Section 3.12.010   Design Review Board.
   A.   Creation; Members; Compensation. There is created a Design Review Board for the Village. The Board shall consist of seven members appointed by the Village President, with the advice and consent of the Trustees, for staggered terms of five years. All members of the Design Review Board shall be residents of the Village and shall serve until their successors have been appointed and qualified. Members of the Design Review Board shall serve without compensation.
   B.   Officers. One of the members of the Board shall be designated by the Village President to be Chairperson of the Board and shall hold office as Chairperson until a successor is appointed. The Chairperson, or in the Chairperson's absence, an acting Chairperson elected by the Board, shall have power to administer oaths. The Board shall elect a Secretary, who need not be a member of the Board, and such other officers as it may desire.
   C.   Vacancies. Vacancies on the Board shall be filled for the unexpired term of the member whose place has become vacant, in the same manner as provided for the original appointment of a member.
   D.   Meetings; Quorum. Meetings of the Design Review Board shall be held at the call of the Chairperson. All meetings shall be open to the public and conducted in accordance with the Open Meetings Act and Chapter 3.02 of this code. The Board shall keep minutes of its proceedings and record the vote of each member on every question, and shall keep records of its examinations and other official actions. A majority of the members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business and the holding of any hearing. The Chairperson shall have power to vote.
   E.   Powers and Duties. The Design Review Board shall have the following powers and duties:
      1.   To hold hearings on the issuance of certificates of appropriateness of design in connection with applications for building permits pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 15.40 of this code;
      2.   To hold hearings on the issuance of certificates of appropriateness in connection with applications for sign permits pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 15.60 of this code;
      3.   Upon completion of hearings on the issuance of certificates of appropriateness that are part of applications that require any approval by the Village Council, to make findings and recommendations to the Council as to whether such certificate should be issued or denied;
      4.   Upon completion of hearings on the issuance of certificates of appropriateness that are not part of applications that require any approval by the Village Council, to make findings and to issue or deny such certificates;
      5.   To adopt and publish standards and criteria for the review of external architectural features associated with the issuance of certificates of appropriateness under subsection (E)(1) of this section;
      6.   To make recommendations to the Council or the Village Manager as to measures appropriate to improve the appearance of public buildings and public property;
      7.   To study plans and specifications for any proposed public works or public improvements and to make recommendations to the Council, the Board of Local Improvements, or the Village Manager, as the case may be, as to the architectural or aesthetic aspects of such plans and specifications;
      8.   To consult with and to cooperate with the Plan Commission, Village departments, and any other municipal or governmental bodies on matters affecting the appearance of the Village;
      9.   To formulate plans, measures or guidelines for improvement of the appearance of privately owned real estate in the Village and, with the approval of the Council, to consult with the owners or occupants of such real estate with a view to achieving improvement appearance through voluntary cooperation;
      10.   To adopt rules of procedure not inconsistent with this section; and
      11.   To perform such other duties and render such other services as may be specified by ordinance or resolution of the Village Council.
(Ord. MC-228-99 § 4 (part), 1999: Ord. MC-192-97 § 4 (part), 1997; prior code § 6.04)
(MC-8-2007, Amended, 06/05/2007, Subsection D)