HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinances - MC-98-709 - 06/03/1998 - ch 2 adopt historic preservation ordinanceORDINANCE NO. Mc-98-709
An Ordinance Repealing Article Vll of Sec. 2
Of the Municipal Code of the City of McHenry and
Adopting an Historic Preservation Ordinance
WHEREAS, the City of McHenry desires to foster and promote the preservation
of historic landmarks within the City of McHenry; and
WHEREAS, the City of McHenry has determined that the most appropriate way to foster
and promote the preservation of historic landmarks within the City is to adopt formal
standards and procedures for the nominating and designation of landmarks, and for
approving alterations and modifications to designated landmarks.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the
CITY OF MCHENRY, McHenry County Illinois as follows:
SECTION 1: That Article VII, entitled, "McHenry Historic Landmark
Commission", of Section 2, entitled "Administration", of the McHenry Municipal Code,
shall be, and it hereby is, repealed in its entirety, and said Article VII shall hereinafter be
reserved.
SECTION 2: The McHenry Historic Preservation Ordinance, attached hereto as
Exhibit A, shall be and hereby is adopted in its entirety.
SECTION 3: If any section, paragraph, subdivision, clause sentence or provision
of this ordinance shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
such judgement shall not affect, impair, invalidate or nullify the remainder thereof, which
remainder shall remain and continue in full force and effect.
SECTION 4: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby
repealed to the extent of such conflict.
SECTION 5: This ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon its passage,
approval, and publication in pamphlet form (which publication is hereby authorized) as
provided by law.
1
Voting Aye: Bolger, Glab, McClatchey, Murgatroyd, Baird.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
APPROVED: _
Mayor Steven J. Cuda
(SEAL)
ATTEST:
City Clerk Pamela Y. Althoff
Passed: June 3, 1998
Approved: June 3, 1998
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CITY OF MCHENRY
HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE
ARTICLEI..................................................................................................................................2
GENERALPROVISIONS.......................:...................................................................................2
1. PURPOSE AND INTENT.................................................................................................2
2. DEFINITIONS..................................................................................................................2
3. INTERPRETATION..........................................................................................................
5
ARTICLEII.................................................................................................................................6
THE CITY OF MCHENRY LANDMARK COMMISSION..............................................................6
1. ORGANIZATION............................................................................................................6
2. POWERS AND AUTHORITIES..................................................................................I.....6
3. SURVEYS AND RESEARCH...........................................................................................8
4. PRESERVATION PLAN...................................................................................................8
ARTICLEIII................................................................................................................................9
DESIGNATION OF LANDMARKS AND PRESERVATION DISTRICTS.....................................9
1. NOMINATION..................................................................................................................9
2. CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATION......................................................................................9
3. INITIAL REPORT...........................................................................................................10
4. PUBLIC HEARING ON NOMINATION...........................................................................11
5. NOTICE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON NOMINATION....................................................11
6. RECOMMENDATION OF COMMISSION......................................................................12
7. DESIGNATION..............................................................................................................12
8. NOTICE OF DESIGNATION..........................................................................................12
9. PUBLICATION OF MAP.................................................................................................13
10. MARKING BY ATTACHMENT OF A PLAQUE...............................................................13
11. AMENDMENT OR RESCISSION OF DESIGNATION....................................................13
ARTICLEIV..............................................................................................................................14
ALTERATION, CONSTRUCTION, DEMOLITION AND MAINTENANCE..................................14
1. SCOPE..........................................................................................................................14
2. CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS......................................................................14
3. CERTIFICATE OF ECONOMIC HARDSHIP..................................................................18
ARTICLEV...............................................................................................................................20
ADMINISTRATION...................................................................................................................20
1. ENFORCEMENT...........................................................................................................20
2. PENALTIES...................................................................................................................20
3. EQUITABLE RELIEF.....................................................................................................20
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ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
1. PURPOSE AND INTENT
A. To identify, designate, protect, preserve and encourage the restoration,
rehabilitation, and adaptation for continued use of those sites and structures
which represent or reflect the prehistoric, historic, cultural, artistic, social,
economic, ethnic or political heritage of the City, or which may be representative
of an architectural or engineering type inherently valuable for the study of style,
period, craftsmanship, method of construction identified to an individual builder
or architect, or use of indigenous materials.
B. To safeguard the City's historic, aesthetic and cultural heritage, as embodied and
reflected in structures, landscape features, and areas as seen in such examples
as houses, commercial buildings, schools, public buildings, mills, creameries,
downtown business districts, cemeteries, boat houses, iron fences and open
spaces.
