(A) Any application for a building permit for alteration, construction, demolition or removal, including plans and specifications, for designated landmarks or for property or structures within designated Historic Districts shall be sent by the Building Department to the Historical Commission within seven days of the receipt of the application by the Building Department. Any applicant may request a meeting with the Commission before applications for the building permit.
(B) Review criteria. In making a determination whether to issue or deny a certificate of appropriateness, the Commission shall consider, among other things, the effect of the proposed construction, alteration, removal or demolition upon historic, aesthetic or architectural value, characteristics and significance of the landmark or of the Historic District. The criteria to be used by the Commission in making its determination shall include, but is not limited to:
(1) The maintenance of the significant original qualities or character of the structure or property, including, if significant, its landscape. The removal or alteration of any historic or distinctive architectural features should be avoided when possible.
(2) The compatibility of the architectural style and design detailing the proposed construction, alteration, addition or repair with the original architecture of the landmark or styles within the Historic District.
(3) The compatibility of the general design, arrangement, scale, texture or materials of the construction or alteration, with the historic, aesthetic or architectural values, characteristics and significance of the Historic District and/or landmark.
(4) The relationship of the location of the construction, alteration or removal to the streets, public or semi-public ways and any other structures or property within a Historic District.
(5) It is recommended that construction, alteration and demolition shall be done in accordance with the following:
(a) All buildings, structures and sites shall be recognized as products of their own time; however, structural alterations that have historical basis and which seek to create an earlier appearance shall be encouraged.
(b) Exterior physical changes which may have taken place in the course of time are evidence of the history and development of a building, structure or site and its environment. These changes may have acquired significance in their own right, and this significance shall be recognized and respected.
(c) Distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craftsmanship which characterize a building, structure or site shall be treated with sensitivity.
(d) Deteriorated architectural features shall be repaired rather than replaced, wherever possible. In the event replacement is necessary, the new material need not be identical to but should match the material being replaced in composition, design, color, texture and other visual qualities.
(e) The surface cleaning of structures shall be undertaken with the gentlest means possible. Sandblasting and other cleaning methods that will damage the historic building materials should not be undertaken.
(f) Every reasonable effort shall be made to protect and preserve archaeological resources affected by, or adjacent to, any project.
(g) Contemporary design for alterations and additions to existing properties shall not be discouraged when such alterations and additions do not destroy significant historical, architectural or cultural material, and such design is compatible with the size, scale, color, material and character of the property, neighborhood or environment.
(h) Wherever possible, new additions or alterations to structures shall be done in such manner that if such additions or alterations were to be removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the structure would not be impaired.
(C) Review process.
(1) If the Commission finds that the work proposed in the application will not adversely affect any historically or architecturally significant features of the landmark or structure or property within a Historic District and is appropriate or consistent with the spirit and purposes of this section, it shall, at the next regular Commission meeting, issue a certificate of appropriateness and forward copies to the owner of record and the Building Department. An owner may request a special meeting if the next regular Commission meeting is scheduled 15 days or more after the receipt of the building permit application.
(2) If the Commission finds that the proposed work will adversely affect or destroy any significant historic, aesthetic or architectural feature or value of the landmark or structure or property within a Historic District or is inappropriate or inconsistent with the spirit and purposes of this section, it shall disapprove the application and shall so advise the applicant for permit and the Building Department in writing within 30 days after receiving the copy of the application.
(a) The Commission shall briefly state its reasons therefor in writing and it may make recommendations to the applicant with respect to the appropriateness of design, arrangement, texture, scale, material, color, location or other elements of appearance of the building or structure involved.
(b) In cases of disapproval accompanied by recommendation, the applicant may again be heard before the Commission if within 60 days of the date of receipt of notice of disapproval of the application he amends the application to conform with the recommendations or makes application for a certificate of economic hardship as provided for in § 154.05. The applicant shall be heard at the next regular meeting of the Commission after receipt of the amended application, and the Commission shall approve or disapprove the amended application.
(Ord. 642-87, passed 11-17-87)