Subd. 1. Purpose. It is deemed to be in the best interests of the city to promote the health, safety, general welfare, comfort and appearance by controlling the exterior design of new construction; by controlling the placement of previously used buildings; by regulating congestion and preventing fires and other danger; by assuring adequate light, ventilation and utility systems; and, preserving the value of property and encouraging appropriate land use.
Subd. 2. Prohibited Exterior Facing. Except as allowed by proceedings under this section, no building permit shall be issued for any structure having a front, (either) side or rear abutting or facing a public street when the proposed structure contains exterior facing materials which tend to rapidly deteriorate or which for any reason are, or tend to quickly become, unsightly.
Subd. 3. Moving Buildings. No building permit shall be issued to move a building from without the city onto a site within the city, or move a building from one location to another within the city, unless the architectural design of the buildings in the area of the new site is compatible with the building moved to such site. Comparative age, bulk, architectural style and quality of construction of both the building moved and the buildings existing in the area shall be considerations in determining whether a building is compatible. If the building to be moved is more than ten years older than the oldest building situated on surrounding properties to which the building is moved, the fact shall be evidence that the building to be moved is incompatible.
Subd. 4. Hearing. Moving any building from without the city to a site within the city, or from one site to another within the city, shall require a hearing. Use of any material for exterior facing which is prohibited in this section shall require a hearing. All such hearings shall be held before the Planning Commission after notice given as for a change of zoning district boundaries provided for in City Code, Chapter 11.