(a) No person owning, renting or occupying property shall make any architectural alteration in such property unless a Certificate of Appropriateness has been previously issued by the ARB with respect to such alteration. Further, no building permit, zoning permit or demolition permit shall be issued by the Building and/or Zoning Officials of the City for the alteration or demolition of any site, building, or structure located within the downtown area, except in cases coming under the exclusions provided for in this chapter, unless a Certificate of Appropriateness for such alteration or demolition has first been issued to the applicant in the manner prescribed herein.
(b) A Certificate of Appropriateness may be issued after application is made to the ARB through the Zoning Department. The application will be reviewed to determine whether a Certificate of Appropriateness shall be issued. Any applicant for a building permit or zoning change permit shall be directed to apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness. The application shall include all available detailed site plans, sketches, concept drawings, designs and elevations that will assist the ARB in determining whether to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness.
(c) The ARB shall evaluate applications to determine whether or not the architectural change proposed by the applicant will adversely affect any significant aesthetic or architectural feature of the property or the downtown area and determine whether or not the architectural change proposed by the applicant is consistent with the spirit and purposes of this chapter and the Design Guidelines. All applications should be reviewed and considered by the ARB as soon as practicable after receipt of such application.
(d) Notwithstanding the above regulation, if the City creates an historic district certification process that is in compliance with the regulations as set forth by the United States Department of the Interior, any building, structure, or area that complies with the applicable ordinance(s) as set by the City shall be relieved of the requirement of applying for or obtaining a Certificate of Appropriateness.
(Ord. 70-2022. Passed 3-28-22.)