Except as otherwise indicated in this Chapter, all property located in the following designated Design Review District or any individually Listed Property shall be subject to the design review criteria and standards of this Chapter and additional guidelines as may be applicable in each District.
(a) The following Design Review District is hereby established:
The Historic Lancaster District:
"Beginning at the intersection of Pearl Avenue and Walnut Street; go north the entire length of Pearl Street on the east to the alley between Mulberry Street and King Street; thence west to High Street; thence north to the alley between King Street and Fifth Avenue; thence west along such alley, and continuing west along the alley between Union Street and Fifth Avenue to Memorial Drive; thence south to Chestnut Street; thence east on Chestnut Street to Columbus Street; thence south on Columbus Street to Walnut Street; thence east to Pearl Street, the point of beginning."
(b) Additional Design Review Districts may be established or existing Districts may be modified by City Council under separate Ordinance. The designation or modification of such Districts shall be made by the Council after obtaining a recommendation from the Commission, and holding a public hearing. Prior to that hearing, notification shall be given by first-class mail to all property owners within the proposed District as appearing on the current Fairfield County tax rolls.
City Council may expand any Design Review District upon receipt of a petition by any adjacent property owner requesting inclusion in such District, and recommendation for same by the Commission. Such expansion by petition of the affected property owners may occur without the public hearing as referenced above.
(c) Individual properties outside of the boundaries of established Design Review Districts may also be designated as Listed Properties. The procedure for listing individual properties is as follows:
(1) The Commission shall notify the owner of any proposal to list the property and receive consent back from owner in writing. Upon receipt of such consent, the property shall be listed upon favorable recommendation by the Commission and upon approval by Council after a public hearing.
(d) Individual properties outside of the boundaries of established Design Review Districts may also be designated as a Designated Landmark. The process for designating individual properties is as follows:
(1) The Commission shall notify the owner of any proposal to designate the property and receive consent back from the owner in writing. Upon receipt of such consent, the property shall be designated upon favorable recommendation by the Commission.
(e) Criteria for Designation. In considering the designation of any building, structure, site or object as a District, Listed Property or Designated Landmark, the Commission and Council shall apply the following criteria, in addition to any other available information:
(1) Its character, interest or value as part of the heritage of the City, the State of Ohio or the United States.
(2) Its location as a site of a significant historic event.
(3) Its identification with a person or persons who contributed significantly to the historic development of the City.
(4) Its exemplification of the heritage of the City.
(5) Its portrayal of the environment or a group of people in an era of history characterized by a distinctive architectural style or building type.
(6) Its embodiment of a distinguishing historical characteristic of an architectural type or style.
(7) Its identification as the work of an architect or master builder whose individual work has influenced the development of the City or State.
(8) Its embodiment of elements of architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship which represent a significant architectural innovation.
(9) Its unique location or physical characteristic representing an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood, community or the City.
(10) Such other individual characteristics as shall be relevant to its designation as a District, Listed Property or Designated Landmark.
(Ord. 19-17. Passed 5-8-17.)