[Adopted 9-14-2009 by Ord. No. 07-06]
A.
There is hereby created an Architectural Review Board (ARB). The
ARB shall consist of five members who shall be nominated by the Mayor,
and appointed by approval of six members of the Town Council in the
month of January. Of the five members first appointed, two appointments
shall expire on January 1, 2011, two on January 1, 2012, and one on
January 1, 2013. Subsequent nominations by the Mayor and appointment
by the Town Council of successors to members whose terms have expired
shall be for two-year terms and shall commence on the first day of
January of the appropriate year. Any vacancy on the ARB from whatever
cause shall be filled by nomination by the Mayor and appointment of
the Town Council for the unexpired portion of the term.
B.
The Mayor shall choose ARB members who are not currently members
of the Planning and Zoning Commission, who are residents of the Town
of Stratford and, to the extent available, have qualifications, skills
or demonstrated interest in one or more of the following categories:
C.
At its initial meeting and at its first meeting on or after January
1 of each year thereafter commencing in 2010, the ARB shall elect
from its members a Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary. The presence
of three members shall constitute a quorum to transact business. The
ARB shall adopt its own procedures consistent with the terms of this
article.
The purpose of the ARB is to provide guidance in preserving
and improving the appearance and beauty of the community; to protect
Stratford's architectural heritage; and to conserve the value of buildings,
structures and property. This is accomplished by making recommendations
to land use boards and Town agencies of the Town on future or pending
projects prior to the issuance of any building permits. The ARB is
charged with developing guidelines for community design and appearance
by creating a publication containing land use design standards appropriate
to Stratford.
A.
The ARB shall meet at regularly scheduled meetings to consider applications[1] filed directly with it or referred to it by the land use
boards and Town agencies. The ARB shall submit its advisory recommendations
to land use boards and Town agencies in writing at least 10 days prior
to a meeting by the land use boards and Town agencies on the application.
The written report shall, to the extent feasible, include specific
recommendations regarding plan modifications which the ARB finds desirable
based on the general design guidelines contained herein and the resign
guidelines developed by the ARB. Reports from the ARB shall be advisory
and not compulsory to the land use boards and Town agencies, which
has final approval authority for all applications.
[1]
Editor's Note: Application forms are on file in the Town offices.
B.
Preliminary or conceptual plans for all commercial applications relating
to new construction or renovation of existing or proposed commercial
structures must be submitted to the ARB for review and comment prior
to a formal submission to any land use boards and Town agencies. In
such instances, the ARB shall submit a report, together with its recommendations
and suggestions, to the applicant no later than 30 days after receipt
thereof.
A.
The ARB will develop and maintain design guidelines to help applicants
and owners understand design considerations in Stratford. Such guidelines
will be referred to the land use boards and Town agencies for review
and comment.
B.
The ARB will consider the following general issues:
(1)
The basic design for the proposed uses, buildings or development.
(2)
The relationship between the buildings and the land.
(3)
The relationship between uses and buildings/structures.
(4)
The overall physical appearance of the proposed development and its
compatibility with surrounding neighborhood.
(5)
Relationship of width to height of new structures.
(6)
Colors, materials, location of lighting.
(7)
Design of streets.
(8)
Blending of street and mechanical hardware into the overall design.
(9)
Impact on the historic significance of the site and the affected
area.
(10)
Compatibility with the Plan of Conservation and Development of the
Town.
(11)
Location and dimensions of public and private streets and common
drives.
(12)
Location and dimensions of public and private pedestrian walkways,
sidewalks, malls and paths.
(13)
Types, styles and colors of building materials, exterior facades
and facing, fenestration and fire-retardant characteristics
(14)
Special architectural features.
(15)
Effect on the health, safety and general welfare of the community.
(16)
Conformity with other appropriate laws, codes or ordinances.
The ARB authority is limited to making recommendations to land
use boards and Town agencies which will evaluate and consider said
recommendation as part of its deliberative process in deciding applications
before them. The ARB recommendation report shall not override the
authority vested in the land use boards and Town agencies under state
law nor shall it abridge the land use boards' and Town agencies' duty
to act in the best interest of the community.
