(A) Certificates of Appropriateness required. A Certificate of Appropriateness must be issued by the Building Commissioner before work is begun on any of the following:
(1) Within all areas of the Downtown Historic District:
(a) The demolition of any building;
(b) The moving of any building;
(c) A change in the exterior appearance of historic buildings by additions, reconstruction, alteration, or maintenance involving exterior color change; or
(d) Any new construction of a principal building or accessory building or structure subject to view from a public way.
(e) A change in walls and fences, or the construction of walls and fences along public ways;
(B) Application for Certificates of Appropriateness. Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness shall be made in the office of City Hall on forms provided by that office. Detailed drawings, plans, or specifications are not required. However, to the extent reasonably required for the Building Commissioner to make a decision, each application must be accompanied by sketches, drawings, photographs, descriptions, or other information showing the proposed exterior alterations, additions, changes, or new construction.
(C) Approval or denial of Certificates of Appropriateness. If an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness is not acted on by the Building Commissioner within 30 days after it is filed, a Certificate of Appropriateness shall be issued by the Building Commissioner. If the certificate is issued, the application shall be processed in the same manner as applications for building or demolition permits required by the city, if any are processed. If no building or demolition permits are required, the applicant may proceed with the work authorized by the certificate. If the Building Commissioner denies an application for a certificate of appropriateness within 30 days after it is filed, the certificate may not be issued. The Building Commissioner must state its reasons for the denial in writing, and must advise the applicant. An application that has been denied may not be processed as an application for a building or demolition permit and does not authorize any work by the applicant. The Building Commissioner may grant an extension of the 30-day limit if the applicant agrees to it. If a permit is denied, the applicant may appeal to the Board of Works for a hearing.
(D) Criteria for considering effect of actions on buildings in the Downtown Historic District. In considering the appropriateness of any reconstruction, alteration, maintenance, or moving of a building or any part of or appurtenance to such building, including walls, fences, light fixtures, steps, paving, and signs shall require that such work be done in a manner that will preserve the historical and architectural character of the building, structure, or appurtenance. In considering historic and architectural character, the Building Commissioner shall consider, among other things, the following:
(1) Purposes of this subchapter;
(2) Historical and architectural value and significance of the building, structure, site or appurtenance;
(3) Compatibility and significance of additions, alterations, details, materials, or other non-original elements which may be of a different style and construction date than the original;
(4) The texture, material, color, style, and detailing of the building, structure, site or appurtenance;
(5) The continued preservation and protection of original or otherwise significant structure, material, and ornamentation;
(6) The position of the building or structure in relation to the street, public right-of-way and to other buildings and structures.
(Ord. 16, 2011, passed 9-12-2011; Am. Ord. 26, 2014, passed 8-25-2014)