Architectural Design Review Bd

ORDINANCE RE:  ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN REVIEW BOARD

 

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF STONINGTON, CONNECTICUT, PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN REVIEW BOARD.

Whereas, the Town of Stonington wishes to provide guidance with regard to the design of buildings, structures, landscaping and site layout for commercial, industrial, institutional, and multi-family residential developments;

Whereas, said guidance is intended to promote development projects that are in harmony with Stonington’s architectural heritage, and which preserve and improve the appearance, beauty and character of the community; and

Whereas, Section 3-3(5) of the Stonington Town Charter enables the creation of a permanent Board by Special Town Meeting in furtherance of the general powers given to the Town by the Connecticut General Statutes.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE LEGAL VOTERS OF THE TOWN OF STONINGTON IN LAWFUL MEETING DULY ASSEMBLED THAT AN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN REVIEW BOARD BE ESTABLISHED AS FOLLOWS:

Section I.  Purpose:

There shall be an Architectural Design Review Board in the Town of Stonington, the purpose of which shall be to provide guidance with regard to the design of buildings, structures, landscaping and site layout, with the objective of promoting development projects that are in harmony with Stonington’s architectural heritage, and which preserve and improve the appearance, beauty and character of the community.  

Section II.  Powers and Duties:

A.  The Architectural Design Review Board shall function in an advisory capacity to the Planning and Zoning Commission, providing commentary on submitted site plan and special permit applications for commercial, industrial, institutional, and multi-family residential developments, with regard to the scale, massing, colors and proportions of buildings, landscaping, public spaces, lighting and signage.

B.  The Architectural Design Review Board shall not conduct its review relative to Zoning Regulations governing use of a property, the granting of variances, inland wetlands and watercourses, or building code compliance.  Furthermore, the Board’s recommendations shall not be binding; rather, they are of an advisory nature only, and a plan’s endorsement by the Architectural Design Review Board will not imply or guarantee subsequent approval of an application by the Planning and Zoning Commission.  

C.  The Architectural Design Review Board shall establish and promulgate by-laws and guidelines to enable it to fulfill its duties, and shall meet at such times as it deems appropriate to carry out its duties and responsibilities pursuant to this ordinance.

Section III.  Membership and Terms of Appointment:

A.  The Architectural Design Review Board shall consist of seven (7) regular members and two (2) alternate members which shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen.  The initial appointments to this Board shall be as follows: three (3) members for three years; two (2) members for two years; and two (2) members for one year. Thereafter regular members and alternates of the Board shall be appointed for a period of three years from July 1st in the year of their appointment. Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the Board shall be filled by an appointment of the Board of Selectmen for the unexpired portion of the vacated term.  Regular and/or alternate members of the Architectural Design Review Board shall be residents of the town especially qualified by reason of training or experience in architecture, landscape architecture, land use planning, or historic preservation.

B.  At the first meeting after July 1st of each year, the Board shall elect a Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary from among its regular members.  Said appointments shall be by a vote of the majority of the regular Board members.

Section IV.  Conflict of Interest:

No regular or alternate member of the Architectural Design Review Board shall participate in the review or deliberations upon any matter in which he/she is directly or indirectly interested in a personal or financial sense.  Regular and/or alternate members of the Architectural Design Review Board shall not concurrently be a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, Inland Wetland and Watercourse Commission, or the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Section V.  Miscellaneous Provisions:

A.  If any provision of this Ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of any other part of the ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provisions of applications; and to this end, the provisions of this ordinance and the various applications thereof are declared to be severable.

That all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed.

That this ordinance shall become effective fifteen (15) days after publication in a newspaper having circulation in the Town of Stonington.

 

Adopted July 16, 2009

Effective August 2, 2009

Revisions adopted June 27, 2017

Effective July 14, 2017