Why did the town accept a "Development Review Commission"? Were they paying attention? What is it they say... eventually you get the government that you deserve.
Our town fought off a historic district that would have given a board of directors this exact same power - you paint the buildings the colors they approve, and they tell you when to paint etc. etc. etc.
Undeterrred, the historic commission came back with the same guidelines a couple of months later, but they put a prettier face on them, promising it wouldn't be intrusive. It hasn't been passed yet, but they've let the dust settle and will approve these things when nobody's looking.