The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Certificate of appropriateness means the certificate issued by the commission approving alteration, rehabilitation, construction, reconstruction, or demolition of an historic structure, historic site, or any improvement in an historic district.

Commission means the village plan commission as authorized under this chapter.

Historic district means an area designated by the village board, on recommendation of the commission, that contains one or more historic structures or sites.

Historic site means any parcel of land of historic significance due to a substantial value in tracing the history or prehistory of humans, or upon which a historic event has occurred, and which has been designated as a historic site under this article, or an improvement parcel, or part thereof, on which is situated an historic structure and any abutting improvement parcel, or part thereof, used as and constituting part of the premises on which the historic structure is situated.

Historic structure means any improvement which has a special character or a special historic interest or value as part of the development, heritage, or cultural characteristics of the village, state, or nation and which has been designated as a historic structure pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. The Angeline Champeau Rioux House at 2183 Glendale Avenue is a historic structure for the purposes of this article.

Improvement means any building, structure, place, work of art, or other object constituting a physical betterment of real property, or any part of such betterment, including streets, alleys, sidewalks, curbs, lighting fixtures, signs, and the like.

Improvement parcel means the unit of property which includes a physical betterment constituting an improvement and the land embracing the site thereof, and is treated as a single entity for the purpose of levying real estate taxes; provided, however, that the term "improvement parcel" also include any unimproved area of land which is treated as a single entity for such tax purposes.

(Comp. Ords. 2000, § 17.23(2); Ord. No. 2006-26, § 1(17.23(2)), 8-28-2006)

It is hereby declared a matter of public policy that the protection, enhancement, perpetuation, and use of improvements or sites of special character or special architectural or historic interest or value is a public necessity and is required in the interest of the health, prosperity, safety, and welfare of the people. The purpose and intent of this article is as follows:

(1)

Protect, enhance and perpetuate history. Effect and accomplish the protection, enhancement, and perpetuation of such improvements, sites, and districts which represent or reflect elements of the village's cultural, social, economic, political, and architectural history.

(2)

Safeguard heritage. Safeguard the village's historic and cultural heritage as embodied and reflected in such historic structures, sites, and districts.

(3)

Foster civic pride. Foster civic pride in the notable accomplishments of the past.

(4)

Stabilize property values. Stabilize and improve property values.

(5)

Protect attractions. Protect and enhance the village's attractions to residents, tourists, and visitors and serve as a support and stimulus to business and industry.

(6)

Improve character. Improve and enhance the visual and aesthetic character of the village.

(7)

Educate the public. Educate the public regarding the need and desirability of a village historic preservation program and its enhancement of the quality of life.

(Comp. Ords. 2000, § 17.23(1); Ord. No. 2006-26, § 1(17.23(1)), 8-28-2006)

Any person violating any provision of this article may be fined no less than $200.00 for each separate violation. Each and every day during which a violation continues shall be deemed to be a separate offense. Notice of violations shall be issued by the village building inspector.

(Comp. Ords. 2000, § 17.23(9); Ord. No. 2006-26, § 1(17.23(9)), 8-28-2006)

In any case where the village building inspector determines that there are emergency conditions dangerous to life, health, or property affecting an historic structure, site, or property in an historic district, the village may order the remedying of these conditions without the approval of the commission. The village shall promptly notify the commission of the action being taken. When the emergency conditions do not require demolition, the village shall make every effort to carry out the intent of this chapter and to use the design guidelines of the commission when remedying the emergency conditions.

(Comp. Ords. 2000, § 17.23(10); Ord. No. 2006-26, § 1(17.23(10)), 8-28-2006)

For the purpose of this article, the village plan commission shall serve as the historic preservation commission under the provisions of Wis. Stats. § 62.23.

(Comp. Ords. 2000, § 17.23(3); Ord. No. 2006-26, § 1(17.23(3)), 8-28-2006; Ord. No. 2008-30, § 1, 12-22-2008)

The historic preservation commission may adopt specific operating guidelines for historic structure, historic site, and historic district designation. For the purposes of this article, a historic structure, historic site, or historic district designation may be placed on any site, natural or improved, including any building, improvement, or structure located thereon, or on any area of particular historic, architectural, archeological, or cultural significance to the village, such as historic structures, sites, or districts which meet the following criteria:

(1)

Exemplify history. Structures, sites, or districts which exemplify or reflect the broad cultural, political, economic, or social history of the nation, state or community.

