§ 156.431 DEFINITIONS.
   For the purposes of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
   ALTERATION. Any act or process which changes one or more of the “exterior architectural features” of an improvement.
   CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS. A certificate authorizing plans for alteration, construction, demolition, or removal of an improvement which has been designated a landmark or which is located within an historic preservation district.
   COMMISSION. 
      (1)   The Historic Sites Commission shall be an appointed body, consisting of appointees from the following governing branches:
         (a)   Plan Commission: one appointee, (this appointee shall be an architect or planner);
         (b)   BZA: one appointee;
         (c)   City Council: one appointee; and
         (d)   Office of the Mayor: two appointees.
      (2)   At the discretion of their respective appointing body, each appointee shall serve a term of no less than two years. All additional conditions affecting the Historic Sites Commission shall be determined by the city.
   CONSTRUCTION. Any act of process whereby a new improvement is built, an existing improvement is expanded in size or area, or a demolished improvement is rebuilt.
   DEMOLITION. Any act or process which destroys all of an improvement.
   EXTERIOR ARCHITECTURAL FEATURE. The architectural style, design, general arrangement, and components of all of the outer surfaces of an improvement, as distinguished from the interior surfaces enclosed by the exterior services, including, but not limited to, the kind of building materials and the type and style of windows, doors, lights, signs, and other fixtures are pertinent to the improvement, visible from any public street or thoroughfare. An alley shall not be considered a public street or thoroughfare for the purposes of this definition.
   HISTORIC PRESERVATION DISTRICT. Any area which:
      (1)   Contains improvements which:
         (a)   Have a special character or special historic or aesthetic interest of value;
         (b)   Represent one or more periods of styles of architecture typical of one or more eras in the history of the city; and
         (c)   Cause the area, by reason of factors, to constitute a distinct section of the city.
      (2)   Has been designated by the City Council as an HISTORIC PRESERVATION DISTRICT pursuant to the provisions of this subchapter.
   IMPROVEMENT. Any building, structure, site, parking facility, fence, gate, wall, work of art, or other object constituting a physical betterment of or addition to real property, or any part of the betterment or addition.
   INTERIOR. The visible surfaces of the enclosed or inside portions of an improvement.
   LANDMARK. Any improvement, which has a special historical, community, or aesthetic interest or value as party of the development, heritage, or cultural characteristics of the city, state of nation and which has been designated by the City Council as a landmark pursuant to the provisions of this subchapter. LANDMARKS include improvements which reflect or exemplify the cultural, political, spiritual, economic, social, or artistic history of the city, state, or nation, or which are identified with historic personages or with important events in local, state, or national history, or which embody the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural specimen, inherently valuable for a representation of a period, style, or method of construction, or a notable work of construction, or a notable work of a master designer or architect whose individual genius influenced his or her era.
   ORDINARY REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE. Any work done on or replacement of any part of an improvement for which a permit issued by the Department of Community Development is not required by law, where the purpose and effect of the work or replacement is to correct any deterioration or decay of or damage to the improvement of any part thereof and to restore the same, as nearly as may be practicable, to its condition prior to the occurrence of the deterioration, decay, or damage.
   OWNER. Any person, group of persons, partnership, corporation, or other legal entity holding legal or equitable title to real estate located within the city, including, but not limited to, contract purchasers and all of the beneficiaries under a land trust.
   PARTIAL DEMOLITION. Any act or process which destroys part of an improvement in order to accommodate an addition to the improvement.
   REMOVAL. Any act or process which changes the location or position of an improvement of or any portion of an improvement.
   TAX PARCEL. Any lot, block, tract, or other piece of real property, whether tax exempt or not, which has been assigned a permanent real estate index number, as shown on the record of the local real estate tax collector.
(Prior Code, § 156.406) (Ord. 0-08-0020, passed 9-22-2008)