§ 13.5-8. Criteria for issuance of certificates of appropriateness.

The commission and the city shall use the following criteria in granting or denying certificates of appropriateness:

(a)

General factors:

(1)

Architectural design of existing building, structure, or appurtenance and proposed alteration;

(2)

Historical significance of the resource;

(3)

General appearance of the resource;

(4)

Condition of the resource;

(5)

Materials composing the resource;

(6)

Size of the resource;

(7)

The relationship of the above factors to, and their effect upon the immediate surroundings and, if within a historic district, upon the district as a whole and its architectural and historical character and integrity.

(b)

New construction:

(1)

In advance of new construction, steps shall be taken to insure evaluation of possible archaeological resources, as set forth in the Mississippi Antiquities Act.

(2)

The following aspects of new construction shall be visually compatible with the buildings and environment with which the new construction is visually related, including but not limited to: the height, the gross volume, the proportions between width and height of the facade(s), the proportions and relationship between doors and windows, the rhythm of solids to voids created by openings in the facade, the materials, the textures, the colors, the patterns, the trims, and the design of the roof.

(3)

Existing rhythm created by existing building masses and spaces between them shall be preserved.

(4)

The landscape plan shall be compatible with the resource, and it shall be visually compatible with the environment with which it is visually related. Landscaping shall also not prove detrimental to the fabric of a resource, or adjacent public or private improvements like sidewalks and walls.

(5)

No specific architectural style shall be required.

(c)

Exterior alteration:

(1)

All exterior alterations to a building, structure, object, site, or landscape feature shall be compatible with the resource itself and other resources with which it is related, as is provided in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the original design of a building, structure, object, or landscape feature shall be considered in applying these standards.

(2)

Exterior alterations shall not affect the architectural character or historic quality of a landmark and shall not destroy the significance of landmark sites.

(d)

Application. In considering an application for the demolition of a landmark or a resource within a historic district, the following shall be considered:

(1)

The commission shall consider the individual architectural, cultural, and/or historical significance of the resource.

(2)

The commission shall consider the importance of contribution of the resource to the architectural character of the district.

(3)

The commission shall consider the importance of contribution of the resource to neighboring property values.

(4)

The commission shall consider the difficulty of impossibility of reproducing such a resource because of its texture, design, material, or detail.

(5)

Following recommendation for approval of demolition, the applicant must seek approval of replacement plans, set forth in subsection (b) of this section, prior to receiving a demolition permit and other permits. Replacement plans for this purpose shall include, but shall not be restricted to, project concept, preliminary elevations and site plans, and completed working drawings for at least the foundation plan which will enable the applicant to receive a permit for foundation constructions.

(6)

Applicants that have received a recommendation for demolition shall be permitted to receive such demolition permit without additional commission action on demolition, following the commission's recommendation of a permit for new construction. Permits for demolition and construction shall be issued simultaneously if requirements of subsection (b) of this section, are met, and the applicant provides financial proof of his ability to complete the project.

(7)

When the commission recommends approval of demolition of a resource, a permit shall not be issued until all plans for the site have received approval from all appropriate city boards, commissions, departments and agencies.

(Ord. of 10-25-2004)