A. "Will My Project Require
Design Review by the CDRC?'
This depends upon the type of project you are undertaking, combined
with its location, ownership, or type of funding involved. These
factors determine whether a proposal must undergo design review,
as outlined below:
Project Type: To undergo design review, the
project must:
- Meet at least one of the "Location-Ownership-
Public Assistance" tests below, and
- Change the exterior appearance of the property.
Therefore, normal maintenance, which does not cause any visual
change, is not reviewed. Changes inside a building, which do not
affect the outside, are not reviewed.
Projects calling for new construction, demolition, exterior renovation,
landscaping, fencing, new signs, awnings, and other changes which,
of course, do change the appearance of the property -even to a
slight degree - are reviewed if they meet at least one of the
tests below.
Location: The project is reviewed if:
Ownership: The project is reviewed if:
- The property is publicly owned anywhere in the
City, whether by City, County, State, Federal, or
special-district agency.
OR
Public Assistance: The project is reviewed
if:
The sponsor is applying for or receiving any level
of governmental financial assistance (City, County,
State or Federal) including grants, loans,
tax breaks, or other incentives.
.
B. "Does the Design Review Process Have 'Teeth'?"
Yes. The City of Cleveland has taken a strong stand that Cleveland
deserves the best in environmental quality and design excellence.
The Cleveland Design Review Committee's predecessor, the Fine
Arts Advisory Committee, was established in 1945 to review plans
and designs submitted to the Planning Commission pursuant to Section
76-3 of the City Charter, and Title 7 of the City Code, Chapter
341 ("Public Land Protective District"). The Cleveland
Design Review Committee carries on that responsibility. Therefore,
no building permit is issued until the design review process is
complete.
C. "What if My Proposal is a Relatively Small Project?"
Smaller projects, such as signs, awnings, or minor storefront
remodeling will be reviewed by the City Planning Commission staff
on behalf of the Cleveland Design Review Committee. If the staff
recommends approval, the Committee will not see the project; the
staff will simply sign the appropriate building permit application
when it is circulated by the Division of Building & Housing.
If the staff recommends disapproval of a minor project, and the
sponsor chooses not to revise it according to staff suggestions
while wanting to move it forward, the sponsor must then present
the project to the Design Review Committee and the Planning Commission
on an "appeals" basis.
D. "Who is the Cleveland Design Review Committee?"
The Committee consists of over a dozen professionals or community
representatives who review each qualifying proposal for its planning
and design qualities. The Committee includes seasoned professionals
in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, urban development,
art, and graphic design. All members of the Committee are nominated
by the Mayor and are appointed by the Chairman of the City Planning
Commission. The Committee counsels sponsors of projects and provides
recommendations to the City Planning Commission for each proposal
it reviews.
E. "When is the Review Meeting Held?"
The Committee usually meets on the first and third Thursday of
each month at 1:30 P.M. in Room 514, Cleveland City Hall, 601
Lakeside Avenue, unless the sponsors are otherwise notified.
F. "Who Makes the Final Decision?"
Final project decisions are made by the Cleveland City Planning
Commission, or by the Commission's Director on its behalf, after
a recommendation is made by the Design Review Committee. The City
Planning Commission is free to adopt or reject recommendations
made by the Cleveland Design Review Committee. The City Planning
Commission usually meets on the first and third Friday of each
month (on the morning following the Thursday afternoon DRC meeting)
at 9:00 A.M., also in Room 514.
G. "How Much Time Will Design Review Add to My Project?"
Because it is often conducted concurrently with the required
Building permit review procedure (coordinated by the Division
of Building & Housing), design review typically adds only
about two to three weeks to the approval process.
H. "What Thinking by the Committee Goes into the Review
of my Project?"
In any proposal placed before them, the members of the Committee
judge design qualities in light of their professional and service
experiences and by the rigorous standards of their professions
or arts.
In addition, the Committee conducts reviews assuming that the
City of Cleveland should make public improvements and encourage
private development of the highest caliber, consistent with funds
available. Good planning and design do not necessarily mean added
cost. In many cases, the suggestions of the Committee have resulted
in lower costs for the sponsor and a more valuable project. Finally,
as it deems appropriate, the Committee may inquire into such other
matters as will give the body a full understanding of the proposal.
