(a) The Historic Preservation and Planning Commission may designate, or any property owner may apply to the Commission to designate a building or property as a historical listed property and/ or district. In determining whether or not to designate such building or property as a historical listed property, the Commission shall consider the following criteria with respect to such item:
(1) Its character, interest or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the City of Loveland, the State of Ohio or the United States.
(2) Its location as a site of a significant historic or archaeological event.
(3) Its identification with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the culture and development of the City.
(4) Its exemplification of the cultural, economic, social or historic heritage of the City.
(5) Its portrayal of the environment of a group of people in an era of history characterized by a distinctive architectural style.
(6) Its embodiment of a distinguishing characteristic of an architectural type or specimen.
(7) Its identification as the work of an architect or master builder whose individual work has influenced the development of the City.
(8) Its embodiment of elements of architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship, which represent a significant architectural innovation.
(9) Its unique location or singular physical characteristic representing an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood, community of the City.
(10) Such other individual characteristics as shall be relevant to its designation as a historical listed property.
(b) In making a new designation, the Commission shall take the following action:
(1) The Historic Preservation and Planning Commission shall notify the owner of the property recommended for historic status of the proposal to designate their property. Whenever possible the Commission shall secure the owner's written consent for the proposed designation, The Commission shall cause a legal notice to be prepared and published indicating the property(s) to be designated and the time, date, and location of the hearing.
(2) The Historic Preservation and Planning Commission shall conduct the public hearing. The Commission shall make a determination with respect to the proposed designation within fifteen (15) days after the initial hearing date and shall notify the owner in writing.
(3) The Commission will make a recommendation to City Council for the designation.
(4) Council shall give due consideration to the recommendations of the Historic Preservation and Planning Commission and the views expressed during the hearing in making its determination. Council may, at its discretion, hold public hearings on any such proposed designation whether the designation is proposed only with the consent of the owner or after public hearings before the Commission. Council may agree with the recommendation, disapprove of the recommendation, or table the recommendation for alterations.
(5) Once Council decides on the status of a historic structure or historic district designation, the Historic Preservation and Planning Commission shall notify the Building and Zoning Coordinator and relevant city offices of the official designation.
(6) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, Council may rescind the designation only after causing a public hearing outlined in subsection (b)(4) of any area, place, building, structure, work of art or similar object as a listed landmark or Landmark District. Such recession shall relieve the owner of such area, place, building, structure, work of art or similar object from any duties or penalties contained in this chapter.
(7) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, Council may rescind the designation only after causing a public hearing outlined in subsection (b)(4) of any area, place, building, structure, work of art or similar object as a listed Historic Preservation or Loveland Historic Preservation District. Such recession shall relieve the owner of such area, place, building, structure, work of art or similar object from any duties or penalties contained in this chapter. (Ord. 2023-72. Passed 7-11-23.)