Except as authorized herein the Zoning Administrator shall not authorize a permit for the erection, reconstruction, integral exterior facade change, demolition or razing of a building or structure in the Historic District until the same has been approved by the ARB as set forth in the following procedures.
(A) Receipt of application. Upon receipt of an application by the Zoning Administrator for a use or action in the Historic District, the Zoning Administrator shall:
(1) Forthwith forward to the ARB a copy of the application, together with a copy of the site plan and the building plans and specifications filed by the applicant;
(2) Maintain in his or her office a record of all such applications and of his or her handling and final disposition of the same; and
(3) Require applicants to submit three copies of material required to permit compliance with the foregoing.
(B) Material to be submitted for review. By general rule, or by specific request in a particular case, the ARB may require submission of any or all of the following in connection with the application: architectural plans, site plans, landscaping plans, construction methods, proposed signs with appropriate detail as to character, proposed exterior lighting arrangements, elevations of all proposed exterior lighting arrangements, elevations of all portions of structure with important relationships to public view (with indications as to visual construction materials, design of doors and windows, colors and relationships to adjoining structures), and such other exhibits and reports as are necessary for its determinations. Requests for approval of activities proposed in historic districts shall be accepted only from the record owner of the land involved in such proposal, or his or her agent.
(C) Other approvals required. In any case in which an applicant proposal also requires the approval of the Board of Zoning Appeals, final action by the Board of Zoning Appeals shall precede final action by the ARB.
(D) Action by the Architectural Review Board: issuance of certificates of appropriateness.
(1) The ARB shall render a decision upon any request or application for a certificate of appropriateness within 60 days after the filing of such application; failure of the Architectural Review Board to render such a decision within said 60-day period unless such period be extended with the concurrence of the applicant shall entitle the applicant to proceed as if the Architectural Review Board had granted the certificate of appropriateness applied for.
(2) Prior to denying the certificate of appropriateness, the Architectural Review Board, on the basis of the review of information received, shall, upon request, indicate to the applicant the changes in plans and specifications, if any, which in the opinion of the Board would protect and/or preserve the historical aspects of the landmark, building, structure or district.
(3) If the applicant determines that he or she will make the suggested changes and does so in writing, the Architectural Review Board may issue the certificate of appropriateness.
(1996 Code, § 176-139)