2009 Ordinances - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

A certificate of appropriateness shall be required whether or not a building permit is required. Ordinary maintenance and repair items such as those listed in 40-56.7 are exempt from review. Exterior alterations that do not require a building permit but which can change the exterior appearance of the building or structure such as replacement of doors and windows shall not be constructed or installed unless a certificate of appropriateness has first been obtained. No site feature or appurtenance (such as walls, fences, arbors, paved parking areas, patios, decks, garages, tool sheds, and other accessory structures) where visible from a public right-of-way shall be constructed or installed unless a certificate of appropriateness has first been obtained. No building permit shall be issued for erection, alteration or improvement of an historic structure or property within an historic district unless a certificate of appropriateness, if required, has first been issued. A certificate of occupancy shall not be issued unless the project is constructed in compliance with the certificate of appropriateness. A certificate of appropriateness must be approved by the Committee prior to a zoning review of site plans, the site plan review process, subdivision review, board of zoning appeals review, or the processing of a use permit or rezoning application. No action by the departments, commissions, or agencies responsible for such reviews shall take place if a required certificate of appropriateness has not been approved. Sec. 40-57.1.2. Certificate of Appropriateness; Committee review and approval. Major actions, as defined in the standards and guidelines adopted by the city council as those projects requiring a three-step review, and any other actions not specifically exempted by the terms of this article and which constitute a major permanent change to the character of the historic district or property shall be approved only after a public meeting and favorable action by the Downtown Design Committee. In its review of an application for a certificate of appropriateness for a major action, the Committee shall be guided in its decisions by the standards and guidelines required and established by this article. In response to an application, the Committee shall either (i) approve the certificate of appropriateness as proposed, (ii) approve the application with any modifications or conditions it deems necessary if the applicant concurs with the modifications or conditions, or (iii) deny the application. The Committee may defer action on an application in order to obtain additional information necessary for its decision. The Committee shall not deny an application except with respect to the standards and guidelines in this article. The Committee shall give reasons for its decisions of denial in writing, shall act promptly on applications before it and shall coordinate its procedures with those of other agencies and individuals charged with administration of this division. Sec. 40-57.1.3. Certificate of Appropriateness; submission of plans required. A written description, drawings, photographs, plans, and documentation as required by the Committee and as further set forth on the application for the certificate of appropriateness and in the adopted Design Guidelines Submittal Requirements Section shall accompany the application for a certificate of appropriateness.