I. "What About an 'INFORMAL DESIGN REVIEW' for My Project?"
To save costs in the preparation of final drawings for large
or complicated projects, an applicant must present a preliminary
concept plan, with one set of all necessary project drawings,
to the Committee for guidance before making a formal Building
Permit application. In such cases, sponsors are encouraged to
consider presenting their proposals to the City Planning Commission's
Staff Review Group, which meets each Wednesday, to assess projects
in advance of a formal presentation to the Committee. Staff prepares
written technical reviews (with recommendations) in advance of
the Design Review Committee and City Planning Commission meetings.
An informal review can be scheduled by calling the City Planning
Commission's Design & Legislative Review Section at 664-2210.
J. "What, then, is 'FORMAL DESIGN REVIEW'?"
The typical formal review process, prior to issuance of a Building
Permit, includes:
- Applying for a Building Permit. The applicant
will submit three sets of drawings for the project to the Division
of Building and Housing (City Hall, Room 505) and fill out a
Building Permit application. An additional drawing set must
be simultaneously delivered to the Planning Commission staff
for its review. Or, for large or complicated projects, the sponsors
will submit a set of drawings to City Planning in advance of
submittal to the Building Division.
- Beginning the Design Review Process. The applicant
is then directed to the City Planning Commission office (City
Hall, Room 501) to fill out an application for design review,
discuss the need for the submittal of any additional materials,
and identify a possible date for the Committee hearing.
- Scheduling the Committee Meeting. Once it has
been determined that your submittal is complete, you will be
notified of the date and time of the Cleveland Design Review
Committee meeting. A proposal can be placed on the Committee's
Thursday afternoon agenda if a complete submittal is received
no later than 5:00 P.M. on the Tuesday of the week prior to
the Committee meeting.
So that the Committee can reach its decision in the fewest sessions,
we urge:
- That both the business or property owner (or their designated
representative) and the project designer (usually the architect
or landscape architect) or contractor attend the Committee
meeting; and
- That a complete submittal appropriate for the project is
presented - that is, complete to the point of being either
a development concept for "conceptual approval"
or approval of project details (signs, landscaping, parking,
etc.) for "final approval."
- Prior to the Committee Meeting. Prior to the
Committee's design review, the City Planning staff will perform
a technical review for each proposal. Such a review will rely
on zoning and other codes, including sign, landscaping and screening,
and parking lot licensing regulations, urban design guidelines,
urban renewal plans, community development plans and any other
pertinent reports or studies to discern what governing rules,
if any, apply to the project. This review will include a recommendation.
- The Committee Meeting. The motion options available
to the Committee:
- Recommend APPROVAL as presented. The Committee may
give APPROVAL WITH COMMENDATION if the Committee strongly
believes the proposal is a superior solution to a design problem.
- Recommend APPROVAL with conditions, usually minor
enough so that the sponsor need not return to the Committee;
the Committee may authorize its Secretary to review and approve
the revised drawings(s) based on the Committee's opinion.
The stipulations for APPROVAL with conditions will be clearly
identified in the Motions of the Committee.
- Recommend DISAPPROVAL with conditions for approval,
usually major enough so that the sponsor will need to return
to the Committee to present revised plans for the project.
Again, the Committee will clearly identify for the sponsor
what conditions, if met satisfactorily, will yield an APPROVAL;
- Recommend DISAPPROVAL, because the project, or the
proposal for it is believed to be totally inappropriate;
- Recommend TABLING, to allow the Committee more time
to gain an understanding of the project, or to allow the sponsor
more time to adequately present the project.
See Section N. of this Guide for details
regarding sponsor follow-up to DISAPPROVAL or TABLING recommendation.
- City Planning Commission Decision. After receiving
the recommendation of the Cleveland Design Review Committee,
the City Planning Commission (or the Director acting on the
behalf of the Commission) makes a final decision on the proposal.
In the case of a Disapproval by the City Planning Commission,
as with a CDRC recommendation of Disapproval, the applicant
will be told of the reasons for the unfavorable review and be
given an opportunity to submit a revised plan.
