(a) Application. Upon referral from the Building Commissioner or upon a request for pre-approval by any affected property owner, the Commission shall review any application for constructing, reconstructing, erecting, adding to, demolishing or otherwise altering the exterior of any landmark or property located in a Historic District. The applicant shall submit the Certificate of Appropriateness application and all required exhibits in a format and number specified by the City on the application form. The application shall include the required fees as determined by City Council. The Planning and Development Director shall review the application for completeness within ten days of submission. If the application is deemed complete, it shall be placed on the next available Landmarks Commission agenda. If the application is deemed incomplete, the applicant shall be informed of the outstanding submittal requirements that resulted in the determination, and the application will be held until all required documentation has been provided.
(b) Public Meeting. The Commission shall review and make determinations on applications for Certificates of Appropriateness at public meetings. Written notice of such public meetings shall be sent to the owner of the property and to the applicant (if different from the owner), giving the date, time, place and subject of the public meeting, not less than five days prior to the meeting. In addition, a sign indicating the proposed action and the date, time and place of the meeting shall be posted by the owner or applicant on the property being considered not less than five days prior to the meeting. Such signs shall be on a form provided by the Commission and shall be prominently displayed and easily readable from abutting public streets.
(c) Determinations of Commission. The findings, reports, recommendations and other determinations of the Commission shall be based upon consideration of specified design guidelines, presented plans, public testimony and related findings of fact. The Commission shall consider evidence on the record, and render its determinations based on a preponderance of substantial, reliable and probative evidence. Notification of all Commission determinations shall be made in writing to the applicant, to such other persons who have in writing requested notification of Commission determinations and to the Building Commissioner within five days after the determination.
(d) Delay. Any time limits set forth in this chapter for meetings may be extended by mutual consent of the Commission and the applicant, or unilaterally by the Commission as a result of delay attributable to the applicant. Such extensions shall either be in writing or shall otherwise affirmatively appear in the records of the Commission's proceedings.
(e) Expiration. Once a Certificate of Appropriateness has been granted, all related permits must be obtained and construction commenced within one year of issuance, otherwise the Certificate of Appropriateness shall expire and be revoked.
(Ord. 2018-96. Passed 11-20-18.)