A. Designation Of Historic Structures Or Historic Sites:
1. The commission may, after notice and public hearing, designate historic structures, historic sites, or both, subject to the provisions of this section. Notice of the time, place and purpose of such hearing shall be given by a class 1 notice pursuant to Wisconsin statutes. Additionally, at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing on these actions, the city clerk shall notify the owners of record of the subject property and of property, in whole or in part, situated within two hundred feet (200') of the boundaries of the subject property of the proposed action. These owners shall have the right to confer with the commission prior to final action by the commission on the proposed action.
2. The commission shall also notify the plan commission, common council and mayor as representative of all city departments. Each such person, department or board shall respond to the commission within thirty (30) days of notification with its comments, if any, on the proposed action.
3. Following proper notification, the commission shall conduct a public hearing. In addition to hearing from notified persons, the commission may hear expert witnesses and shall have the power to subpoena such witnesses and records as it deems necessary.
4. Within thirty (30) days of the close of the public hearing, the commission shall approve or reject the proposed designation. In making its designation, the commission shall find that the subject property meets at least one of the criteria described at section 2-8-4 of this chapter.
5. Following the action of the commission, the city clerk shall cause the designation to be recorded, at city expense, in the Dunn County register of deeds office.
B. Creation Of Historic Districts:
1. For preservation purposes, the commission may, after notice and public hearing, designate geographically defined areas within the city which have particular historic, architectural or cultural significance as historic districts, subject to the provisions of this section. In making its designation of a historic district, the commission shall find that the subject area meets at least one of the criteria referred to at section 2-8-4 of this chapter.
2. The commission shall prepare or cause to be prepared a historic preservation plan within the district and a map of the proposed district boundaries. Each historic preservation plan prepared for or by the commission shall include a cultural and architectural analysis supporting the historic significance of the area, the specific guidelines for development and a statement of preservation objectives.
3. Guideline criteria to be considered in the development of such historic preservation plans are as follows:
a. All new structures shall be constructed to a height visually compatible with the buildings and environment with which they are visually related.
b. The gross volume of any new structure shall be visually compatible with the buildings and environment with which it is visually related.
c. In the street elevation(s) of a building, the proportion between the width and height in the facade(s) should be visually compatible with the buildings and environment with which it is visually related.
d. The proportions and relationships between doors and windows in the street facade should be visually compatible with the buildings and environment with which it is visually related.
e. The rhythm of solids to voids, created by openings in the facade, should be visually compatible with the buildings and environment with which it is visually related.
f. The existing rhythm created by existing building masses and spaces between them should be preserved.
g. The materials used in the final facade should be visually compatible with the buildings and environment with which it is visually related.
h. The texture inherent in the facade should be visually compatible with the buildings and environment with which it is visually related.
i. Colors and patterns used on the facade (especially trim) should be visually compatible with the buildings and environment with which it is visually related.
j. The design of the roof should be visually compatible with the buildings and environment with which it is visually related.
k. The landscape plan should be sensitive to the individual building, its occupants and their needs. Further, the landscape treatment should be visually compatible with the buildings and environment with which it is visually related.
l. All street facade(s) should blend with other buildings via directional expression. When adjacent buildings have a dominant horizontal or vertical expression, this expression should be carried over and reflected.
m. Architectural elements should be incorporated as necessary to relate the new with the old and to preserve and enhance the inherent characteristics of the area.
4. Procedure for designation shall be as follows:
a. Notice of the time, place and purpose of the public hearing shall be given by a class 1 notice pursuant to Wisconsin statutes. Additionally, at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing on these matters, the city clerk shall notify the owners of record of property in the proposed district and of property, in whole or in part, situated within two hundred feet (200') of the boundaries of the proposed historic district, of the proposed action.
b. These owners shall have the right to confer with the commission prior to final action by the commission on the proposed action.
c. The commission shall also notify the plan commission, common council and mayor as representative of all city departments. Each such person, department or board shall respond to the commission within thirty (30) days of notification with its comments, if any, on the proposed action.
d. Following proper notification, the commission shall conduct a public hearing. In addition to hearing from notified persons, the commission may hear expert witnesses and shall have the power to subpoena such witnesses and records as it deems necessary.
e. Within thirty (30) days following the public hearing, the commission shall vote to designate, reject or withhold action on the proposed district.
f. Upon designation of a historic district, the city clerk shall cause a document of such fact to be recorded, at city expense, in the Dunn County register of deeds office, to be incorporated within the record title of each property which is included within the historic district. (1975 Code Ch. 21 § XXXII)