[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of
Grafton by Ord. No. 025, Series 2008, (Title 2, Ch. 2.32, of the 1979 Code). Amendments
noted where applicable.]
There is hereby established an Architectural Review Board for
the Village of Grafton for promoting compatible development, aesthetics,
stability or property values, and to prevent impairment or depreciation
of existing developments.
No structure shall hereafter be erected, moved, reconstructed,
extended, enlarged or have its exterior altered or changed without
the Architectural Review Board's approval (or its recommendation in
the case of structures also requiring site plan review under § 19.06.0100
of the Code[1]). Small accessory structures are exempt unless the Zoning
Administrator requests a determination by the Architectural Review
Board.
A.
The Architectural Review Board shall consist of five regular members.
The Village Building Inspector shall be an ex officio member. Members
shall be residents of the Village of Grafton appointed by the Village
President, subject to confirmation by the Village Board.
B.
Composition. The Architectural Review Board shall consist of one
Village Trustee, one Plan Commissioner not also serving as a Trustee,
and three citizen members.
C.
Appointment of members.
1.
Village Trustee member. The Village Trustee member of the Architectural
Review Board shall be appointed by the Village President and confirmed
by the Village Board. Such member shall be confirmed by the Village
Board at the second Village Board meeting in April of each year. The
Village Trustee member shall serve in one-year term increments, except
when the office is or becomes vacant.
2.
Plan Commission member. There shall be one member of the Plan Commission
on the Architectural Review Board, who shall be appointed by the Village
President and confirmed by the Village Board. Such member may be a
Village Trustee or a citizen member of the Plan Commission; such appointment
shall occur no later than the first meeting of the Village Board in
May of a given year.
3.
Citizen members. Three citizen members shall be appointed by the
Village President and confirmed by the Village Board. Such members
shall be confirmed by the Village Board at the first regular meeting
of the Village Board in May of each year. Citizen members shall serve
staggered three-year terms, except that the initial three citizen
appointees shall have one-, two- and three-year terms, respectively,
at the discretion of the Village President. Citizen members shall
be persons of recognized experience and qualifications and shall include
a minimum of two design professionals, if available.
D.
Chair. The Architectural Review Board shall designate one of its
members as Chair.
E.
Official oaths. The official oaths shall be taken by all members
according to § 19.01, Wis. Stats., within five days of receiving
notice of their appointments.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1.01, Code
Adoption)]
F.
Vacancies. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term in the
same manner as appointments for the full term.
The Architectural Review Board shall organize and adopt rules
for its own government according to the provisions of this section.
A.
Meetings. Meetings shall be held according to the adopted schedule
and shall be open to the public.
B.
Minutes. Minutes shall be kept showing all actions taken and shall
be a public record. The grounds for every decision shall be stated.
C.
Quorum. Quorum shall be three members, and all actions shall require
the concurring vote of a majority of the Board present.
The Architectural Review Board shall have the following powers:
A.
Hear and decide applications. Hear and decide applications for permission
to erect, move, reconstruct, extend, alter or change the exterior of all structures.
B.
Approve, deny or conditionally approve the application. Approve,
deny or conditionally approve the application, or in the case of structures
also requiring site plan review, recommend approval, denial or conditional
approval to the Plan Commission. The Architectural Review Board may
request such modifications as it may deem necessary to carry out the
purpose of this chapter.
C.
Assistance. The Architectural Review Board may request assistance
from other municipal officers, departments, boards and commissions.
D.
Additional information. Request applicant to furnish additional information.
Applications for approval by the Architectural Review Board
shall be made to the Building Inspector and shall be accompanied by
information and data as required under § 19.06.0400 of the
Village of Grafton Zoning Ordinance.[1]
The Architectural Review Board shall not approve or recommend
approval of any application unless it finds beyond a reasonable doubt
that the following facts and conditions exist:
A.
Conformance with architectural review principles and standards. The
exterior design proposed is in conformance with the principles and
standards set forth in § 19.06.0402 of the Village of Grafton
Zoning Ordinance.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: This reference is to the Village's Zoning Code,
which is accessible on the Village's website.
B.
No substantial depreciation of property values. The exterior design
is not unsightly or obnoxious and is not disharmonious or so similar
to existing or proposed neighboring developments that substantial
depreciation of neighboring property or development will be caused
by the applicant's proposal.
The Architectural Review Board shall decide all applications
within five days after its review and shall transmit a signed copy
of its decision to the applicant and file a copy with the Building
Inspector.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1.01, Code
Adoption)]
Any person or persons aggrieved by any decision of the Architectural
Review Board may appeal the decision to the Board of Appeals. Such
appeal shall be filed with the Zoning Administrator within 30 days
after filing of the decision.
The members of the Architectural Review Board shall receive
such compensation as the Village Board shall from time to time designate.
