[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Radnor 7-15-1991 by Ord. No. 91-32. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Design Review Board — See Ch. 5, § 5-42.
Building construction — See Ch. 125.
Subdivision of land — See Ch. 255.
Zoning — See Ch. 280.
It is the intent of this chapter to establish standards for design review which will promote orderly development, increase economic viability, enhance the appearance of the Township and protect the public health, safety, morals and general welfare. In addition, the intent of this chapter is to:
A. 
Promote increased harmony of architectural materials, treatments and arrangements of buildings.
B. 
Enhance Radnor Township as a more desirable place in which to live and work.
C. 
Enhance the existing shopping districts to serve the needs of the residents while preserving the residential character of the community.
D. 
Maintain and improve the economic vitality of commercial areas, by strengthening through design elements (stone walls, street trees, landscaping and quality signage) the overall appearance of the Township.
E. 
Encourage design for new construction and exterior renovations to be consistent with the overall image and visual environment of the Township.
F. 
Assure that new buildings, exterior structural renovations and signs are designed and built in a manner compatible with the character of the Township in terms of scale and visual effect.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated unless otherwise expressly stated:
APPLICANT
Any individual, firm, association, partnership, corporation or other legal entity which shall be required to make application under the provisions of this chapter.
BOARD
The Design Review Board of Radnor Township as appointed by the Board of Commissioners.
BUILDING
Any assemblage of material having enclosing walls and a roof, including accessory buildings, permanently located on the land, which requires Township approval and a permit.
COMMISSIONERS
The Board of Commissioners of the Township of Radnor.
DIRECTOR
The Director of Community Development of Radnor Township.
FEE
A fee established by the Board of Commissioners for the administration of this chapter.
MATERIAL CHANGE
Any modification to the architectural style or general design of the exterior of an existing building or structure, including but not limited to the type and texture of building materials, building facades, style of all windows, doors, exterior light fixtures and other appurtenant features, such as walks, fences, landscaping, awnings, parking areas, driveways and areas for pedestrian movement. All activities which affect the exterior of property and require Township approval or a permit shall be included within this definition.
SIGN
Any sign as defined in Chapter 280, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Radnor.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Radnor.
The Design Review Board, as established by the Commissioners, shall have authority to review all applications submitted to the Township for the following:
A. 
Architectural plans for new buildings, excepting single-family and two-family dwellings.
B. 
Material changes to existing buildings as defined by this chapter, except for single-family and two-family dwellings.
C. 
Applications for sign permits.
A. 
Review and approval. When design review is required by provisions of this chapter, no permit or authorization shall be given to construct any new building, make any material changes to existing buildings or erect any new sign until the plan has been reviewed and recommended for approval by the Design Review Board.
B. 
Purpose. The purpose of design review is to enable the Design Review Board to review the proposed improvements to ensure conformity with provisions of this chapter, including the intent and purpose thereof.
C. 
Standards for review. In reviewing a proposed plan, the Design Review Board shall consider the following criteria, where applicable:
(1) 
General architectural features, including the character, scale and quality of the design, including building materials and colors, to ensure compatibility with adjacent buildings and the existing architectural character of Radnor.
(2) 
That the plans indicate proper consideration for the relationship between proposed or existing buildings and buildings which are located or are proposed within the general area.
(3) 
That the plan for the proposed building or material change indicates a manner in which surrounding properties are protected against noise, vibrations and other factors which may have an adverse effect on the environment and the manner of screening for mechanical equipment, trash, storage and loading areas.
(4) 
That buildings, parking areas, signs and illumination indicates proper consideration has been given to both the functional aspects of the development, such as pedestrian and vehicular circulation, and the visual effect of the development from the view of adjoining streets.
(5) 
That landscaping considerations, including location, type, size, color, texture and coverage of plant materials, including maintenance and protection, has been considered to ensure visual relief, which will complement existing and adjoining properties to provide an attractive environment.
[Amended 6-13-1994 by Ord. No. 94-18]
Applications for design review shall be accompanied by a fee as set forth below.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The application fees are included in Ch. 162, Fees.
A. 
All applications before the Design Review Board shall be in writing and filed with the Department of Community Development upon a form provided by the Department. Upon receipt of the application, the Director shall be responsible for reviewing it to certify that all required information has been submitted. Incomplete applications shall be rejected and returned to the applicant. The application shall contain the name and address of the applicant, the owner of the land, a property description, street address, basis for filing of the application, description of the work and any other information, where relevant, which the Director may require in order to process the application.
B. 
Required information. Any application required by this chapter shall be accompanied by copies, in quantities as required by the Director, of site plans, diagrams, photographs and other material for presentation as may be necessary for a complete review of the proposal. Plans shall be drawn to scale of a size as required by the Director and shall indicate the following data where applicable.
(1) 
Site plan, including:
(a) 
Property lines.
