Except as provided within this subchapter, no person may alter any designated historic resource in such a manner as to affect the exterior appearance unless a certificate of appropriateness has been issued by the city.
(A) Application for a certificate of appropriateness. The application shall be submitted to the city along with the required filing fee. The Application shall include a detailed description of the request and compliance with the review criteria in § 155.365 of this chapter.
(B) Coordination with County Museum. Prior to action on any historic resource issue, the city shall notify the County Museum and, in concert with the museum staff, may conduct a study of the proposed action, prepare documentation as may be appropriate and make a recommendation in the form of a staff report to the Planning Commission as to the appropriateness of the proposed action.
(C) City review. The city shall review the application pursuant to this subchapter. Notice of the application shall be given pursuant to § 155.362 of this chapter and shall also be posted in three locations in the city seven days before action by the city. The city shall approve, approve with conditions or disapprove issuance of the certificate of appropriateness for exterior alterations. The decision of the City shall include findings of fact. Decisions of the city may be appealed to the Planning Commission according to this subchapter and notice of the Planning Commission hearing shall be given in accordance with the application review section of this chapter and shall be posted in three locations in the city seven days before action by the Planning Commission.
(D) Review criteria. The city shall consider the following criteria in reviewing proposed exterior alterations to historic resources.
(1) Retention of original construction. All original exterior materials and details shall be preserved to the maximum extent feasible.
(2) Height. Additional stories may be added to historic buildings; provided:
(a) The added height complies with requirements of the Building and Development Codes;
(b) The added height does not exceed that which was traditional for the style of the building; and
(c) The added height is visually compatible with adjacent historic buildings.
(3) Bulk. Horizontal additions may be added to historic buildings; provided:
(a) The bulk of the addition does not exceed that which was traditional for the building style;
(b) The addition maintains the traditional scale and proportion of the building style, particularly as viewed from the sides of the building which front on public rights-of-way; and
(c) The addition is visually compatible with adjacent historic buildings.
(4) Visual integrity of structure. The lines of columns, piers, spandrels or other primary structural elements shall be maintained so far as is practicable.
(5) Scale and proportion. The scale and proportion of altered or added building elements and the relationship of windows to walls shall be visually compatible with the traditional architectural character of the historic building.
(6) Material, color and texture. The materials, colors and textures used in the alteration or addition shall be visually compatible with the traditional architectural character of the historic building and matches existing materials, colors and textures to the maximum extent feasible. Original masonry and mortar, without the application of any surface treatment, shall be retained whenever possible.
(7) Signs, lighting. Signs, lighting and other appurtenances, such as walls, fences and awnings shall be visually compatible with the traditional architectural character of the historic building. Trees larger than 18 inches in diameter at breast height shall be retained, whenever possible.
(8) Preservation, cleaning and repair. Preservation, cleaning, repair and other treatment of original materials shall be in accord with the Secretary of Interiors Standards of Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings.
(Prior Code, § 16.70.015)