ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW DISTRICT

The Central Business District of the City of Marysville contains numerous historic structures and other architectural and environmental features which are considered assets that establish the special character of the community's central area.  The special environmental character of the central area is directly linked to the economic vitality of the business district.  The vitality of the Central Business District affects the economic, social, historical and cultural health and well being of the community.

The purpose of the Architectural Review District is to maintain and enhance the distinctive character of the community's historic, central area by safeguarding the exterior architectural integrity of the various period structures and other historic features within it and to prevent intrusions and alterations within the district that would be incompatible.

It is intended that the Architectural Review District is an Overlay District.  This means that the requirements of this Chapter must be met in addition to the established requirements of the underlying use districts of Chapter 1135.

It is intended that the Architectural Review District requirements provide a process of architectural review in reference to historic preservations criteria which would also guide, support and encourage new construction which would be compatible with historic structures.

A proposed environmental change to a structure used as a single family residence and where the use of that structure will continue as a single family residence, shall be exempt from all provisions of the Architectural Review District.

DISTRICT BOUNDARIES

The Architectural Review District includes all properties bounded by Plum Street on the east, Seventh Street on the south, Fourth Street on the north, and Court Street on the west and additionally all lots abutting on Court Street on the west side of Court from Seventh to Fourth Street.  The designation of such area was made by Council after obtaining a recommendation from the Planning Commission, and holding a public hearing.

CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS REQUIRED

No environmental change shall be made to any property within the Architectural Review District until a Certificate of Appropriateness has been properly applied for, and issued by the Board.  No building permit or Certificate of Zoning compliance shall be issued by the Zoning Inspector for any construction, reconstruction, alteration or demolition of any structure now or hereafter in the Architectural Review District, unless a Certificate of Appropriateness has been issued.

PROCEDURE FOR CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS

The application for a Certificate of Appropriateness shall be made on such forms as prescribed by the Zoning Inspector, along with such plans, drawings, specifications and other materials as may be needed by the Board to make a determination.  At a minimum, such information shall include the following:

• Site plan showing building outlines, dimensions and landscaping.

• A complete description of the proposed environmental change.

Applications for Certificate of Appropriateness shall be filed with the Zoning Inspector.

The Board shall determine whether the proposed environmental change will be appropriate to the preservation of the environmental, architectural or historic character of the Architectural Review District, pursuant to the criteria specified in Section 1136.07 and 1136.08.

The Board shall meet and hold a public hearing not less than five days nor more than thirty days after filing to determine the appropriateness of a specific environmental change.  If the Board takes no action within thirty days from the filing with the Zoning Inspector, the Certificate of Appropriateness shall be issued as a matter of law.  This thirty day time period may be extended by the mutual agreement of the Board and the applicant.

The fee is established in Ordinance 1100.01.

CRITERIA OF EVALUATION OF APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS

In considering the appropriateness of any proposed environmental change, including landscaping or exterior signage, the Architectural Review Board shall consider the following:

• The distinguishing original qualities or character of a period building, structures, site and/or their environment shall not be destroyed.  The removal or alteration of any historic material or distinctive architectural features should be avoided when possible.

• All buildings, structures and sites shall be recognized as products of their own time.  Alterations that have no historical basis and which seek to create an earlier appearance inconsistent or inappropriate to the original integrity of the building shall be discouraged.

• Whereas changes which may have taken place in the course of time are evidence of the history and development of a building, structure or site and its environment, if these changes are deemed to have acquired significance, then this significance (if any) shall be recognized and respected.

• Distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craftmanship and which characterize a building, structure or site shall be treated with sensitivity.

• Significant architectural features which have deteriorated shall be repaired rather than replaced, whenever possible.  In the event replacement is necessary with new material, a good faith effort should be made to match the material being replaced in composition, design, texture and other visual qualities.  Repair or replacement of architectural features should be based on accurate duplications of features, and if possible, substantiated by historic, physical or pictorial evidence rather than on conjectural designs or the availability of different architectural elements from other buildings or structures.

