The Design Review Board- The Process-AND

Due to issues raised re 418 Broadway and the signage fiasco covered here

https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2013/06/25/on-broadway-downtown-the-44052/

and the ensuing posts
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2013/06/28/fabricating-broadway-the-dye-is-set-418/

https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2013/06/30/on-broadway-dye-downtown-the-44052/

Gary Fischer – Chairman of the Design Review Board wrote a “guest post” explaining the powers etc of the DRB.

https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2013/07/01/chairman-of-the-design-review-board-responds/

Whilst formatting the post for publication and adding photos I randomly pulled up an example of a building

926 Broadway – This building on checking with the Lorain County Auditors site belongs to the LORAIN FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LODGE 3.

You will not see this building in the aforementioned post because checking with Mr. Fischer I found it was in the process of being renovated and going through the “processes in place”

NOTE:
The owners of the building( 926 Broadway) originally wanted to completely close the front and the guidelines and the board prevented the bricking up of the façade. The board also authorized the partial removal of the old coverings which allowed restoration rather than replacement of the front and it actually will save construction cost.

The process is supposed to work as follows- Gary Fischer- Chairman of the Design Review Board

Owners of commercial buildings renovating, building new or changing appearance, color, signage, trim, windows, landscaping, etc. submit drawings and photographs of the building and the surrounding buildings to the Design Review Board Secretary with the application. Note: routine maintenance is not covered and can be performed at any time.

The fallback is if an owner submits for permit then they are informed by the Building Dept. that they need DRB approval. It is noted on the application.

A meeting is scheduled within two weeks. ( Usually sooner)

The administrator looks over the application and will usually contact the chair if it’s a very minor change and could be handled administratively. If its determined that the change is minor, (Think of a person changing the name of the business, (text) but using the same sign panel.)then the approval is usually granted and the permit is issued.

In the case of a larger project, renovation or new construction, the package is sent to the DRB for review. The applicant attends the meeting and the project is discussed with the full board. The project can be approved as submitted, approved with contingencies, or denied.

If it is denied,(usually with suggestions on alternates that could result in approval) the applicant can re-submit. Sometimes things are held in abeyance if there is missing information or at the request of the owner. The item would then be reviewed at the next meeting or whenever the complete information is received. If the project is denied the owner has the right to appeal to the Court of Common Pleas.

The important thing to note is that there are specific, published guidelines that are available from Community Development.

YOU CAN FIND THE PDF FILE FOR THE CITY-WIDE DESIGN REVIEW GUIDELINES HERE

CITYWIDE DESIGN REVIEW GUIDELINES

(Sidebar)

I do not know of ANY larger communities that do not have at least minimal design review. Many communities have design review for residential properties! Design review standards have been upheld in the supreme court. (check out City of Lakewood vs DeLorian Cadillac).

ED NOTE:
This latest go around with 418 Broadway is not the first time I have had concerns with this building the “dancing-girls of yore” were a concern in 1996 :)so Mr. Dye’ needn’t feel picked upon for his latest version of what is “good” for business of Lorain and this area 🙂 And NO there were no “dancing-girls” scrubbing ( graffiti at least) that year 😉