[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Dunellen 9-19-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-10; amended in its entirety 3-5-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-05. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
There is hereby established an Architectural Review Committee (ARC) as a subcommittee of the Dunellen Redevelopment Agency, consisting of the following members as hereinafter provided:
A. 
Two Class IV members of the Planning Board.
B. 
Two residents of the Borough of Dunellen who shall not occupy any official position within the Borough.
C. 
At least one member of the Dunellen business community whose office and/or facility is located within the redevelopment district, and who is the business owner or paid manager.
D. 
At least one member, but no more than two members, of the Redevelopment Agency.
The term of all members shall be for one year, running from January 1 of the year of their appointment. In the case of Borough Officials, terms shall run concurrently with their elected or appointed office.
The committee shall select a Chairperson of the ARC who shall be elected at the first meeting of the ARC in the calendar year. The committee shall also select a Secretary, whose responsibility it shall be to record all meeting minutes and coordinate any and all legal notices with the Municipal Clerk.
A. 
To verify design, color, landscaping, lighting, and architectural standards for new applications within the Redevelopment District consistent with the redevelopment plan.
B. 
To establish an application process where all building/business owners are required to meet with the ARC prior to submitting an application for modifications to their building facades, external lighting, landscaping, or signage. There shall be no appearance fee required, nor mandatory escrow account established by the applicant in order to appear before the ARC.
C. 
To meet with building and business owners within the Redevelopment District who intend to modify their building façades, landscaping, external lighting, or signage, and acquaint them with the established design standards and applicable ordinances of the Borough of Dunellen.
D. 
Establish a list of all businesses in compliance with the established current standards according to the Redevelopment Plan based on examining building facades, external lighting, and signage modifications by building/business owners.
E. 
To establish a permit process requiring all building/business owners to appear before the ARC before they begin any exterior modifications. No building permit shall be issued in the Redevelopment District until the ARC has authorized all proposed changes under the jurisdiction of the ARC.
F. 
To propose recommendations to the Redevelopment Agency on the registration and tracking of incoming and outgoing businesses.
G. 
To work towards bringing noncompliant businesses up to the standards outlined in the Redevelopment Plan through conversation with the property and business owners, encouraging them to meet with the ARC.
H. 
To publish an annual report to the Redevelopment Agency on the status of all buildings and businesses within the Redevelopment District. The report shall contain the following information:
(1) 
Total number of buildings and businesses within the Redevelopment District.
(2) 
Number of conforming buildings and businesses prior to the start of the year.
(3) 
Number of conforming buildings and businesses that came into conformance during the past year.
(4) 
Number of nonconforming buildings and businesses within the Redevelopment District.
(5) 
A list of all conforming and nonconforming buildings and businesses is optional.
A. 
The ARC shall establish an official meeting schedule at the first meeting of each year. That schedule shall be published as per the requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq. The ARC meetings shall be held in public with the applicant present and minutes recorded. A public notice shall be required advertising the meeting in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.
B. 
Whenever there are no matters to be considered at any regular meeting other than the organization meeting, the Chair may dispense with such meeting by directing the Secretary to provide notice of cancellation to each member of the Board by reasonable means and as soon as possible in advance of the time set for such meeting and by giving notice in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act or otherwise posting the cancellation for the convenience and interests of the public.
C. 
Special meetings may be called by the Chair at any time or upon the written request of two or more members of the Board, provided that notice thereof be mailed or given to each member of the Board and to the public as required or allowed by law. An applicant may request but shall not be entitled to a special meeting. Special meetings at the request of an applicant may be scheduled at the pleasure of the Board provided the public interest is fairly and reasonably served.