(2)

Identified with historic personages or events. Structures, sites, or districts which are identified with historic personages, or with important events in national, state, or local history.

(3)

Embody distinguishing architectural characteristics. Structures, sites, or districts which embody the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type or specimen inherently valuable for a study of a period, style, method of construction, or of indigenous materials or craftsmanship.

(4)

Representative of notable work. Structures, sites, or districts which are representative of the notable work of a master builder, designer, or architect who influenced his age.

(5)

Yield important information. Structures, sites, or districts which have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important to prehistory or history.

(Comp. Ords. 2000, § 17.23(4); Ord. No. 2006-26, § 1(17.23(4)), 8-28-2006)

The authority and activities of the historic preservation commission shall be advisory, and it shall act in a cooperative capacity and rely upon voluntary compliance. The basic function of the commission shall be the development of public support and the location and identification of historic sites, historic structures, and historic districts. The duties of the commission shall be as follows:

(1)

Designation. Upon request of the property owner, the commission shall have the power, subject to division 3 of this article, infra, to designate historic structures and historic sites. The commission shall have the power to recommend designation of historic districts within the city limits. Such designations shall be made based on section 50-1457. Historic districts shall be approved by the village board. Once designated, such historic structures, sites, and districts shall be subject to all the provisions of this chapter.

(2)

Regulation of construction, reconstruction, alteration, and demolition. No owner or person in charge of an historic structure, historic site, or structure within an historic district shall reconstruct, alter, or demolish all or any part of the exterior of such property or construct any improvement upon such designated property or properties, or cause or permit any such work to be performed upon such property, or demolish such property unless a certificate of appropriateness had been granted by the historic preservation commission. Unless such certificate has been granted by the commission, the village building inspector shall not issue a permit for any such work.

a.

Upon filing of any application for a certificate of appropriateness with the commission, the commission shall approve the application unless:

1.

In the case of a designated historic structure or historic site, the proposed work would detrimentally change, destroy, or adversely affect any exterior architectural feature of the improvement or site upon which said work is to be done;

2.

In the case of the construction of a new improvement upon an historic site or within an historic district, the exterior of such improvement would adversely affect or not harmonize with the external appearance of other neighboring improvements on such site or within the district;

3.

In the case of any property located within an historic district, the proposed construction, reconstruction, exterior alteration, or demolition does not conform to the purpose and intent of this chapter and to the objectives and design criteria of the historic preservation plan for said district;

4.

The building or structure is of such architectural or historical significance that its demolition would be detrimental to the public interest and contrary to the general welfare of the people of the village and the state;

5.

The building or structure is of such old and unusual or uncommon design, texture, and/or material that it could not be reproduced without great difficulty and/or expense;

6.

Except as provided herein, in the case of a request for the demolition of a deteriorated building or structure, any hardship or difficulty claimed by the owner is self-created or is the result of any failure to maintain the property in good repair. Upon the request for a demolition permit for a structure determined to be unfit for human habitation, occupancy, or use by any authorized public official or agency, the commission may defer the granting of approval for a period of up to six months from the time of such application, during which time the commission and the property owner shall undertake serious and continuing discussions for the purpose of finding a method to save such property. During such period, the property owner and the commission shall cooperate in attempting to avoid demolition of the property. At the end of this six-month period, if no mutually agreeable method of saving the subject property bearing a reasonable prospect of eventual success is under way, or if no formal application for funds from any governmental unit or nonprofit organization to preserve the subject property is pending, the village building inspector may issue the building permit to demolish the subject property without the approval of the commission. If such mutually agreeable method for saving the subject property is not successful or no such funds to preserve the subject property have been obtained and available for disbursement within a period of two months following the end of such six-month period, the village building inspector may issue the permit to demolish the subject property without the approval of the commission.

b.

In addition, in determining whether to issue a certificate of appropriateness, the commission shall consider and may give decisive weight to any and all of the following standards:

1.

A property shall be used for its historic purposes or be placed in a new use that requires minimal change to the defining characteristics of the building and its site and environment.

2.

The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The removal of historic materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property shall be avoided.

3.

Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use. Changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or architectural elements from other buildings, shall not be undertaken.

4.

Most properties change over time. Those changes that have acquired historic significance in their own right shall be retained and preserved.

5.

Distinctive features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property shall be preserved.

6.

Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features shall be substantiated by documentary, physical, or pictorial evidence.

7.

Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause damage to historic materials shall not be used. The surface cleaning of structures, if appropriate, shall be undertaken using the gentlest means possible.

