12-18-08 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

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City of La Porte - Main Street Program DRAFT as approved by MSAB on 11-13-08 Enhancement Grant • New Awnings, Canopies, Porches, & Signage Definition: Replacing, adding or repairing awnings, canopies, porches, & signs. Signs may include signboards, projecting signs, pedestrian signage, window signs, hanging signs, and awning/canopy sign. • Beautification Projects Definition: This may include public art, landscaping, and other beautification projects as approved by the Main Street Design Assistance Review Team. GRANT GUIDELINES 1. To be eligible for a Main Street Enhancement grant one must have received a Main Street Design Certificate. 2. Enhancement grant funds are available for exterior work on commercial perty and building facades in the Main Street Architectural Design District map -(MS ADD) are visible from public streets. 3. In general, grants are available for converting existing structures to the original historic condition or to renovate them to resemble their current look. 4. Grants will be processed and considered for award on a first -come, first -served basis until funds are depleted, or until the program ends, whichever comes first. 5. No grants will be awarded for work that has already been started or completed, or for work that is covered by insurance. If desired work is above what insurance will pay and is considered an upgrade and enhancement in the opinion of MS DART it may be eligible for grant funds. 6. All grants will be awarded on a reimbursement basis once completed work has been verified by the MS DART as compliant with the plans proposed in the approved application. Any deviation from the approved grant project may result in the total or partial withdrawal of the grant. 7. All submitted work will be reviewed and grants awarded by the MS DART based upon general application of guiding principles, such as: • Receipt of a Main Street Design Certificate • Main Street Design Guidelines • project compliance with all current building standards, • perceived need by MS DART for proposed renovations to building, historical accuracy of proposed renovations, • design quality of the proposed renovations, • compatibility of design in relation to other buildings, • project compatibility with streetscape objectives, • project compatibility in relation to downtown development goals at time of application. MS ADD = MS Architectural Design District MS DG = MS Design Guidelines MS DART = MS Design Assistance Review Team MS DC = MS Design Certificate MSD = MS District MS EG = MS Enhancement Grant 2of9