   (c)    The Design Review Board shall adopt specific guidelines, as provided in Section 157.07 (f), regarding architectural standards in order to direct and assist architects, developers, contractors and owners so that these regulations are implemented in accordance with the economic and general welfare of the community.

   (d)    The Design Review Board, the Redevelopment and Planning Corporation, and Council in their deliberations shall be governed by the following principles:

(1)    To be consistent in their judgment with the purpose of Sections 157.03 to 157.07 and any Redevelopment and Planning Corporation-approved development plan of downtown Warren, including areas adjacent to and immediately surrounding the Design Review District.

(2)    To take into consideration and judgment all factors that have a bearing on the purpose of this chapter and any downtown development plan.

(3)    To be reasonable in judgment so as not to bring any undue hardship to any property owner. Hardship shall be limited to present use, and shall not be deemed to extend to any new use, exploitation, advantage or benefits not engaged in, or enjoyed at the time of adoption of Sections 157.03 to 157.07 .

(4)    To be reasonable in judgment so that the terms of compliance with these regulations in particular would not be so excessive as to constitute taking of private property without due and unjust compensation.

   (e)    The office of the Redevelopment and Planning Corporation shall provide such technical, administrative and clerical assistance as required by the Design Review Board.

(Ord. 9063/81. Passed 6-24-81.)