[Adopted 12-11-1990, effective 12-24-1990]
The Planning Board shall consider the recommendations of a "Main
Street Site Development Plan Review Panel" (hereinafter referred to
as the "Panel") for the purpose of reviewing plans and recommending
Planning Board action.
A.
Panel membership. The Panel shall consist of six permanent members
and one ad hoc member. Four of the permanent members shall be appointed
by the Mayor and two by the Common Council. The ad hoc member shall
be appointed, on a project-by-project basis, by the District Councilmember
within whose district a project is being reviewed and shall sit as
a member of the panel during the duration of the review of the project
for which he or she was appointed only.
[Amended 4-30-1991, effective 5-10-1991]
B.
Panel membership terms. The terms of the six permanent members of
the Panel shall be for two years, except that of the six permanent
members first appointed two of the Mayor's and one of the Common
Council's appointees shall be appointed for terms of one year,
and two of the Mayor's and one of the Common Council's appointees
shall be appointed for terms of two years. The appointing authority
shall specify the duration of the term in the certificate of appointment
for each member. All members shall serve without compensation unless
compensation is provided by the Code. A vacancy during the term of
any member shall be filled for the duration of the unexpired term
in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.
[Amended 4-30-1991, effective 5-10-1991]
C.
Qualifications. That Panel shall include in its membership persons
with expertise in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design
and urban planning.
D.
Panel meetings. The Panel shall meet as necessary monthly to review
site development plans within 15 days of Planning Board receipt of
an application for site plan approval, all of which meetings are to
be open to the public; adopt rules and procedures for its meetings;
and keep accurate records of its meetings and activities.
E.
Officers. The Panel shall elect from its membership a Chairperson
and Vice Chairperson who shall each serve a term of one year and shall
be eligible for reelection. However, no member shall serve as Chairperson
for more than two consecutive years. The Chairperson shall preside
over meetings. In the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson
shall perform the duties of the Chairperson. If both are absent, a
temporary Chairperson shall be elected by those present.
F.
Staff. The Commissioner of Community Development of the City of Buffalo
shall assign a Secretary to the Panel, who shall serve without voting
power (hereinafter referred to as the "Secretary"). The Secretary
shall be responsible for the duties enumerated under this article
and such other duties that may be assigned by the Panel. The Secretary
shall maintain a record of all proceeding and recommendations of the
Panel and the vote of every participating member and the absence of
or failure to vote of every member. The proceedings of the Panel shall
be a matter of public record.
G.
Quorum. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the members.
A.
The purpose of the Main Street Site Development Plan Review Panel
shall be to review plans for all new construction in excess of $100,000
in value, any rehabilitation in excess of $80,000, demolition action
not mandated for public safety reasons or existing building facade
alteration in any Transit Station Area District and all other properties
located on each side of Main Street between the point formed by the
intersection of the center lines of Summer Street and Best Street
on the south and the City line as set forth in § 511-79.9
of the Zoning Ordinance and to advise the Planning Board with respect
to the development of such properties.
B.
Duties. In reviewing such site development plans, the Panel shall
consider or address, as appropriate, but is not limited to, the following
general considerations:
(1)
Location, arrangement, size, design and general site compatibility
of building, lighting and signs.
(2)
Adequacy and arrangement of vehicular traffic access and circulation,
including intersections, road widths, pavement surfaces, dividers
and traffic controls.
(3)
Location, arrangement, appearance and sufficiency of off-street parking
and loading.
(4)
Adequacy and arrangement of pedestrian traffic access and circulation,
walkways structures, control of intersections with vehicular traffic
and overall pedestrian convenience.
(5)
Adequacy, type and arrangement of trees, shrubs and other landscaping
constituting a visual and/or noise buffer between applicant's
and adjoining lands, including the maximum retention of existing vegetation.
(6)
Overall impact on neighborhood, including compatibility of architectural
features and design considerations.