(b) 
Existing features on the site, including structures, roads, trees, plant life, streambeds, rock outcroppings and other significant natural features.
(c) 
Proposed buildings and dimensions.
(d) 
Proposed roads, walks and paths.
(e) 
A grading plan showing finished grade.
(f) 
The location and dimensions of existing parking and loading areas.
(g) 
Means of pedestrian and vehicular circulation, including the location of all sidewalks, driveways and curb cuts.
(h) 
Building setbacks.
(i) 
Existing rights-of-way.
(j) 
The location, design and height of all fences and walls.
(k) 
Existing and proposed open space.
(l) 
The location of existing landscaping, including species and caliper.
(2) 
Building design, including:
(a) 
The elevation of each building and composite elevations, if multiple buildings are proposed.
(b) 
The color renderings.
(c) 
The type and finish of all materials to be applied to the exterior surface of the building, walls or addition.
(d) 
The natural color of materials to be applied, including the colors of any paint or manufactured product on the exterior buildings, walls or addition.
(e) 
Exterior lighting to be used for walkways, drives and parking lot, including signs and light cast from the buildings interior which is or will be visible from surrounding properties.
(f) 
Existing or proposed art work, sculptures, fountains and other ornamental or decorative features.
(g) 
Provisions for the design of the following appurtenances if located on the exterior:
[1] 
Utility lines meters and boxes.
[2] 
Refuse, storage and pickup areas.
[3] 
Stairs and ramps.
[4] 
Chimneys and exhaust fans.
[5] 
Awnings and louvers.
[6] 
Balconies.
[7] 
Mechanical equipment.
[8] 
Penthouses.
[9] 
Loading docks.
(h) 
Detailed landscaping plans, showing the locations of planting areas, along with species, size, quantity and provisions for maintenance.
(3) 
Signs. Where an application is submitted for the placement of a sign, information shall be submitted consistent with provisions of Chapter 280, Zoning, of the Township Code.
A. 
Upon the filing of an application and payment of the required fee, the Director of Community Development shall refer the application to the Design Review Board for review. Applications shall be submitted a minimum of 21 calendar days prior to any regular meeting of the Board. Where the Board fails to act on an application within 60 calendar days from the date of submission, such application shall be deemed approved in terms as presented, unless the applicant has agreed, in writing, to an extension of time.
[Amended 5-14-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-19]
B. 
The Board may approve, approve with conditions or deny any application. In approving an application, the Board may apply such conditions as deemed necessary to comply with the standards and intent of this chapter and as necessary to protect the interests of surrounding properties.
C. 
All decisions of the Board and conditions imposed shall be provided, in writing, to both the applicant and Commissioners within 14 calendar days from the date of final action on any application. Where an application is denied, the applicant and Commissioners shall be notified, in writing, of any criteria which are deemed by the Design Review Board not to be met. Any noncompliance with any approval or conditional approval of the Board shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
A. 
All decisions of the Board shall be subject to review by the Board of Commissioners. When, in the opinion of the Commissioners, any approval, conditional approval or denial of an application by the Board is deemed inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, the Commissioners shall reserve the right to reverse or modify such decision. Notice of intent and the basis for initiating such action shall be provided, in writing, to the applicant and Design Review Board within 21 calendar days from the date of the final decision by the Design Review Board. The Commissioners shall, within 45 calendar days from the date of such notice, render a final written decision on the application, a copy of which shall be provided to both the applicant and Design Review Board. All decisions by the Board of Commissioners shall be final.
B. 
An applicant aggrieved by a decision of the Design Review Board or any condition imposed by the Board may appeal by filing a written request, in duplicate, with the Township Secretary and Director of Community Development. The appeal shall be filed within 21 calendar days from the date of the decision of the Board, shall set forth any inconsistency or nonconformity with the criteria or standards of this chapter and be referred to the Board of Commissioners for further action. The filing of any appeal shall suspend the issuance of any permit until the Commissioners have taken action on the appeal. The Board shall take action within 45 days from the date of receipt of the appeal. In considering any appeal, the Board may do one of the following:
(1) 
If the Board of Commissioners determines that the decision of the Design Review Board is consistent with the criteria and standards of this chapter, the Commissioners may affirm the decision of the Design Review Board and dismiss the appeal.
(2) 
The Commissioners may reverse or modify any decision of the Board.
(3) 
Based upon any new evidence presented, which may include substantial changes to the original appeal, the Commissioners may refer the proposal back to the Design Review Board for further action.
C. 
All decisions of the Board of Commissioners shall be final.
[Amended 7-20-1992 by Ord. No. 92-13]
Any person who fail to comply with any or all of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of an offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall pay a fine to the Township of Radnor of not more than $1,000, plus costs of prosecution, and, in default of payment of such fine and costs, be imprisoned in the county jail for a term not exceeding 30 days. Each day during which any violation of this chapter continues shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable as such.