Please note that it is the operating procedure of the City
that the recommendations and decisions made by the Cleveland
Design Review Committee and Planning Commission, respectively,
must be binding upon those bodies as a project moves through
the design review process. This applies particularly to large
or complicated projects which require a conceptual approval,
followed by a design-development approval. The Design Review
Committee is therefore bound by its conceptual approval in
subsequent reviews of the project. The Committee will specify
the exact content of a conceptual approval at the time of
making that recommendation.
By the same token, approvals at whatever review level
must be acted upon by the project sponsor within twelve (12)
months from date of approval. Failure to move to the next
stage of review within that time subjects a project to an
automatic repeat review even if no changes are proposed.
-
Issuance of a Building Permit. When applicable,
notification of approval will then be transmitted to the Division
of Building and Housing which issues necessary Building Permits.
- "What Submittals Does the City Require?" SUBMITTAL
REQUIREMENTS
Submittals vary depending upon the type of proposal. The
following submittal requirements are set forth to allow the
sponsor to develop a clear presentation which will minimize
the amount of explaining the sponsor will need to do. Of course,
some verbal presentation is needed and desired at the Committee
meeting, but the graphics should do most of the talking. These
requirements are additional to the Division of Building
and Housing's plans and specifications requirements.
- Submittal Requirements: ALL PROJECTS
For any project, whether new construction, building
remodeling, signs, awnings, or public right-of-way improvements,
a single copy of a written application is required
containing the following:
- Sponsor Names and Business Addresses: The
name, address, and weekly daytime phone number of the applicant,
his or her attorney or agent, if any, and any developer,
site planner, architect, engineer, or contractor involved
in the project plans.
- Name of Project: The name of the development
or project.
- Location Data: The street address of the
subject property. If there is no street address, the applicant
shall provide either a metes and bounds description, the
subdivision block and lot number(s), or the Cuyahoga County
permanent parcel number(s).
- Proposal Synopsis and Action Requested:
A brief written description of the proposal concept, why
the project is needed, and, generally, the intended materials
and construction methods. The applicant shall also state
what action the sponsors are seeking, e.g., conceptual approval,
schematic approval, or full approval while identifying which
aspects of the project approval are being sought.
The Synopsis will include information regarding the project:
- use: Descriptions, as applicable to new
developments or major rehabilitation projects, of present
and proposed building and land uses on the subject property
are required.
- structure heights: Building heights or
fence heights of proposed structures and existing structures
to be retained.
- lot coverage: Square footage of the lot
to be covered by principal buildings, accessory structures,
and paved surfaces.
- project phasing: A chronological schedule
of expected beginning and ending dates for proposed stages
of construction and improvement of all structures; common
or public areas; circulation ways; parking, loading, and
service areas; and utilities, showing the interim use
and maintenance of areas not under construction in each
phase.
- Filing Fee: Many projects under design review
are assessable for design review fees. In such cases, for
a project to be considered for design review, the sponsor
must pay a $35.00 filing fee upon application to the City
Planning Commission. An application (fee) form will need
to be completed by the City staff, with assistance by the
sponsor. If the project is approved, the sponsor must then
pay a review (approval) fee in accordance with the handouts
titled, "Schedule for Design and Planning Review Services"
and "Fee Collection Procedures." Copies of these
are available from the City Planning Commission staff. See
Appendix B of this Guide for a list of when fees do,
and do not, apply. In any case sponsors should check with
the staff to see if fees are to be paid.
- Authorization: Written authorization by
the ownership or management of the property, if different
from the applicant, for the filing. For example, the applicant
for a new storefront design who is a building tenant must
provide a letter from the building owner stating his or
her approval of the storefront redesign and any conditions
under which that approval applies.
- Common Area Maintenance: Where applicable,
copies of deeds or easement agreements conveying ownership
interests in any parcel required, or proposed to be conveyed
to any public body. In projects with common areas, not to
be dedicated to a public body must be submitted, organizational
details of a proposed property owners or condominium association
responsible for maintenance of common areas must be submitted.
Proposed protective covenants or deed restrictions to govern
common open space or other areas. Other documents, if any,
governing maintenance of common open areas and other common
areas must be included in the submittal.
- Other Information: Any other information
required elsewhere in applicable City regulations is required.
