(A)

Board established. A board of architectural review is hereby established which shall consist of seven residents of the town appointed by town council. No member shall be the holder of an elected public office.

(B)

Members shall be appointed to a numbered seat.

(1)

Seats 1 and 2 will have terms expiring the last day of September 2009 and every three years thereafter.

(2)

Seats 3, 4, and 5 will have terms expiring the last day of September 2010 and every three years thereafter.

(3)

Seats 6 and 7 will have terms expiring the last day of September 2011 and every three years thereafter.

(C)

The town will advertise during the months of January and July each year for candidates to fill seats on the board of architectural review. Advertisements will be posted at Town Hall, on the town's website and placed in a local newspaper of general circulation. The town clerk shall maintain a list of persons who have expressed an interest in serving on the board.

(D)

Appointments to the board will be made at the September council meeting for those seats with terms beginning on October one of that year. When appointing members to the board of architectural review, town council will consider a candidate's demonstrated interest, competence or knowledge of architectural design and community appearance. To the extent possible, at least two of the board members should be professionals in the disciplines of architecture, history, urban design, landscape architecture, civil engineering, building construction, real estate or banking. Appointees are expected to commit the time necessary to fulfill their duties as a member of the board of architectural review, including attending all meetings unless properly excused by the chairperson.

(E)

If a vacancy occurs on the board, town council shall make an appointment to a vacant seat as soon as practicable.

(F)

In the event an appointment to a seat expiring the end of September is not made prior to October 1, the member holding the seat shall continue to hold the seat until the member's successor is appointed.

(G)

Officers. The board shall elect one of its members as chairperson and one as vice chairperson for a term of one year. The board shall appoint a secretary who may be an employee of the town or a member of the board.

(H)

Technical advisor. The board of architectural review may appoint an architect, engineer or other design professional to serve as a technical advisor to the board on a project by project basis. The technical advisor is not a voting member of the board. The technical advisor may be compensated for services rendered if funds for this purpose are included in the town budget.

(I)

Compensation of members. Members of the board shall serve without compensation. Members may be reimbursed for expenses, approved in advance by the town administrator, when representing the board or the town at professional meetings or conference.

(J)

Rules of procedure. The board shall adopt rules of procedure for the conduct of its business. A majority of members of the board shall constitute a quorum. Meetings of the board shall be held at the call of the chairperson and at regular times as the board may determine. Public notice of all regular meetings and hearings shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the town and posted at the town hall and other conspicuous places. Called meetings may be held with at least a 24-hours' notice to all members and notice of the meetings posted at the town hall and other conspicuous places in the town. The board shall keep minutes of its proceedings, showing the vote of each member present on each question. The minutes of all meetings shall state the reasons given by the board for approval or denial or approval with conditions of all requests for certificate of appropriateness. The board may hold work sessions for informal review and discussion of projects. These meetings will be held at the call of the chairperson with 24-hours' notice to the board members and posting of notice in the usual places. No formal action will be taken at a work session.

(Ord. No. 5.202, 11-24-1981; Ord. No. 5.270-C, 10-25-2004; Ord. No. 4.188, 7-28-2009; Ord. No. 2013.018, 1-27-2014)

The following are the powers and duties of the board of architectural review:

(A)

Appeal from the planning official. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the planning official dealing with a request for a certificate of appropriateness may appeal that decision to the board of architectural review in writing on a form provided by the planning official within 15 days after actual notice of the decision. The board may affirm or reverse, wholly or in part, or may modify the decision by a written statement of findings and conclusions.

(B)

Review and approval. Review and approve, disapprove or approve with conditions, applications for certificate of appropriateness for new construction, major improvement, or alteration of the exterior architectural appearance, including repair and change of exterior color, of structures covered by section 155.316 or for designated historic property regardless of value.

(C)

Reasons stated. The board shall state the reasons for the approval, disapproval or approval with conditions which shall be incorporated in the minutes of the meeting. Reasons for approval, disapproval or condition of approval shall be written on the certificate of appropriateness forms and a copy provided to the applicant.

(D)

Utilization of outside professional advice. The board may utilize outside professional advice if funds for the services are made available by the town.

