The Design Review Board (DRB) shall be a standing subcommittee of the Planning Board. The purpose of the Design Review Board is to promote principles of good design in new development and to foster growth that enhances the scenic beauty and built environment of Harvard. The Design Review Board shall promote the interests contained in § 125-38F, Design review, of the Harvard Protective Bylaw. The Design Review Board shall provide guidance to applicants in matters of architectural composition, site design, and sustainable development practices to facilitate approval by the Planning Board.
The Design Review Board shall examine design elements of development proposals in the Commercial District for projects that require a building permit for new construction, an addition, or exterior alteration, or are subject to site plan review and/or a special permit granted by the Planning Board. The Design Review Board shall apply design guidelines adopted by the Planning Board that display qualities of development Harvard wishes to encourage.
The Planning Board shall appoint a Design Review Board, which shall consist of five Town residents. One member of the Planning Board shall serve as Chairman. One member shall be an architect. One member shall be a representative of the business community. Two members shall have expertise in design, landscape architecture, civil engineering, natural resources, historic preservation, development, or real estate. Members shall serve three-year terms, except that the initial term shall be staggered such that one member shall have a one-year term, two members shall have two-year terms, and two members shall have three-year terms.
Prior to submitting a building permit to the Building Commissioner, or a site plan or special permit application to the Planning Board, applicants shall submit conceptual renderings of proposed buildings and a preliminary site plan to the Design Review Board in accordance with procedures that the Board shall adopt. The Chair will schedule a meeting with the applicant within 21 days of submission. Meetings shall be open to the public and posted in accordance with the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §§ 18 through 25. The Board shall evaluate the project in relation to the Planning Board's design standards and may suggest changes to improve the quality of the design. The Board shall issue an advisory report to the Building Commissioner or Planning Board. The Building Commissioner or Planning Board may accept the recommendations of the Design Review Board or state in their decision the reasons for not accepting the recommendations.