17.63.020 Definitions.
   Whenever the following words or terms are used in this chapter, they shall have the meaning established by this section.
   (A)   "Alteration" means any change or modification, through public or private action, of an historic resource, including, but not limited to: exterior changes to or modifications of an improvement or site or any of its architectural details or visual characteristics, including paint color and surface texture, grading, surface paving, new structures, renovation or rehabilitation of structures, additions to structures or the removal of mature trees or other natural features; disturbances of archaeological or paleontological sites or areas; the placement or removal of any improvements or natural features such as signs, plaques, light fixtures, street furniture, walls, fences, steps, plantings or landscape accessories that affect the historic qualities of the property.
   (B)   "Archaeological or paleontological site" means an area containing the remains or evidence of prehistoric humans or prehistoric human activities or an area containing fossilized or preserved remains of plants or animals that generally predates the emergence of humans on the earth.
   (C)   "California Register" means the California Register of Historic Resources as defined in Cal. Public Resources Code § 5020.1.
   (D)   "Contributing historic resource” means a site, improvement or natural feature within a designated historic district, which adds to the historic qualities of the area, has a special character or aesthetic interest or value and has been identified on the Corona Register for that reason. Contributing historic resources include landmarks, heritage properties or historic resources listed on the California Register or National Register.
   (E)   "Corona Heritage Inventory" means the official listing of heritage properties as adopted by the Planning Commission pursuant to this chapter.
   (F)   "Corona Register" means the official list of landmarks and historic districts and all contributing historic resources within historic districts, as adopted by the City Council pursuant to this chapter, and shall be officially known as the Corona Register of Historic Resources.
   (G)   "Design guidelines" means the principles contained in a document approved by the city which describe and/or illustrate appropriate methods of rehabilitation, alteration or construction affecting historic resources. These guidelines are in addition to any other applicable design guidelines adopted by the city, whether by ordinance or by resolution, and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation Projects.
   (H)   "Exterior architectural feature” means the architectural style, design, general arrangement, components and natural features and all the outer surfaces of an improvement, including, but not limited to, the type and texture of the building materials, the type and style of windows, doors, lights, signs, walls, fences and other fixtures appurtenant to the improvement.
   (I)   "Heritage property" means a site, improvement or natural feature listed on the Corona Heritage Inventory in accordance with the listing criteria set forth in § 17.63.090.
   (J)   "Historic District" means a defined geographic area and all contributing historic resources within the area, listed on the Corona Register in accordance with the listing criteria set forth in § 17.63.060.
   (K)   "Historic marker" means a sign, plaque, monument or other symbol, placed by either the City of Corona Historic Preservation Society, for the purpose of recognizing one or more of the following:
      (1)   Events that have made a significant contribution to the history of Corona, the region, the state or the nation;
        (2)   Persons significant in Corona’s past;
      (3)   Examples of distinctive characteristics of a style, type, period or method of construction or a valuable example of the use of materials or craftsmanship;
      (4)   Special elements of the city’s cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering, architectural or natural history;
      (5)   The work of a notable builder, designer or architect;
      (6)   Outstanding elements of architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship of a particular historic period;
      (7)   A unique location or physical characteristic representing an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood;
      (8)   An archeological or paleontological site; or
      (9)   A natural setting or feature that strongly contributes to the well being of the people of the city. The actual site, improvement or natural feature that is designated by the historic marker may or may not be listed, or may or may not be eligible for listing, on the Corona Register or the Corona Heritage Inventory.
   (L)   "Historic resource" means any landmark, historic district or contributing historic resource listed on the Corona Register, any heritage property listed on the Corona Heritage Inventory or any site, improvement or natural feature listed on the California Register or the National Register.
   (M)   "Improvement" means any building, structure, structural work of art, parking facility, fence, gate, wall or other object constituting a physical betterment of real property or any part of such betterment.
   (N)   "Landmark" means a site, improvement or natural feature listed on the Corona Register in accordance with the listing criteria set forth in § 17.63.050.
   (O)   "Major alteration" means any alteration of an historic resource, which is not otherwise classified as a minor alteration.
   (P)   "Minor alteration" means the alteration of an historic resource that does not conflict with the integrity of the historic resource and does not involve the addition of square footage or modification of an existing improvement or site exceeding 30% of the improvement or site area. Minor alterations include ordinary maintenance and repair, painting and re-roofing which are consistent with the architecture style and period of the historic resource.
   (Q)   "National Register" means the official federal list of historic resources as authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, maintained by National Park Service under the United States Department of Interior and commonly known as the National Register of Historic Places.
   (R)   "Natural feature" means any physical or ecological characteristic of a site, including any landscaping, plant life, natural object or scenic condition.
   (S)   "Ordinary maintenance" means any cleaning, painting and/or other restoration which does not result in the alteration of an improvement or landmark.
   (T)   "Person" means any individual, association, partnership, firm, corporation, public agency or political subdivision.
   (U)   "Planning Commission" means the Planning Commission of the City of Corona.
   (V)   "Planning Director" means the Planning Director of the City of Corona.
   (W)   "Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation" means the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings by the U.S. Department of the Interior or the National Park Service.
   (X)   "Site" means any parcel or portion of real property, or any combination thereof, or any archaeological or paleontological site.
   (Y)   "Survey" means the individual documentation of a site, improvement or natural feature for potential listing on the Corona Register or the Corona Heritage Inventory in accordance with the historic documentation standards of the State of California.
(`78 Code, § 17.63.020.) (Ord. 2522 § 1, 2001.)