The standards in making a determination whether to approve or deny an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness shall include, but not be limited to:
(A) A reasonable effort should be made to provide a compatible use for buildings which will require minimum alteration to the building, structure or site and its environment or to use a property for its originally intended purpose;
(B) The compatibility of proposed new additions or new construction to the original architecture of the landmark or styles within the historic district shall be evaluated against the following guidelines:
(1) The height of the proposed structure or additions or alterations should be compatible with surrounding structures;
(2) The proportion of the front facade, that is, the relationship between the width of the building to the height of the front elevation;
(3) The relationship of building mass to the open space between it and adjoining buildings or structures;
(4) The directional expression of a building or structure, that is, the vertical or horizontal positioning;
(5) The roof shape;
(6) Architectural details, general design, materials, textures and colors; and
(7) Landscape and appurtenances including signs, fences, accessory structures and pavings.
(C) Deteriorated architectural features should be repaired rather than replaced, wherever possible. In the event that replacement is necessary, the new material should closely match the material being replaced in composition, design, color, texture, and other visual qualities. Repair or replacement of missing architectural features should be based on accurate duplication of features, substantiated by historic, physical, or pictorial evidence, rather than on conjectural designs or the availability of different architectural elements from other buildings or structures.
(D) All buildings should be recognized as products of their own time. Alterations to create an appearance inconsistent with the actual character of the building should be discouraged.
(E) Many changes to building and environments which have taken place in the course of time may distinguish the history of the building and the neighborhood. Such changes should be recognized and respected.
(F) Wherever possible, new additions or alterations to buildings should be done in such a manner that if they were to be removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the original building would be unimpaired.
(G) Contemporary design for new buildings in a historic district and additions to existing buildings or landscaping should not be discouraged if such design is compatible with the size, scale, color, material, and character of the district, building, or its environment.
(H) The distinguishing original qualities or character of a building, structure, or site and its environment, shall not be destroyed. The removal or alteration of any historic material or distinctive architectural feature should be avoided when possible.
(I) Distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craftsmanship that characterize a building, structure, or site shall be treated with sensitivity.
(J) The surface cleaning of structures shall be undertaken with the gentlest means possible. Sandblasting and other cleaning methods that will damage or deface the historic building materials shall not be undertaken.
(K) Every reasonable effort shall be made to protect and preserve archaeological resources affected by, or adjacent to, any project.
(Ord. 1454, passed 4-18-94; Am. Ord. 1455, passed 5-2-94; Am. Ord. 3261, passed 9-21-20)