(a) Recommendation to Council; certificate of appropriateness. Upon receipt of the written advice or recommendations of the Planning Commission relating to facade, signs and awnings, Council shall consider at a regular or special meeting the question of issuing to the Building Inspector a certificate of appropriateness authorizing a permit for the work covered by the application. The City Clerk shall give the applicant not less than five days’ written notice of the time and place of the meeting at which his or her application will be considered and of the fact that he has the right to attend and be heard as to his or her reasons for filing the same. However, the applicant may execute and file a written waiver of the five-day notice requirement if he or she elects to do so in order that the meeting may be scheduled at an earlier date. In determining whether or not to certify to the appropriateness of the proposed erection, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition or razing of all or part of such building, Council shall consider the same factors as the Planning Commission as set forth in the report of the Commission. If Council approves the application, it shall issue a certificate of appropriateness authorizing the Building Inspector to issue a permit for the work covered. If Council disapproves, it shall do so in writing, giving reasons therefor; and a copy thereof shall be given to the applicant and to the Building Inspector. The disapproval shall indicate what changes in the plans and specifications would meet the conditions for protecting the distinctive central business district character. In any event, Council shall render its decision no later than 30 days from receipt of the written recommendations of the Board.
(b) Appeal from disapproval. Upon receipt of the written disapproval of Council, the Building Inspector shall disapprove the application for a building permit and so advise the applicant. The applicant may appeal from the disapproval as provided by the Local Agency Law (2 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 101 et seq.).
(c) Enforcement. The Building Inspector shall have the power to institute any proceedings at law or in equity necessary for the enforcement of this article in the same manner as in his or her enforcement of other building, zoning or planning legislation or regulations of the city.
(Ord. 6131, approved 4-30-2009)
