In considering the appropriateness of any proposed environmental change, including landscaping or exterior signage, the Board or City staff member shall consider the following, as a part of its review:
(a) The compliance of the application with the Design Guidelines and Requirements. The proposed environmental change is to comply with the Design Guidelines and Requirements of the City, incorporated by reference.
(b) A property shall be used for its historic purpose or be placed in a new use that requires minimal change to the defining characteristics of the building and its site and environment.
(c) The visual and functional components of the building and its site, including but not limited to landscape design and plant materials, lighting, vehicular and pedestrian circulation, and signage.
(d) The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The removal of historic materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property shall be avoided.
(e) Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its historic time, place and use. Alterations that have no historical basis and which seek to create an appearance inconsistent or inappropriate to the original integrity of the property shall be discouraged.
(f) Most properties change over time; those changes that have acquired historic significance in their own right shall be retained and preserved.
(g) Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features shall be substantiated by documentary, physical or pictorial evidence.
(h) Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause damage to historic materials shall not be used. The surface cleaning of structures if appropriate shall be undertaken using the gentlest means possible.
(i) New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment.
(j) New additions and adjacent or related new construction shall be undertaken in such a manner that if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired.
(k) Significant archeological resources affected by a project shall be protected and preserved, if such resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures shall be undertaken.
(l) Distinctive features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property shall be preserved.
(Ord. 16-2024. Passed 7-15-24.)