§ 58.402. Establishment of Historic Districts.

Citizen Initiative. Before the initiation of a Zoning Map amendment to establish an HP Overlay District, a petition shall be presented to the Historic Preservation Board containing the signatures of not less than fifteen percent (15%) of the property owners within the proposed district, requesting that a public hearing be held to consider the matter.

Comprehensive Survey. Before the establishment of an historic district, the Historic Preservation Officer or his designee shall conduct a comprehensive survey to record and document the historic and architectural significance of the exteriors of buildings, structures, features, sites, or objects in an area. A summary of the survey research and findings shall be compiled. A statement of architectural and of the survey research and findings shall be compiled. A statement of architectural and historic significance shall be prepared. A final survey report shall be submitted to the Historic Preservation Board.

Historic District Criteria. The Historic Preservation Board shall use the following criteria in making its recommendations for historic district designation:

(a)

The concentration of buildings at least 50 years old;

(b)

Exemplification of the cultural, economic, social, educational, or historic heritage of the City of Orlando;

(c)

Embodiment of distinguishing characteristics of architectural styles, elements of architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship;

(d)

Recognition as an area eligible for preservation according to local, state, or national historical/architectural surveys;

(e)

Embodiment of vernacular building forms and styles representative of Central Florida architecture;

(f)

Development of an original settlement or planned development or neighborhood.

The proposed historic district shall at a minimum meet criteria (a) through (d).

Preparation of Report. The Historic Preservation Officer shall make a District Report on the area proposed as an historic district. The District Report shall recommend either approval or denial of the proposed HP Overlay District, and if approval is recommended, shall state the reasons for designating the area as an HP Overlay District. The District Report shall contain a summary of the comprehensive survey; an historic and architectural statement of significance; the criteria used to determine historic district eligibility; a statement of consistency with the Growth Management Plan; and the recommendations concerning the area to be included in the proposed historic district.

Historic Preservation Board Review. The Historic Preservation Board shall hold a public hearing thereon after due notice, which shall include a written notice to the last known address of the owners of all properties to be included in such district. The Board shall review the proposed historic district area to:

(a)

determine if the area qualifies as an historic district; and

(b)

recommend boundaries of the district if the area so qualifies.

After said public hearing, the Historic Preservation Officer shall prepare a report to the Municipal Planning Board. The report shall state the reasons for designating the area as an HP Overlay District and state whether the proposed District is consistent with the Growth Management Plan and the Area Plans.

Municipal Planning Board Review. The Municipal Planning Board shall hold a public hearing, with due public notice to the owners of all properties to be included in such district, to review the area to be included in the proposed HP Overlay District for consistency with the Growth Management Plan. The Municipal Planning Board shall not review proposed historic district boundaries. Based on the recommendations of the Historic Preservation Board, the recommendations of the Historic Preservation Officer, and the review of the Municipal Planning Board for consistency with the Growth Management Plan, the Municipal Planning Board shall prepare recommendations for the consideration of City Council.

Transmittal of Report. Based on the District Report, the requirements of this Chapter, and the recommendations of the Historic Preservation Board and Historic Preservation staff, the Historic Preservation Officer shall submit a final report with recommendations for the consideration of the City Council within thirty (30) days following the action of the Municipal Planning Board. Copies of the adopted report shall be transmitted to the Division of Historical Resources, Bureau of Historic Preservation, Department of State of the State of Florida.

City Council Review and Approval. City Council shall apply the Historic District criteria set out in this Section in designating a historic district. Historic districts, when approved by City Council, shall be established by ordinance and shown on the Official Zoning Map as overlay districts.

(Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25094; Ord. of 7-26-1993, Doc. #26769; Ord. of 5-20-1996, Doc. #29361)