Also, any information other than that specifically required
by regulation may be reasonably required in the judgment
of the staff or Committee.
- Submittal Requirements: NEW CONSTRUCTION OR REMODELING
One copy each of the following is required:
- A Site Location Map which pinpoints the
location of the project on a City street map or a portion
thereof.
- Site Context Plan (THIS IS IMPORTANT)
on a building base map, providing context within a larger
area by showing streets, buildings, and landmarks (all
appropriately labeled) to orient the reviewer to the context
for the site. The actual site should be outlined on this
plan. Or, in lieu of a plan drawing, a clear and recent
aerial photograph at 1"=100' may be substituted.
Again, major thoroughfares and landmarks, including the
site, must be clearly labeled.
- Color Photographs 35mm digitals or prints
of the eye-level view from public streets along the subject
property and all other lots within an appropriate distance
along the same side of the street and across the street
to show contextual conditions.
- Building Elevations (for all visible sides
of the building) showing details, materials, colors (file
copy may be partially color rendered), types of illumination,
signs, etc.
- Floor Plans clarifying and justifying
the elevations. This will include first floor plans and,
for multi-story buildings, typical floor plans. Although
the Committee reviews only exterior changes, floor plans
help the Committee to understand new constructions or
why certain changes to existing buildings on the outside
are needed or desired.
- Wall Sections that are drawn at a large
scale to clearly depict typical exterior walls and details
sufficient to describe specific architectural components
and methods of assembly.
-
Building Sections for when, in the judgment
of the staff or the Committee, the proposal involves
unusual or important interior spaces that affect the
exterior.
-
Perspective Renderings that will depict
what the building(s) will look like at eye level when
completed. Computer renderings or hand-drawn graphics
are required. These shall indicate colors.
-
Building Materials: Outline specifications
or samples showing color and texture of materials and
installation methods to be used.
-
Covenants: Any proposed protective covenants,
deed restrictions, or lease restrictions governing the
appearance of premises sold or leased, such as restrictions
on signage, facade colors, and the like.
-
Scale Model which may be an unfinished
or finished study model for alterations or other projects
which, in the judgment of the staff or Committee require
a three-dimensional representation.
- Other Information: In addition, any other
information required elsewhere in applicable City regulations
is required. Also, any information other than that specifically
required by regulation may be reasonably required in the
judgment of the staff or the Design Review Committee to
determine project conformance with applicable regulations
or guidelines.
- A Landscape Plan (if applicable) shall
contain:
- existing features: Particularly existing
wooded areas and isolated trees four inches or more
in diameter at one foot above natural grade at the
base of the tree.
- proposed features: Generally including
all grading, drainage, plant materials, roadways,
walkways, and site furnishings (seating, lighting
fixtures, etc.). Specifically, the drawing must include:
- Location, quantity, diameter, installation height,
maturity height, caliper at one foot above proposed
grade, botanic name, and common name, of all proposed
living and non-living landscape materials and
existing materials to be preserved.
- Types and boundaries of proposed ground cover
and identification of grass areas to be sodded,
plugged or sprigged, and seeded.
- Location and contours at 1-foot intervals of
all proposed berming.
- Dimensions and descriptions, renderings, elevations,
indicating external appearance, including materials
and colors, of all sides of proposed fences, walls,
ornamental lighting, and screening treatments.
- Measures to be taken to protect new and preserved
existing trees during construction.
- Submittal Requirements: PARKING LOT OR SITE DEVELOPMENT
A Site Plan shall contain the following:
- scale & title block: Numeric and graphic
scales, north arrow, date of preparation, drawing number,
and drawing name.
- boundaries: Boundaries of the proposed
development and each phase thereof.
-
dimensions: Lot lines and dimensions
and areas of lots.
- easements: Easements and encroachments
on the subject property and easements on abutting property
in favor of subject property.
-
other information: In addition, any other
information required elsewhere in applicable City regulations
is required. Also, any information other than that specifically
required by regulation may be reasonably required in
the judgment of the staff or the Design Review Committee
to determine project conformance with applicable regulations
or guidelines.
