The purpose of this chapter is to maintain a high character of community development to protect the stability of property values and for the general community welfare by regulating the exterior characteristics of non-residential structures and preservation of buildings. The following purposes are hereby established to protect and promote harmony of developments in the City:

   (a)   To define the concepts and components of planning and design, which would cause all commercial renovation and new construction to be compatible with the places and properties of the commercial districts, which constitute the City's development heritage, thereby protecting the value of property.

   (b)   To create, protect and preserve civic qualities, open spaces, effective traffic flow and vehicular access within community entry corridors, all of which help define the high quality of community heritage necessary for the City to retain its economic identity.

   (c)   To establish design and development concepts and guidelines to promote architectural continuity and good design, and to promote and create desirable relationships between circulation systems and adjacent land uses, and the related relationships between parking areas and buildings within the existing community.

(Ord. C33-01. Passed 5-21-01.)

   This chapter governs all zoning classifications except 1, 2 and 3 family Residential and the Historical Preservation Area.

(Ord. C33-01. Passed 5-21-01.)

   In considering the appropriateness of any proposed change to the exterior surface of structures in the areas regulated, the Chief Building and Zoning Official, or Planning Commission and Council in the case of appeal, as established in 1143.05(b), shall consider the following:

   (a)   The distinguishing qualities or character of the area in which the proposed change is located shall not be diminished. Changes should be harmonious with or a betterment of the qualities and character of the surrounding properties. Changes, which result in the removal or alteration of any material or distinctive architectural features, shall be discouraged.

   (b)   Distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craftsmanship which characterize a building, structure or site should be treated with sensitivity.

   (c)   Every reasonable effort shall be made to protect and preserve archaeological resources on or adjacent to the property.

   (d)   Contemporary design for alterations and additions to existing properties shall not be discouraged when such alterations and additions do not destroy architectural or cultural material, and such design is compatible with size, scale, color, material and character of the property, neighborhood or environment.

   (e)   Compliance with any other Regulated District established in the Codified Ordinances for the City.

(Ord. C33-01. Passed 5-21-01.)

   The Design Guidelines are intended to create a building and site design that is compatible with the other buildings in the areas regulated and with the building's neighbors. The following materials are considered to be examples (but not a complete listing) of materials harmonious to the areas regulated:

   (a)   Brick. Brick should be in colors or color ranges which are harmonious with other materials of the building and the area in which the property is located. Colors in the red family are encouraged. Glazed brick is discouraged unless it is used only as a minor feature. Brick should be laid up in common bond; stack bond is strongly discouraged. Applying any application to a brick surface shall be discouraged.

   (b)   Stone. Rubble or random Ashlars limestone are encouraged.

   (c)   Wood Siding. Wood siding in a natural, color stained or painted state. Stain and paint colors shall be compatible with other buildings in the area in which the property is located.

   (d)   Vinyl Siding. Horizontal vinyl siding may be used in limited amounts. Large expanses of vinyl siding are discouraged. Eight, five or four-inch exposure along with color shall be compatible with buildings in the area in which the property is located.

   (e)   Alternative materials. Alternative materials may be approved based on compatibility with buildings on or in the area in which the property is located, and as approved by the Chief Building and Zoning Official, or in the case of appeal, as established in 1143.05(b), by the Planning Commission and Council.

(Ord. C33-01. Passed 5-21-01.)

   (a)   A certificate of appropriateness is required from the City prior to any exterior changes, site modification, remodeling, reconstruction or demolition.

   (b)   Applications for certificate of appropriateness shall be filed with the Building Department. The Chief Building and Zoning Official shall determine whether the proposed changes are “significant” based upon the impact the changes will have on the property and its surrounding area. If the Chief Building and Zoning Official determines that the proposed changes are not significant, he shall so inform the applicant and no Certificate of Appropriateness shall be required. If the Chief Building and Zoning Official determines that the proposed changes are significant, he shall review the application for compliance with the provisions of this Chapter, and either issue or deny the request for the Certificate of Appropriateness. All requests for Certificates of Appropriateness submitted under this Chapter shall be deemed approved unless the Chief Building and Zoning Official disapproves the same within 15 days of submission of the application.

   (c)   Any person whose application for a Certificate of Appropriateness has been denied by the Chief Building and Zoning Official may appeal such decision by filing an appeal with the Planning Commission within 30 days of such denial, and at least 14 days prior to the Planning Commission meeting date at which such appeal shall be heard. The appeal shall be in the form of a “Request for Application to the Planning Commission and Council”, which must be fully completed and contain all materials required pursuant to Section 1143.06. The application, with 18 copies, along with a check for $50.00 (made payable to the City of Grove City) must be submitted to the secretary of the Planning Commission. The appeal shall be treated as an original application for approval pursuant to Chapter 1101, under which the Planning Commission shall examine, take action within 45 days and forward its recommendations to Council for its approval, approval with modifications, or denial. The decision of Council shall be final. Upon approval or approval with modifications by Council, the Chief Building and Zoning Official shall issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to the applicant within fifteen days.

(Ord. C33-01. Passed 5-21-01.)

   (a)   The following information shall be required, as applicable, with the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness:

      (1)   Site plan.

      (2)   Floor plan(s).

      (3)   Elevation of existing building(s) and elevation of the proposed changes.

      (4)   Color photographs of all four sides of the structure(s) and photographs taken from the main structure toward property line and adjacent buildings.

      (5)   Materials samples/manufacture's literature.

      (6)   Points of ingress and egress.

      (7)   Lighting detail.

      (8)   Building setback lines and easements.

      (9)   Additions or deletions to parking.

      (10)   Landscape additions or deletions.

      (11)   Zoning restrictions for the property.

      (12)   A descriptive narrative at least a paragraph long discussing the extent of the project.

   (b)   Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the ordinary maintenance or repair of any property within the areas regulated, provided such work involves no change in materials, design, texture, color or outer appearance; nor shall anything in this chapter be construed to prevent any change, including the construction, reconstruction, alteration or demolition of any feature which in the view of the Chief Building and Zoning Official is required for the public safety because of an unsafe, insecure or dangerous condition. A Certificate of Appropriateness is not required from the Chief Building and Zoning Official in connection with the performance of any routine maintenance consisting of:

      (1)   Re-painting of the same color.

      (2)   Replacement of damaged or worn-out materials with the same or comparable materials, which do not involve a color change.

      (3)   Any other ordinary or routine maintenance, which does not alter the exterior appearance of the property being maintained.

   (c)   Any deviation from the original, approved Development Plan, shall be considered an Amendment to the same and shall require approval as established in Chapter 1101.

(Ord. C33-01. Passed 5-21-01.)

   (EDITORS NOTE: See Section 1131.99 for general Zoning Code penalty.)

(Ord. C33-01. Passed 5-21-01.