§ 62.201. Standards for Historic Landmarks and Structures in Historic Preservation Overlay Districts.

In considering an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness pursuant to this Chapter, the Historic Preservation Board shall adhere to and seek compatibility of structures in the district in terms of size, texture, scale and site plan, and in so doing, the following U.S. Secretary of the Interior's "Standards for Rehabilitation" shall be considered by the Board in passing upon such applications:

General Standards.

a.

Every reasonable effort shall be made to provide a compatible use for a property which requires minimal alteration of the building, structure, or site and its environment, or to use a property for its originally intended purpose.

b.

The distinguishing original qualities or character of a building, structure, or site and its environment shall not be destroyed. The removal or alteration of any historic material or distinctive architectural features shall be avoided when possible.

c.

All buildings, structures, and sites shall be recognized as products of their own time. Alterations that have no historical basis and which seek to create an earlier appearance shall be discouraged.

d.

Changes which may have taken place in the course of time are evidence of the history and development of a building, structure, or site and its environment. These changes may have acquired significance in their own right, and this significance shall be recognized and respected.

e.

Distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craftsmanship which characterize a building, structure, or site shall be treated with sensitivity.

f.

Deteriorated architectural features shall be repaired rather than replaced, wherever possible. In the event replacement is necessary, the new material shall match the material being replaced in composition, design, color, texture, and other visual qualities. Repair or replacement of missing architectural features shall be based on accurate duplications of features, substantiated by historic, physical, or pictorial evidence rather than on conjectural designs or the availability of different architectural elements from other buildings or structures.

g.

The surface cleaning of structures shall be undertaken with the gentlest means possible. Sandblasting and other cleaning methods that could damage the historic building materials shall be discouraged.

h.

Every reasonable effort shall be made to protect and preserve archeological resources affected by, or adjacent to any project.

i.

Contemporary design for alterations and additions to existing properties shall not be discouraged when such alterations and additions do not destroy significant historical, architectural or cultural materials, and such design is compatible with the size, scale, color, material, and character of the property, neighborhood or immediate environment.

j.

Contemporary design for new construction shall not be discouraged when such new construction is compatible with the size, scale, color, material, and character of the property, neighborhood or immediate environment.

k.

Wherever possible, new additions or alterations to structures shall be done in such a manner that if such additions or alterations were to be removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the structure would be unimpaired.

Additional Guidelines. The Historic Preservation Board may propose additional guidelines and criteria as it deems appropriate, subject to the approval of City Council.

(Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25099; Ord. of 2-22-1993, Doc. #26392)