It is hereby declared a matter of public policy that the protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use of improvements or sites of special character or special architectural, archeological or historic interest or value is a public necessity and is required in the interest of the health, prosperity, safety and welfare of the people. The purpose of this section is to:
A. Effect and accomplish the protection, enhancement, and preservation of such improvements, sites and districts which represent or reflect elements of the Village of Rochester's cultural, social, economic, political and architectural history.
B. Safeguard the Village of Rochester's historic, prehistoric and cultural heritage, as embodied and reflected in such historic structures, sites and districts.
C. Stabilize and improve property values, and enhance the visual and aesthetic character of the Village of Rochester.
D. Protect and enhance the Village of Rochester's attractions to residents, tourists and visitors, and serve as a support and stimulus to business and industry.
The terms used in this chapter shall have the following definitions:
“Certificate of Appropriateness” means the certificate issued by the commission approving alteration, rehabilitation, construction, reconstruction or demolition of a historic structure, historic site or any improvement in a historic district.
“Commission” or “Committee” means the Historic Preservation Committee created under this Chapter.
“Historic Preservation Overlay District” means an area designated by the Village Board on recommendation of the Committee and the Plan Commission that contains two or more historic improvements or sites.
“Historic Site” means any parcel of land of historic significance due to a substantial value in tracing the history or prehistory of man, or upon which a historic event has occurred, and which has been designated as a historic site under this Chapter, or a parcel of land, of part thereof, on which is situated a historic structure and any abutting parcel, or part thereof, used as and constituting part of the premises on which the historic structure is situated.
“Historic Structure” means any improvement which has a special character or special historic interest or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the village, state or nation and which has been designated as a historic structure pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter.
“Improvement” means any building structure, place, work of art or other object constituting a physical betterment of real property, or any part of such betterment, including streets, alleys, sidewalks, curbs, lighting fixtures, signs and the like.
Loading...