(a)   The membership of the Architectural Review Committee shall consist of the Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Coordinator, the City Engineer, an architect appointed by the City, and two members appointed by the Mayor, preferably business owners or developers of property located in the Central Business District.

   (b)   The members of the Architectural Review Committee shall serve without compensation.

   (c)   The Architectural Review Committee shall have the following duties:

      (1)   To conduct an administrative hearing to hear, review, and evaluate the design of any proposed new construction, renovation, or expansion (if modification of gross floor area is increased by more than twenty percent) located within the Central Business District. Planning Commission approval shall be contingent upon the Committee's approval.

      (2)   To approve or prescribe modification of the proposed architectural design or may deny approval as may be appropriate to assure the proposed development complies with the design standards developed for the Central Business District.

      (3)   To make streetscape recommendations to Planning Commission or Council regarding public amenities with the Central Business District, including placement and design of streetlight, street furniture, and signage in the public right-of-way.

   (d)   For areas defined in Section 1275.13 (Northwood Commons/Enclave Overlay District), the Architectural Review Committee shall be the final authority. In these specific areas, the ARC shall hear, review, and evaluate the design of any proposed new construction, renovation, or expansion projects, and review and approve all site plans in accordance and conformance to Northwood’s zoning code. Any variance that deviates from the minimum standards of Northwood’s zoning code must be approved by the Planning Commission.

(Ord. 2007-42. Passed 12-6-07; Ord. 2018-53. Passed 1-24-19.)

   (a)   The Architectural Review Committee shall annually elect one of its members to serve as chairperson and shall appoint a Secretary, who need not be a member. The Committee shall meet as needed. There shall be a fixed place of meeting and all meetings shall be open to the public.

   (b)   Upon the filing of an application, the Chairperson of the Committee shall fix a reasonable time for the hearing thereof and shall cause due notice thereof to be given to all interested parties, including the Planning Commission, which shall be a party in interest as to all hearings before the Committee. Notice of the hearing, including time, place and summary of the matter to be discussed, shall be posted at the City Municipal Building at least 24 hours prior to the hearing.

   (c)   The Committee shall adopt its own rules of procedure consistent with provisions hereof, and a record shall be kept of its proceedings, showing the attendance of members, the action of the Board and the vote of each member upon each question considered. The Committee may adopt from time to time such rules and regulations, consistent with the provisions hereof, as may be deemed necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this chapter.

   (d)   Any quorum of the ARC necessary to take action must include the Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Coordinator, or his/her designated representative. In the case of a tie vote, the Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Coordinator shall be favored.

   (e)   The project owner or developer may be required to reimburse the City for any costs it incurs for retaining the services of an architect, engineer, and/or landscape architect to review proposals and projects while on the ARC.

(Ord. 2007-42. Passed 12-6-07; Ord. 2018-53. Passed 1-24-19.)

   (a)   An applicant may appeal decisions rendered by the Architectural Review Committee to the Planning Commission in writing within ten calendar days of the decision of the Committee. The Planning Commission is expressly prohibited from approving plans not in conformance with the design standards.

   (b)   Appeals from the decisions of the Planning Commission shall be to Council in written form and shall specify the grounds for the appeal, within ten calendar days of the decision of Planning Commission. One copy of the form, with all records associated with the case from previous meetings, shall be filed with the Clerk of Council. Within a reasonable time after filing of the appeal, Council shall fix a hearing date, giving notice thereof by publication and written notice thereof to the applicant. Council may reverse or modify the order or determination made by the Planning Commission, with a two-thirds vote of its members.

   (c)   Decisions by Council shall be deemed final administrative orders and can be appealed as provided by Ohio R.C. Chapter 2506.

(Ord. 2007-42. Passed 12-6-07; Ord. 2018-53. Passed 1-24-19.)