St Paris City Zoning Code
HISTORIC DISTRICT
§ 154.035 PURPOSE.
The purpose of the Historic District is to maintain and enhance the distinctive character of the District by safeguarding the architectural integrity of the various period structures within it, and to prevent intrusions and alterations within the District that would be incompatible with this established character.
(Ord. 812, passed - -)
§ 154.036 DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT BOUNDARY.
(A) The Downtown Business District is described as the area beginning on North Church Street at the first east/west alley running east across North Springfield Street to the north/south alley; then south to the center of East Main Street; then east to the second north/south alley; then south to the second east/west alley; then west to a north/south alley; then south to the center of East Plum Street; then east to the second alley; then south to a closed cross alley; then west to the first alley; then south to the center of East Walnut Street; then west to the center of South Springfield Street; then north to a place parallel between Lot 9 and Lot 10 of the Ben Golden Addition; then west to first north/south alley; then north to the center of West Plum Street; then west to a place parallel with the center of Dewey Street; then north to the center of east/west alley between Lot 4 of the Bowersock Addition and Lot 6 of the Huffman Addition; then west to the center of South Church Street; then north across West Main Street to the point of origin.
(B) The Downtown Business District is presently a B-3 Zoning District, but does not address issues concerning historical significance or character, business promotion, or development.
(C) The Village Historical Preservation Committee has prepared Design and Review Guidelines to govern and assist property and business owners with changes, development, preservation, and restoration within this district.
(D) The Downtown Historic District will overlay the present Downtown Business District, classified as B-3, with no changes to current zoning regulations.
(Ord. 818, passed 8-16-1999)
§ 154.037 NOMINATION OF LANDMARKS.
Nominations shall be made to the Commission on a form prepared by it, and may be made and submitted by a member of the Commission, owner of record of the nominated property or structure, the Village Council, or any other person or organization having a substantial interest in the property.
(Ord. 812, passed - -)
§ 154.038 FEES.
Each nomination request submitted to the Commission shall be accompanied by a fee in the amount of $100 for landmark nominations and $50 for Historic District nominations. A nomination submitted without this fee shall not be considered. Nomination requests submitted by the Commission or the Village Council shall be exempt from the payment of any fees.
(Ord. 812, passed - -)
§ 154.039 CRITERIA FOR CONSIDERATION.
(A) A nominated structure, property, or area must be 50 years of age on the date of designation unless it is in an integral part of a designated Historic District.
(B) The Commission, upon investigation, as it deems necessary, shall make a determination as to whether a nominated structure, property, or area meets one or more of the following criteria:
(1) It has character, interest, or value as part of the development, heritage, or cultural characteristics of the community, county, state, or country;
(2) It is identified with a person who significantly contributed to the development of the community, county, state, or country;
(3) Its location was a site of significant local, county, state, or national event;
(4) It embodies elements of design, detailing, materials, or craftsmanship that render it architecturally significant;
(5) It has a unique location;
(6) It is suitable for preservation or restoration;
(7) The design of new structures and of additions to existing structures, including new site improvements, shall take into account the architectural style, general design, arrangement, texture, material, and color of other structures and premises within the District;
(8) The use of natural traditional exterior materials such as brick, stone, masonry, and wood is encouraged on all new structures and all reconstruction, or remodeling, of existing structures within the District;
(9) The use of contemporary materials, such as metals, fiberglass, and plastics for exterior surfaces is permissible; provided these materials duplicate the design, texture, and other visual qualities of the building’s original materials; and
(10) All signs within the District shall conform to color and material standards of the Commission, be of such a style or design that reflects the character of the District, and shall conform to all requirements of such.
(Ord. 812, passed - -)
§ 154.040 CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS; ISSUANCE.
(A) (1) No person shall construct any exterior architectural features in the Historic District, or reconstruct, alter, change the exterior, or demolish any such feature now or hereafter in said District, until such person shall have filed with the Secretary of the Commission an application for a permit of appropriateness in such form and with such plans, specifications, and other material as the Commission may, from time to time, prescribe.
(2) Within 45 days after the filing of an application for a certificate of appropriateness the Commission shall determine whether the proposed construction, reconstruction, or demolition of the structure or exterior architectural features involved will be appropriate to the Historic District.
(B) (1) If the Commission determines that the proposed construction, reconstruction, or alteration of the exterior architectural features involved will be appropriate or, although inappropriate owing to conditions aforesaid, failure to issue a certificate of appropriateness will result in substantial hardship to the applicant, and issuance thereof may be made without substantial detriment or derogation as aforesaid, or if the Commission fails to make the determination herein prescribed, the Secretary of the Commission shall forthwith issue to the applicant a certificate of appropriateness.
(2) If the Commission determines that a certificate of appropriateness should not be issued, the Commission shall forthwith spread upon its records the reasons for such determination, and may include recommendations respecting the proposed construction, reconstruction, or alteration.
(3) The Secretary of the Commission shall forthwith notify the applicant of the determination of the Commission.
(Ord. 812, passed - -)
§ 154.041 NOTICE OF DEMOLITION.
(A) No person shall demolish any structure or exterior architectural feature now, or hereafter, in the Historic District until there has been filed with the Commission a certificate of appropriateness setting forth the intent to demolish such structure or exterior architectural feature with a written statement that such a structure or exterior feature is not historically or architecturally significant, or otherwise worthy of preservation.
(B) Upon determination by the Commission that such a structure or exterior architectural feature is not historically or architecturally significant, or otherwise worthy of preservation, a certificate of appropriateness shall be issued. The applicant shall then apply for a permit to demolish the structure or exterior architectural feature.
(Ord. 812, passed - -)