(E)

Variances. Grant variances from the architectural review parameters if the board makes the following findings:

(1)

There are extraordinary and exceptional conditions pertaining to a particular project subject to review;

(2)

These conditions do not generally apply to other property in the vicinity;

(3)

Because of these conditions, the application of the architectural review parameters to the project would effectively prohibit or unreasonably restrict development of the project; and

(4)

The variance will not be a substantial determent to adjacent property or to the public good.

(F)

Prohibitions. The board is explicitly not authorized to:

(1)

Become involved with the interior design of any structure, unless the interior of a public building or the public space of a private building is specifically described and designated as historic; or

(2)

Inject personal likes and dislikes into its deliberations.

(G)

(1)

It is the responsibility of the board of architectural review to promote the purposes and objectives of the historic preservation ordinance, to review and recommend to the town council the designation of individual historic properties. Further the board will review plans and applications, as hereinafter provided, for all construction, renovation or demolition pertaining to or affecting duly designated historic properties. The board shall have the power to approve, approve with modifications or deny approval for such applications in accordance with the prescribed procedures and guidelines.

(2)

The planning commission shall provide its formal comment to the council on ordinance adoption, amendment, and historic property designation.

(Ord. No. 5.202, 11-24-1981; Ord. No. 5.304, 7-30-2007; Ord. No. 5.309, 1-28-2008; Ord. No. 10.029, 10-25-2010; Ord. No. 2012.007, 12-17-2012)

(A)

Appeals to the board may be taken by any person with standing aggrieved or by any officer, department, board, or bureau of the town. The appeal must be taken within 15 days from the date of the decision by filing an appeal specifying the grounds for appeal with the officer from whom the appeal is taken. The officer from whom the appeal is taken immediately shall transmit to the board the notice of appeal and all the papers constituting the record upon which the action appealed from was taken.

(B)

An appeal stays all legal proceedings in furtherance of the action appealed from, unless the officer from whom the appeal is taken certifies to the board, after the notice of appeal has been filed with him or her, that by reason of facts stated in the certificate a stay would, in his or her opinion, cause imminent peril to life and property. In that case, proceedings may not be stayed otherwise than by a restraining order which may be granted by the board of by a court of record on application, on notice to the officer from whom the appeal is taken, on due cause shown.

(C)

The board shall fix a time for hearing of the appeal or other matters referred to it. The hearings shall be held within 30 days of the receipt of the appeal and 15 days' public notice shall be given, as well as due notice to the parties in interest, and decide the same within 45 days of the notice of appeal. At the hearing, any party may appear in person or by agent or by attorney. If no decision is rendered within 45 days, the appeal shall be deemed approved unless the person submitting the appeal agrees in writing to an additional time period.

(Ord. No. 5.202, 11-24-1981)

Any person who may have a substantial interest in any decision of the board of architectural review or any officer, or agent of the town authorized by the town council, may appeal any decision of the board to the circuit court in and for the county by filing with the clerk of court a petition in writing setting forth plainly, fully, and distinctly, why the decision is contrary to law. The appeal must be filed within 30 days after the affected party received actual notice of the decision of the board of architectural review.

(Ord. No. 5.202, 11-24-1981)

In reviewing an application for a certificate of appropriateness for a structure in the AO architectural overlay district, the board and staff shall limit their review to the following areas. Neither the staff nor board is to be guided by personal likes and dislikes. It is not the intent of these standards to restrict structures subject to review to any single architectural style. A pleasing environment can include a variety of architectural styles, textures and colors.

(Ord. No. 5.202, 11-24-1981; Ord. No. 5.295, 11-28-2005; Ord. No. 5.310, 1-28-2008; Ord. No. 2012.007, 12-17-2012)

Overall site design shall compliment in scale and orientation the surrounding developments. A visual transition between public thoroughfares and site facilities shall be maintained to promote safe and efficient pedestrian and vehicle traffic flow both on and off site.

(A)

Front setback. Buildings shall be oriented to face the street unless the site design contains more than one structure or there are other compelling reasons for a different orientation.

(B)

Parking location.

(1)

To the extent feasible, parking shall be located to the side and rear of the structure and not between the front of the structure and the street.

(2)

If parking is located adjacent to the street, an earthen, landscaped berm (at a minimum height of two feet) or other equivalent and appropriate screen shall be provided resulting in a visual softening of the transition from the street to the parking area.

(3)

For parking area landscaping requirements see the landscaping provisions of the zoning ordinance.

(C)

Access and egress.

