[Adopted 7-7-1997 by Ord. No. 78]
Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 6, Section
6, of the Charter of the Town of Old Saybrook, there is hereby established
an Architectural Review Board for the Town of Old Saybrook.
The purpose of the Architectural Review Board
is to provide an advisory group within the Town's permitting process
which will evaluate applications for site, building and sign development
or redevelopment and construction from an architectural and aesthetic
perspective with the goal of preserving the quality of our heritage
and environment. The Board will work with owners, builders and developers
to foster the improvement of the Town's appearance. In the review
process the Board will seek to avoid both excessive uniformity and
excessive variety in architectural styles and, instead, strive to
promote harmony between the various elements and the surroundings.
Through its actions, the Architectural Review Board shall strive to
preserve and enhance property values.
All recommendations of the Architectural Review
Board shall be advisory in nature. The Board's reviews shall pertain
to all commercial and industrial proposals as well as multifamily
dwellings including, but not limited to, apartment buildings, condominiums
and cluster developments.
The Architectural Review Board shall consist
of five members and two alternates appointed by the Board of Selectmen.
Three of said members shall be appointed for an original term of three
years, one of said members shall be appointed for an initial term
of two years, and one of said members shall be appointed for an initial
term of one year. One of said alternates shall be appointed for an
initial term of two years, and one of said alternates shall be appointed
for an initial term of one year. Following the expiration of the initial
terms in office, all subsequent appointments shall be for terms of
three years. Any vacancy on the Board shall be appointed by the Board
of Selectmen for the unexpired portion of the term.
In appointing members of the Architectural Review
Board, the Board of Selectmen shall seek to appoint a mix of knowledgeable
experts and laypeople. The experts shall have knowledge of such fields
as architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture, site planning,
professional engineering, graphic design, interior design and other
related fields. The laypeople shall be drawn from individuals demonstrating
a high level of interest and commitment to the work of the Board.
All members shall be electors of Old Saybrook.
The Planning Commission, Zoning Commission and
Zoning Board of Appeals shall submit any matter within the scope of
the Architectural Review Board for review, evaluation and recommendation
by the Board. The above boards and commissions shall also have the
option of directing any matter to the Architectural Review Board for
preliminary review, evaluation and recommendation prior to their consideration.
Owners, developers and builders may also seek advice from the Architectural
Review Board separate from any direction by the Planning Commission,
Zoning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals.
The Architectural Review Board may from time
to time adopt standards that will assist applicants in understanding
what design features, materials and components are considered to be
acceptable for consideration for developments in the Town. The Board
may also from time to time submit to the Zoning Commission proposals
for zoning regulations for its consideration governing signs, site
plans, new building construction and building renovations, in order
to further the Board's goal of improving the appearance and the aesthetic
quality of the Town. Such proposed standards and regulations may require
that applications be evaluated in terms of overall quality, attainment
of the goals of the Board, and ability to harmonize with the surroundings.
Prior to adoption of any standards, the Architectural Review Board
shall hold a public hearing in order to give due consideration to
the concerns and suggestions of the public. Notice of time and place
of such hearing shall be published pursuant to the requirements set
forth in C.G.S. § 8-3c(b).
