Any site, building, group of buildings, structure or object may be designated for preservation as a historic property, landmark or district if it:
A. Has significant character, interest or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the city, state or nation; or is associated with the life of a person significant in the past; or
B. Is the site of a historic event with a significant effect upon society; or
C. Exemplifies the cultural, political, economic, social or historic heritage of the community; or
D. Portrays the environment in an era of history characterized by a distinctive architectural style; or
E. Embodies those distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type or engineering specimen; or
F. Is the work of an architect, designer, craftsman or builder whose individual work has significantly influenced the development of the city, state or nation; or
G. Contains elements of design, detail, materials or craftsmanship which represent a significant innovation; or
H. By being part of or related to a square, park or other distinctive area, should be developed or preserved according to a plan based on a historic, cultural or architectural motif; or
I. Owing to its unique location or singular physical characteristic, represents an established and familiar visual feature of the neighborhood, community or the city; or
J. Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.
K. In addition, a historic property, landmark or district must meet the criteria established for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places, which are as follows:
1. The quality of significance in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering and culture is present in districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association, and:
a. Are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history; or
b. Are associated with the lives of persons significant in the past; or
c. Embody the distinctive characteristic of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or
d. Have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.
2. Ordinarily cemeteries, birthplaces, or graves of historical figures, properties owned by religious institutions or used for religious purposes, structures that have been moved from their original locations, reconstructed historic buildings, properties primarily commemorative in nature, and properties that have achieved significance within the past fifty (50) years shall not be considered eligible for the National Register. However, such properties will qualify if they are integral parts of districts that do meet the criteria or if they fall within the following categories:
a. A religious property deriving primary significance from architectural or artistic distinction or historic importance; or
b. A building or structure removed from its original location but which is significant primarily for architectural value, or which is the surviving structure most importantly associated with a historic person or event; or
c. A birthplace or grave of a historical figure of outstanding importance if there is no other appropriate site or building directly associated with this productive life; or
d. A cemetery that derives its primary significance from graves of persons of transcendent importance, from age, from distinctive design features, or from association with historic events; or
e. A reconstructed building when accurately executed in a suitable environment and presented in a dignified manner as part of a restoration master plan, and when no other building or structure with the same association has survived; or
f. A property primarily commemorative in intent if design, age, tradition, or symbolic value has invested it with its own historical significance; or
g. A property achieving significance within the past fifty (50) years if it is of exceptional importance. (Ord. 157, 10-24-1989; amd. Ord. 391, 5-8-2001)