A. Demolition permit applications for structures fifty (50) years of age and older shall be scheduled for review by the Historic and Scenic Preservation Commission, and an initial study shall be prepared in accordance with CEQA by City staff. Notice of the commission's meeting shall be given to the applicant and the public in accordance with the City's guidelines implementing CEQA. Review of such applications shall occur in accordance with subsections B and C of this section.
B. Upon referral of a demolition permit application from the Director, the Historic and Scenic Preservation Commission shall schedule the application for review, with at least ten (10) days' prior written notice provided to the applicant and the public. A report shall be prepared by the City's Historic Preservation Officer regarding the application and, if the structure proposed for demolition is part of a Fire Department training exercise, a representative of the Fire Department shall also review and sign the report as "concurring" with its contents prior to its distribution to the Historic and Scenic Preservation Commission. A copy of the report shall be provided to the applicant.
C. The Historic and Scenic Preservation Commission shall determine the potential historical significance of the structure and the need for any further environmental review, and make its own determinations whether the structure is historically significant and/or subject to further environmental review under CEQA. The commission may then subsequently approve, condition or deny the permit application after completion of any required environmental review. Following action by the commission, the Historic Preservation Officer shall notify the applicant (and in the case of a fire training exercise, the Fire Chief) in writing of the determination of the commission and the applicant's right of appeal pursuant to section 15.44.080 of this chapter.
1. If the commission determines that the structure has no historical significance and the permit application is approved, the application shall be exempt from further review by the City under this chapter unless an appeal is made to the City Council. If no appeal is filed within the time provided for by this chapter, the Community Development Department shall thereafter issue the demolition permit in accordance with this Code.
2. If the commission determines that the structure has historical significance, the commission shall conduct the appropriate environmental review and subsequently approve, condition or deny the application.
(Ord. 2899 §5, 2019)