(A) Actions requiring a certificate of demolition. A certificate for demolition from the Quincy Preservation Commission shall be required for any demolition or removal in whole or in part which requires a permit from the city. This section shall apply to a nominated or designated Landmark or Historic District from the date the Quincy Preservation Commission determines that an application for nomination merits further consideration pursuant to § 162.187.
(B) Application for a certificate of demolition.
(1) An application for a certificate of demolition shall be obtained from and filed with the Secretary at the office of the Quincy Preservation Commission. Any applicant can request information from the Secretary, Chairperson or any member of the Quincy Preservation Commission.
(2) Every application for a demolition permit, including, when available, accompanying plans and specifications affecting the nominated or designated Landmark or a property within a nominated or designated Historic District, shall be sent by the Inspection Department to the Secretary within three working days following receipt of the application by the Inspection Department. The Inspection Department shall not issue a permit until a certificate of demolition has been issued by the Quincy Preservation Commission.
(C) Secretary notifies Commission. The Secretary shall notify the Quincy Preservation Commission of any application for a certificate of demolition.
(D) Public hearing. Upon receipt of the application for a certificate of demolition, the Quincy Preservation Commission shall schedule a public hearing at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Notice of the public hearing shall be given to the applicant and the property owner in the same manner as required by § 162.188(C). In the event the application is received less than 15 days to the regularly schedule meeting, that application shall be heard at the following regularly scheduled meeting. At the public hearing the Quincy Preservation Commission shall hear evidence and testimony and consider the following issues:
(1) The condition of the property and how the condition affects the feasibility of preservation, rehabilitation or restoration of the property;
(2) The general feasibility of preservation, rehabilitation or restoration and any economic hardship to the property owner from the denial of a certificate of demolition;
(3) Ways in which the interest of the public in preserving the property may be balanced against the interests of the owner of the property;
(4) Alternatives to demolition;
(5) The interest or quality in the property that would make demolition a loss to the general community;
(6) Any unusual or uncommon design elements and materials that cannot be reproduced or reproduced only with great difficulty;
(7) Whether the property is of such interest or quality that it is listed or could be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Illinois State Register or as a local Landmark;
(8) Whether retention of the structure would help preserve and protect a historic place or area of historic interest in the city; and
(9) Whether retention of the structure would promote the general welfare of the city by encouraging study of American and local history, architecture and design or by developing an understanding of the importance and value of the American culture and heritage as well as by making the city a more attractive and desirable place in which to live.
(E) Commission votes on certificate of demolition. Following the public hearing, the Quincy Preservation Commission shall vote to approve or deny the certificate of demolition or to apply for a delay pursuant to division (I) of this section.
(F) Applicant and Inspection Department informed of decision. The Secretary shall inform the applicant and the Inspection Department in writing of the Quincy Preservation Commission’s decision within three working days.
(G) Issuance of certificate of demolition. Upon approval of an application, the Secretary shall issue a certificate of demolition within three working days and forward copies to the Inspection Department.
(H) Appeal from denial of certificate of demolition. Upon denial of an application, the applicant may appeal the decision as provided for in § 162.193.
(I) Alternatives. Rather than deny or approve an application for the certificate of demolition, the Quincy Preservation Commission may apply to the City Council to delay or order a postponement of any demolition while it investigates alternatives to granting a certificate and negotiate with the property owner to find a means to prevent demolition. If after a reasonable period of time, not in any case to exceed six months from the date of the receipt of the application, no alternative agreement has been reached with the applicant, the Quincy Preservation Commission shall issue a certificate of demolition.
(1980 Code, § 29.1012)