(A) Applications. A certificate of appropriateness shall be required before proceeding with any demolition in whole or in part of any landmark site or building or structure within a landmark site. Certificates of appropriateness shall be applied for and issued in accordance with the following procedures and requirements.
(1) A copy of each application for permit for demolition affecting a landmark site or building or structure within a landmark site shall be forwarded together with accompanying plans and specifications to the Commission by the Building and Inspection Division of the Community Development Department within seven days following receipt of the application by the Building and Inspection Division of the Community Development Department. The Building and Inspection Division of the Community Development Department shall not issue a permit until a certificate of appropriateness has been issued by the Commission.
(2) Where a proposed demolition does not require a building permit, the owner of the property shall make application for a certificate of appropriateness on forms provided by the Commission. The Commission shall consider the completed application at its next regular meeting. The Commission may establish a subcommittee of five members including the Chair or Vice-Chair, to review routine applications for certificate of appropriateness when, in the determination of the Commission, the lapse of time to the next regular meeting would create unnecessary inconvenience to the applicant. Such a certificate of appropriateness may be issued prior to the next regular meeting upon the affirmative vote of four members of the subcommittee. All meetings must be publicly noticed. Public notification for meetings are to meet the requirements of the State Open Meetings Act (ILCS Ch. 5, Act 120).
(B) Review and decision. Any applicant may request in writing a meeting with the Commission before the application is sent by the Building and Inspection Division of the Community Development Department to the Commission or during the review of the application by the Commission. The Commission shall review each application for demolition permit or for certificate of appropriateness and shall issue or deny the certificate of appropriateness within 45 days of receipt of the application. Written notice of the approval or denial of certificate of appropriateness shall be provided the applicant and the Building and Inspection Division of the Community Development Department within seven days following the determination. Denial of a certificate of appropriateness shall be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons for the denial. The Commission shall make recommendations to the applicant concerning changes, if any, in the proposed action which would cause the Commission to reconsider the denial. The applicant may resubmit an amended application or reapply for a demolition permit that takes into consideration the recommendations of the Commission.
(C) Criteria. In acting on an application for a demolition permit or for a certification of appropriateness, the Commission shall consider, in addition to any other guidelines in this chapter, the following:
(1) The contribution of the building, structure or object proposed for demolition to the immediate surroundings and to the landmark site as a whole;
(2) The historical and architectural quality and significance of the building, structure or object proposed for demolition;
(3) The structural condition of the building, structure or object proposed for demolition; and
(4) The compatibility of any proposed replacement structure with the landmark site as a whole.
(1999 Code, § 151.46) (Ord. 1833, passed 4-15-1996; Ord. 3043, passed 2-5-2001; Ord. 3252, passed 5-17-2004)