A. Any party aggrieved by any decision of the Reading Board of Historical Architectural Review made pursuant to this chapter may file an appeal with the Council of the City of Reading within 30 days after notice of the decision has been made.
(1) Upon receipt of notice to appeal, City Council shall consider at a regular or special meeting the question of issuing to the applicant making the appeal, a certificate of appropriateness for the work covered by the application.
(2) The applicant shall be advised of the time and date of the regular or special meeting at which the appeal shall be considered.
(3) The applicant shall be advised of his/her right to attend the meeting and be heard as to his/her reason(s) for filing both the original application for the proposed scope of work and for the appeal.
(4) If Council approves the application on appeal, a certificate of appropriateness shall be issued for the work specified in the application. Until the appeal has been satisfactorily made to Council, no work shall commence, nor shall a certificate of appropriateness be granted.
(5) If Council disapproves, Council shall indicate the reason(s) for disapproval and indicate what changes to the plans and specifications, if any, would be deemed appropriate.
(6) Council shall send written notice of its decision to the applicant within 30 days of the meeting at which the appeal was heard.
(7) Should Council fail to so notify the applicant, it shall be assumed, as a matter of law, that the application is approved, unless the applicant waives the time limit in writing.
B. Any party aggrieved by any decision of Council made pursuant to the provisions of this chapter may file an appeal with the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County within 30 days after notice of the decision has been made. Failure of such party to file the appeal within such 30 days shall preclude an appeal from such decision.