- project data: As appropriate, for each
development phase:
- Number of dwelling units broken down by number of
bedrooms
- Gross floor area, as defined herein, by use type
- Number of lots
- Gross and net site area, as defined herein
- Land area devoted to streets, off-street parking,
off-street loading, open space, and each housing and
land use type.
- drainage: Existing and proposed drainage
patterns and appurtenances for collecting storm water.
- landscaping: For simple landscape treatments,
planting information can be placed on the project Site
Plan. For more involved treatments, a separate landscape
plan is required. Please refer to the Landscape Plan section
below for drawing requirements.
- structures: Location, type, shape, dimensions,
surface type, area in square feet (footprint), and capacity
in number of vehicles of off-street parking and loading
spaces and areas, including aisles, curbing, wheel stops,
islands, guard rails, driveways, and curb cuts. Number
and locations of parking spaces open to the public, restricted
to tenants or customers, and reserved spaces. Number and
locations of spaces that are free, available for hourly
or daily rental, or leased long-term.
- open uses: Location, dimensions, area
in square feet, and surface type for open storage, refuse
disposal and service areas.
-
common areas: The number, location, acreage,
dimensions, proposed ownership, and provisions for maintenance
of any proposed recreational and non-recreational public
or common open spaces.
-
water areas: Dimensions and locations
of existing and proposed natural or artificial bodies
of water, flood plains, marsh areas, drainage ditches,
wet or dry storm water detention areas, and any proposed
modifications to existing water courses or water bodies,
including impact on ground water levels.
IMPORTANT NOTES: All map and plan drawings
should be drawn with the North Arrow pointing up. This
consistency is needed to compare drawings.
Together the text, site plans, elevations, photographs,
etc. must provide CONTEXTUAL information upon which
reviewers may judge submittals aesthetically and functionally.
In other words, plans, photographs and other presentation
materials should not merely show a proposal cut off
at the edge of the project site. The materials presented
should provide reviewers an understanding of the scale
and type of nearby development and how people will see
the proposed development or rehabilitation in relation
to its surroundings.
- Submittal Requirements: SIGNS
For signs the applicant should refer to the
City's Sign Regulations (Chapter 350 of the City Codified
Ordinances) and must submit the following:
- Site Plan showing positions of all existing
and proposed signs in relation to lot lines, nearby structures,
rights-of-way, driveways, sidewalks, and street grade.
-
Color Photographs (35mm) showing the
location on the lot or building and its immediate environs
of all signs not exempt from the requirement for a permit
under Chapter 350 of the City Codified Ordinances or
from the regulations therein. The photographs must also
include views wide enough to show site context. (See
note below in c. Facade elevation.)
- Facade Elevation(s) for wall signs, projecting
signs, or other signs placed on structures showing the
sign in place on the structure. Measurements of the sign's
placement and relevant details, e.g., relationship to
surrounding architectural features and color relationships,
must be shown on this drawing. Also, the sponsor must
prepare a photographic montage, or computer-enhanced image,
showing the proposed sign superimposed upon an existing
building photograph. This can be prepared as a very effective
way to communicate the impact of the sign on the architecture.
- Sign Elevation(s) showing all exposed
sign surfaces and all messages or representations thereupon
accurately depicted as to shape, size, color, proportion,
type fonts, and type of illumination. This scaled drawing
must show important dimensions of the sign and sign copy.
-
Calculations itemizing the surface area(s)
of each existing and proposed sign included in the project
and the amount of surface area of signs allowed by the
City's Sign Regulations. If the proposed signs' area
exceeds the amount allowable by the Sign Regulations,
the sponsor will require a variance from the Board of
Zoning Appeals, assuming that the Planning Commission
approves the signs.
- Detailed Mounting Drawings to show structural
details of the sign and its method of attachment to the
building or structure to which it is to be affixed.
- Color and Material Samples of the sign's
construction.
- Profile Drawings (sometimes called street
section drawings) for projecting signs showing the relationship
of the sign to the public right-of-way.
-
Statement of the Need for an Encroachment Permit
for projecting signs over the public right-of-way (usually
sidewalk). This permit will be needed for signs that
project beyond a certain point. Sponsors should check
with the City Engineer's Survey Office to determine
if encroachment legislation and permit will be required.
The permit is granted by City Council and is revokable
by that body.
