2-120-710 Preservation easements for landmarks.

   The commission may consider and recommend to the city council the adoption of a preservation easement for any designated landmark or for any building, area, district or place which meets the criteria for landmark designation. If an owner of any property proposes to the commission a preservation easement, the commission shall hold a public hearing on the proposal in accordance with Sections 2-120-670 and 2-120-680 prior to recommending that the city council accept the proposed easement.

(Prior code § 21-74; Added Coun. J. 3-11-87, p. 40272)

2-120-720 Landmarks – Notice of designation.

   Immediately following official designation by the city council, the commission shall notify the department of buildings of the City of Chicago of the designation. The commission shall also, within ten days of the official designation, send a notice of the designation and a summary of the effects of designation to the owner of the property by first class mail. The commission shall also file with the recorder of deeds of Cook County, the assessor of Cook County, the bureau of maps and plats of the city of Chicago, and all other relevant city departments, a certified copy of the designation ordinance.

(Prior code § 21-75; Added Coun. J. 3-11-87, p. 40272; Amend Coun. J. 9-13-89, p. 4604; Amend Coun. J. 12-11-91, p. 10936; Amend Coun. J. 2-26-97, p. 40085; Amend Coun. J. 9-10-97, p. 50512; Amend Coun. J. 10-7-98, p. 78734, § 2)

2-120-730 Amendment and recision of designation.

   Any designation of an area, district, place, building, structure, work of art or other similar object as a “Chicago Landmark” shall only be amended or rescinded in the same manner and procedure as the original designation was made. If the commission votes not to recommend a proposed designation to the city council, or if the city council has refused to designate a proposed “Chicago Landmark”, then the commission may reconsider such proposed designation only if: (i) the commission finds that a substantial change in circumstances has occurred or new information becomes available relative to the criteria set forth in Section 2-120-620; or (ii) the owner of the property consents to such reconsideration in writing.

(Prior code § 21-76; Added Coun. J. 3-11-87, p. 40272; Amend Coun. J. 10-23-91, p. 6879; Amend Coun. J. 2-26-97, p. 40085)

2-120-740 Alteration, relocation or demolition of landmarks – Permit review requirements.

   No permit for alteration, construction, reconstruction, erection, demolition, relocation, or other work, shall be issued to any applicant by any department of the City of Chicago without the written approval of the commission for any area, place, building, structure, work of art or other object for which the commission has made a preliminary recommendation for landmark status or which has been designated as a “Chicago Landmark” in the following instances: (1) where such permit would allow the alteration or reconstruction of or addition to any improvement which constitutes all or a part of a landmark or proposed landmark; or (2) where such permit would allow the demolition of any improvement which constitutes all or a part of a landmark or proposed landmark; or (3) where a permit would allow the construction or erection of any addition to any improvement or the erection of any new structure or improvement on any land within a landmark district; or (4) where a permit would allow the construction or erection of any sign or billboard within the public view which may be placed on, in, or immediately adjacent to any improvement which constitutes all or part of any landmark or proposed landmark. Any city department which receives an application for a permit as defined in this section shall forward the application, including copies of all detailed plans, designs, elevations, specifications, and documents relating thereto, to the commission within seven days of receipt thereof. It shall be a violation of this ordinance for an owner to perform, authorize or allow work or other acts requiring review without a permit.

(Prior code § 21-77; Added Coun. J. 3-11-87, p. 40272; Amend Coun. J. 2-26-97, p. 40085)

2-120-750 Permit review – Preexisting work.

   Erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, or demolition work begun pursuant to a properly issued permit prior to a preliminary recommendation for landmark status shall not be subject to review by the commission unless such permit has expired, been canceled or revoked, or the work is not diligently proceeding to completion in accordance with the Chicago Building Code.

(Prior code § 21-78; Added Coun. J. 3-11-87, p. 40272; Amend Coun. J. 2-26-97, p. 40085)

2-120-760 Application for permit – Preliminary decision by commission.

   Within 15 days of its receipt of an application for a permit, as defined in Section 2-120-740, the commission shall issue in writing a preliminary decision approving or disapproving the application and shall notify the applicant and the appropriate city department of its preliminary decision.

(Prior code § 21-79; Added Coun. J. 3-11-87, p. 40272)

2-120-770 Application for permit – Preliminary approval by commission.

   If the commission finds that the proposed work will not adversely affect any significant historical or architectural feature of the improvement or of the district, and is in accord with the Standards for Rehabilitation set forth by the United States Secretary of the Interior at 36 C.F.R. 67, as amended from time to time, as well as the commission's published procedures, the commission shall issue a preliminary approval of the application. Upon receipt of the commission's preliminary approval, the appropriate city department shall proceed in its usual manner with its own review of the application. No substantial change shall be made to the work proposed in the application for the permit after approval by the commission without resubmittal to the commission and approval thereof in the same manner as for the original application.

(Prior code § 21-80; Added Coun. J. 3-11-87, p. 40272)

2-120-780 Application for permit – Preliminary disapproval by commission.

   If the commission finds that the proposed work will adversely affect or destroy any significant historical or architectural feature of the improvement or the district, or is inappropriate or inconsistent with the designation of the structure, area or district, or is not in accordance with the spirit and purposes of this ordinance, or does not comply with the Standards for Rehabilitation established by the Secretary of the Interior, the commission shall issue a preliminary decision disapproving the application for permit; provided, however, that if the construction, reconstruction, alteration repair or demolition of any improvement could remedy conditions imminently dangerous to life, health or property, as determined in writing by the department of buildings, or the board of health, or the fire department, the commission shall approve the work notwithstanding other considerations relating to its designation as a “Chicago Landmark” or to the fact that the commission has made a preliminary recommendation for landmark status.

(Prior code § 21-81; Added Coun. J. 3-11-87, p. 40272; Amend Coun. J. 9-13-89, p. 4604; Amend Coun. J. 2-26-97, p. 40085)

2-120-790 Preliminary disapproval – informal conference on alternative procedures.

   Within ten days after receiving the commission's notice of preliminary disapproval, the applicant for permit may request in writing an informal conference before the commission for the purpose of securing compromise regarding the proposed work so that the work will not, in the opinion of the commission, adversely affect any significant historical or architectural feature of the improvement or district and will be appropriate and consistent with the spirit and purposes of this ordinance. The commission shall hold such conference within 15 days after receipt of the request. The commission shall consider with the applicant every means for substantially preserving, protecting, enhancing and perpetuating the special historical or architectural feature of the improvement or district, including investigating the possibility of modifying the proposed work, the possibility of any alternative private use of the structure or structures that would substantially preserve its special features, and the possibility of public incentives for enhancing the use of the structure or structures or district involved. If the commission and the applicant for permit reach accord through the informal conference, the commission shall issue its approval of the application for permit as modified and so notify the applicant and the appropriate city departments in accordance with Section 2-120-760 and 2-120-770.

(Prior code § 21-82; Added Coun. J. 3-11-87, p. 40272)