The Design Review Board was established in 1987 as a way to preserve the distinctive architectural and historical character of the Lorain Preservation District. The board meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 3:30 pm, in the 5th floor conference room of City Hall, 200 West Erie Avenue. Completed applications (click here for a copy of the application) along with all required photos and prints must be filed with the Design Review Board c/o the Community Development Department by 12:00 noon, fourteen (14) days prior to the Design Review Board Meeting.

Each application is reviewed in terms of its compatibility with the accepted Design Guidelines for the Downtown Lorain Preservation District, a copy of which may be obtained at the Community Development Department. The applicant or the applicant’s legal representative must be present at the meeting to resolve any questions that may arise regarding the project. Examples of an applicant’s legal representative are: an officer of the company; an officer or trustee of a non-profit church or organization; the applicant’s attorney or architect; the spouse of the proprietor or building owner; or any person(s) possessing power to negotiate on behalf of and to legally bind the applicant.

Upon review of a proposal for change, the Design Review Board may grant “Approval”, “Conditional Approval”, or “Denial” of an application.

• If the Board decides to Approve an application, the applicant may proceed in obtaining the necessary permits.

• If the Board decides to Conditionally Approve an application, approval is based upon certain requirements being met. The applicant must certify in writing that he/she will comply with the recommendations of the Board. If the applicant is unwilling to comply with the Board recommendations, any new or revised information is to be submitted by the applicant by 12:00 noon, fourteen (14) days prior to the next Design Review Board meeting.

• If the Board decides to Deny an application due to incompatibility to the Design Guidelines, the Review Board will state in writing the reasons for disapproval and their recommendations. The Board will work with the applicant for a sixty (60)-day period to develop an acceptable plan.

Board Member List:

Rey Carrion	Planner, Community Development Department
Mike Challendar	Lorain Growth Corporation
Kathy Dye	Residential Property Owner
Gary Fischer	Historic Preservation Representative
Mike Kobylka	Lorain Planning Commission
Andrea Neal	Real Estate Agent
Joe Trifiletti	Professional from the Discipline of History
Jon Veard	Contractor

Direct all questions about the design review process to:

Janine Mackert, Design Review Board Administrator
Community Development Department
200 West Erie Avenue
Lorain, OH 44052
(440) 204-2020
Fax (440) 204-2080
jan_mackert@cityoflorain.org