-
Other Information: In addition, any other
information required elsewhere in applicable City regulations
is required. Also, any information other than that specifically
required by regulation may be reasonably required in
the judgment of the staff or the Design Review Committee
to determine project conformance with applicable regulations
or guidelines.
- Submittal Requirements: AWNINGS
For awnings, please refer to the requirements
for signs, above, and additional requirements below:
- Site Plan as for signs.
-
Color Photographs, as for signs.
-
Facade Elevation(s) as for signs.
-
Awning Elevations(s) as for signs.
-
Plan Views and Drawings of the structural
framework if the awning is to be exposed from the front
or side.
-
Calculations of areas of all sign portions
of awnings or canopies as discussed in the Signs requirements
above.
-
Detailed Mounting Drawings as for signs.
-
Samples of Awning Materials to show
proposed colors and finishes.
-
Profile Drawings, as in the case of
projecting signs.
-
Statement of the Need for an Encroachment Permit,
as for projecting signs.
-
Other Information: As already herein
described.
- Submittal Requirements: STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS
For any changes to and within the public rights-if-way,
the following are required:
- Color Photographs of the building elevation
along which streetscape improvements are proposed.
-
A Site Plan indicating building, pedestrian
and vehicular entrances, curb lines, curb cuts, sidewalks,
handicapped ramps, street lighting, trees, other planting
areas, waste receptacles, bus stops, and other significant
features of proposed improvements; drawn to scale and
showing all relevant dimensions and noting such information
as amenity strips, paving materials, concrete scoring,
etc.
-
Samples of Materials showing proposed
colors and textures.
-
Statement of the Need for sidewalk and
encroachment permits and the encroachment permit issued
by the City Engineer granting the City's permission
so that proposed improvements are in conformance with
City standards.
-
Other Information: As already herein
described.
Please note: These projects must be
presented to the Mayor's Streetscape Advisory Committee,
if possible, the Tuesday prior to the Cleveland Design
Review Committee meeting.
- Submittal Requirements: BUILDING DEMOLITIONS
- A brief written explanation of why the
demolition is needed, an identification of the intended
reuse of the site, and why that new use is needed. This
information shall be made part of the general submittal
required for all applicants described above. Reuse plans
must be presented for demolition proposals.
-
As appropriate, the submittal requirements for
new construction or parking lots are to be provided
by the sponsor to fully depict the proposed reuse of
the site. See above material for details.
See Appendix A which is a summary table of project
submittal requirements for design review.
THE FOLLOWING IS VERY
IMPORTANT
- "Are Submittal Graphics the Same as Presentation Graphics?"
NO. For the purposes of the public record and
staff review, the single drawing set submitted to CPC
staff must be blue-line or black-line prints, drawn to scale,
and must include a designer's drawing number, date, scale,
and north arrow up to properly identify the drawing. In some
cases, large-scale photocopies of drawings may be used. Again,
all drawings must be north-justified. All drawings must
foldable into an 8-1/2" x 14" file jacket which
serves as the official record for the project.
Photographs for the records file can be 3" x 5"
or larger and must be color prints or digitals. Polaroids
are prohibited because they are too small and their images
are often unclear.
For the purpose of formal presentation to the Committee
and Planning Commission, however, plans, drawings, and other
graphics must be color-enhanced (or otherwise made
readable) and mounted on boards so that the Committee
will easily see and understand the project material from at
least fifteen feet away. (The staff furnishes easels upon
which the boards are set for viewing.) Likewise, presentation
photographs should be enlarged to 8" x 10" or larger
and mounted. Slides, power-point or VCR are acceptable, but
only as a supplement to the presentation boards, and are encouraged
for large-scale projects. The staff offers standard VCR equipment
for sponsors' use at the formal meetings.
The mounted presentation materials must be submitted to
the staff by 5:00 P.M., Tuesday, three days before the Design
Review Committee meeting. After the DRC meeting the presentation
boards may be left overnight in the conference room for use
during the Friday morning Planning Commission meeting.
The staff reserves the right to reject in part, or in
totality, any submittal that does not meet one or more of
the above requirements. These requirements represent a
basic professional design review standard.
