(a)

The following article is intended to establish design standards for many facets of development in Merrillville, Indiana. These design standards or guidelines are adopted by reference, and are available in the clerk-treasurer or planning and building offices during normal business hours.

(Ord. No. 10-54, § 1, 11-23-10)

(a)

The Town of Merrillville document titled "Retail/Commercial Design Guidelines," is adopted by reference. These standards are mandatory for all new retail development or commercial development with a significant retail focus and office uses where the guidelines are applicable. The standards are intended to be flexible. Each section of the standards has an intent statement and specific guidelines that must be met. The plan commission may elect to allow a variance if the development substantially meets the intent of each section but falls short of meeting the specific guidelines. The plan commission may further elect to allow a variances from these design guidelines as applicable by local, state and federal law and specifically, where the strict application of the standards creates a unreasonable hardship on the applicant.

(b)

If a discrepancy exists with any existing zoning or subdivision code in effect in the Town of Merrillville, these retail design guidelines will override such code. Applicable developments will be required to follow the "Retail Design Guidelines."

(Ord. No. 10-54, § 1, 11-23-10)