(a) Review Process. All applications for a building permit for exterior alteration to any historic structure/site in the downtown area or a significant building elsewhere in the city, new construction on a parcel where there is currently a historic structure in the downtown area or a significant building elsewhere in the city, or such application for construction within a historic district shall be reviewed as follows:
(1) Review Bodies.
(A) Architectural review approval pursuant to Chapter 18.76 (Permits and Approvals) is required for any historic structure/site in the downtown area and any significant structure/site elsewhere in the city, other than single-family and duplex residences. The architectural review board shall refer applications to the historic resources board for a recommendation on the proposed alteration of the structure.
(B) The historic resources board shall review applications involving single-family and duplex residences which are historic structures/sites in the downtown area or which are significant buildings elsewhere in the city. Compliance of the property owner with the recommendations shall be voluntary, not mandatory.
(C) The planning staff may review and approve minor exterior alterations pursuant to guidelines which the historic resources board may adopt. Minor exterior alterations are those alterations which the director of planning and development services or his/her designee determines will not adversely affect the exterior architectural characteristics nor the historical or aesthetic value of the historic structure, its site or surroundings.
(2) Time Limit. Recommendations of the historic resources board on alterations to a historic single-family or duplex residence shall be rendered within thirty days of the date of referral by the architectural review board or the chief building official. Failure to provide a recommendation within the time limit shall cause an application for a commercial or multiple-family use to be returned to the architectural review board, and a single-family or duplex application to be forwarded to the chief building official for consideration of issuance of a building permit.
(b) Standards of Review. In evaluating applications, the review bodies shall consider the architectural style, design, arrangement, texture, materials and color, and any other pertinent factors. The prime concern should be the exterior appearance of the building site.
(1) On buildings not in a historical district, the proposed alterations should not adversely affect the exterior architectural characteristics nor the historical or aesthetic value of the building and its site.
(2) In historic districts, the proposed alterations should not adversely affect:
(A) The exterior architectural characteristics nor the historical, architectural or aesthetic value of the building and its site; or
(B) The relationship of the building, in terms of harmony and appropriateness, with its surroundings, including neighborhood structures;
(C) Appeals. Any interested party may appeal to the city council the decision of the architectural review board not to recommend approval of an application for a building permit to alter the exterior of any historic structure in the downtown area, or a significant structure elsewhere in the city or in a historic district. Such appeal shall be processed in accordance with Chapter 18.78 (Appeals).
(Ord. 5494 § 3, 2020: Ord. 4826 §§ 22, 23, 2004: Ord. 3721 § 1 (part), 1986)