(A) If an application is received by the Planning Division for demolition or moving of any historic landmark or structure within a residential historic district, the application shall be referred to the Historic Preservation Board for a Certificate of Appropriateness application. Review of such application for a Certificate of Appropriateness shall be as provided herein.

(B) For a project which involves demolition of a historic landmark property or properties within a residential historic district or national and state registered properties, the proponents of such project shall, before doing any of the demolition or work in furtherance of such project, whether or not a building or other permit is required to be obtained to do such demolition work, file an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for review as provided herein.

(C) After review of Certificate of Appropriateness and upon the recommendation of the Historic Preservation Board and the Planning Division, the Planning Commission shall hold a hearing within thirty (30) days of the Historic Preservation Board’s recommendation. In addition to the recommendation of the Historic Preservation Board, the Planning Commission shall consider the state of repair of the building, the reasonableness of the cost of restoration or repair, owner hardship, the purpose of preserving the designated historic landmark or structure within a residential historic district, alternatives presented by interested parties, the character of the neighborhood, the economic consequences to the City or county and the affected owner(s), and all other factors which it finds appropriate. The owner(s) of the historic landmark or owner(s) of the structure within the residential historic district shall bear the burden of proof demonstrating hardship.

(D) The Planning Commission may approve the Certificate of Appropriateness or deny the Certificate of Appropriateness if it determines that feasible alternatives to demolition or moving of the historic landmark or structure within the residential historic district exist and that in the interest of preserving historical values, the historic landmark or structure within the residential historic district should not be demolished or moved.

(E) In the event of an “emergency” demolition of a historic landmark or a structure within a residential historic district, the Planning Division shall notify the Historic Preservation Board as soon as possible.

(F) The Historic Preservation Board shall, in the case of a historic resource, suggest to the owner of the property alternatives to demolition, or if demolition is the conclusive alternative, the Historic Preservation Board shall document or cause to be documented the historic resource with photographs and/or measured drawings. The Planning Division shall notify the Historic Preservation Board in the event a permit for demolition is requested for a historic resource. (Ord. 17-59 §§ 8, 10, 2017; Ord. 10-82 § 9, 2010; Ord. 10-07 § 8, 2010; Ord. 07-54 § 1, 2007.)