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Sec. 40-54.5. Appeals. (a) Either an applicant or the planning director may appeal to the city council any final decision of the historic preservation commission regarding a certificate of appropriateness, provided such appeal is filed in writing with the commission secretary within 30 days of the commission's decision. The written appeal shall set forth any alleged error in the commission's action or decision. The appeal shall state with specificity the nature of the error allegedly committed by the commission in finding that the proposed erection, alteration, reconstruction or restoration of a structure would not be architecturally compatible with the historic properties, buildings or structures within the historic district. A conclusory statement of error without any allegations of specific facts shall be insufficient to meet the requirements of this paragraph. (b) An appeal review committee consisting of the planning director and the city attorney or their designees shall initially review the written appeal. In the event that the planning director initiates an appeal, the city manager shall designate a city employee not employed in the department of planning to serve on the committee in place of the planning director. The committee shall determine whether the written appeal meets the requirements of paragraph (a) above. If the appeal fails to meet the requirements, the committee will deny the appeal on the grounds of insufficiency and so notify the applicant in writing. The notification shall provide the reasons for the denial. The applicant may appeal the committee's decision to the circuit court. If the committee finds that the applicant's appeal has stated sufficient grounds for an appeal, the appeal shall be forwarded to the city clerk who shall place it on the city council's agenda. The applicant shall be notified in writing when an appeal is forwarded to the city clerk. (c) The filing of an appeal shall stay the commission's decision pending the outcome of the appeal, except that such filing will not stay the Commission's decision if such decision denies the right to raze or demolish a building or structure. (d) The city council shall reverse the commission's decision only upon a finding of error in the commission's actions or findings. If the city council affirms the commission's decision, the applicant may appeal the city council's decision to the circuit court within 30 days after the final decision is rendered by the city council. (e) The timely filing of appeal in the circuit court shall stay the city council's decision pending outcome of the appeal to the court, except that the filing of such petition shall not stay the decision if such decision denies the right to raze or demolish a building or structure. Sec. 40-54.6. Certificate of appropriateness; violations; criminal penalties. Failure to either obtain a required certificate of appropriateness prior to commencement of work or failure to proceed with a project as approved or failure to