For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
AREA. A specific geographic division of the city.
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS. A certificate issued by the Commission indicating its approval of plans for significant alteration, construction, removal or demolition of a landmark or of a structure within the Historic Preservation District or a landmark area.
CERTIFICATE OF ECONOMIC HARDSHIP. A certificate issued by the Commission authorizing a significant alteration, minor modification, construction, removal, or demolition even though a certificate of appropriateness has previously been denied.
COMMISSION. The city Heritage and Architecture Commission.
COMMISSIONERS. Members of the city Heritage and Architecture Commission.
CONSTRUCTION. The act of building a new structure or adding an addition to a structure that requires a building permit. This term specifically shall include the building of a new principal or detached accessory structure on a lot or property.
COUNCIL. The City Council of the city.
DEMOLITION. Any act or process which destroys in part or in whole a landmark or a structure or improvement within the Historic Preservation District or a landmark area.
DESIGN CRITERIA. A standard of appropriate activity that will preserve the historic and architectural character of a landmark, a landmark area, or the Historic Preservation District.
EXTERIOR ARCHITECTURAL APPEAR- composition of the exterior of a structure, including but not limited to the kind, color, and texture of the
building material and the type, design, and character of all windows, doors, light fixtures, ornamental details, signs, and appurtenant elements.
HISTORIC DISTRICT - “CITY OF LOCKPORT HISTORIC DISTRICT BOUNDARY.” An area designated as the City of Lockport Historic District as depicted by the Historic District Boundary Map in § 150.22.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION DISTRICT. The area designated as the “Historic Preservation District” by Ordinance 801, passed March 17, 1975.
IMPROVEMENT. Any visible built feature on a property, such as, but not limited to, landscaping or paving, that is not a structure.
LANDMARK. A property or structure recommended by the Historic Preservation Council and by the Commission and thereafter designated as a LANDMARK by ordinance of the City Council, according to criteria and pursuant to procedures adopted by the City Council and implemented by the Commission.
LANDMARK AREA. An area which may contain within definable geographic boundaries one or more landmarks and which may have within its boundaries other properties or structures which, while not of such historic and/or architectural significance to be designated as landmarks, nevertheless contribute to the overall visual characteristics of the landmark or landmarks located within the area and recommended by the Commission and thereafter designated by ordinance of the City Council, according to criteria and pursuant to procedures adopted by the City Council.
MINOR MODIFICATION. Any act or process that does not require a building permit but changes the character of an exterior architectural feature or modifies the character of an improvement.
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC DISTRICT BOUNDARY. All areas, places, buildings, structures located within the National Register of Historic Places. An area of downtown Lockport that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 in recognition of its exceptionally well preserved 19th century commercial district as depicted by the Historic District Boundary Map in § 150.22.
OWNER OF RECORD. The person or corporation or other legal entity whose name appears on the records of the County Recorder of Deeds as the title holder.
PROPERTY. Land and improvements identified as a separate lot for purposes of the subdivision and zoning regulations of the city.
REHABILITATION. The process of returning a property to a state of utility, through repair or alteration, which makes possible an efficient contemporary use while preserving those portions and features of the property which are significant to its historic, architectural, and cultural values.
REMOVAL. Any relocation of a structure on its site or to another site.
REPAIR. Any change that is not construction, removal, significant alteration, or minor modification.
RESTORATION. An act or process of returning something to its earlier or original condition, or to a state similar to its original condition.
SIGNIFICANT ALTERATION. Any act or process requiring a building permit that changes one or more of the exterior architectural features of a structure, including, but not limited to, the erection, construction, reconstruction, or removal of any structure, removal of paint from masonry surfaces, application of paint to masonry surfaces, addition or removal of siding, replacement of window sash or window units, removal or replacement of porch spindles, window and door trim, and other decorative architectural elements, removal or addition of window shutters, removal, replacement or addition of canopies, removal or addition of fences, and removal or replacement of limestone sidewalks.
STRUCTURE. Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires permanent or temporary location on or in the ground, including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, buildings, garages, tool sheds, fences, advertising signs, billboards, radio and television antennae, including supporting towers, satellite receiving dishes, and swimming pools.
(`79 Code § 150.177) (Ord. 88-130, passed 10-3-88; Am. Ord. 91-260, passed 11-18-91; Am. Ord. 07-699, passed 2-14-07; Am. Ord. 23-005, passed 3-1-23)