(1)

Access for vehicles shall conform to the requirements of S.C. DOT where site plan review is not required under the land development regulations ordinance. For projects requiring site plan approval under the land development regulations, access and egress approval shall be the responsibility of the planning commission.

(2)

Pedestrian access shall include connections to public streets or sidewalks, if such exist or are planned, unless the project requires site plan review and approval by the planning commission under the land development regulations.

(D)

Circulation. The onsite circulation pattern shall accommodate passenger vehicles, delivery trucks, and pedestrians in such a way as to minimize conflict and promote safety.

(Ord. No. 5.202, 11-24-1981; Ord. No. 5.295, 11-28-2005; Ord. No. 5.369, 7-28-2009)

Landscaping is a primary tool used in meeting the objectives for the overall site design. Plantings, berms, walls, and fences are used to screen site parking areas and utilities. Trees and shrubbery are used to create visually aesthetic transitions to separate the site from streets and adjoining properties. Interior plantings break up parking areas from large monotonous expanses of pavement into smaller lots. Landscaping can also compliment architectural features.

(A)

Site landscaping. Site landscaping shall comply with the landscaping requirements of section 155.380.

(B)

Landscaped islands. Landscaped islands located in paved areas shall be wide enough to accommodate the root zones of the plantings. For canopy trees, a minimum width of eight feet is required. Landscaped islands and berms located adjacent to parking areas shall be designed in consideration of automobile overhangs so as to avoid damage to plantings.

(C)

Materials. The selection of landscaping materials shall be compatible with existing on and off site landscaping. Local species and exotic species acclimated to the area shall be considered for selection.

(D)

Lighting. Exterior lighting is to be directed downward and to the interior of the project and shall not produce direct lighting on adjacent properties. The scale of lighting standards shall be consistent with the scale of the project.

(E)

Fencing and screening. Fencing and wall materials shall be complimentary to the architecture of the principal structure or structures.

(1)

Trash enclosures. Trash enclosures shall be gated and screened from public view. If attached to the main structure, materials must be identical to the main structure. If detached from the main structure, materials must be complimentary to the main structure. Trash enclosures shall be appropriately landscaped.

(2)

Sides and rear of structures. The sides and rears of all structures that are visible from the public right-of-way or from adjacent structures must be screened.

(Ord. No. 5.202, 11-24-1981; Ord. No. 5.295, 11-28-2005; Ord. No. 5.331, 3-30-2009)

(A)

Objective.

(1)

The commercial districts in the Town of Blythewood have no cohesive architectural style or theme. Franchise restaurants and motels are predominant in the 1-77 area of Blythewood Road. Other styles are strip malls (IGA on Blythewood Road and McNulty Plaza on McNulty Road), converted residences, and freestanding buildings of various styles and periods. Many of the older buildings which once gave Blythewood a traditional southern small town appearance have been torn down to be replaced with buildings more characteristic of modern urban strip development.

(2)

In order to create more cohesion of architecture in Blythewood, incorporation of traditional architectural elements is encouraged while recognizing that a multiplicity of architectural styles may be considered based on compatibility with adjacent structures, and proposed usage.

(B)

Features.

(1)

General. Plain "box" buildings with no distinguishing architectural features are undesirable. Numerous design features can be employed to create attractive and interesting street wall facades. These must include:

(a)

An offset or break in the planes along the building exterior at least two feet in depth for each 50 feet of length;

(b)

Articulation, the giving of emphasis to architectural elements that create a complimentary pattern or rhythm, dividing large buildings into smaller, identifiable pieces. Examples include, reveals and recesses in the wall surface, roof lines, entrances, windows, balconies, dormers, cupolas, canopies awnings, copulas, etc.

(c)

Variations in roof heights along continuous facades.

(2)

Windows. The effect of a traditional window configuration is desirable. Jalousie windows are not allowed. Divided light windows and fixed glazing are required. Clear (88 percent light transmission) glass windows and fixed glazing are required. Other desirable window features include:

(a)

Functional double hung or casement windows are preferable to fixed glazing, where appropriate (i.e. non-storefront facades);

(b)

Large, tall windows over small, high windows;

(c)

Depending upon the overall building design and scale, window articulation such as arched windows, light fans, transoms, lintels, etc. add to a traditional look.

(3)

Roofs.

(a)

Traditional rooflines are encouraged.

