Belle Meade City Zoning Code

14-207 Procedure

Before The Historic Zoning Commission

Any property owner who wants to construct a new principal use building, an addition, or demolish an existing principal use building must first obtain a certificate of appropriateness (CoA). A CoA is a form issued to ensure that the work planned for new construction, additions or demolition meets the criteria of the Citywide Conservation Overlay Design Guidelines (“design guidelines”). The CoA must be obtained in addition to the regular building permit.
To begin the CoA process, property owners must first meet with the planning director to discuss the project, answer questions, and to be advised on whether or not the plans are required to go before the historic zoning commission (HZC).
Required documentation for a CoA shall include:
1. For new construction and additions, a complete set of schematic plans at scale and descriptions of materials. Site plans shall be drawn to scale and show all existing and proposed improvements. Specifications and/or samples of exterior materials will be required such as siding, roofing, doors, windows, and ornamentation.
2. For demolition, photographs of the building proposed for demolition are required along with a statement describing the reasons for demolition and proposed use of the site.
Any application for new construction, repair, alteration, rehabilitation, relocation, or demolition of any principal use building or structure located in any historic district must first be referred to the (HZC) for review and approval. No permit of any kind shall be issued until such a certificate of appropriateness has been issued by the HZC. The HZC shall require detailed construction plans and data pertinent to its review. The planning director will advise the HZC whether or not the proposed work meets the design guidelines. If there is a conflict between the plans and the design guidelines, the planning director may offer advice on how to modify the plans to meet the guidelines. The HZC shall act within thirty (30) days of acceptance of a completed CoA application and materials submittal. The HZC shall grant the CoA with or without conditions or deny the same, and shall state the grounds for any denial in writing.
The HZC will make their decisions on CoA applications based on the design guidelines. In making its review the HZC shall rely upon the adopted guidelines for the district and give primary consideration to:
1. Historic or architectural value of the present structure;
2. The relationship of the exterior architectural features of such structure to the rest of the structure, surrounding areas, and to the character of the district;
3. The general compatibility of exterior design, arrangement, texture, and materials proposed to be used; and
4. Any other factor, including aesthetic, which is reasonably related to the purpose of this part.
The HZC has delegated to the planning director the ability to administratively approve work without prior review of the work by the HZC. The types of construction and/or site activity that may be administratively reviewed are listed below. The planning director may, at any point during the review process and for any reason, choose to refer the CoA to the HZC.
1. Demolition of accessory structures and appurtenances.
2. Demolition of any structure that has become a major life-safety hazard and is requested to be demolished for that reason.
3. Demolition of primary buildings less than fifty years of age.
4. Construction of Accessory Structures.
A CoA is valid for two years from the date of issuance. If no work is performed during that time period, a new CoA application must be submitted and another HZC meeting must be held.
If plans change while construction work is in progress, a new CoA application must be submitted and another HZC meeting must be held. Work undertaken contrary to original approval in a CoA or beyond the scope of the CoA requires approval from the HZC or staff. If a violation is discovered or reported, the following steps may be taken:
1. The building official may issue a stop work order. At this point the property owner must obtain a CoA from the HZC. If the work does not meet the design guidelines, the HZC may require that the work be redone or modified.
2. If the property owner does not respond to the stop work order, the building official may issue a citation for violating the ordinance. This will outline deadlines for responding. If the property owner still does not respond, the building official may issue a citation to appear in court.
Review of any decision of the HZC shall be by writ of certiorari under Tennessee Code Annotated,§§ 27-8-101 et seq.
Notice of a hearing before the HZC shall be in writing, mailed to the owner or their agent or other appellant at the address given on the appeal and to directly affected property owners or their agents, and the occupants where same is not owner occupied, at least five (5) days prior to the date set for such proposed hearing, in such manner as the board in its rules of procedure may prescribe. The HZC may establish by rule measures to provide additional notice to directly affected property owners or their agents, and the occupants where same is not owner occupied. A notice of the pending application shall be posted by the planning director on the property affected at least ten (10) days before the scheduled hearing. The HZC shall and is hereby authorized to adopt such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary and appropriate to carry into effect the provisions of this chapter.