8.

Significant archeological resources affected by a project shall be protected and preserved. If such resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures shall be undertaken.

9.

New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment.

10.

New additions and adjacent or related new construction shall be undertaken in such a manner that if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired.

c.

If the commission determines that the application for a certificate of appropriateness and the proposed changes are consistent with the character and features of the property or district and with the guidelines in section (2)b of this section, it shall issue the certificate of appropriateness. Upon issuance of such certificate, the building permit shall then be issued by the village building inspector. The commission shall make this decision within 45 days of the filing of the application. Failure of the commission to act upon a request for a certificate of appropriateness within 45 days shall result in the issuance of such certificate.

d.

Agencies of the village and all public utility and transportation companies undertaking projects affecting historic structures, historic sites, or historic districts shall be required to obtain a certificate of appropriateness prior to initiating any changes in the character of street paving, sidewalks, utility installations, lighting, walls, fences, structures, and buildings on property, easements, or streets owned or franchised by the village.

e.

The issuance of a certificate of appropriateness shall not relieve the applicant from obtaining other permits and approvals required by the village. A building permit or other municipal permit shall be invalid if it is obtained without the presentation of the certificate of appropriateness required for the proposed work. Insofar as they are applicable to an historic structure, historic site, or improvement in an historic district designated under this article, any provision of the plumbing code, electrical code, or building or housing of the city shall apply unless waived by the appropriate state or village officials. The commission may support or propose such waivers before the appropriate state or village appeals body.

f.

Compliance with certificates of appropriateness shall be started within 12 months after the issuance of the certificate, and the work shall conform to the provisions of the certificate. The village may inspect the work during and after construction in order to ensure compliance. Failure to comply with a certificate of appropriateness or failure to obtain a certificate of appropriateness shall be a violation of this article. In addition to other penalties and remedies, the village shall issue a stop work order, and all work shall cease on the designated property. No additional work shall be undertaken as long as such stop work order shall continue in effect.

g.

Ordinary maintenance and repairs may be undertaken without a certificate of appropriateness provided the work involves repairs to existing features of an historic structure or site, or the replacement of elements of a structure with pieces identical in appearance, and provided that the work does not change the exterior appearance of the structure or site and does not require the issuance of a building permit.

(3)

Appeals. Should the commission deny a certificate of appropriateness due to the failure of the proposal to conform to the guidelines, the applicant may appeal such decision to the village board within 30 days. In addition, if the commission denies a certificate of appropriateness, the commission shall, with the cooperation of the applicant, work with the applicant in an attempt to obtain a certificate of appropriateness within the guidelines of this chapter.

(4)

Recognition of historic structures, sites, and districts. At such time as an historic structure, site, or district has been properly designated, the commission may cause to be prepared and erected on such property, at village expense, a suitable plaque declaring that such property is an historic structure, site, or district. Such plaque shall be so placed as to be easily visible to passing pedestrians. The plaque shall state the accepted name of the historic property, the date of its construction, and other information deemed proper by the commission.

(5)

Other duties. In addition to those duties already specified in this article, the commission shall:

a.

Work for the continuing education of the citizens about the historical heritage of the village and the historic properties designated under the provisions of this chapter.

b.

Cooperate with the state historic preservation officer and the state historic preservation review board in attempting to include such properties hereunder designated as landmarks or landmark sites, or historic districts in the National Register of Historic Places and the state Register of Historic Places.

c.

As it deems advisable, receive and solicit funds for the purpose of historic preservation in the village.

d.

Conduct studies and surveys. Conduct studies and surveys of neighborhoods, areas, places, structures, and improvements within the village for the purpose of determining those of a distinctive character or special historic, aesthetic, architectural, archeological, or cultural interest or value, and of compiling appropriate descriptions, facts, and lists.

e.

Enlist assistance. Cooperate with and enlist assistance from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the state historical society, and other agencies, groups, or individuals active in the field of historic and cultural preservation.

f.

Work with property owners. Work on a voluntary basis with the owners of historic sites and structures advising them on the benefits, problems, and techniques of preservation and encouraging their participation in preservation activities.

