(A) No historic building or structure shall be demolished unless so authorized by the City Council. The applicant for the demolition of a historic structure shall submit the following application materials to the Historic Review Board for consideration:
(1) Names and addresses of the applicant, owners of the structure and property, and contractors or others involved;
(2) A vicinity map showing the specific location of the property and the location of the structure on the property;
(3) Photographs showing each elevation (side) of the building with the dates the photos were taken; and
(4) A statement explaining the reason(s) why the building is being considered for demolition.
(B) The Board shall schedule and conduct a public hearing to consider the proposal and to provide opportunities for public comment.
(C) The Board, in arriving at a decision, shall take into consideration at least the following criteria:
(1) The present state of the building and the reasonableness of estimated restoration costs, if the costs are known;
(2) The character of the neighborhood in which the structure is located and its relationship to other historic structures, if any;
(3) The city's comprehensive plan for the area and the importance other proposed land uses and development to the neighborhood and the community; and
(4) Alternatives to demolition, including preservation and relocation.
(D) The Board will submit its decision, recommendations, findings and other supporting documentation to the City Council, which will either:
(1) Permit the building to be demolished; or
(2) Suspend issuance of permission to demolish for a fixed number of days not to exceed 120 from the date of application, if it is determined that:
(a) It is in the best interests of the community to try to save this particular structure; and
(b) There is reason to believe that a program or project may be undertaken which could result in public or private acquisition of the building or which could cause the building to be restored or preserved.
(E) The City Council, upon request, may extend the suspension period for an additional 120 days, if there is reason to believe that a program or project is in progress or being attempted to save the historic structure.
(F) If the suspension period has elapsed and the applicant has not withdrawn the request to demolish, then the applicant shall be allowed to demolish the historic structure in accordance with the city's ordinances pertaining to demolition and public safety.
(G) (1) If a historical building for which permission has been granted for demolition has not been demolished within one year from the date permission was granted, then that permission becomes null and void and the applicant must either:
(a) Reapply for a demolition permit; or
(b) Request an extension of the one-year time limit.
(2) The City Council will reconsider the issue and may grant or deny the request.
(Ord. 225, passed 10-20-1994, § 19.6)