[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners
of the Township of Radnor 7-15-1991 by Ord. No. 91-32. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
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:
Any individual, firm, association, partnership, corporation
or other legal entity which shall be required to make application
under the provisions of this chapter.
The Design Review Board of Radnor Township as appointed by
the Board of Commissioners.
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.
The Board of Commissioners of the Township of Radnor.
The Director of Community Development of Radnor Township.
A fee established by the Board of Commissioners for the administration
of this chapter.
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.
Any sign as defined in Chapter 280, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Radnor.
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.
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]
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:
(h)
Detailed landscaping plans, showing the locations
of planting areas, along with species, size, quantity and provisions
for maintenance.
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.
