(a) No person shall make any alteration, demolition or change to any historic structure which is a designated landmark or which lies within an historic district without first obtaining a certificate of appropriateness.
(b) Application(s) for certificates of appropriateness shall be filed with the appropriate City official in such form as may be prescribed by the Commission.
(c) The Commission shall make a determination on applications for certificates of appropriateness within thirty days of the filing of the action, or within sixty days if a hearing is requested pursuant to this section, unless the applicant requests a time extension. The Commission reserves the right to call upon outside consultants to serve as experts to assist in the determination of such applications. If the Commission fails to render its determination within the time period, the application for certificate of appropriateness shall be deemed approved.
(d) The Commission shall regulate, through certificates of appropriateness, building repairs which might not otherwise require a building permit, such as paint colors and signage.
(e) The Commission may delegate to the appropriate City official the authority to grant certificates of appropriateness without referral to the Commission and without a public hearing in the instances of minor alterations of types which the Commission shall previously specify.
(f) For certificates of appropriateness regarding historic districts, the Commission shall give notice of such application by regular mail to abutting property owners and shall make this information available to the general public at least seven days in advance of the Commission's acting on such application.
(g) Upon request of the property owner or upon receipt of an objection to the proposed change from an abutting property owner or other property owner within the district, the Commission shall act on the application only after a public hearing is held.
(h) The Commission shall approve or approve with conditions the certificate of appropriateness when the proposal meets the Commission’s adopted standards and guidelines.
(i) In the case of a denial of a certificate of appropriateness, the Commission shall state the reasons for denial and shall suggest changes which can result in approval. The Commission shall offer to continue to meet with the owner to achieve a mutually satisfactory compromise.
(Ord. 62-13. Passed 11-6-13.)