• The surface cleaning of structures shall be undertaken with methods designed to minimize damage to historic building materials.  Sandblasting and other cleaning methods that will damage historic building materials should be avoided.

• Contemporary design for alterations and additions to existing properties shall not be discouraged when such alterations and additions do not destroy significant historical, architectural or cultural material, and such design is compatible with the size, scale, color, material and character of the property, neighborhood or environment.

• Whenever possible, new additions or alterations to structures shall be done in such a manner that if such additions or alterations were to be removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the original structure would be unimpaired.  Additions to the least significant and least visible facade of historic properties should be given priority over other designs.

DESIGN CRITERIA

Existing Structures and Premises.  Reconstruction and rehabilitation within the District shall conform to the distinguishing, original exterior qualities or character of the structure, its site, and its environment.

New Construction.  The design of new structure and of additions to existing structures, including new site improvements, shall take into account the architectural style, general design, arrangement, texture, material and color of other structures and premises within the District.  New construction should reflect the context of existing building heights, existing roof shapes and slopes, and the massing and proportions of existing structures.

Materials.  All new structures and all reconstruction or remodeling of existing structures within the District shall utilize natural traditional exterior material such as brick, stone, masonry and wood.

The use of contemporary materials, such as aluminum, other metals, fiberglass and plastics for exterior surfaces on architecturally significant structures shall be prohibited unless the use of such materials would contribute to the preservation or enhancement of existing traditional materials and the overall integrity and longevity of a structure.

Color.  Traditional colors and combination of those colors that are both identified with the origin of the era in which the structure of property was originally built, shall be used for exteriors of all new structures to be built, and reconstruction, remodeling and exterior maintenance of existing structures within the District.

Signs.  All signs within the District shall conform to the color and material standards of this section, be of such a style or design that reflects the era during which the structure was built.  See brochure on approving signs (Click Here).

DEMOLITION OF STRUCTURES

In cases where an applicant applies for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish a structure within the District, the Board shall grant the demolition and issue a Certificate of Appropriateness when at least one of the following conditions prevail:

• The structure contains no features of architectural and historic significance to the character of the District within which it is located.

• There exists no reasonable economic use for the structure as it exists or as it might be restored, and that there exists no feasible and prudent alternative to demolition.

• Deterioration has progressed to the point where it is not economically feasible to restore the structure.

MAINTENANCE

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent ordinary maintenance or repair of any property within the District, provided such work involves no change in material, design, texture, color or exterior appearance; nor shall anything in this chapter be construed to prevent any change including the construction, reconstruction, alteration or demolition of any feature which in the view of the Zoning Inspector and/or Fire Chief is required for the public safety because of an unsafe, insecure or dangerous condition.

APPEALS

Any applicant aggrieved by any decision of the Board may appeal the decision to the Board of Zoning Appeals.  Such appeal shall be taken by the filing of a written statement, setting forth the grounds for appeal with the Chairperson of the Board of Zoning Appeals within thirty days of the decision of the Board.  The Board of Zoning Appeals shall affirm the decision of the Board unless it finds that the decision is contrary to law.  In the event the Board of Zoning Appeals does not affirm the decision of the Board, it may reverse, remand or modify such decision of the Board and shall state the reasons thereof in the minutes of its meeting and shall forward a copy of such minutes to the Board.

PENALTY

Whoever constructs, reconstructs, alters or modifies any exterior architectural or environmental feature now or hereafter within the Architectural Review District in violation of this chapter, shall be deemed to be guilty of a minor misdemeanor, subject to the penalties specified in Section 1125.99.

Click Here to access more information on the Architectural Review Board.

Click Here to access and print the Application for Certificate of Appropriateness.

Click Here to access and print New Signage form.

Click Here to access the Architectural Review District Chapter of the Codified Ordinances.