HISTORY
Repealed & Replaced by Ord. 2024-14 on 9/18/2024

2024-14

Belle Meade City Zoning Code

14-207 Procedure

Before The Historic Zoning Commission

Any property owner who wants to construct a new principal use building, an addition, or demolish an existing principal use building must first obtain a certificate of appropriateness (CoA). A CoA is a form issued to ensure that the work planned for new construction, additions or demolition meets the criteria of the Citywide Conservation Overlay Design Guidelines (“design guidelines”). The CoA must be obtained in addition to the regular building permit.
To begin the CoA process, property owners must first meet with the planning director to discuss the project, answer questions, and to be advised on whether or not the plans are required to go before the historic zoning commission (HZC).
Required documentation for a CoA shall include:
1. For new construction and additions, a complete set of schematic plans at scale and descriptions of materials. Site plans shall be drawn to scale and show all existing and proposed improvements. Specifications and/or samples of exterior materials will be required such as siding, roofing, doors, windows, and ornamentation.
2. For demolition, photographs of the building proposed for demolition are required along with a statement describing the reasons for demolition and proposed use of the site.
Any application for new construction, repair, alteration, rehabilitation, relocation, or demolition of any principal use building or structure located in any historic district must first be referred to the (HZC) for review and approval. No permit of any kind shall be issued until such a certificate of appropriateness has been issued by the HZC. The HZC shall require detailed construction plans and data pertinent to its review. The planning director will advise the HZC whether or not the proposed work meets the design guidelines. If there is a conflict between the plans and the design guidelines, the planning director may offer advice on how to modify the plans to meet the guidelines. The HZC shall act within thirty (30) days of acceptance of a completed CoA application and materials submittal. The HZC shall grant the CoA with or without conditions or deny the same, and shall state the grounds for any denial in writing.
The HZC will make their decisions on CoA applications based on the design guidelines. In making its review the HZC shall rely upon the adopted guidelines for the district and give primary consideration to:
1. Historic or architectural value of the present structure;
2. The relationship of the exterior architectural features of such structure to the rest of the structure, surrounding areas, and to the character of the district;
3. The general compatibility of exterior design, arrangement, texture, and materials proposed to be used; and
4. Any other factor, including aesthetic, which is reasonably related to the purpose of this part.
The HZC has delegated to the planning director the ability to administratively approve work without prior review of the work by the HZC. The types of construction and/or site activity that may be administratively reviewed are listed below. The planning director may, at any point during the review process and for any reason, choose to refer the CoA to the HZC.
1. Demolition of accessory structures and appurtenances.
2. Demolition of any structure that has become a major life-safety hazard and is requested to be demolished for that reason.
3. Demolition of primary buildings less than fifty years of age.
4. Construction of Accessory Structures.
A CoA is valid for two years from the date of issuance. If no work is performed during that time period, a new CoA application must be submitted and another HZC meeting must be held.
If plans change while construction work is in progress, a new CoA application must be submitted and another HZC meeting must be held. Work undertaken contrary to original approval in a CoA or beyond the scope of the CoA requires approval from the HZC or staff. If a violation is discovered or reported, the following steps may be taken:
1. The building official may issue a stop work order. At this point the property owner must obtain a CoA from the HZC. If the work does not meet the design guidelines, the HZC may require that the work be redone or modified.
2. If the property owner does not respond to the stop work order, the building official may issue a citation for violating the ordinance. This will outline deadlines for responding. If the property owner still does not respond, the building official may issue a citation to appear in court.
Review of any decision of the HZC shall be by writ of certiorari under Tennessee Code Annotated,§§ 27-8-101 et seq.
Notice of a hearing before the HZC shall be in writing, mailed to the owner or their agent or other appellant at the address given on the appeal and to directly affected property owners or their agents, and the occupants where same is not owner occupied, at least five (5) days prior to the date set for such proposed hearing, in such manner as the board in its rules of procedure may prescribe. The HZC may establish by rule measures to provide additional notice to directly affected property owners or their agents, and the occupants where same is not owner occupied. A notice of the pending application shall be posted by the planning director on the property affected at least ten (10) days before the scheduled hearing. The HZC shall and is hereby authorized to adopt such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary and appropriate to carry into effect the provisions of this chapter.

