The Design Review Board shall review all applications for a Design Approval Certificate and approve, disapprove, or approve with modifications each application. In reviewing applications, the Board shall use the following standards:
(a) Every reasonable effort shall be made to protect and preserve archaeological resources affected by, or adjacent to, any project.
(b) Contemporary design shall not be discouraged when it is compatible with the size, scale, color, material, and character of the property, neighborhood, or environment.
(c) When demolition of a structure is proposed, the Board shall review such proposed action and identify any feasible alternatives. The Design Review Board shall assist the property owner in exploring options to preserve the structure. A Design Approval Certificate shall be issued when it is found either that the structure contains no significant architectural or historical features, or that the structure no longer has any reasonable economic use because deterioration has progressed to the point that rehabilitation is no longer a prudent alternative to demolition.
(d) Where demolition of structures having common walls with adjoining structures is proposed, the Board must ascertain that the structural stability of such common walls will be preserved. If common walls are to be permanently exposed as a result of demolition, the newly exposed areas must be finished to present the appearance of acceptable exterior walls.
(e) The design of new structures, including new site improvements, shall take into account the architectural style, general design, arrangement, texture, material, and color of other structures and premises within the Design Review District.
(f) All new structures and all reconstruction of existing structures shall use natural traditional exterior materials such as brick, stone, masonry and wood, where possible.
(g) The responsible authority and the Design Review Board shall, at a minimum, enforce the Secretary of the Interior's "standards" for the treatment of historic property as set forth in 36 CFR, Part 68; and the same are hereby adopted by this Council. The responsible authority and the Design Review Board shall consider the Department of the Interior's "Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring and Reconstructing Historic Buildings," as they pertain to exterior work, in connection with the enforcement of the standards. A copy of the standards and guidelines shall be maintained by the responsible authority for public review.
(Ord. 2008-58. Passed 2-2-09.)