ADDITION: Any act or process that changes one or more of the exterior architectural features of a building or structure designated for preservation by adding to, joining with or increasing the size or capacity of the structure.
ALTERATION: Any act or process that changes one or more of the exterior architectural features of a structure, including, but not limited to, the erection, construction, reconstruction, addition, sandblasting, water blasting, chemical cleaning, chemical stripping, or removal of any structure, or any portion of any structure, but not including changes to the color or exterior paint.
AREA: A specific geographic division of the city of Batavia.
BUILDING: See section 10-1-4, "Rules And Definitions", of this code.
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS: A certificate issued by the city of Batavia, authorizing the issuance of a permit for alterations, construction, removal, renovation or demolition of a designated landmark, or building, structure or property within a designated historic district, or structure within the commission's territorial jurisdiction as defined herein.
CERTIFICATE OF ECONOMIC HARDSHIP: A certificate issued by the city of Batavia authorizing the issuance of a permit for an alteration, construction, removal, or demolition of a designated landmark, or a structure within a designated historic district when such property cannot be put to a reasonably beneficial use, or the owner cannot obtain a reasonable economic return thereon without the proposed work.
COMMISSION: Batavia historic preservation commission.
COMMISSIONERS: Voting members of the Batavia historic preservation commission.
COMPATIBLE: Preserving the harmony or character of an area and having a positive effect on it, without necessarily copying the neighboring structures.
CONSTRUCTION: The act of altering an existing building or structure, adding an addition to an existing building or structure or the erection of a new principal or accessory structure on a lot or property.
CONTRIBUTING: A building, structure or property that may not necessarily have architectural or historic significance as a single property, but which adds to the overall character and significance of a historic district due to its architectural or historical merit and its compatibility with other buildings, structures, or properties within an architectural or historic setting such as a neighborhood. Contributing buildings are considered to be an integral part of a historic district and include buildings, structures or properties that are designated by the historic preservation commission and the city council as being of some architectural or historic importance to the community.
COUNCIL: The city council of the city of Batavia.
DEMOLITION: Any act or process that destroys in part or in whole a designated landmark or a building, structure or property within a historic district.
EXTERIOR ARCHITECTURAL APPEARANCE: The architectural and general composition of the exterior of a building or structure, including, but not limited to, the kind and texture of the building materials and the type, design, arrangement and character of all architectural elements, including windows, doors, light fixtures, signs, and appurtenant elements.
HISTORIC DISTRICT: An area designated as a "historic district" by ordinance of the city council, pursuant to the procedures prescribed herein, and which contains, within definable geographic boundaries, landmarks and which has, within its boundaries, other properties or structures that, while not of such historic and/or architectural significance to be designated as landmarks, nevertheless contribute to the overall visual characteristics of the landmark or landmarks located within the historic district.
LANDMARK: Any building, structure or site which has been designated as a "landmark" by ordinance of the city council, pursuant to procedures prescribed herein, that is worthy of rehabilitation, restoration, and preservation because of its historic and/or architectural significance to the city of Batavia.
NONCONTRIBUTING: A building, structure or site that does not have architectural or historic significance and does not add to the overall character and significance of a historic district, due to a lack of architectural or historical merit or its incompatibility with other buildings, structures or properties. Noncontributing buildings are usually characterized by either: a) older buildings with additions or exterior alterations that are incompatible with the character of the original construction, or b) newer buildings whose design is incompatible with older buildings in the area or whose placement is incompatible with the historic pattern of development in the area. In a historic district, these shall include all buildings, structures and properties that are not classified as "significant" or "contributing" by the historic preservation commission and the city council.
OWNER: The person, corporation, or other legal entity listed as owner on the records of the county recorder of deeds.
REHABILITATION: The process of returning a property to a state of utility, through repair or alteration, which makes possible an efficient contemporary use while preserving those portions and features of the property which are significant to its historic, architectural and cultural values.
SIGNIFICANT: A building, structure or property that is designated by the historic preservation commission and the city council as being of architectural or historic importance to the community. The types of significance are:
A. Architectural significance embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period style or method of construction or use of indigenous construction, or representing the work of an important builder, designer, architect, or craftsman who has contributed to the development of the community, county, state or nation.
B. Historic significance:
1. Having character, interest or value as part of the development, heritage, or culture of the community, county, state or nation;
2. Is the location of an important local, county, state or national event;
3. Is identified with a person or persons who made important contributions to the development of the community, county, state or nation.
STRUCTURAL CHANGE: Any change or repair in the supporting members of a building, structure, roof or exterior walls which would expand the building in height, width, or bulk of the building.
STRUCTURE: Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires permanent or temporary location on or in the ground. (Ord. 06-13, 3-20-2006)