The ARO shall review all proposed exterior construction and alteration plans in any Architectural Review Overlay District. No Zoning Permit will be granted by the Village without the written approval of the ARO after such review. Additionally, the ARO shall also review all proposed signs or sign changes in any Architectural Review Overlay District.
The ARO shall assist and advise the Planning Commission on the design, amenities, quality, relationships to natural features, existing buildings, and all other aspects of a site development plan being considered by the Planning Commission which relate to the appearance of an entire project, and all of its parts and surroundings. All standards, regulations, and criteria contained in the Zoning Ordinance and any other ordinances of the Village shall be considered by the ARO in their review.
Review Procedures Of Applications
- A preliminary review may be scheduled with the Village and the Architectural Review Officer to establish the intent and scope of the proposed application and to review the proposal as evidenced schematically by sketch plans. The Village may furnish the applicant written comments regarding such conference including appropriate recommendations to inform and assist prior to the preparation of the formal plan.
- All applications for a Zoning Permit shall be submitted to the Building Official.
- Within 30 days following receipt of such submission, the ARO shall advise the Planning Commission in writing of the approval or disapproval. If disapproval, such writing shall set forth the findings as to the basis for the determination. Such writing shall be open to public inspection.
Standards And Criteria
An application for a Zoning Permit shall be reviewed by the Architectural Review Officer who shall consider the following:
- Materials. Materials shall be appropriate for the use of building and for relationship to other materials including those used on buildings in surrounding areas.
- Colors and textures. Colors and textures shall be appropriate for the size and scale of the building, and for relationship to the site and surrounding buildings.
- Architectural details and ornaments. Architectural details and ornaments shall be meaningful to the overall design and appropriate for the size and scale of the building.
- Mechanical equipment. Mechanical equipment shall be considered as it affects rooftop appearance, sidewall openings, sound levels, smoke, and other nuisance aspects.
- Approaches, drives, and parking areas. Approaches, drives and parking areas shall be considered as they affect the appearance from the street and from the site as well. The relationship of paving to the building shall be appropriate considering factors such as landscaping, safety, and drainage, from the site.
- Landscaping. Landscaping shall be appropriate for the size and use of the area, and for its relationship to building, street, parking area, walks, buildings, and surrounding areas.
- Lighting. Lighting shall be considered for the appropriateness of nighttime illumination of the grounds, drives, walks, parking areas, the building, and its effect upon surrounding areas.
- Signs. Signs shall be considered for appropriateness of size, scale, shape, color, content, text and illumination in relation to the site.
- Utilities. Adequate utilities, parking, access roads, drainage, landscape planting, and other essential facilities and amenities to be provided. Underground utilities shall, wherever feasible, be placed underground.
- Ingress and egress. Adequate measures will be taken to provide ingress and egress designed so as to minimize traffic congestion in the public streets.
- Service. All service, loading, and shipping areas of commercial and industrial buildings shall be concealed and screened by fences, walls, landscaping, berms or other approved methods and located so as not to create pedestrian or traffic congestion.
Variances
In the event a zoning variance is required by an applicant to comply with the requirements established by the ARO, the ARO may recommend to the Planning Commission as to the nature and extent of said zoning variance request. The Planning Commission may consider the recommendation as constituting a hardship and render a decision on the matter during the site plan review process.