(Comp. Ords. 2000, § 17.23(5); Ord. No. 2006-26, § 1(17.23(5)), 8-28-2006)

(a)

The historic preservation commission may, after notice and public hearing, designate historic structures and historic sites or rescind such designation or recommendation after application of the criteria in section 50-1457. At least ten days prior to such hearing, the commission shall notify the owners of record, as listed in the office of the village assessor, who are owners of the property in whole or in part situated within 100 feet of the boundaries of the property affected. These owners shall have the right to confer with the commission on the designation. Notice of such hearing shall also be published as a Class 1 notice under the Wisconsin Statutes. The historic preservation commission shall also notify the following:

(1)

Village department of public works;

(2)

Village redevelopment authority;

(3)

Village parks department;

(4)

Village fire and police departments;

(5)

Village health department;

(6)

Village building inspection department; and

(7)

Village plan commission.

Each such department may respond to the historic preservation commission with its comments on the proposed designation or rescission.

(b)

The commission shall then conduct such public hearing and, in addition to the notified persons, may hear expert witnesses and shall have the power to subpoena such witnesses and records as it deems necessary. The commission may conduct an independent investigation into the proposed designation or rescission. Within ten days after the close of the public hearing, the commission may designate the property as either an historic structure or an historic site, or rescind the designation. After the designation or rescission has been made, notification shall be sent to the property owner or owners. Notification shall also be given to the village clerk, building inspection department, village plan commission, and the village assessor. The commission shall cause the designation or rescission to be recorded, at village expense, in the county register of deeds office.

(Comp. Ords. 2000, § 17.23(6)(a); Ord. No. 2006-26, § 1(17.23(6)(a)), 8-28-2006)

(a)

Geographic area designated. For preservation purposes, the historic preservation commission shall select geographically defined areas within the village to be designated as historic districts and shall, with the assistance of the village planning department, prepare an historic preservation plan in ordinance form for each area. An historic district may be designated for any geographic area of particular historic, architectural or cultural significance to the village, which:

(1)

Exemplifies or reflects the broad cultural, political, economic, or social history of the nation, state, or community;

(2)

Is identified with historic personages or with important events in national, state, or local history;

(3)

Embodies the distinguishing characteristics of architectural types or specimens inherently valuable for the study of a period or periods, styles, methods, or construction, or of indigenous materials or craftsmanship;

(4)

Is representative of the notable works of master builders, designers, or architects who influenced the age; or

(5)

Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information to history or prehistory.

(b)

Historic preservation plan; analysis. Each historic preservation plan prepared for or by the historic preservation commission shall include a cultural and architectural analysis supporting the historic significance of the area, the specific guidelines for development, and a statement of preservation objectives.

(c)

Guidelines for development. Guideline criteria to be considered in the development of historic district plans are as follows:

(1)

Regulation of construction, reconstruction, alteration, and demolition shall conform to the criteria and standards in section 50-1458(2)a—c.

(2)

All new structures shall be constructed to a height visually compatible with the building and environment with which they are visually related.

(3)

The gross volume of any new structure shall be visually compatible with the buildings and environment with which it is visually related.

(4)

In the street elevation of a building, the proportion between the width and the height in the facade should be visually compatible with the buildings and environment with which they are visually related.

(5)

The proportions and relationships between the doors and windows in the street facade should be visually compatible with the buildings and environment with which with it is visually related.

(6)

The rhythm of solids to voids, created by openings in the facade, should be visually compatible with the buildings and environment with which they are visually related.

(7)

The existing rhythm created by existing building masses and spaces between then should be preserved.

(8)

The materials used in the final facade should be visually compatible with the buildings and environment with which they are visually related.

(9)

The texture inherent in the facade should be visually compatible with the buildings and environment with which it is visually related.

(10)

Colors and patterns used on the facade (especially trim) should be visually compatible with the buildings and environment with which they are visually related.

(11)

The design of the roof should be visually compatible with the buildings and environment with which it is visually related.

(12)

The landscape plan should be sensitive to the individual building, its occupants and their needs. Further, the landscape treatment should be visually compatible with the buildings and environment with which it is visually related.

(13)

The street facade should blend with other buildings via directional expression. When adjacent buildings have a dominant horizontal or vertical expression, this expression should be carried over and reflected.

(14)

Architectural elements should be incorporated as necessary to relate the new with the old and to preserve and enhance the inherent characteristics of the area.

(d)

Review and adoption procedure.

