All work affecting the exterior of buildings in the East End Historic District and the Colonial Terrace Design Guidelines (PDF) falls under the review of the Architectural Review Commission (ARC), including:
- Demolition
- Exterior Alteration
- In-Kind Repairs or Restorations
- New Construction
- Signs
Once a project is submitted and ARC finds that it meets the criteria set forth in the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Historic Preservation and/or local guidelines, ARC issues a Certificate of Appropriateness. The applicant may then proceed to a full plan review by the Building Department for the necessary permits to perform the work.
The ARC also reviews zoning-variance and special-use applications made to the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Review Board, advising these boards as to the effect that a proposed project will have on the City's Historic and Design districts.
In October of 2105, the ARC adopted a Consent Agenda Policy and Procedures to enable the ARC to increase the efficiency of the Commission. The ARC may utilize a consent agenda to approve applications for Certificates of Appropriateness that meet the eligibility criteria.