Please note, however, that the Committee recognizes that
presentation materials are expensive to prepare and that not
all project sponsors can afford state-of-the-art presentation
graphics. In such cases the staff will work with project sponsors
to determine the best methods for communicating the project
and will allow substitutions where appropriate.
If, in the course of a presentation, a sponsor wishes to
present a revised drawing (or drawings) not yet submitted
to the staff for review, he or she may do so only by permission
of the Committee Chairman. To do this, the sponsor must bring
a copy of the drawing (or drawings) to the meeting and submit
same to the staff for its project file.
If a project sponsor wishes to supplement his or her presentation
with handouts, the staff must be notified of this by 12:00
Noon, the Wednesday (one day) before the meeting and supplied
with a copy. The sponsors must then make available twenty
(20) copies of the handout for the Design Review Committee
meeting and ten (10) copies for the Planning Commission meeting.
In any event, all drawings and handouts become part of the
public record and the project case file, until superseded
by any revisions.
- "How Much Time do I have to Make a Formal Presentations?"
Sponsors of major master plans for a large area (as opposed
to single-site) redevelopment should take no more than twenty-five
minutes for their presentation. Sponsors of new construction,
major remodeling, and other large single-site projects should
gear their presentations to no more than fifteen minutes.
Sponsors of smaller projects, such as signs, awnings, storefront
remodeling, etc. should prepare presentations lasting no longer
than seven minutes. It will be to the discretion
of the Committee Chairman, however, to allocate presentation
time to the various sponsors. Time allowed may be greater
or less than described, depending upon agenda length and amount
of detail the Chairman believes is required for each project.
-
"What if the Committee Disapproves with Conditions,
or Flat-out Disapproves, or Tables my Project?"
If the Design Review Committee does not approve, or approves
with significant conditions your project, you are expected
to return to the Committee for at least one follow-up presentation.
When this occurs the Committee is usually recommending that
you RESTUDY your project. In such cases you, as the sponsor,
are responsible to make known to the Staff your intentions
regarding proposal revisions (or no revisions) and desired
timing for follow-up formal review. If you and the Committee
cannot agree on a specific proposal after the second review,
you are then free to take your proposal to the City Planning
Commission for its decision. If you revise your drawings,
all timing requirements (Section J) and all
submittal presentation requirements (starting in Section
1) of this Guide will again apply for your project. In
no case, may a sponsor simply "phone in" a place
on an agenda without submitting the required documents on
time, or let the staff know in advance his or her intention
to "stand pat" with the project.
-
"Do these Rules ALWAYS Apply?"
Essentially, YES. In rare cases, however, the Design
Review Committee Chairman, after conferring with the Director
of City Planning, may decide to waive or add certain submittal
requirements if he or she believes that it would be in the
best interest of the City Planning Commission's review of
the project. In such cases, the Director will notify the staff
which shall, if necessary, notify the sponsor concerning any
out-of--ordinary submittal requirements.
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"What if a Committee Member Acts as a Sponsor?"
From time to time a Committee member acts as a sponsor of
a project on the agenda, either as a consultant or as a client.
The member may even participate in the presentation to the
Committee. In such cases, he or she shall ask the Chairman
to be removed from the Committee for that agenda item. In
the case of the Chairman's involvement, he or she shall temporarily
relinquish the Chair to the Vice Chairman. The Committee member/project
sponsor will not participate in the Committee's deliberations
and will abstain during the voting of any Committee motions.
If a member has any doubts if there is a sponsorial relationship
to a given project, the member shall ask the Chairman to be
removed temporarily from participation and state what he or
she believes the relationship to be. The Chairman shall then
decide if temporary removal of the member is warranted. These
guidelines are established to avoid any conflict of interest,
real or perceived, which could undermine the Committee's purpose
or recommendations.
Appendix A
SUMMARY TABLE: DESIGN REVIEW SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
Y = Required
O = At discretion of the sponsors
- = Not required in any case
* = If applicable or exists
** = At discretion of Planning Director or Design Review Committee
(a) Includes parking lots and other solely site development
projects
(b) First floor only
(c) Sign site plan
(d) Facades as backdrop for streetscape improvements for context
(e) Section drawing across the right-of-way to show improvement
placements and spacing relationships
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