Any building in the City of Newark, Ohio aged fifty years or more or hereafter which hereafter becomes fifty years old and has significant architectural features shall be considered eligible for designation as a contributing property or local historic property and for inclusion in an historic preservation district in accordance with the following:
(a) The Committee on Design and Preservation, with the consent of the owner of the property in question or a majority of the property owners for a proposed district, may recommend properties or districts within the City to City Council for designation as a contributing property or local historic property and, possibly, to be part of an historic preservation district. Any owner, organization, or interested individual may apply to the Committee for such designation. In determining whether or not to designate such place, building, structure, archaeological site, work of art, or object as an historical listed property, the Committee 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, the State of Ohio, or the United States of America.
(2) Its location as a site of significant historic or archaeological event.
(3) Its identification with a person(s) who significantly contributed to the culture and development of the City the State of Ohio, or the United States of America.
(4) Its exemplification of the cultural, economic, social, or historic heritage of the City the State of Ohio, or the United States of America.
(5) Its embodiment of distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type or specimen.
(6) Its identification as the work of an architect or master builder whose individual work has influenced the development of the City, the State of Ohio, or the United States of America.
(7) Its embodiment of elements of architectural design, details, materials, or craftsmanship which represent a significant architectural innovation.
(8) Its relationship to other distinctive areas which are eligible for preservation according to a plan based on an historic, cultural, or architectural motif.
(9) Its unique location or singular physical characteristic representing an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood, community, or the City.
(b) Prior to designation, the Committee on Design and Preservation shall notify, in writing, property owners of any proposed designation and/or proposed district, as appearing on the Licking County Auditor's current tax list, and hold a public hearing on any application for designation as a contributing property, local historic property, or historic preservation district. Notice shall be published at least ten days in advance of such hearing, in a newspaper of general circulation in the City. The Committee shall conduct the hearing and shall provide a reasonable opportunity for all interested parties to express their opinions under such rules as the Committee may adopt for the purpose of governing the proceedings of hearings.
(c) The Committee shall issue a written decision with respect to the proposed designation within fourteen days after the hearing on the application. The Committee shall set forth in its recommendation such findings of facts which constitute the basis for its decision and shall transmit the recommendation concerning the proposed designation to City Council.
(d) Within fourteen days after receipt of the Committees recommendation, City Council shall begin the legislative process of designating a property as a contributing property or local historic property or creating an historic preservation district, giving due consideration to the findings and recommendations of the Committee on Design and Preservation, to the owners written comments and to the public hearing comments. If the proposed ordinance is adopted by City Council, the Committee on Design and Preservation shall notify any appropriate County and/or State offices of such designation.
(Ord. 13-36-A. Passed 11-4-13.)