(A) Certificates of appropriateness required. A certificate of appropriateness must be issued by or on behalf of the Commission before a permit is issued for or work is begun on any of the following:
(1) Within all areas of a historic district:
(a) The demolition of any building;
(b) The moving of any building;
(c) A conspicuous 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.
(2) Within a primary area of a historic district:
(a) A change in walls and fences or the construction of walls and fences along public ways; or
(b) A conspicuous change in the exterior appearance of non-historic buildings subject to view from a public way by additions, reconstruction, alteration or maintenance involving exterior color change.
(3) Within the first phase of a two-phase establishment of a historic district:
(a) The moving of any building;
(b) The demolition of any building; or
(c) Any new construction of a principal building or accessory building or structure subject to view from a public way.
(B) Application for certificates of appropriateness. Application for a certificate of appropriateness shall be made in the office of the Commission on forms provided by that office. Detailed drawings, plans or specifications are not required. However, to the extent reasonably requited for the Commission 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. The Commission may advise and make recommendations to the applicant before acting on an application for a certificate of appropriateness. If an application for a certificate of appropriateness is approved by the Commission, or is not acted on by the Commission, within 30 days after it is filed, a certificate of appropriateness shall be issued. 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 arc required by the city, the applicant may proceed with the work authorized by the certificate. If the Commission denies an application for a certificate of appropriateness within 30 days after it is filed, the certificate may not be issued. The Commission 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 Commission may grant an extension of the 30-day limit if the applicant agrees to it.
(D) Criteria for considering effect of actions on historic buildings. The Commission, in considering the appropriateness of any reconstruction, alteration, maintenance or moving of a historic 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 Commission 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 relationship of buildings, structures, appurtenances or architectural features similar to one within the same historic district, including for primary areas, visual compatibility as defined in § 33.138(B) of this subchapter; and
(7) The position of the building or structure in relation to the street, public right-of-way and to other buildings and structures.
(E) Procedure for demolition upon denial of a certificate of appropriateness.
(1) The purpose of this division (E) is to preserve historic buildings that are important to the education, culture, traditions and economic values of the city, and to afford the city, historical organizations and other interested persons the opportunity to acquire or to arrange for the preservation of these buildings. If a property owner demonstrates that a historic building is incapable of earning an economic return on its value, as appraised by a qualified real estate appraiser, and the Commission fails to approve the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness, the building may be demolished.
(2) However, before a demolition permit is issued or demolition proceeds, the following requirements for notice must be met:
(a) Notice of the proposed demolition must be given for a period fixed by the Commission, based on the Commission’s classification on the approved map, but not less than 60 days nor more than one year;
(b) Notice must be posted on the premises of the building proposed for demolition in a location clearly visible from the street;
(c) Notice must be published in a newspaper of general local circulation at least three times before demolition, with the first publication not more than 15 days after the application for a permit to demolish is filed, and the final publication at least 15 days before the date of the permit.
(3) The Commission may approve a certificate of appropriateness at any time during the notice period under this division (E). If the certificate is approved, a demolition permit shall be issued without further delay, and demolition may proceed.
(Ord. 22-09, passed 7-11-2022)