[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of
the Town of Rocky Hill 2-19-2013 by Ord. No. 262-13. Subsequent amendments
noted where applicable.]
A.
There
is hereby created an Architectural Review Advisory Board. The Board
shall consist of three regular members and two alternates who shall
be appointed by the Town Council in January following the biennial
election. Terms will be for two years in accordance with the Town
Charter. Any vacancy on the Board from whatever cause shall be filled
by appointment of the Town Council for the unexpired portion of the
term.
B.
The
Architectural Review Advisory Board shall be appointed by the Town
Council. The Town Council shall appoint Board members who are not
currently members of the Planning and Zoning Commission, who are residents
of the Town of Rocky Hill and who are specifically qualified by reason
of education, training or experience in architecture, landscape architecture,
historic preservation, community planning, civil engineering, building
trades, graphic arts or related fields.
C.
At
its initial meeting and at its first meeting on or after January 1
of each year thereafter commencing upon appointment, the Architectural
Review Advisory Board shall elect from its members a Chairman and
Vice Chairman. The presence of two members shall constitute a quorum
to transact business. The Architectural Review Advisory Board shall
adopt its own rules and procedures consistent with the terms of this
chapter. Once rules and procedures are adopted they shall be reviewed
by the Town Attorney for consistency with the Zoning Regulations and
forwarded to the Town Council for approval before taking effect.
A.
The
purpose of the Architectural Review Advisory Board is to provide guidance
in preserving and improving the appearance and aesthetics of the community
and to protect Rocky Hill's architectural heritage. This will
be accomplished by making recommendations to the Planning and Zoning
Commission and Town agencies on the design and aesthetics of future
or pending development projects/applications prior to the rendering
of any decisions by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Architectural
Review Advisory Board is also charged with developing guidelines for
architectural design and appearance by creating a publication containing
design standards appropriate to Rocky Hill.
B.
Except as otherwise exempt pursuant to § 15-5 of this chapter, architectural review is required upon referral to the Architectural Review Advisory Board by the Planning and Zoning Commission for the following:
(1)
Commercial and multifamily developments requiring site plan review
by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
(2)
Other significant exterior changes to commercial and multifamily
buildings, signage and landscaping which require a site plan modification
by the Commission when referred to the Architectural Review Advisory
Board by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
A.
The
Architectural Review Advisory Board shall meet at regularly scheduled
meetings to consider applications filed directly with it or referred
to it by the land use boards and Town agencies. The Architectural
Review Advisory Board shall submit its advisory recommendations to
the Planning and Zoning Commission and Town agencies in writing at
least five business days prior to the decision date of the Planning
and Zoning Commission or Town agency on the application. The written
report shall, to the extent feasible, include specific recommendations
regarding plan modifications which the Architectural Review Advisory
Board finds desirable based on the general architectural design guidelines
developed by the Architectural Review Advisory Board. Reports shall
be advisory and not compulsory and shall not delay any action on an
application due to the failure of the Architectural Review Advisory
Board to act in a timely manner.
B.
Preliminary
or conceptual plans may be submitted to the Architectural Review Advisory
Board for review and comment prior to a formal submission to the Planning
and Zoning Commission or Town agency. In such instances, the Architectural
Review Advisory Board shall submit a report, together with its recommendations
and suggestions, to the applicant no later than 30 days after receipt
thereof.
A.
The
Architectural Review Advisory Board will develop and maintain architectural
design guidelines to help applicants and owners understand design
considerations in Rocky Hill. Such guidelines will be referred to
the Town Attorney and Town Council for review and comment.
B.
The
Architectural Review Advisory Board will consider the following general
issues:
(1)
The basic design for proposed buildings, signage and landscaping.
(2)
The relationship between buildings and the land as it relates to
aesthetic value.
(3)
The relationship between uses and buildings/structures.
(4)
The overall physical appearance of proposed buildings/structures
and signage and its compatibility/relationship with surrounding neighborhoods.
(5)
The relationship of width to height of new signage, buildings/structures
and additions thereto.
(6)
Building and signage colors and materials.
(7)
The location, style and size of site and building lighting.
(8)
The blending of street and mechanical hardware into the overall design.
(9)
The impact on the historic significance of the site and the affected
area.
(10)
Types, styles and colors of building materials, exterior facades
and fenestration.
(11)
Special architectural features.
The following structures and improvements are exempt from architectural
review.
A.
Subdivision
applications, including conservation design subdivisions.
B.
Single-family
structures and developments.
C.
Accessory
apartments.
D.
Cemeteries.
E.
Commercial
greenhouses in residential zones.
F.
Group
day-care homes.
G.
Accessory
structures consistent with provisions of the zoning regulations or
approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
H.
Repairs
and maintenance of site improvements or structures.
I.
Interior
alterations.
J.
Construction,
alteration, or maintenance by a public utility or public agency of
underground or overhead utilities intended to service existing or
nearby approved developments (e.g., water, gas, electric or telecommunications
supply or disposal systems, including wires, mains, drains, sewers,
pipes, conduits, cables, fire-alarm boxes, police call boxes, traffic
signals, hydrants, and similar facilities and equipment).
K.
Facade
and landscape proposals utilizing grant money from the Silas Deane
Highway Facade Improvement Program and other façade grant programs
implemented by the Town.
