The following considerations shall guide the initial review administrative clearance for historic appropriateness.
(A) The Director or his or her designee may approve or approve with conditions an initial review administrative clearance for historic appropriateness for minor alterations to cultural resources listed on the Register that:
(1) Are compatible with the historic character and scale of the cultural resource, including its size, massing, proportions, orientation, architectural details, and the spatial relationships that characterize the property and its site;
(2) Do not result in a change of design, material, or appearance of the property’s character-defining features (except those changes determined to be in compliance with the Secretary’s Standards, per division (A)(3) below;
(3) Comply with the Secretary’s Standards and any other applicable design guidelines adopted by the city;
(4) Will not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a cultural resource in accordance with CEQA;
(5) Are consistent with the goals and policies of the General Plan; and
(6) Are consistent with the provisions of this chapter.
(B) In accordance with CEQA, a project that has been determined to conform with the Secretary’s Standards is generally considered to be a project that will not cause a significant adverse impact to a historical resource, pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 14, § 15126.4(b)(1). Projects that comply with the Secretary’s Standards may be exempt from further review under CEQA, pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 14, § 15331.
(C) No changes shall be made to approved plans for which an initial review administrative clearance for historic appropriateness has been completed without resubmitting the revised plans to the Director or his or her designee for review and approval.
(D) All initial reviews completed in accordance with this section shall expire one year from the date of effectiveness unless work is started within that time.
(E) If the Director or his or her designee determines that proposed work involving a cultural resource could result in a change of design, material, or appearance of character-defining features or could have the potential to conflict with the Secretary’s Standards, the Director or his or her designee may refer the project and the initial review to the Commission.
(Ord. 636-C.S., passed 8-15-17)