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For the purposes of this Code, the following terms, phrases, and words shall have the meanings given herein. Additional definitions may be found in the Design Guidelines for Residential Historic Districts available in the Boise City Planning and Development Services Department. In the event of a conflict the definitions in this section shall take precedence.
Acquisition: The act or process of acquiring fee title or interest other than fee title of real property (including acquisition of development rights or remainder interest).
Addition: Any construction that increases the size of a building or structure in terms of site coverage, height, length, width or gross floor area.
Alterations: Any act or process that changes 1 or more exterior features of a building or site. Construction, replacement or erection of new buildings, structures, objects or improvements.
Building (For Purposes of Designation): A resource created principally to shelter any form of human activity.
Certificate of Appropriateness: The document issued by the Historic Preservation Commission for any and all alterations (not including ordinary repairs per Section 11-05-09.10) within a designated historic district.
Change in Use: A certificate of appropriateness shall be issued by the Historic Preservation Commission prior to the approval of any change of zoning classification within the historic district. A change of zoning classification refers to any application, for property located within a historic district, for a zone change or any application for an addition, modification or deletion to an overlay district.
Character Defining Facade: Any elevation that contains features that helps to define a structure's significance.
Commission: Historic Preservation Commission.
Comprehensive Historic Preservation Planning: The organization into a logical sequence of preservation information pertaining to identification, evaluation, registration and treatment of historic properties, and setting priorities for accomplishing preservation activities.
Contributing: A contributing building, site, structure or object adds to the historic architectural qualities, historic associations, or archeological values for which a property is significant because (a) it was present during the period of significance, and possesses historic integrity reflecting its character at that time or is capable of yielding important information about the period, or (b) it individually meets the National Register eligibility criteria. For inventory purposes, "primary" shall be used synonymously with "contributing". This classification has been designated through a survey and a formal hearing process.
Demolition: Any act or process that permanently, substantially destroys or razes any building, site, structure or object in whole or in part.
Demolition by Neglect: Any act or omission that destroys or contributes to the destruction of a building.
Exterior Features: The architecture, color, size, location, type, style, kind, texture, design, general arrangement and material of a building, site, structure or object including, but not limited to, windows, doors, light fixtures, signs, appurtenant fixtures, streets, streetscapes, sidewalks and landscaping.
Historic District (Referred to as "HD" Overlay): Any area designated as such by ordinance which includes or encompasses such historic buildings, sites, structures or objects as the Commission may determine to be appropriate for historic preservation. Such designated district or districts need not be a single enclosed area nor do the areas or sites have to be contiguous to constitute a district. A district may include contributing, non-contributing or undeveloped properties.
Historic District - Residential (Referred to as "H" Overlay): An historic district that is predominantly of a residential nature. Non-residential structures may be included within, and be a component part of a Historic District - Residential.
Historic Easement: Any easement, restriction, covenant or condition running with the land designed and designated to preserve, maintain and enhance all or part of the existing state of places of historical, architectural, archeological, educational or cultural significance.
Historic Landmark: A district, site, building, structure or object that possesses exceptional significance in history, architecture, engineering, archeology or culture at the national, state, or local level and has been designated as a historic landmark through the public hearing process.
Historic Preservation: The research, protection, restoration and rehabilitation of buildings, sites, structures, objects or districts significant in the history, architecture, archeology or culture of the state, its communities or the nation.
Historic Property: A district, site, building, structure or object that is eligible for or listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Improvement: A valuable addition made to property (usually real estate) or an amelioration in its condition, amounting to more than mere repairs or replacement, costing labor or capital, and intended to enhance its value, beauty or utility or to adapt it for new or further purposes. Generally, buildings, but may also include any permanent structure or other development, such as a street, sidewalks, sewers, utilities etc.
Integrity: The ability of a property to convey its significance; includes the concepts of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association.
Inventory: A list of historic properties determined to meet specified criteria of significance.
National Register: The National Register of Historic Places. A list established by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended) and codified in 36CFR60 (as amended) of buildings, sites, structures, objects and districts having local, state or national historical, architectural or cultural significance and considered worthy of preservation.
National Register Criteria: The established criteria for evaluating the eligibility of properties for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. For further information on the criteria refer to the National Park Service website, National Register of Historic Places (http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr).
New Construction: Construction of an entire structure.
Noncontributing: A noncontributing building, site, structure or object may possess characteristics that make it important to the overall historic character of the district such as, but not limited to, mass, scale, streetscape features, setbacks or proximity to contributing structures. A building, site, structure or object within a district may be noncontributing because (a) it was not present during the period of significance, (b) due to alterations, disturbances, additions, or other changes, it no longer possesses historic integrity reflecting its character at that time or is incapable of yielding important information about the period, or (c) it does not individually meet the National Register eligibility criteria. A noncontributing building, site, structure or object that is within an historic district remains subject to the Historic Preservation Ordinance. For inventory purposes, "secondary" shall be used synonymously with "noncontributing". This classification has been designated through a survey and a formal hearing process.
