People move into German Village for many reasons; some are charmed by its distinctive sense
of place, others are attracted by its historic ambiance. The German Village Commission has
been preserving these qualities since the early 1960s. That's why everyone now living or owning property in our city's first historic district needs to understand the Commission's purpose. Simply put, the Commission preserves the architectural character of the neighborhood by reviewing and approving proposed changes.
So, if you are planning to change the exterior of your property, drop that hammer or paintbrush. As a German Village resident, your first step in making an exterior change is to read these German Village Design Guidelines. Your second step is to ask the Village's Architectural Review Comm-ission to approve your proposal. The German Village Commission reviews all plans for exterior alterations, additions, new construction, demolition, and change of use. To indicate that a project follows the guidelines, it issues a certificate of appropriateness. The Commission also makes recommendations on zoning requests to city officials.
In addition to introducing you to the Commission, this chapter answers questions such as: When do you need to apply for a certificate? How do you apply? What does the Commission consider in reviewing your project? And, how are the Commission's decisions enforced?

Getting to Know the German Village Commission
The easiest way to learn about the Commission is to come to a public meeting at the German Village Meeting Haus, 588 South Third Street. The Commission meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 4:00 p.m. Naturally, no meetings are held on election day, holidays, or the days after holidays.
The Commission's seven members are volunteers appointed by the mayor of Columbus for three-year terms. As defined by city ordinance, Commission membership includes: one city council representative, one member of the mayor's staff, one architect, two people with a special interest or expertise in either historic preservation or German Village, and two persons recommended by the German Village Society.
Helping the Commission are an Assistant Historic Preservation Officer employed by the city, and the Director of historic Preservation Programs employed by the German Village Society. The city staff prepares meeting agendas, takes minutes, receives applications for projects, keeps project files, and sends out certificates of appropriateness after meetings.
Funded by the Village, the Director of Historic Preservation programs is based at the German Village Meeting Haus. She can answer your questions, help you with guidelines and procedures, and check over your submission materials.

Applying for a Certificate of Appropriateness
In addition to your application, you will need submission materials - photos, drawings, and brochures or samples relating to your project. To save your time and the Commission's, double-check your photos and drawings to be sure everything is complete. Then give these materials to the city staff when you file your application.
The application process assumes that you have drawings and photographs, but what if you only have a dream or concept? First, finish reading these guidelines; second, discuss your project with the city staff. Then, fill out an application for a certificate. The Commission encourages applicants to meet with them in the early stages of their projects for concept approval. Just fill out an application - it's the painless way to be sure you and the Commission are on the same track.
If you have several activities in mind for your property, to save your time as well as the Commission's, submit a single application rather than a series of separate applications. Even though your project may involve maintenance, if it requires any exterior change work, it needs the Commission's approval.