(A) The Historic Preservation Commission shall be concerned with those elements of the development, redevelopment, rehabilitation and preservation that affect visual quality in an historic district. However, the Commission may not consider details in design, interior arrangements, or building features, if those details, arrangements or features are not subject to public view and may not make any requirement except for the purpose of preventing development, alteration, or demolition in an historic district obviously incongruous with the historic district.
(B) The Commission shall conduct a survey to identify historic buildings, structures, and places located within the city; however, neither the survey nor any other action of the Commission shall affect any property not located within the city limits.
(C) Based on its survey, the Commission shall submit to the City Council a map describing the boundaries of an historic district or historic districts. A district may be limited to the boundaries of a property containing a single building, structure or site. The map may divide a district into primary and secondary areas.
(D) Owners of property in fee simple wishing to establish an historic district which includes their property may petition the Commission to consider drawing and submitting a map of said property to the City Council for its approval. The Commission may establish in its rules criteria to be met before it considers a petition.
(E) The Commission shall classify and designate on the map all buildings and structures within each historic district described on the map. Buildings and structures shall be classified as historic or non-historic, in the following manner:
(1) Historic. Historic buildings and structures must possess identified historic or architectural merit of a degree warranting their preservation. They may be further classified as:
(a) Exceptional;
(b) Excellent;
(c) Notable; or
(d) Of value as part of the scene.
In lieu of the further classification set forth in subdivisions (a) through (d), the Commission may devise its own system of further classification of historic buildings and structures.
(2) Non-historic. Those buildings and structures not classified on the map as historic.
(F) The Commission may promote public interest in historic preservation by initiating and carrying on a public relations and community education program.
(G) Staff Approvals.
(1) The Commission may authorize the staff of the Commission, on behalf of the Commission, to grant or deny an application for a certificate of appropriateness under the terms and conditions set forth in (2) below.
(2) The Commission must specify the types of applications for minor classifications of work that the staff of the Commission is authorized to grant or deny. The staff may not be authorized to grant or deny an application for a certificate of appropriateness for the following:
(a) The demolition of a building, structure or site.
(b) The moving of a building or structure.
(c) The construction of an addition to a building or structure.
(d) The construction of a new building or structure.
(Ord. 1993-18, passed 12-6-93; Am. Ord. 1997-13, passed 11-3-97)