As used in this chapter, certain terms are defined as follows:
(a) "Alter" or "alteration" means a change or re-arrangement in the structural parts or building service equipment or an enlargement whether by extending on a side or by increasing the height or the moving from one (1) location or position to another. For the purpose of this chapter, alterations shall include a change in design, color, texture, material or exterior feature. Ordinary maintenance to correct any deterioration, decay or damage to a structure and to restore the structure to its condition prior to such deterioration, decay or damage are excluded from the definition of "alteration", provided such work does not involve a change in design, color, texture, material or exterior feature.
(b) "Applicant" means any owner, owners, association, partnership or corporation who applies for a Certificate of Appropriateness.
(c) "Landmarks Commission" means the Historic Landmarks Commission of the City of Springfield, Ohio.
(d) "City Commission" means the City Commission for the City of Springfield.
(e) "Exterior features" means the architectural style, general design and general arrangement of the exterior of a building or other structure including but not limited to windows, doors, porches, storefronts, cornices, siding materials and decorative trim.
(f) "Historic District" means any area designated by the Landmarks Commission, under the provisions of this chapter, which contains properties of special character, historic, aesthetic or architectural value.
(g) "Listed property" means any property which has special character, historic, aesthetic or architectural value as part of the heritage, development or cultural characteristics of the City of Springfield, or the United States and which has been designated as a listed property pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
(h) "Member" means any member of the Landmarks Commission.
(i) "Owner" means the owner of record and such term includes the plural as well as the singular.
(j) "Sign" means any object or device or part thereof, visible outdoors which is used to advertise, identify, display, direct or attract attention to an object, person, institution, organization, business, product, service or event. For the purposes of this chapter, signs do not include: flags of nations, states and cities, fraternal, religious or civic organizations; merchandise, pictures or models of products and services incorporated as part of a window display; works of art which in no way identify a product; national, state, city, religious, fraternal, professional and civic symbols and crests.
(k) "Environmental feature" means any natural or man-made object, attachment or landscaping that is intended as part of the visual composition of a street or site, including but not limited to fences, sidewalks, driveways, exterior lighting fixtures, street trees, curbs and streets, and paving materials.
(l) "Substantial hardship" means a condition unique to the property under consideration and a condition under which an action by the Landmarks Commission would force the applicant to suffer practical difficulty and denial of the reasonable use of the property.
(Ord. 84-549. Passed 11-13-84.)