C. To stabilize and improve the economic vitality and value of designated
landmarks and preservation districts in particular and of the City in general.
D. To educate the public, government officials, and commercial and industrial
interests of historic preservation, which needs to be fostered continually through
a preservation ordinance.
E. To work with City staff and appointed Boards and Commissions in the
development and application of a historic preservation program.
F. To coordinate the City of McHenry preservation ordinance with the County
preservation ordinance.
G. To foster civic pride in the technological accomplishments, beauty, and nobility of
the past.
H. To protect and enhance the City's attraction to tourists and visitors, and to
support and provide stimulus to business and industry.
To preserve and promote the use of preservation districts, landmarks and
landscapes for the education, pleasure and welfare of the citizens of McHenry.
2. DEFINITIONS
A. Alteration: Any actor process that changes one or more historic, architectural or
physical features of an area, site, landscape, or structure, including, but not
limited to the erection, construction, reconstruction, or removal of any structure;
the expansion or significant modification of agricultural activities; surface mining;
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and the clearing, grading or other modification of an area, site or landscape that
changes its current natural condition.
B. Architectural Significance: Embodying the distinctive characteristics of a type,
period, style or method of construction or use of indigenous materials, or
representing the work of a builder, designer, architect, or craftsman who has
contributed to the development of the City, County, State, or the Nation.
C. Archaeological Significance: Importance as an area, site, or landscape that has
yielded or is likely to yield information concerning past patterns of human
settlement, or artifacts or information concerning previous cultures in Illinois or
previous periods of the present culture. Areas, sites or landscapes of
archaeological significance may include, but are not limited to, aboriginal
mounds, forts, earthworks, burial grounds, historic or prehistoric ruins, locations
of villages, mine excavations or tailings.
D. Certificate of Appropriateness: A certificate issued by the City or Commission
authorizing an alteration, construction, demolition, or removal affecting a
nominated or designated landmark or property within a nominated or designated
preservation district.
E. Certificate of Economic Hardship: A certificate issued by the City or Commission
authorizing an alteration, construction, demolition, or removal affecting a
nominated or designated landmark or property within a nominated or designated
preservation district, even though a Certificate of Appropriateness has been
denied or may be denied.
F. Commission: The City of McHenry Landmark Commission.
G. Construction: An addition to a structure, or the erection of a new structure.
H. Demolition: Any act or process which destroys a structure in part or in whole.
Demolition by Neglect: Neglect in the maintenance of any structure resulting in
the deterioration of that structure to the extent that it creates a hazardous or
unsafe condition.
J. Design Criteria: Standards of appropriate activity that will preserve the historic,
architectural, scenic or aesthetic character of a landmark or preservation district.
K. Exterior Architectural Significance: The architectural character and general
composition of the exterior of a structure, including, but not limited to the kind,
color, and texture of the building material and the type, design and character of
all windows, doors, light fixtures, signs and appurtenant elements.
L. Historic Significance: Character, interest, or value as part of the development,
heritage, or culture as the location of an important local, county, state or national
event, or through identification with a person or persons who made important
contributions to the development of the City, County, State, or the Nation.
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M. Landmark: A property or structure designated as a landmark by ordinance of the
City, pursuant to procedures prescribed herein, which is worthy of rehabilitation,
restoration, or preservation because of its historic, scenic or architectural
significance.
N. Landscape: A natural feature or group of natural features including, but not
limited to, valleys, rivers, lakes, swamps, forests, woods, hills, combination of
natural features, structures, objects, cultivated fields, or orchards in a
predominantly rural setting.
O. Object: Any tangible thing, including, but not limited to any items of personal
property, wagons, boats, and locally manufactured products that may be easily
moved or removed.
P. Owner of Record: The person, corporation or other legal entity in whose name
the property appears on the records of the McHenry County Recorder of Deeds,
or those who paid property taxes for the most recent year according to the
records of the McHenry County Collector.
Q. Preservation District: An area designated as a preservation district by ordinance
of the City, pursuant to procedures prescribed herein, and which may contain
one or more landmarks within definable geographic boundaries, and which may
have within its boundaries other areas, sites, landscapes or structures which,
while not of such historic or architectural or scenic significance to be designated
as landmarks, nevertheless, contribute to the overall visual characteristics of the
landmarks located within the district.
R. Removal: Any relocation of a structure or object within the site or to another site.
S. Repair: Any change to a structure that is not construction, alteration, demolition,
or removal and is necessary for continuing normal maintenance and upkeep.
