Definitions. In addition to the definitions in Article
II of this chapter, the following definitions shall be applicable within this district unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary:
[Amended 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
ADDITIONAny enlargement of a structure, whether by extension on any side, front or rear portion of the structure or by an increase in height of the structure.
ALTERATIONAny activity requiring a building permit, the approval of the Town of Milton Code Department, and/or any change in the exterior appearance (other than maintenance) or structural change, including but not limited to construction, reconstruction, renovation, modification, change, moving or demolition of a noncommercial structure within the Town of Milton HP-OD.
ARCHITECTURAL VALUE OR SIGNIFICANCEExists when a built structure embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction and/or represents an established or familiar visual feature of the neighborhood, community or Town due to its singular physical characteristic.
BUILDINGA combination of materials to form a construction for use as shelter for any form of human activity.
BUILDING HEIGHT, ESTABLISHEDSubject to approval by the Historic Preservation Commission pursuant to this section, the height of any single-family dwelling located in the Historic District and in public view may be increased to the same height as any other existing single-family dwelling within 100 feet of the front property line, on the same side of the street and within the same block upon confirmation by the Project Coordinator that all applicable requirements are met. An addition to an existing single-family structure that is located within the Historic District, but will not be in public view, may be built to the height of the existing structure to maintain existing rooflines and architectural features. No structure shall exceed the height as stated in the Density Control Table for the underlying district.
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERThe Town official charged with enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance. The Code Enforcement Officer is the person hired for this purpose as an employee by the Town.
COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE/SITEAny structure or site that is currently used primarily for commercial activities and not primarily for residential uses.
CONTRIBUTING BUILDINGA building that is judged to add to the Historic District's sense of time, place, and historic development under criteria established by the HPC, including historical significance, integrity and context. Such structures are so designated because they meet an architectural test (i.e., compatible with surrounding buildings, or represent an architectural style identified with Milton's history).
DEMOLITIONDestruction, razing, commencement of the work or steps of total or partial destruction with the purpose of completing the same; includes any willful neglect in the maintenance and repair of a structure that threatens to result in substantial deterioration of the exterior features or the structural integrity of the building.
HISTORIC DISTRICTAn overlay zone within the Town of Milton identified and designated as having historic importance. The Historic District is shown on the Town of Milton Zoning Maps as a series of zoning districts characterized as "historic."
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONA Commission consisting of five to nine members recommended by the Mayor and confirmed by the Town Council to serve a term of three years each. A majority of the members of the HPC shall reside within the Historic Preservation Overlay District of the Town of Milton.
HISTORIC PROPERTIESCommercial and noncommercial structures and sites, public rights-of-way or areas designated by the Town Council as having importance in the history of the Town of Milton as listed in Appendix A. [Note: Appendix A (List of Structures within the Historic Preservation Overlay District) is on file in the Town offices.]
HISTORIC VALUE OR SIGNIFICANCEExists when a property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction and/or represents an established or familiar visual feature of the neighborhood, community or Town due to its singular physical characteristic or environmental setting.
IN PUBLIC VIEWThat portion of a structure that is visible or could be visible in the absence of a fence or landscaping, from the section of a public right-of-way or public street. If the dwelling is located on more than one street, then that portion of a structure that is visible or could be visible in the absence of a fence or landscaping from any section of a public right-of-way or public street abutting a property line of the property on which the structure exists.
MAINTENANCE/REPAIROrdinary repairs and maintenance, including design, materials, features or finishes of a structure that do not alter the exterior appearance of the structure and have no material effect on the historical, archaeological or architectural significance of the structure. Paint color is not subject to review.
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCILThe elected, or duly appointed, Mayor and members of the Town Council of the Town of Milton, Delaware. Also known as the "Town Council."
MIXED-USE BUILDING/STRUCTURE/SITEAny building, structure or site that is currently used for both commercial and residential uses, including structures, sites or unimproved land that may fall under the zoning definition of "Town Center."
NONCONTRIBUTING BUILDING/STRUCTUREA structure that does not add to the Historic District's sense of time, place and historic development (i.e., compatible with surrounding buildings or represents an architectural style identified with Milton's history) or those buildings/structures that may have been moved from their original locations within the Historic District to another location within the Historic District.
OUTBUILDINGA term used to refer to all nonresidential structures on a site, including any accessory structure.
PROJECT COORDINATORThe Town official responsible for assisting members of the public with the application process before the Historic Preservation Commission, as well as assisting the HPC with the performance of its obligations and responsibilities as set forth in this section. The Project Coordinator is the person hired for this purpose as an employee by the Town.
RHYTHMThe rhythm of a structure and its components is the spacing or repetition of architectural elements or details. The regularity, frequency and placement of doors, windows, porches, railings, and ramps and their placement within a facade is a type of rhythm. Rhythm between adjoining structures can exist when building types are repeated along a streetscape.
SCALEScale is the relationship of the architectural mass of the structure in the context of the streetscape.
STREETSCAPEThe visual appearance of a street formed by the location and size of buildings, walkways, street trees, accessories, and other facilities.
STRUCTUREA combination of materials to form a construction for use or ornamentation other than human shelter, including but not limited to buildings, sheds, outbuildings listed in Appendix A, fences, mechanical equipment, storage tanks, signs, bulkheads, jetties, groins, whether installed on, above, or below the surface of land or water. [Note: Appendix A (List of Historic Structures) is on file in the Town offices.]
VERNACULARBeing of an indigenous building style using local materials and traditional methods of construction and ornament, especially as distinguished from academic or historical architectural styles.