[Amended 5-5-2009 by L.L. No. 13-2009]
A. 
The Town Board of the Town of Riverhead finds that new development can have a substantial impact on the character of the area in which it is located. While some harmful effects of one land use upon another can be prevented through zoning, subdivision controls and housing and building codes, other aspects of development are more subtle and less amenable to exacting rules of thumb, promulgated without regard to specific development proposals. Among these are the appearance of buildings and open spaces as they contribute to an area as it is being developed or redeveloped. Such matters require the timely exercise of judgment in the public interest by people qualified to evaluate the architectural design and appearance of a development and make recommendations to the Board(s) vested with the authority to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the proposed development.
B. 
The purpose and intent of architectural review shall include:
(1) 
Promote those visual qualities in the environment which bring value to the community.
(2) 
Foster the attractiveness of the community as a place to live and work.
(3) 
Preserve the character and quality of our heritage by maintaining the integrity of those areas which have a discernible character or are of special historic significance.
(4) 
Protect public and private investments in the area.
(5) 
Educate and raise the level of community awareness and expectations for the quality of its environment.
C. 
Time period for review.
(1) 
The architectural review shall adhere to the following time parameters:
(a) 
Commence review of all architectural aspects of site plan, project or development within 30 days or at its next regularly scheduled meeting but not later than 45 days of referral to the Architectural Review Board.
[Amended 11-19-2019 by L.L. No. 23-2019]
(b) 
Advise the applicant of all architectural aspects of site plan that must be supplemented, modified, or addressed within 60 days of referral to the Architectural Review Board.
(c) 
Make recommendation to approve, approve with conditions, or deny within 90 days of referral to the Architectural Review Board.
(2) 
The review period shall be extended to 120 days if coordinated review with the Landmarks Preservation Commission set forth in § 105-11D or a consultant retained pursuant to § 105-11B.
[Amended 11-19-2019 by L.L. No. 23-2019]
[Amended 12-2-2003 by L.L. No. 25-2003; 6-20-2006 by L.L. No. 20-2006; 5-5-2009 by L.L. No. 13-2009]
The Architectural Review Board, in examining applications referred for architectural review and making recommendations to approve, deny or recommend alternatives relative to a proposed site plan, project or development, is to consider the various aspects of design, with special emphasis on these objectives:
A. 
To prevent the unnecessary destruction or blighting of the natural landscape or of the achieved man-made environment.
B. 
To ascertain that architectural treatments have been designed so as to relate harmoniously to significant existing buildings that have a visual relationship to the proposed development.
C. 
To coordinate compliance with other municipal ordinances that affect visual impact, such as the sign regulations contained in Chapter 301, Zoning and Land Development, and dumpster enclosures pursuant to § 245-8 of the Code of the Town of Riverhead.
D. 
To review applications together with the Landmarks Preservation Commission for alterations or demolition of a designated structure or structures within an historic district.
[Amended 5-5-2009 by L.L. No. 13-2009]
A. 
The Architectural Review Board shall not design or assist in the design of any buildings or projects submitted for approval. The Board shall restrict its considerations to a reasonable and professional review of the proposal and plans, leaving full responsibility for the design and development to the applicant.
[Amended 11-19-2019 by L.L. No. 23-2019]
B. 
Individual initiative and experimentation are to be encouraged.
C. 
The proponent's failure to take reasonable or timely account of the items discussed at §§ 209-1 and 209-2 hereinabove shall justify the Board's recommendation to deny or disapprove a project.
D. 
In its endeavor to improve the quality of a design, the Board shall keep consideration of cost in mind; however, said consideration shall not override the other objectives of this chapter.
E. 
The Board is not to use architectural review intentionally or inadvertently to exclude housing for minority groups or housing for low- and moderate-income persons.
F. 
The Board is not to use architectural review intentionally or inadvertently to prohibit or unduly restrict building types, materials or methods or to vary the specific allowances or prohibitions of the Code of the Town of Riverhead, the New York State Fire Prevention and Building Code or other development controls.