A. Considerations: When any application is made for a certificate of historic appropriateness to demolish any designated or formally nominated historic resource or any building or structure located within the boundaries of a designated or formally nominated historic district, the commission shall consider, in addition to the standards outlined in chapter 4 of this title:
1. The state of repair of the building or structure;
2. The technical feasibility of preservation of the historic resource;
3. The reasonableness of the cost of restoration or repair;
4. The purpose of preserving the historic resource;
5. The impact of the demolition to the historic district, if applicable; and
6. Proposed new construction, if in an historic district.
B. Findings: In order to approve the issuance of a certificate of historic appropriateness for the demolition of an historic resource, the commission shall find that the historic resource is in such a condition that it is not feasible to preserve or restore it, taking into consideration the economic feasibility of alternatives to the proposed demolition, and balancing the interest of the public in preserving the historic resource, or portion thereof, and the interest of the owner of the historic resource in its utilization.
C. Approve Or Deny: After consideration of the above, the commission shall either approve or deny the application in whole or in part, or suspend the issuance of a certificate of historic appropriateness for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of application. Within the suspension period the commission, together with the applicant, shall explore all means for preserving the historic resource, including, by way of example and not limitation:
1. The feasibility of modification of the plans;
2. Feasibility of alternative uses of the historic resource;
3. Feasibility of public or private acquisition;
4. Feasibility of acquiring easement;
5. The availability of economic incentives; and
6. The making of an historical record as described in subsection E of this section, if it is to be eventually demolished.
D. Suspension: During the period of suspension, no demolition permit shall be issued for such demolition nor shall any person demolish the building or structure. No demolition permits in an historic district shall be approved by the building services division, nor shall the commission approve a certificate of historic appropriateness for a demolition within an historic district until the commission has determined the proposed new construction will comply with the provisions of this title.
E. Historic Record: If an historic resource is to be demolished, the commission shall require the applicant to preserve the historic resource by providing an historic record, which may include written history, floor plans and photographs of the structure. The adequacy of the historic record shall be determined by the commission.
(1979 Code § 11.04.020; Ord. 80-7, 2-21-1980; amd. Ord. 85-4, 2-7-1985; Ord. 92-9, 1-9-1992; Ord. 2001-32, 6-5-2001, eff. 6-30-2001)