(A) As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
ADDITION. Any act or process which changes one or more of the "exterior architectural features" of a structure designated for preservation by adding to, joining with or increasing the size or capacity of the structure.
ALTERATION. Any act or process that requires a building or demolition permit and changes one or more of the exterior architectural features of a structure, including, but not limited to the erection, construction, reconstruction, or removal of any structure.
AREA. A specific geographic division of the city.
BUILDING. Any structure created for the support, shelter or enclosure of persons, animals or property of any kind and which is permanently affixed to the land.
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS. A certificate from the Planning and Zoning Commission authorizing plans for alterations, construction, removal or demolition of a landmark or site within a designated historic district.
CITY. The City of Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.
CITY COUNCIL. The City Council of the city.
COMMISSIONERS. Voting members of the city's Planning and Zoning Commission.
CONSTRUCTION. The act of adding an addition to an existing structure or the erection of a new principal or accessory structure on a lot or property.
DEMOLITION. Any act or process that destroys in part or in whole a landmark or site within a historic district.
DESIGN GUIDELINE. A standard of appropriated activity that will preserve the historic and architectural character of a structure or area.
EXTERIOR ARCHITECTURAL APPEARANCE. The architectural and general composition of the exterior of a structure, including, but not limited to the kind, color, and the texture of the building material and the type, design and character of all windows, doors, light fixtures, signs, and appurtenant elements.
HISTORIC DISTRICT. An area designated as a historic district by ordinance of the City Council and which may contain within definable geographic boundaries one or more landmarks and which may have within its boundaries other properties or structures that, while not of such historic and/or architectural significance to be designated as landmarks, nevertheless contribute to the overall visual characteristics of the landmark or landmarks located within the historic district.
LANDMARK. Any building, structure or site which has been designated as a landmark by ordinance of the City Council, pursuant to procedures prescribed herein, that is worthy of rehabilitation, restoration, and preservation because it its historic and/or architectural significance to the city.
OWNER OF RECORD. The person, corporation, or other legal entity listed as owner on the records of the County Recorder of Deeds.
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION. The city's Planning and Zoning Commission.
REHABILITATION. The process of returning a property to a state of utility, through repair or alteration, which makes possible an efficient contemporary use while preserving those portions and features of the property which are significant to its historic, architectural and cultural values.
REMOVAL. Any relocation of a structure on its site or to another site.
REPAIR. Any change that does not require a building permit that is not construction, relocation or alteration.
STRUCTURAL CHANGE. means any change or repair in the supporting members of a building, structure, roof or exterior walls which would expand the building in height, width or bulk of the building.
STRUCTURE. Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires a more or less permanent location on the ground or an attachment to something having a permanent location on the ground, including but not limited to, buildings, signs, decks, fences, patios, swimming pools, pavements, driveways and walkways, provided that readily removable decorative landscape borders or features, including but not limited to bricks, stones, timbers, flower boxes and other similar features shall not be considered STRUCTURES and further provided that fences shall not be considered STRUCTURES for purposes of calculating maximum permitted coverage of the front yard.
(B) Unless specifically defined above, the words or phrases in this chapter shall be interpreted giving them the same meaning as they have in common usage and so as to give this chapter its most reasonable application.
(Ord. 13-22, passed 4-23-13)