An area within the corporate limits of the city designated by Council that are subject to the regulations of Chapter 1170. Following are additional definitions that pertain to the Chapter 1170 Downtown Overlay District:
(a) ALTER or ALTERATION. Any material change in an existing external architectural feature of any property which lies within the Downtown Overlay District is covered in this regulation, including: demolition or removal; modification to existing signage or placement of new signage; new
construction or additions; improvement to roofs, windows, siding, awnings/canopies, additions and doors/entrances, but not including the landscaping of real property and painting.
(b) APPLICANT. Any owner, owners, person(s), association, partnership or corporation who applied for a certificate of appropriateness in order to undertake any change on property subject to this regulation.
(c) BACKGROUND BUILDINGS. Buildings having a low level of architectural integrity and historic significance in the community. BACKGROUND BUILDINGS include structures from all periods of the city’s history that form the backdrop for other buildings. If they are more than 40 years old, they may have alterations or exterior changes that diminish their architectural significance.
(d) BOARD. See DESIGN REVIEW BOARD.
(e) CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS. A certificate issued by the Design Review Board authorizing alterations to existing buildings or authorizing new construction in the Downtown Overlay District to ensure that alterations and new construction preserve the downtown’s unique historical character.
(f) CONTRIBUTING BUILDINGS. Buildings having a moderate-high level of architectural integrity and historic significance in the community. CONTRIBUTING BUILDINGS are at least 40 years old and retain the defining characteristics of their original construction or architectural style. This group includes buildings that contribute to the historic character of the downtown streetscape.
(g) COUNCIL or CITY COUNCIL. The legislative body of the City of Mason.
(h) DESIGN REVIEW BOARD (BOARD). The Design Review Board (Board) established under the provisions of Chapter 1170.
(i) DEMOLITION. The removal of all or part of a structure.
(j) DOWNTOWN CORE. An area of special concern in the Downtown Overlay District defined as the properties located between the Main Street/Mason- Montgomery Road intersection and the Main Street/Reading Road intersection. The Downtown Core also extends 150 feet east of the Main Street/Montgomery Road intersection and 150 feet west of the Main Street/Reading Road intersection.
(k) EXTERNAL ARCHITECTURAL FEATURE. The architectural style, general design and arrangement of the exterior of a structure including, but not limited to, the type, color (for new construction and rehabilitation) and texture or the building material, doors, windows, roof, porches and other appurtenant fixtures.
(l) LANDMARK BUILDINGS. Buildings having a high level of architectural integrity and historic significance in the community. LANDMARK BUILDINGS are at least 40 years old and retain the defining characteristics of their original construction or architectural style. They may be historically important for their association with important people or events in local history, or architecturally important as an example of a type, style or method of construction from the past.
(m) MAINTENANCE. See REPAIR.
(n) MEMBER. Any member of the Design Review Board as established under the provisions of this Regulation.
(o) NEW CONSTRUCTION. Any improvement made to real property that is not done in conjunction with an existing structure.
(p) NON-HISTORIC BUILDINGS. Buildings that are either examples of newer construction or older
buildings that have had major alterations that result in a loss of historic or architectural significance.
(q) PLANNING COMMISSION. The Planning Commission of the city as established by Article VII, § 7.01 of the Charter of the city.
(r) REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE. Replacement of any part of a property where the purpose and effect of the work and replacement is to correct or prevent any deterioration or decay to the property, or any part thereof, and to restore same, as nearly as may be practicable, to its original condition and appearance, including minor repair of exterior surfaces including caulking, repointing and nonabrasive cleaning. All activities undertaken on existing buildings not deemed a minor repair by the Design Review Board shall be considered an alteration.
(Ord. 2005-136, passed 11-28-2005)