(1)

Historic preservation commission. The historic preservation commission shall hold a public hearing when considering the plan for an historic district. Notice of the time, place, and purpose of such hearing shall be given by publication as a Class 1 notice under the Wisconsin Statutes in the official village paper. Notice of the time, place, and purpose of the public hearing shall also be sent by the village clerk to the board member of the ward in which the historic district is located, and the owners of record, as listed in the office of the village assessor, who are owners of the property within the proposed historic district or are situated in whole or in part within 100 feet of the boundaries of the proposed historic district. Said notice is to be sent at least ten days prior to the date of the public hearing. Following the public hearing, the historic preservation commission shall vote to recommend, reject, or withhold action on the plan. This recommendation shall be forwarded to the village plan commission and the village board.

(2)

Village plan commission. The village plan commission shall review the historic district plan and make a recommendation to the village board. The village plan commission shall make its recommendation on the historic district plan within 45 days.

(3)

Village board. The village board, upon receipt of the recommendation from the historic preservation commission and village plan commission shall hold a public hearing, with notice to be given as noted in subsection (d)(1) of this section, and shall, following the public hearing, either designate or reject the historic district. Designation of the historic district shall constitute adoption of the plan in ordinance from prepared for that district and direct the implementation of said plan.

(Comp. Ords. 2000, § 17.23(6)(b); Ord. No. 2006-26, § 1(17.23(6)(b)), 8-28-2006)

No building permit shall be issued by the village building inspector for alteration, construction, demolition, or removal of a nominated historic structure, historic site, or any property or structure within a nominated historic district from the date of the meeting of the historic preservation commission at which a nomination form is first presented, until the final disposition of the nomination by the historic preservation commission or the village board unless such alteration, removal, or demolition is authorized by formal resolution of the village board as necessary for public health, welfare, or safety. In no event shall the delay be more than 180 days.

(Comp. Ords. 2000, § 17.23(7); Ord. No. 2006-26, § 1(17.23(7)), 8-28-2006)

The purpose of this division is to prevent the demolition of a building or structure by neglecting it and permitting damage to it by weather or vandalism.

(Comp. Ords. 2000, § 17.23(8)(c); Ord. No. 2006-26, § 1(17.23(8)), 8-28-2006)

Every person in charge of an historic structure, historic site, or improvement in an historic district shall maintain the same or cause or permit it to be maintained in a condition consistent with the provisions of this article. The village board may appoint the village building inspector or any other individual or group of individuals to enforce this chapter. During the period of the certificate, the duties of the inspection officer may include periodic inspection at intervals provided by the village board of designated historic structures, historic sites, and historic districts.

(Comp. Ords. 2000, § 17.23(8)(a); Ord. No. 2006-26, § 1(17.23(8)), 8-28-2006)

Every person in charge of an improvement on an historic site or in an historic district shall keep in good repair all of the exterior portions of such improvement and all interior portions thereof which, if not so maintained, may cause, or tend to cause, the exterior portions of such improvement to fall into a state of disrepair, including, but not limited to:

(1)

The deterioration of exterior walls or other vertical supports;

(2)

The deterioration of roofs or other horizontal members;

(3)

The deterioration of external chimneys;

(4)

The deterioration or crumbling of exterior plasters or mortar;

(5)

The ineffective waterproofing of exterior walls, roofs, and foundations, including broken windows or doors;

(6)

The peeling of paint, rotting, holes, and other forms of decay;

(7)

The deterioration of surrounding environment (e.g., fences, gates, sidewalks, steps, signs, accessory structures, and landscaping);

(8)

The deterioration of any features so as to create or permit the creation of any hazardous or unsafe condition or conditions; or

(9)

All interior portions thereof which may cause the exterior to deteriorate or become damaged or otherwise to fall into a state of disrepair.

(Comp. Ords. 2000, § 17.23(8)(b); Ord. No. 2006-26, § 1(17.23(8)), 8-28-2006)

The village building inspector shall give the historic preservation commission notice of properties which, in his opinion, are unfit for human habitation, occupancy, or use prior to issuance of any raze orders under state statutes or municipal ordinances.

(Comp. Ords. 2000, § 17.23(8)(d); Ord. No. 2006-26, § 1(17.23(8)), 8-28-2006)

Insofar as they are applicable to an historic structure, historic site, or improvement in an historic district designated under this article, any provision of the plumbing code, the minimum housing and property maintenance code, building code, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning code, and outdoor signs and advertising structures regulations of the general ordinances may be varied or waived, on application, by the appropriate board having such jurisdiction over such chapter or, in the absence of such board, by the village building inspector, provided such variance or waiver does not endanger public health or safety.

(Comp. Ords. 2000, § 17.23(8)(e); Ord. No. 2006-26, § 1(17.23(8)), 8-28-2006)