Object (For Purposes of Designation): A construction primarily artistic in nature or relatively small in scale and simply constructed, such as a statue or milepost.
Period of Significance: The length of time when a property was associated with important events, activities, or persons, or attained the characteristics which qualify it for National Register listing. Period of significance usually begins with the date when significant activities or events began giving the property its historic significance; this is often a date of construction. The period of significance for each historic district is described in each district's Statement of Significance which is available for review at the Boise City Planning and Development Services Department.
Person: An individual, firm, corporation, association, municipal corporation, or any other governmental or quasi-governmental agency, or group or combination thereof acting as a unit, except that nothing in this section shall be construed to allow the designation, regulation, conditioning, restriction or acquisition of historic buildings, structures, sites or areas, or other properties or facilities owned by the state or any of its political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities.
Person in Charge: The person or persons possessed of the freehold, or a mortgagee or vendee in possession, assignee of rents, receiver, executor, trustee, lessee, agent or any person directly or indirectly in control of a historic property.
Planning Director: The Planning Director of the Boise City Planning Division of the Planning and Development Services Department charged with the administration of the city's planning and zoning documents, including those pertaining to historic preservation. The Director serves as the Secretary to the Planning and Zoning Commission and is directly responsible to the Director of the Planning and Development Services Department. This definition includes the Planning Director's designated representative, also referred to in this ordinance as Planning Staff. This definition also includes references to the Planning Administrator, Planning Official and other similar titles.
Preservation: The act or process of applying measures necessary to sustain the existing form, integrity and materials of an historic property. Work, including preliminary measures to protect and stabilize the property, generally focuses upon the ongoing maintenance and repair of historic materials and features rather than extensive replacement and new construction. New exterior additions are not within the scope of this treatment; however, the limited and sensitive upgrading of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and other code-required work to make properties functional is appropriate within a preservation project.
Primary Facade: The elevation that most characterizes a structure's significance; usually the front elevation.
Property: Land and that which is erected or affixed to the land. Real property extends to rights issuing out of, annexed to and exercisable within or about land. Property includes historic property as defined herein.
Reconstruction: The act or process of depicting, by means of new construction, the form, features and detailing of a non-surviving building, site, structure or object for the purpose of replicating its appearance at a specific period of time and in its historic location.
Rehabilitation: The act or process of making possible a compatible use for a property through repair, alterations and additions while preserving those portions or features which convey its historical, cultural or architectural values.
Restoration: The act or process of accurately depicting the form, features, and character of a property as it appeared at a particular period of time by means of the removal of features from other periods in its history and reconstruction of missing features from the restoration period. The limited and sensitive upgrading of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and other code-required work to make properties functional is appropriate within a restoration project.
Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation: Standards that were written pursuant to Federal Law to insure that work on historic buildings is done in such a manner which preserves the historical integrity of the building. For further information refer to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring & Reconstructing Historic Buildings and the Boise City Residential Design Guidelines both available in the Boise City Planning and Development Services Department.
Site (For Purposes of Designation): Location of a significant event, a prehistoric or historic occupation or activity, or a building or structure, whether standing, ruined or vanished, where the location itself possesses historic, cultural or archeological value regardless of the value of any existing structures.
Site Improvements: A modification to the grounds of a property not including the buildings or other significant structures such as garages. Such improvements may include, but are not limited to: fences, walls, greenhouses, storage sheds, light fixtures, hot tubs, swimming pools, fountains, barbeques, out-door fireplaces, playground equipment, steps or pavement.
Structure (For Purposes of Designation): A functional construction made for purposes other than creating shelter, such as, but not limited to, a bridge, canal or dam.
Structure (For All Other Purposes): Anything constructed or erected which requires permanent location on the ground or is attached to something having location on the ground. Structures may include, but are not limited to buildings, platforms, framework, antennas and prefabricated metal sheds.
Survey Form: A form that catalogues the age, style, contributing or noncontributing classification, address, location, photograph, date of inventory, name of surveyor, building permit history and other relevant information as may be required by the Planning Director or Historic Preservation Commission for a building, site, structure or object.
Temporary Features: Items that are erected or displayed for a limited amount of time, not to exceed 180 days at any one time unless otherwise approved by the Planning Director, which may include, but are not limited to: sidewalk cafe tables, chairs, fences, planters, umbrellas and bicycle racks.
Temporary Structures: A structure with or without a foundation that is erected for a limited amount of time, not to exceed 180 days at any one time unless otherwise approved by the Planning Director, which may include, but are not limited to: playhouses and play equipment, mobile buildings and carport/canopy structures.