University City council discusses creating standalone Architectural Review Board

John Wagner, Director of Planning and Development, and Noah Chapin, City Planner, presented a proposal to establish a standalone Architectural Review Board for University City and to create associated zoning code language to govern when and how projects would be reviewed.

The proposal would replace the unused Infill Review Board with an ARB that would be advisory in nature, review new principal structures and accessory additions greater than 200 square feet, and use new design guidelines housed in the zoning code. Wagner said the ARB would be "a standalone board" that would "act solely in an advisory capacity." Chapin said the draft code would require that "no building permit shall be issued for relevant types of buildings without the architectural review" process as provided in the proposed language.

The nut graf: The council spent most of the session focused on details that would determine how the ARB affects homeowners, builders and private subdivision trustees — including who the board would review, what kinds of projects would trigger review, how neighbors would be notified, and how the city would ensure design expertise is available for reviews. Those details will shape whether the ARB adds regulatory delay or helps maintain neighborhood…