For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ADDITION. Any construction which increases the height or floor area of an existing district resource or adds to it (as a porch or attached garage).
ALTERATION. Work that changes the detail of a resource but does not change its basic size or shape.
BUREAU. The Bureau of History of the Michigan Department of State.
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS. The written approval of the Historic District Commission of a permit application for work that is appropriate and that does not adversely affect a resource.
COMMISSION. The Historic District Commission created by this chapter.
DEMOLITION. The razing or destruction, whether entirely or in part, of a resource and includes, but is not limited to, demolition by neglect.
DEMOLITION BY NEGLECT. Neglect in maintaining, repairing, or securing a resource that results in deterioration of an exterior feature of the resource or the loss of structural integrity of the resource.
DENIAL. The written rejection of a permit application for work that is inappropriate and that adversely affects the resource.
HISTORIC. The age of the district resource, however, there is no age limit implied by the use of HISTORIC rather, the term shall apply to any district resource that is significant to the overall appearance of a historic district and that plays a role in the evolutionary growth of a historic district streetscape.
HISTORIC DISTRICT. An area, or group of areas, not necessarily having contiguous boundaries, that contains one resource or a group of resources that are related by history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture created by the city for the purpose of preservation. The city may establish more that one such HISTORIC DISTRICT. For purpose of clarification, however, a HISTORIC DISTRICT may also consist of a single district resource unrelated to its surroundings in historical, architectural, or archaeological significance and so designated by this chapter.
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION. The member body created by the city for the purpose of execution of this chapter.
HISTORIC DISTRICT STUDY COMMITTEE. A permanent body established by the Council pursuant to § 153.03 to conduct activities of a HISTORIC DISTRICT STUDY COMMITTEE on a continuing basis.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION. The identification, evaluation, protection, establishment, rehabilitation, restoration, or reconstruction of district resources of historic, engineering, architectural, cultural, or archeological significance.
HISTORIC RESOURCE. A publicly or privately owned building, structure, site, object, feature, or open space that is significant in the history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture of this state or a community within this state, or of the United States.
(1) BUILDING. A residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional district resource created to shelter any form of human activity. Examples: house; courthouse; jail; barn; church; theater; hospital; office building.
(2) FEATURE. Prominent or distinctive aspect, quality, or characteristic of designated historic district. Examples: landscaped boulevard; brick paving; tree-lined street.
(3) OBJECT. A district resource of functional, aesthetic, cultural, historical, architectural, archeological, or scientific value that may be, by nature of design, movable, yet related to a specific setting or environment. Examples: statue; fountain; lighting fixture; sun dial.
(4) OPEN SPACE. Undeveloped land, a naturally landscaped area, or a formal or human-made landscaped area that provides a connective link or a buffer between other resources.
(5) SITE. A district resource that is related to important historical events, a prehistoric or historic occupation or activity, an institution or organization, or a district resource that is ruined or vanished, where the location itself maintains historical or archeological value regardless of the value of any existing district resources. Examples: historic marker; commemorative plaque; archeological site.
(6) STRUCTURE. A district resource made up of interdependent and interrelated parts in a definite pattern of organization, often reflective of an engineering design. Examples: bridge; dam; water tower; bell tower.
HONORARY DESIGNATION. Recognition of important historical events, institutions, or organizations related to district resources where the district resources themselves are not necessarily historically significant.
NEW CONSTRUCTION. Planned district resources that are to be constructed or placed within a designated historic district. Such planned NEW CONSTRUCTION, because it will have a significant effect on the overall appearance of a historic district, and because it will play a role in the evolutionary growth of a historic district’s streetscape, shall be treated as historic by the Historic District Commission the same as older, existing district resources.
NOTICE TO PROCEED. The written permission to issue a permit for work that is inappropriate and that adversely affects a resource pursuant to a finding under § 153.04(G).
ORDINARY MAINTENANCE. Keeping a resource unimpaired and in good condition through ongoing minor intervention, undertaken from time to time, in its exterior condition. ORDINARY MAINTENANCE does not change the external appearance of the resource except through the elimination of the usual and expected effects of weathering. ORDINARY MAINTENANCE does not constitute work for the purposes of this chapter.
PRESERVATION STANDARDS. The guidelines and principles which shall be considered by the Historic Commission in assessing the appropriateness of activities which will affect district resources included in designated historic districts. General PRESERVATION STANDARDS for initial use by the Commission are included as part of this chapter. However, it will be the duty of the Commission to develop more specific standards.
PROPOSED HISTORIC DISTRICT. An area or group of areas not necessarily having contiguous boundaries, that has delineated boundaries and that is under review by a committee for the purpose of making a recommendation as to whether it should be established as a historic district or added to an established historic district.
RECONSTRUCTION. The process of reproducing by new construction the exact form and detail of a vanished district resource or part thereof, as it appeared at a specific time.
REHABILITATION. The revitalization of a district resource through the introduction of modern mechanical systems, structural elements, and decorative features. Such modern improvement, however, should be sympathetic to the district resource’s original style, size, color, and texture, and should be reversible.
REPAIR. To restore a decayed or damaged resource to a good or sound condition by any process. A REPAIR that changes the external appearance of a resource constitutes work for purposes of this chapter.
RESOURCE. One or more publicly or privately owned historic or non-historic buildings, structures, sites, objects, features, or open spaces located within a historic district.
RESTORATION. The process of accurately recovering the form and details of a district resource as it appeared at a particular period of time by removing later work, replacing missing elements, and enhancing original work.
WORK. The construction, addition, alteration, repair, moving, excavation, or demolition.
(2011 Code, § 15.12.020) (Ord. 193, passed - -1992)