(b)

Appropriate rooflines:

1.

Traditional gabled and/or hipped pitched roofs. Depending upon overall building design and scale, articulation of rooflines is encourage. For example, multiple gables, dormers, weathervanes, cupolas, towers, corbels, etc.

2.

Articulated flat roofs. Examples of features that will enhance a flat roofline include cornices and fascias; parapets with cornices and/or fascias; decorative scuppers, catches and downspouts; balconies and rails. Parapet end walls are required where end cap walls are visible from to the public from the right-of-way of adjacent buildings.

(c)

Inappropriate rooflines:

1.

False mansards.

2.

Radical roof pitches that create a-frame buildings, geodesic domes, or other non-traditional buildings.

3.

Other unusual, unconventional, or prominent roof designs which are out of character with the traditional roof line concept.

4.

Low pitch roofs unless in character with the surrounding buildings.

(4)

Rooflines shall be designed to shield mechanical equipment from view from the public street.

(C)

Window and door awnings and canopies.

(1)

Awnings and canopies shall be:

(a)

In scale with the rest of the building and should be compatible with the color and texture of the building; and

(b)

Be placed in between and not overlap vertical architectural elements.

(2)

The shape of the awning shall complement the window or door opening. For example, barrel shaped awnings complement arched windows and doors whereas square awnings shall be used with rectangular windows and doors.

(D)

Architectural scale.

(1)

Buildings shall be compatible with the scale of adjacent structures and the pattern in the immediate area unless the site is of such size that building scale does not impact adjacent properties. Multiple buildings on the same site shall be designed to create a cohesive relationship.

(2)

The proportion of building height to width of the proposed building facade shall respect the relationship of the building to existing structures. The mass of proposed larger buildings situated near existing smaller buildings can be broken through the employment of articulated openings (windows, doors, entrances) on the street wall facade.

(E)

Building materials.

(1)

Consistency. Building wall materials shall be consistent with the character of the area and not inject incompatible materials.

(2)

Appropriate materials.

(a)

Building walls (for visible front facades):

1.

Brick (P).

2.

Textured concrete block (A).

3.

Clear glass, glass block (A).

4.

Clapboard (P).

5.

Cut or cast, or natural stone (P).

6.

Stucco hard coat (P).

7.

Stucco synthetic (A).

8.

Ceramic tiles (A).

9.

Shingles (P).

(b)

"(P)" signifies a primary material used to construct 70 percent or more of a visible facade. "(A)" signifies an accent material used to construct 30 percent or less of a visible facade. Any material designated "(P)" may also be used as an accent material.

(c)

Visible roofs:

1.

Composite shingles (architectural and other decorative styles preferred).

2.

Standing seam metal.

3.

Tile.

4.

Slate.

5.

Shakes.

(d)

Window and door awnings and canopies: Durable, commercial grade fabric of matte finish.

(F)

Colors. Exterior colors and textures shall contribute to a pleasing look.

(1)

Frequent changes in material or color are undesirable.

(2)

Materials and colors shall be in keeping with the surrounding buildings and natural characteristics present in the district.

(3)

The use of bold primary colors, including the use of unusual or attention-grabbing material or color changes are not permitted for building facades except for accent elements.

(4)

The use of bright colors, including but not limited to fluorescent, "hot," and "dayglow" colors, is prohibited.

(G)

Covered drive-through windows, service station and similar canopies. Drive through windows shall be located in the rear or on the side of the building. Any covered drive-through, service station canopy, or similar canopy, shall blend with the architectural style of the principal building and incorporate building materials compatible to the principal building.

(Ord. No. 5.202, 11-24-1981; Ord. No. 5.295, 11-28-2005)

(A)

It is recognized that visual scale of signage changes from highway corridor to village street. Sign design shall be compatible with and make use of the overall site design. When possible, signs shall be built into site architectural features such as canopies, retaining walls, and landscapes in order to simplify the visual message. Consideration shall be given to compatibility between signage and site architectural building materials, colors, graphics, and other architectural features.

(B)

Signs shall comply with the signage requirements of the zoning ordinance. Group developments and subdivisions shall submit a sign design package with the application for a certificate of appropriateness for approval from the architectural review board. Signs shall be installed consistent with the approved sign design package.

(Ord. No. 5.202, 11-24-1981; Ord. No. 5.295, 11-28-2005)