The demolition of an historically and/or architecturally significant structure as defined in § 128-12, or a portion thereof, shall be discouraged by this chapter, as the loss would be a common loss to the Borough and the neighborhood.

The moving of such a structure should be encouraged as an alternative to demolition if there is no other way to save the structure at its existing location.

All applications for full or partial demolition or moving of structures shall be referred to the Borough Planning Board for consideration.

The Planning Board shall not approve demolition of an architecturally significant building, or significant portion thereof, solely for the purpose of allowing subdivision of land into buildable lots. The Planning Board shall assume that a proposed demolition is for this purpose until the applicant proves otherwise; the burden of proof shall be with the applicant.

The Planning Board shall approve an application for demolition of an architecturally significant building, or portion thereof, if the building, or portion thereof, is uninhabitable, as determined by the Construction Code Official's written report, and the applicant proves that it is not economically feasible to recondition the building to a condition wherein it is safe for occupancy or use. The applicant shall provide the Planning Board with pictures of all areas of the building, interior and exterior, as this proof. The Planning Board may also consult with the Historic Preservation Commission[2] and/or the Riverton Historical Society to determine the architectural or historical significance of the building. The Planning Board may request the Historic Preservation Commission to provide a report and/or testimony to the Board concerning the architectural significance or history of the subject structure. If the Planning Board does not find it obvious that it is economically unfeasible to preserve the building, it shall require additional proof from the applicant in the form of work estimates and appraisals. Normal maintenance, lead-based paint and asbestos-containing siding and/or roofing shall not be considered.

In making this determination, the Planning Board shall use the criteria set forth in this chapter. If the Planning Board determines that demolition or moving is not appropriate, it may postpone issuance of the permit for a period of six months. During this period of time, the Planning Board may hold other hearings to determine if there is some other means to preserving the building. The Planning Board is empowered to work out with the owner feasible plans for preservation of structures where demolition or moving thereof would be a great loss to the public, the Borough, the streetscape or the neighborhood. In the event that it is shown that the owner has a reasonable economic use of the property and that the structure should be preserved on the basis of the standards set forth in this chapter, the Planning Board may deny the application for demolition.