Rockland City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XIII
Design Review Board
§ 415-93 Introduction.
A.
Duties.
(1)
To review the plans concerning the quality of design relative to construction, site development, and landscaping for all new, altered and/or renovated buildings of the types and/or within the districts hereinafter specified.
[Amended 5-7-2012 ATM, Art. 54]
(3)
The Design Review Board (DRB) shall complete their review within the review period specified in § 415-96C. The DRB shall issue a non-binding recommended opinion for the APPROVAL or DISAPPROVAL of said plans to the appropriate Rockland Town Boards of 1) Selectmen; 2) Town Clerk; 3) Planning Board; 4) Zoning Board of Appeals; and 5) Conservation Commission. In the event of a recommendation of DISAPPROVAL, the DRB shall specify their reasons for recommended DISAPPROVAL.
B.
Membership. The Design Review Board membership shall consist of the five publicly elected and active members of the Rockland Planning Board.
§ 415-94 Types of sites and properties.
A.
All commercial, industrial, public and institutional sites and/or buildings which are to be constructed, or substantially altered and/or renovated shall be subject to review by the DRB, regardless of their location in Rockland. In no case shall any site or building intended exclusively for the use of/as a single-family residence be subject to review by the DRB.
B.
All sites and buildings, except those for single-family residence, located in the following districts are subject to review by the DRB.
(1)
All Business Districts in Rockland.
(2)
All Industrial Districts in Rockland.
(3)
Any and all future Commercial, Business or Industrial Districts in Rockland.
(4)
Any and all Planned Unit Developments, Apartment Complexes, Condominium Developments, Mobile Home Developments and Multi-Family Housing Developments in Rockland.
(5)
Any other Districts that may be, in the future, created from the present Single-Family Residential Districts in Rockland.
§ 415-95 Criteria.
A.
The DRB's central purpose is to avoid design that would have a negative affect and consequences for the residents of Rockland in general, for nearby residents, or for the remainder of the Districts involved. The DRB is precluded from mandating any official "aesthetic" for Rockland or for imposing the style, and/or character of any particular architectural or historical period.
B.
The following design criteria shall be used by the DRB in reaching its recommendation of APPROVAL or DISAPPROVAL.
(1)
The design for the proposed project shall not have a deleterious affect upon nearby properties, the balance of the District involved, or upon the design character of Rockland.
(2)
Insofar as practicable, the proposed design shall preserve the landscape in its natural state by minimizing tree and soil removal and any grade changes shall be in keeping with the general appearance of neighboring and abutting areas.
(3)
Open space should be so designed as to add to the visual amenities of the vicinity for persons passing the site, persons within the site, and persons overlooking the site from nearby properties.
(4)
Vehicular ingress, egress, access and parking and/or pedestrian circulation shall not adversely affect the use and enjoyment of nearby properties, or shall be in keeping with the standards of good design.
(5)
Exposed exterior storage areas, machinery, service areas, loading areas, or utility structures shall be adequately screened and shall not be incongruous with the remainder of the proposed environment and its surroundings.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection B(6), regarding signs or other advertising, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 5-7-2012 ATM, Art. 54.
§ 415-96 Powers and duties.
B.
The DRB shall work cooperatively with design professionals, landowners and developers and with the regulatory officers and boards of Rockland. Upon the request of design professionals, landowners and developers, or other parties, the DRB shall review and comment upon preliminary designs prior to the official and formal submission of proposals to the appropriate Town Board, Committee or Official.
C.
The Building Commissioner, the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals shall, within five days after receipt of any application or proposal, give notice to the DRB and shall provide the DRB with copies of the proposed plans. The initiating Board Official or Committee shall set a time (not less than 1/2 of its own established review period) for the DRB to review the proposal, discuss the design with the proponents and other interested parties, and issue a recommended opinion.
D.
Only after receipt and consideration, as well as public reading and publication, of the DRB's recommended opinion (or the expiration of the allowed review period), shall a Town Official or Agency grant a corresponding permit for site development or building construction for the properties specified in § 415-94.
E.
The DRB's recommended opinion, however, shall not be binding upon any board or Town Official under Subsection C. Such an opinion may be overruled by an overt public act by the official or board, so long as the reasons are specified in writing, responding point to point to the DRB's recommended opinion, and that these written reasons are made part of the public record.
§ 415-97 Meetings.
Meetings of the DRB shall be posted and conducted in accordance with the "Open Meeting Law."[1] Landowners and applicants for permits and approvals shall be invited to attend meetings of the DRB during which any proposal of their initiative, or on abutting property(s), will be under discussion. The Chairman or member of the DRB conducting each meeting shall, at the outset thereof, make a clear and concise statement of the purpose, the powers, and the duties of the Design Review Board.
[1]
Editor's Note: See MGL c. 39, § 23B.
§ 415-98 Required information to be shown on plans.
It is strongly recommended that 30 days before an applicant meets with the Zoning Board of Appeals, or Planning Board, that they meet with the DRB to discuss preliminary proposals. The following regulations and information is required on all proposals submitted for final approval to the Design Review Board.
A.
Site plans.
(1)
Professional architect, engineer, landscape architect and/or registered land surveyor stamp.
(2)
Locus plan.
(3)
North arrow.
(4)
Building location — showing all setbacks, sideyards and rearyards.
(5)
Vehicular circulation, parking, service, docks, etc.
(6)
Pedestrian circulation paths and walks.
(7)
Exterior storage areas.
(8)
Lighting locations, showing types, heights, and area to be covered.
(9)
Sign location, showing size, type, configuration, and construction method.
(10)
Size and location of all pad mounted electrical or mechanical equipment.
(11)
Size and location of all subsurface tanks, showing material, configuration, capacity, material held, and location of ancillary and support pumps, fillers and pads.
(12)
Existing and proposed grades.
D.
Building plans (exterior elevations).
(1)
Door locations (mandoors and overhead doors).
(2)
Window locations.
(3)
Exterior building material(s) including color proposed.
(4)
Existing and proposed grades.
(5)
Location of any and all rooftop mounted heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment including exhaust stacks and antennae.
(6)
Call out elevations of finish grade, floors, top of roofs, ridges and parapets.