A. For the purposes of this chapter, all words used in the present tense include the future tense. All words in the plural number include the singular number and all words in the singular number include the plural number, unless the natural construction of the word clearly indicates otherwise. The word "shall" is mandatory and not directory. The word "used" includes "designated, intended, built or arranged to be used."
B. The following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section.
ALTER or ALTERATION — Any change, modification or addition to a part of or all of the exterior of any building, structure, site or object which is not otherwise covered by the definition of demolition.
ANTENNA — An antenna that is one meter (39.37 inches) or less in diameter or diagonal measurement and is designed to receive video programming service via broadband radio service, to receive or transmit fixed wireless signals other than via satellite, or designed to receive local television broadcast signals. Such antennas may be mounted on masts to reach the height needed to establish line-of-sight contact with the transmitter. Masts higher than antennas used for AM/FM radio, amateur (ham) radio, CB radio, digital radio services (DARS), or antennas used as part of a hub to relay signals among multiple locations are not covered by these rules. [Amended 6-8-2009 by Ord. No. 16-2009]
BOARD — The Reading Board of Historical Architectural Review.
BUILDING — Any enclosed or open structure, its site and appurtenances, which is a combination of materials to form a construction for occupancy and/or use, including mobile homes and trailers, to be used for any reason whatsoever.
BUILDING INSPECTOR — The Chief Building Inspector of the City or his designee.
BUILDING PERMIT — The authorization statement to construct, alter, reconstruct, repair, restore, demolish or raze all or part of any building, structure, site or object.
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS — The approval statement issued by the Preservation Officer, as authorized by the Board or Council, which certifies the appropriateness of a particular request for the construction, alteration, reconstruction, restoration, demolition or razing of all or a part of any building or structure within a historical district and which authorizes the issuance of a building permit for such request.
CITY — The City of Reading.
CITY CLERK — The Clerk of the City of Reading.
COMMONWEALTH — The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
CONSTRUCT or CONSTRUCTION — Any activity affecting the general design, arrangement, texture, materials or colors of a building, structure or object, including the erection of a new building, structure or object upon a site.
CONTRIBUTING BUILDING, STRUCTURE, SITE OR OBJECT — A building, structure, site or object within a district that reflects the historical or architectural character of the district, and which received a "significant," "good" or "outstanding" rating in the Comprehensive Historical Sites Survey, conducted in 1980.
COUNCIL — The governing body of the City of Reading.
DEMOLITION or DEMOLISH — The razing or destruction, entirely or in part, of a building, structure, site or object.
DEMOLITION BY NEGLECT — Neglect in the maintenance and/or repair of a building, structure, site or object resulting in its deterioration and/or destruction.
DESIGN — The architectural arrangement of exterior features as well as well as mass, height, appearance and the texture, color, nature and composition of materials.
DISTRICT — A geographically definable area possessing a significant concentration, linkage, or continuity of buildings, structures, sites, or objects united by past events, plan, or physical development.
FACADE — The exterior walls of any building or structure.
GAS MAIN — The primary gas utility pipe typically located below a public right-of-way. [Added 8-24-2015 by Ord. No. 45-2015]
GAS METER — A specialized flow meter, used to measure the volume of fuel gases such as natural gas and propane. [Added 8-24-2015 by Ord. No. 45-2015]
GAS METER ASSEMBLY — A gas meter installation including, individually or jointly, associated gas pressure regulator, valves, and piping. [Added 8-24-2015 by Ord. No. 45-2015]
GAS PRESSURE REGULATOR — A valve that regulates the flow of gas at a specified pressure. [Added 8-24-2015 by Ord. No. 45-2015]
GAS SERVICE — Gas piping between the gas main and the gas meter assembly. [Added 8-24-2015 by Ord. No. 45-2015]
HISTORIC DISTRICT — A district which is designated pursuant to this chapter or prior historic district ordinances as amended.
IN-KIND REPLACEMENT — Replacement of deteriorated features with new features identical in design, texture, material, form, massing, detailing and dimensions.
MAJORITY VOTE — Votes by more than half of the members of the Reading Board of Historical Architectural Review in attendance at a regular Board meeting.
MAYOR — The chief executive of the City of Reading.
NATION — The United States of America.
OBJECT — A material thing of functional, aesthetic, cultural, historical or scientific value that may be, by nature or design, movable yet related to a specific setting or environment.
OTHER MODERN DEVICE — Any other device, communication or other, utilized to assist in viewer's ability to receive video programming signals from direct broadcast satellites, broadband radio service, and television broadcast stations (TVBS). [Amended 6-8-2009 by Ord. No. 16-2009]
PERMIT — A certificate issued by the Building Inspector which approves the construction, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition or razing of any building or structure, in whole or in part, within any historical district and which is subject to the provisions of this chapter.
PUBLIC STREET OR WAY — Any land dedicated to public use or passage including, but not limited to, streets, alleys, parks, pedestrian rights-of-way and other public rights-of- way, whether constructed, dedicated or proposed.
READING HISTORICAL ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD — The agency established by this chapter to review requests for authorization to construct, alter, reconstruct, restore or demolish all or a part of any building or structure within a historic district and to approve or deny such requests.
RECONSTRUCTION — Any or all work needed to remake or to rebuild all or part of any building or structure to a sound condition, but not necessarily of original materials.
RESTORATION — Any or all work involved in returning a building or structure, or a part thereof, to its original condition or nearly original condition through the use of original or nearly original materials. Condition shall refer to design rather than to structural stability.
SATELLITE DISH — A "dish" antenna that is one meter (39.37 inches) or less in diameter and is designed to receive direct broadcast satellite service, including direct-to-home satellite service, or to transmit fixed wireless signals via satellite. [Amended 6-8-2009 by Ord. No. 16-2009]
SIGN — Any device, structure or object for visual communication, including its structure and component parts, that is used for the purpose of bringing the subject thereof to the attention of people, but not including any cloth flag of any public, quasi-public, civic, charitable or religious group.
SITE — The location of a significant historic event, occupation or activity, or a building or structure, whether standing, ruined, or vanished, where the location itself maintains historical, cultural or archaeological value regardless of the value of any existing structure.
STRUCTURE — A work made up of interdependent and interrelated parts in a definite pattern of organization constructed by man and affixed to real property.