(a) The application for a Certificate of Appropriateness shall be made on such forms as prescribed by the Zoning Inspector and approved by Council, along with such plans, drawings, specifications and other materials as may be needed by the Board to make a determination. The Zoning Inspector shall review the application for completeness prior to accepting it for filing and forwarding it to the board for consideration. The Zoning Inspector shall approve the completeness of the application if it evidences response to all submittal requirements and criteria as stated in this chapter. At a minimum, such information shall include the following:
(1) Appropriate drawings, sketches, site plans, pictures of current site, renderings, material samples, color samples and other material, as needed to illustrate the proposed alteration or environmental change.
(2) A complete written description of the proposed alteration or environmental change.
(b) Applications for Certificate of Appropriateness shall be filed with the Zoning Inspector at least fifteen (15) working days prior to a meeting of the Board.
(c) Within five (5) working days following his approval of the completeness of an application, the Zoning Inspector shall transmit it to the Chairperson of the Board. Any comment or recommendations of the Zoning Inspector pertaining to the application shall be provided to the Chairperson prior to the meeting and shall be made part of the record of such meeting.
(d) Notice of a Board meeting shall be given by the Zoning Inspector in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the Village at least ten (10) working days before the date of said meeting. The notice shall set forth the date, time and place of the meeting and the subject matter(s) to be discussed and determined. Before conducting a meeting regarding a Certificate of Appropriateness, written notice of such meeting shall be mailed by the Zoning Inspector by first class mail, at least ten (10) working days prior to the meeting to all property owners within 250 feet of the parcel at issue. This notice shall contain the same information as required of the notice published in newspapers as specified above. The failure of delivery of mailed notice shall not invalidate the meeting or any action of the Board.
(e) At its meeting, the Board shall determine whether the proposed alteration or environmental change will be appropriate to the preservation of the environmental, architectural or historic character of the Historic District, pursuant to the criteria specified in this chapter. The applicant, or his representative or agent, must be present at the meeting at which action on the application is to occur.
(f) If insufficient information is provided to enable the Board to evaluate the application for a specific alteration or environmental change, the Board may table discussion on the application until further information is provided by the applicant. If an application is tabled, the Board shall give the Zoning Inspector notice of such fact, together with a list of the additional information that is requested of the applicant. The Zoning Inspector shall then notify the applicant of such action and forward to the applicant the list of the additional information requested by the Board to aid its determination.
(g) Upon the Board reaching its determination of an application, the Board shall prepare written findings of fact and decision that shall be forwarded to the Zoning Inspector for delivery to the applicant.
(h) If no action is taken within sixty (60) days from the first hearing of the application, the Certificate shall be issued as a matter of law. This provision shall not apply if the application is tabled due to lack of information provided by the applicant, due to the applicant requesting a continuance of the hearing or that the application remain tabled.
(i) It shall be the duty of the Zoning Inspector to monitor the completion of the approved alteration or environmental change and to notify the Chairperson of the Board if such action is not carried out consistent with the approved application. Further, no Certificate of Zoning Compliance shall be issued by the Zoning Inspector unless he determines that, in addition to all other requirements, there has been compliance with the Certificate of Appropriateness. In fulfilling these duties, the Zoning Inspector may request the assistance of the Union County Building Inspector.
(j) The Certificate of Appropriateness is valid for twelve months after issuance unless extended by approval of the Board. After such time, or any approved extension, reapplication for a Certificate of Appropriateness is required.
(Ord. 3-10. Passed 3-8-10; Ord. 23-2022. Passed 11-14-22.)