HISTORY
Repealed & Replaced by Ord. 2024-14 on 9/18/2024

2024-14

Belle Meade City Zoning Code

14-207 Procedure

Before The Historic Zoning Commission

Any property owner who wants to construct a new principal use building, an addition, or demolish an existing principal use building must first obtain a certificate of appropriateness (CoA). A CoA is a form issued to ensure that the work planned for new construction, additions or demolition meets the criteria of the Citywide Conservation Overlay Design Guidelines (“design guidelines”). The CoA must be obtained in addition to the regular building permit.
To begin the CoA process, property owners must first meet with the planning director to discuss the project, answer questions, and to be advised on whether or not the plans are required to go before the historic zoning commission (HZC).
Required documentation for a CoA shall include:
1. For new construction and additions, a complete set of schematic plans at scale and descriptions of materials. Site plans shall be drawn to scale and show all existing and proposed improvements. Specifications and/or samples of exterior materials will be required such as siding, roofing, doors, windows, and ornamentation.
2. For demolition, photographs of the building proposed for demolition are required along with a statement describing the reasons for demolition and proposed use of the site.
Any application for new construction, repair, alteration, rehabilitation, relocation, or demolition of any principal use building or structure located in any historic district must first be referred to the (HZC) for review and approval. No permit of any kind shall be issued until such a certificate of appropriateness has been issued by the HZC. The HZC shall require detailed construction plans and data pertinent to its review. The planning director will advise the HZC whether or not the proposed work meets the design guidelines. If there is a conflict between the plans and the design guidelines, the planning director may offer advice on how to modify the plans to meet the guidelines. The HZC shall act within thirty (30) days of acceptance of a completed CoA application and materials submittal. The HZC shall grant the CoA with or without conditions or deny the same, and shall state the grounds for any denial in writing.
The HZC will make their decisions on CoA applications based on the design guidelines. In making its review the HZC shall rely upon the adopted guidelines for the district and give primary consideration to:
1. Historic or architectural value of the present structure;
2. The relationship of the exterior architectural features of such structure to the rest of the structure, surrounding areas, and to the character of the district;
3. The general compatibility of exterior design, arrangement, texture, and materials proposed to be used; and
4. Any other factor, including aesthetic, which is reasonably related to the purpose of this part.
The HZC has delegated to the planning director the ability to administratively approve work without prior review of the work by the HZC. The types of construction and/or site activity that may be administratively reviewed are listed below. The planning director may, at any point during the review process and for any reason, choose to refer the CoA to the HZC.
1. Demolition of accessory structures and appurtenances.
2. Demolition of any structure that has become a major life-safety hazard and is requested to be demolished for that reason.
3. Demolition of primary buildings less than fifty years of age.
4. Construction of Accessory Structures.
A CoA is valid for two years from the date of issuance. If no work is performed during that time period, a new CoA application must be submitted and another HZC meeting must be held.
If plans change while construction work is in progress, a new CoA application must be submitted and another HZC meeting must be held. Work undertaken contrary to original approval in a CoA or beyond the scope of the CoA requires approval from the HZC or staff. If a violation is discovered or reported, the following steps may be taken:
1. The building official may issue a stop work order. At this point the property owner must obtain a CoA from the HZC. If the work does not meet the design guidelines, the HZC may require that the work be redone or modified.
2. If the property owner does not respond to the stop work order, the building official may issue a citation for violating the ordinance. This will outline deadlines for responding. If the property owner still does not respond, the building official may issue a citation to appear in court.
Review of any decision of the HZC shall be by writ of certiorari under Tennessee Code Annotated,§§ 27-8-101 et seq.
Notice of a hearing before the HZC shall be in writing, mailed to the owner or their agent or other appellant at the address given on the appeal and to directly affected property owners or their agents, and the occupants where same is not owner occupied, at least five (5) days prior to the date set for such proposed hearing, in such manner as the board in its rules of procedure may prescribe. The HZC may establish by rule measures to provide additional notice to directly affected property owners or their agents, and the occupants where same is not owner occupied. A notice of the pending application shall be posted by the planning director on the property affected at least ten (10) days before the scheduled hearing. The HZC shall and is hereby authorized to adopt such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary and appropriate to carry into effect the provisions of this chapter.

HISTORY
Repealed & Replaced by Ord. 2024-14 on 9/18/2024