Design Review District Overview

The City of Warren, through Codified Ordinance, has authorized WRAP to assist owners of properties in the Design Review District, architects, contractors, sign companies, and the Design Review Board in making design decisions regarding the appearance and character of the buildings and sites located inside the boundaries of the Design Review District. If your property is located inside the boundaries of the District (see map), you are strongly encouraged to contact WRAP before beginning any restoration, construction, or other work that will significantly impact the exterior appearance of your property or any structures on your property. You are also welcome to schedule a meeting with WRAP representatives to discuss your proposed project and our Design Review Guidelines. Most projects will require you to apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA), which is issued by WRAP's Design Review Board before any building permits are allowed to be issued by the City of Warren. (See below for information on the COA and to download an application.) Commencing with work prior to applying for and receiving a COA and a permit from the City may result in significant fines and/or assessments, the general nature of which is outlined below. 

Certificate of Appropriateness

A Certificate of Appropriateness (also referred to as a COA) is issued after approval by WRAP’s Design Review Board. If work being done to a property in the Design Review District involves any of the following, a COA is be required before a Building Permit is issued by the City’s Engineering, Planning, and Building Department:
  • Demolition of a historic or architecturally significant building
  • Moving a historic or architecturally significant building
  • Change in the exterior appearance of buildings by additions, reconstruction, alteration, change of paint color, or major maintenance
  • Any new construction of a principal building or accessory structure subject to view from a public street
  • Installation of signs and awnings
  • Installation of new landscaping or fencing
  • Installation of private radio/television reception antennae or security cameras.
Note: Please fill out whichever application pertains to your project, save it to your computer, and email it to dd@wrapcorp.org.
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Before COA Application
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After COA Approval

Penalties and Assessments

For projects in the Design Review District requiring a permit from the City of Warren’s Engineering, Planning, and Building Department, you will not be issued a permit until you apply for and receive a COA from WRAP’s Design Review Board. Accordingly, the City may impose financial penalties and/or assessments related to the following: 
  1. Applying for a COA and permit after initiating a project that falls under the Design Review Guidelines
  2.  Completing a project that falls under the Design Review Guidelines without securing a COA and a permit
  3.  Failing to make changes or alterations to a project mandated by the Design Review Board as a condition of an approved COA.
Penalties and assessments are civil in nature and are imposed and enforced by the City of Warren – with input from the Design Review Board – and apply to property owners, contractors, sign companies, and other responsible parties who do not follow the procedures necessary to obtain a COA. 

Please contact WRAP for the most up-to-date Design Review Guidelines and more detailed information about penalties and assessments. 

If your property is inside the black or red boundaries on the map below, you must read the information on this page.

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Click the Map for Larger Image
NOTE: WRAP is currently working with the City to expand the current Design Review District boundaries, establish newly defined "Zones" within the District, and update the Design Review Guidelines. The map to the left shows the current boundary (black) and the proposed expanded boundary (red). City Council will pass a new Ordinance that will legally recognize the new elements and reaffirm WRAP's oversight and administration. Until then, all current Ordinances and Guidelines related to the Design Review District and WRAP's authority remain in effect. Please check with WRAP before commencing any project, as this information may not be current at the time you plan to begin work. 

    Not Sure if Your Property is In the Design Review District? Ask Us. 

Are You Just Looking to Install, Replace, or Modify a Sign? Click Here:

Design Review Board

The Design Review Board consists of seven members. All members are appointed by the Chairman of WRAP to serve staggered three-year terms. The Chairman of the WRAP is an ex-officio member. No member serves more than three consecutive terms. Councilpersons representing the Design Review District, the City's Planning and Zoning Coordinator, and the City's Building Official serve as advisers to the Design Review Board. The Design Review Board consists of members representing a wide range of expertise, including:
  • Property owner in the Design Review District
  • Business owner in the Design Review District
  • Attorney
  • Architect
  • Person with a demonstrated interest in historic preservation
  • Person with a demonstrated interest in local history.

We're Here to Help You

Our goal with the Design Review District is to work with business owners and residents to enhance the core retail and historic areas of Warren. This involves striving to maintain the structural and design integrity of our buildings and homes; creating a visual continuity in and around Courthouse Square; and investing resources to help ensure the long-term viability of this important part of our community. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or need help planning a project. 
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