19980922 1998-31ORDINANCE NO. 1998- 31
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 26 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
FAIRFAX TO MODIFY ARTICLE XVII TO PROVIDE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE
REVIEW OF MINOR ARCHITECTURAL IMPROVEMENTS AND LANDSCAPING
WHEREAS, review of many minor architectural features and landscaping are of a
routine nature; and
WHEREAS, administrative review of proposed minor architectural improvements
and landscaping would expedite applications, contributing to a positive economic
development atmosphere; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Fairfax,
Virginia, that Sec. 26-197, Article XVII, Board of Architectural Review, of the Code of
the City of Fairfax, Virginia, is hereby amended as follows:
Sec. 26-197. Powers and duties.
The BAR shall have the following powers and duties:
(a)
To review and decide any application requesting approval for moving,
demolition, construction, reconstruction, alteration or restoration of any
structure, improvement or si~ificant landscape feature within an historic
district.
To review and decide any application requesting approval for exterior
architectural features of any structure, improvement or si~ificant landscape
feature associated with such structure or improvement to be erected,
reconstructed or substantially altered in an architectural control district.
(c)
To review and decide any application for approval or request for permits for
signs to be erected, altered, reconstructed or restored in an historic district,
the Old Town Fairfax Transition Overlay District, and as provided elsewhere
in the Architectural Control District.
(d) To render such other decisions and recommendations as provided elsewhere
in this chapter.
(e)
For the purposes of Article XVII (Board of Architectural Review) and
Articles XVIII (Historic Overlay Districts), XIX (Old Town Fairfax
Transition Overlay District), and Article XX (Architectural Control Overlay
District), the terms "erected, .... constructed," "reconstructed", "restored,"
"construction, .... alteration, .... exterior architectural features, .... structure,"
"improvement, ....features appurtenant to such structure or improvement,"
"architectural features, .... appearance of improvements," "restoration,"
"reconstruction, .... siLmificant landscape feature, .... significant landscape
improvement," and "substantially altered" shall not include the following
minor actions, and similar actions which, in the opinion of the Director, will
have no more effect on the character of the district than those listed, which
are deemed to result in only minor effect on the character of the architectural
control or historic district:
Addition or modification of doorways, ramps, walk'ways, shutters,
porches, railings and similar features.
2. Addition or removal of awnings.
o
Landscaping involving the planting of grass, trees or shrubs, minor
grading, walks, low retaining walls, fencing, street furniture, outdoor
1998-31 -2
seating areas, small fountains, ponds and the like, which will not
substantially affect the character of the property and its surroundings.
Addition or modification of antennas, satellite dishes or other
communications devices, skylights or similar appurtenances.
Addition or modification of screening for dumpsters or mechanical
equipment, either on the ground or on the structure.
Addition or modification of exterior lighting, including poles and
fixtures.
These minor actions shall be subject to administrative review and decision, upon
submittal of an appropriate application pursuant to Section 26-199. The Director
shall be guided in his decisions by the standards and guidelines established for
review in the comprehensive plan and the community appearance plan and shall
have authority to request modifications of a specific proposal in order that the
proposal may comply with such standards and guidelines. The Director shall refer
to the BAR all applications that are not specifically placed under his purview, or
cannot be reasonably implied to be within his purview from the description
contained herein. The Director shall issue a Certificate of Appropriateness,
including any conditions, for all approved actions. If an action is disapproved by
the Director, the applicant may appeal the decision within 30 days thereof to the
BAR. The Director shall keep a record of decisions rendered under this section
and shall report such decisions to the BAR at its next regular meeting.
This ordinance shall become effective as provided by law.
Planning Commission Hearing: May 18, 1998 and June 8, 1998
City Council Hearing: September 22, 1998
ADOPTED:
September 22, 1998
Mayor
Date
Attest: ~
0-¢ CityCle;k
The vote to adopt was 6-0, recorded as follows:
Vote:
Councilman Coughlan AYE
Councilman Greenfield AYE
Councilwoman Lederer AYE
Councilman Petersen AYE
Councilman Rasmussen AYE
Councilman Silverthorne AYE