(a) Prior to designation of an historic landmark or historic district, the Historic Landmarks Commission shall make or cause to be made a report on the historical, cultural and architectural significance of each building, structure, site and district proposed for designation, based upon the following standards:
(b) No building, structure, site or district shall be deemed to be an historic one unless it has been prominently identified with or best represents some major aspect of the cultural, political economic, military or social history of the City, the State or nation, or has had a major relationship with the life of an historic personage or event representing some major aspect of, or ideals related to, the history of the City, the State or the nation. In the case of buildings or structures which are to be so designated, they shall embody the principal or unique features of an architectural type or demonstrate the style of a period of our history or method of construction, or serve as an illustration of the work of a master builder, designer or architect whose genius influenced the period in which that person worked or has significance in current times.
(c) The commission shall submit such report, including maps and photographs as necessary, to the West Virginia Department of Culture and History. In the case of a report of a proposed historic district, the Commission shall submit with the report a map showing boundaries of the proposed district.
(d) In the event that such designation is proposed to include a certificate of appropriateness procedures, Council shall delegate authority for the Commission to hold a public hearing on the proposed designation of the historic property or historic district, and any proposed regulations and requirements for the historic district. Notice of the hearing shall be published at least two times in the principle newspaper of general circulation within the Municipality and written notice of the hearing shall be mailed by certified mail with the signed return receipt required by the Commission to all owners and occupants of such properties. All the notices shall be published or mailed not less than ten nor more than twenty days prior to the date set for the public hearing. Following the public hearing, unless the owner of a proposed property or fifty percent (50%) of the ownership interest in a proposed district objects to such designation or regulations and requirements within thirty days following the public hearing, the Commission shall forward its report of the public hearing and its recommendation to Council. Council may designate the property or properties as historic, and approve, amend or reject the proposed regulations or requirements. Within thirty days following such designation or approval, the owners and occupants of each designated historic property shall be given written notification of such designation or approval by Council, which notice shall apprise the owners and occupants of the necessity of obtaining a certificate of appropriateness prior to undertaking any alteration in the exterior architectural features of the historic landmark designated or within an historic district.
(e) Any such historic landmark or district designated under this article which is subject to certificates of appropriateness shall be shown on the official zoning map of the City.
(Ord. 13926. Passed 3-2-10.)