(A) The purpose of this chapter is to preserve historic buildings which are important to the education, culture, traditions and economic values of the city and to afford the city, historical organizations and other interested persons the opportunity to acquire or to arrange for the preservation of these buildings. If a property owner demonstrates that an historic building is incapable of earning an economic return on its value, as appraised by a qualified real estate appraiser, and the Commission fails to approve the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness, then the building may be demolished.
(B) However, before a demolition permit is issued or the demolition proceeds, the following requirements for notice must be met.
(1) Notice of the proposed demolition must be given for a period fixed by the Commission which is based on the Commission’s classification on the approved map, but not less than 60 days nor more than one year.
(2) Notice must be posted on the premises of the building proposed for demolition in a location clearly visible from the street.
(3) Notice must be published in a newspaper of general local circulation at least three times before demolition, with the first publication not more than 15 days after the application for a permit to demolish is filed and the final publication at least 15 days before the date of the permit.
(C) The Commission may approve a certificate of appropriateness at any time during the notice period under this section. If the certificate of appropriateness is approved, then a demolition permit shall be issued without further delay and demolition may proceed.
(Ord. 2020-05, passed 10-5-2020) Penalty, see § 156.99