(A) 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 the historic, aesthetic or architectural value, characteristics and significance of the property, structure or improvements within the historic district. The criteria to be used by the Commission in making its determination shall include, but not be limited to the following:
(1) The maintenance of the significant original qualities or character of the property, structure, or improvements, including, if significant, its landscape. The removal or alteration of any historic or distinctive architectural features should be avoided whenever possible.
(2) The compatibility of the architectural style and design detailing of the proposed construction, alteration, addition or repair with the original architecture of the property or structures;
(3) The compatibility of the general design, arrangement, scale, texture, or materials of the construction or alteration or addition, with historic, aesthetic, or architectural values, characteristics and significance of the historic district;
(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 the historic district;
(5) Construction, alteration, and demolition shall be undertaken only in accordance with the following standards:
(a) Every reasonable effort shall be made to minimize alteration of the property, structure, or site and its environment.
(b) All property and structures shall be recognized as products of their own time. Alterations that have no historical basis and which seek to create an earlier appearance shall be discouraged.
(c) Changes which may have taken place in the course of time are evidence of the history and development of a property, structure, or site and its environment. These changes may have acquired significance in their own right, and this significance shall be recognized and respected.
(d) Distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craftsmanship which characterize a property, structure, or site shall be treated with sensitivity.
(e) 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. Repair or replacement of missing architectural features should be based on accurate duplications of features, substantiated by historic, physical, or pictoral evidence rather than on conjectural designs or the availability of different architectural elements from other structures.
(f) 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 shall not be undertaken.
(g) Every reasonable effort shall be made to protect and preserve archaeological resources affected by, or adjacent to, any project.
(Ord. 23-005, passed 3-1-23)