In its review of applications, the Bedford Historic Preservation Board shall follow the Standards for Rehabilitation as established by the Secretary of the Interior and as set forth below.
(a) A property shall be used for its historic purpose or be placed in a new use that requires minimal change to the defining characteristics of the building and its site and environment.
(b) The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The removal of historic materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property shall be avoided.
(c) Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use. Changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or architectural elements from other buildings, shall not be undertaken.
(d) Most properties change over time; those changes that have acquired historic significance in their own right shall be retained and preserved.
(e) Distinctive features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property shall be preserved.
(f) Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features shall be substantiated by documentary, physical or pictorial evidence.
(g) Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause damage to historical materials shall not be used. The surface cleaning of structures, if appropriate, shall be undertaken using the gentlest means possible.
(h) Significant archeological resources affected by a project shall be protected and preserved. If such resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures shall be undertaken.
(i) New additions, exterior alterations or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale and architectural features to protect the historical integrity of the property and its environment.
(j) New additions and adjacent or related new construction shall be undertaken in such manner that if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired.
(k) Signs: In addition to meeting this Code's requirements applicable to signs generally, signs located in H-1 Districts shall be compatible in color, material, placement and character with the architectural style of properties which reflect the district's history and are subject to the requirements of Sections 1949.13 through 1949.137.
(Ord. 7139-99. Passed 7-6-99.)