(a) In General.
(1) Applications for certificates of appropriateness are available from the Planning Commission.
(2) A certificate of appropriateness must be obtained by all persons proposing a change in zoning or the physical appearance of any property within the boundaries of the District. All properties, buildings and permanent signs within the District are subject to the provisions of this chapter.
(3) All projects, except simple repairs, require a certificate of appropriateness. If, however, a simple repair will change the appearance of the building (in the opinion of the Director of Planning and Zoning), a certificate of appropriateness will be required as described in this chapter.
(4) No building or occupancy permit shall be issued unless the applicant has been issued a certificate of appropriateness as provided in this chapter.
(5) No construction, reconstruction, alteration or demolition of any structure or significant exterior architectural feature of any listed property or property within the District shall be undertaken prior to obtaining a certificate of appropriateness from the Planning and Zoning Commission.
(b) Informal Review of Applications.
(1) Ordinary restoration, renovation and site improvements. A certificate of appropriateness may be issued by the Planning and Zoning Commission for the following projects:
A. Restoration and/or renovation of an existing property to return it to its original condition.
B. Removal of prior improvements and repairs for the purpose of restoring the property's original character with materials and details consistent with the design guidelines provided for in this chapter.
C. Landscape improvements consistent with the design guidelines of this chapter.
The Director of Planning and Zoning is authorized, at his or her sole discretion, to require that a certificate of appropriateness be obtained before any work that exceeds simple repairs or ordinary restoration is begun.
(2) Contents of applications. Any person desiring to make an improvement or change, including any change determined by the Building Official, in his or her sole discretion, to be reviewed by the Commission, to the exterior of any structure within the Olde Downtown Pickerington Village District, shall make application to the Planning Commission on a form provided by the Commission. At a minimum, the application shall include the following:
A. The property address.
B. The applicant's name and address.
C. A photograph of the front and rear of the property.
D. The owner's name and address, if different from the applicant's.
E. The name, address and telephone number of the applicant's representative.
F. A general description of the property and its current use.
G. A detailed description and drawings of the proposed changes.
H. Such other information as the Commission or the Building Official deems necessary.
(c) Formal Review of Applications by Commission.
(1) Changes in zoning or use. Any person desiring to change the use of any property within the District shall make application to the Planning Commission on a form provided by the Commission. At a minimum, the application shall include the following:
A. The property address.
B. The applicant's name.
C. A photograph of the front and rear of the property.
D. A description of the proposed use.
E. A description of the current use of the property.
F. The name of the owner and his or her address if different from the applicant's.
G. The name, address and telephone number of the applicant's representative.
H. Such other information as the Commission or the Chief Building Inspector deems necessary.
I. The names and addresses of all property owners within 200 feet of any portion of the subject property within the District.
The Director of Planning and Zoning shall cause notice to be given in the manner set forth in subsection (d) hereof.
(2) Significant changes in appearance of exteriors. If the proposed architectural change involves any of the following, then the Municipal Clerk shall schedule the application for a public hearing before the Commission:
A. Changes in parking.
B. The addition of fences.
C. The demolition of structures.
D. Landscaping related to parking.
E. Additions to existing structures.
F. The construction of new structures.
G. Any exterior work requiring a building permit.
H. Any improvement that the Commission instructs the Director of Planning and Zoning to refer to it.
I. Any change that the Director of Planning and Zoning determines, in his or her sole discretion, should be reviewed by the Commission.
The Commission shall cause notice to be given in the manner set forth in subsection (d) hereof.
(d) Hearings; Notice; Approval of Applications; Appeals; Commencement of Construction.
(1) When a hearing is required as provided in subsection (c) hereof, the Commission shall schedule the application for a public hearing before it, subject to the following notice requirements:
A. A summary of the application, together with the date, time and place of the hearing, shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City at least two weeks prior to the scheduled public hearing.
B. Written notice with a summary of the application, together with the date, time and place of the hearing, shall be sent by regular first class mail to all property owners within 200 feet of any portion of the subject property within the District at least ten days prior to the scheduled public hearing.
(2) At the time and place scheduled for the hearing, the Commission shall conduct a public hearing, consistent with all rules adopted by it, to take testimony regarding the proposed application.
(3) The Commission shall take into consideration the testimony from the public hearing, the purpose of the District and the guidelines provided for in this chapter when making its decision.
(4) Following the public hearing, the Commission shall vote to approve, approve with modifications or disapprove the application.
(5) Any application approved with modifications or disapproved may be appealed to Council.
(6) Council shall hear the appeal, provided that it is filed, in writing, with the City within thirty days after the Commission's decision.
(7) The Director of Planning and Zoning shall not issue a certificate of appropriateness until the application has been approved by the Commission or by Council.
(8) Any approved improvement or series of improvements not commenced within one year after the same is granted shall be void unless an extension is granted by the Commission. Any series of improvements not completed within five years shall be void unless an extension is granted by the Commission.
(e) Purpose of Section; Other Review Requirements.
(1) The purpose of this section is to encourage owners and residents to make meaningful improvements to properties within the District and to provide assistance to the applicant in making selections and working through the process. Nothing herein shall be interpreted as giving the Commission authority to approve or disapprove the application unless the Commission, after reviewing the application, determines, by a majority vote, that the applicant's request involves a significant architectural change as provided for in subsection (c) hereof. In such case, the application shall be referred to the Municipal Clerk for processing consistent with the terms of this section.
(2) Applications shall be scheduled for review by the Commission at its next regularly scheduled meeting, consistent with any required specific notice.
(3) The Commission shall review the application at the scheduled meeting and provide guidance and comments to the applicant based on information in the application, information obtained at the meeting, the purpose of the District and the guidelines provided for in this chapter.
(4) No exterior work, except ordinary maintenance, shall be commenced on any structure in the District until the same has been reviewed by the Commission.
(Ord. 94-46. Passed 7-5-94; Ord. 2000-77. Passed 8-1-00.)