For the purpose of this chapter certain words, phrases and terms shall be construed as set out in this subchapter.
"ALTERATION." Any act or process which changes one or more of the exterior architectural features of a building or structure designated for preservation.
"ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE." A building, structure, site, object or improvement possesses Historic Significance if it meets any of the following criteria.
(1) The building(s); structure(s), site, object(s) or improvement(s) is the work of or associated with a nationally or locally noted architect, builder or architectural firm.
(2) The building(s), structure(s), site, object(s) or improvement(s) is an example of a particular style (whether local or typical) in terms of design, detail, material, workmanship and with no or negligible alteration to the original structure.
(3) The building(s), structure(s), site, object or improvement is one of the few remaining examples of a particular style, use, or an example which embodies a blend of styles typifying an era, and has undergone little or no alteration since its construction.
(4) The building(s), structure(s), site, object(s) or improvement(s) is one of a contiguous grouping of such which have a sense of cohesiveness expressed through a similarity of characteristics of a style, period or method of construction and accenting the architectural significance of the area.
(5) The detail, material and workmanship of the building(s), structure(s), site, object(s) or improvement(s) can be valued in and of themselves as reflective of or similar to those of the majority of the other visual elements in the area.
"BUILDING." A structure created to shelter any form of human activity, such as a house, barn, church, hotel or similar structure. Buildings may refer to a historically related complex of structures and improvements, such as a courthouse and jail or a house and barn.
"BUILDING INSPECTOR." An inspector or other official designated by the Director of the Department of Development Services.
"CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS." A certificate from the Commission authorizing plans for alterations, construction, removal or demolition of a building, structure, site, object or improvement within its jurisdiction as defined by this chapter.
"COMMISSION." The Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Danville.
"COUNCIL." The City Council of the City of Danville.
"DEMOLITION." Any act or process which destroys in part or in whole a building, structure, site, object or improvement.
"DEPARTMENT." Danville Department of Development Services.
"DESIGN CRITERIA." A standard of appropriate activity that will preserve the historical and architectural character of a building, structure, object, site or improvement as approved by the Commission.
"EXTERIOR ARCHITECTURAL APPEARANCE." Includes the architectural character, general composition and general arrangement of the exterior of a building or structure, including the kind and texture of the building material and the type and character of all windows, doors, light fixtures, signs, improvements and appurtenant fixtures.
"HISTORIC PRESERVATION DISTRICT." An area designated by the Commission, pursuant to procedures prescribed herein, which may contain within definable geographic boundaries, properties or structures which may or may not be landmarks, which contribute to the overall historic characteristics of the designated area.
"HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE."
(1) The building(s), structures(s), site, object(s) or improvement(s) has a strong association with the life or activities of a person or persons who have contributed to or participated in the historic events of the nation, state or community.
(2) The building(s), structure(s), site, object(s) or improvement(s) is associated with an organization or group (whether formal or informal) that has contributed to or participated in the historic events of the nation, state or community.
(3) The building(s), structure(s), site, object(s) or improvement(s) is associated with an antiquated use due to technological or social changes in the nation, state or community such as, but not limited to a blacksmith shop, covered bridge or hitching post.
(4) The building(s), structure(s), site, object(s) or improvement(s) is a monument to or a cemetery of historic personages.
(5) The building(s), structure(s) site, object(s) or improvement(s) is the location of an event, activity, or occurrence uniquely related to or reminiscent of an action or event of special historic significance.
"IMPROVEMENT." Any building, structure, object, parking facility, fence, gate, wall, monument, sculpture or other object constituting a physical betterment of real property, or part of such betterment.
"LANDMARK." Any building(s), structure(s), site, object(s) or improvement(s) which is at least 50 years old, and has special character or special historical and/or architectural interest or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the city, the state, or the nation which has been designated as a landmark in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
"OBJECT." A material thing of functional, architectural, cultural, historical or scientific value that may be, by nature or design, movable yet related to a specific setting or environment.
"OWNER." Any person or entity which has a legal or equitable interest in real estate whether or not a structure is located thereon, in the case of a landmark designation, or an historic district designation, including but not limited to: the holder or holders of the fee simple title; the holder or holders of any recorded mortgage; a purchaser or purchasers under a recorded written contract; and any party in possession whose interest is recorded, except a tenant or holder of leasehold interest for a period of less than three years, provided that the holder of a leasehold interest must, under the terms of the recorded lease, be primarily responsible for the financing of exterior improvements as affected by this chapter. For purposes of this definition, the owner of land record title to which is held in any form of trust shall be limited to the trustee or trustees, and legal or equitable interest shall be recorded with the Vermilion County Recorder of Deeds prior to the date a landmark or historic district is nominated in order to be considered valid. For purposes of this definition, the owner of land held in the name of a religious corporation shall be the board of trustees thereof and shall not include the congregation, membership or society constituting such religious corporation.
"STRUCTURE." A work made up of interdependent and interrelated parts in a definite pattern of organization. Constructed by man, it is often an engineering project large in scale.
(Ord. 7553, passed 12-3-91; Am. Ord. 8031, passed 7-6-99; Am. Ord. 8254, passed 6-4-02)