T. Scenic Significance: Importance as a result of appearance or character that
remains relatively unchanged from and embodies the essential appearance
related to a culture from an earlier historic or prehistoric period, as a result of a
unique location, appearance or familiar vista or visual feature, or as a geological
or natural feature associated with the development heritage or culture of the City,
County, State, or the Nation.
U. Site: The traditional, documented or legendary location of an event, occurrence,
action or structure significant in the life or lives of a person, persons, group, or
tribe, including but not limited to cemeteries, burial grounds, campsites,
settlements, estates, gardens, groves, river crossings, routes, trails, caves,
quarries, mines, or significant plant life.
V. Structure: Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires permanent
or temporary location on or in the ground, including, but not limited to houses,
barns, smokehouses, signs, billboards, backstops for tennis courts, bridges,
fences, pergolas, gazebos, boat houses, radio and television antennae, solar
collectors, microwave antennae (including supporting towers), roads, ruins, or
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remnants (including foundations), swimming pools or walkways.
W. Survey: The systematic gathering of information on the architectural, historic,
scenic, and archaeological significance of sites, structures, areas, or landscapes
through visual assessment in the field and historical research for the purpose of
identifying landmarks or districts worthy of preservation.
3. INTERPRETATION
A. No provision herein shall supersede the powers of other legislative or regulatory
bodies or relieve any property owner from complying with the requirements of
any other statute, code or ordinance of the City of McHenry, and any permit or
license required thereunder shall be required in addition to any Certificate of
Appropriateness or Certificate of Economic Hardship which may be required.
B. The use of property and structures that have been designated under this
ordinance shall be governed by the City of McHenry Zoning Ordinance.
C. If any particular section of this ordinance is declared unconstitutional or void,
only that particular section shall be affected, and all other sections of this
ordinance shall remain in full force.
D. Nothing in the ordinance shall be construed to prevent the ordinary repair or
maintenance of any exterior elements of a property or structures nominated or
designated as a landmark or located within a nominated or designated
preservation district.
E. None of the provisions of this ordinance shall be construed to prevent any
measures of construction, alteration or demolition necessary to correct or abate
the unsafe or dangerous condition of any structure or part thereof, where such
condition has been declared unsafe or dangerous by the City of McHenry, the
McHenry County Health Department, or the Fire Protection District, provided,
however, that only such work as is reasonably necessary to correct the unsafe or
dangerous condition may be performed.
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ARTICLE II
THE CITY OF MCHENRY LANDMARK COMMISSION
1. ORGANIZATION
A. APPOINTMENT: The Mayor shall, with the advice and consent of the City
Council, appoint members to the City of McHenry Landmark Commission.
B. COMPOSITION: The Landmark Commission shall consist of twelve (12)
members, including one (1) student representative.
i) TERMS: The regular term shall be one (1) year for the student
representative and three (3) years for other members. Terms of
the initial members shall be staggered so that four (4) serve for
three (3) years, four (4) serve for two (2) years, and three (3)
serve for one (1) year.
ii) OFFICERS: The Mayor shall annually appoint one member to
serve as chairman, and one member to serve as Vice -Chairman,
who will serve as acting Chairman in the Chairman's absence.
The Commission shall elect all other officers by majority vote.
iii) VACANCIES: Vacancies shall be filled by the Mayor with the
advice and consent of the City Council. Any Commission member
may be removed by the City Council for cause.
iv) MEETINGS: Meetings of the Commission shall be held on the
first Tuesday of every month, except in those months when no
business is pending, and shall be held at such times and places
within the City as established by the Commission. All meetings of
the Commission shall be open to the public. The Commission
shall keep minutes of its proceedings. The minutes shall show the
vote, or absence or abstention, of each member upon every
official action, and shall be a public record open for inspection and
maintained by the City Clerk. All meetings shall comply with the
Open Meetings Act.
v) QUORUM: Any six (6) members of the Commission shall
constitute a quorum for the purposes of transacting any business
at any meeting of said Commission.
2. POWERS AND AUTHORITIES
A. To conduct an ongoing survey of the City to identify structures, areas, sites, and
landscapes that are of historic, archeological, architectural, or scenic
significance, and are therefore potential landmarks or preservation districts.
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B. To hold public hearings and recommend to the City Council designation of
landmarks or preservation districts.
C. To compile information concerning and prepare descriptions of landmarks or
preservation districts identified and recommended for designation and the
characteristics that meet the criteria for designation.
D. To prepare, keep current, and publish a map or maps showing the location and
exact boundaries of proposed and designated landmarks and preservation
districts, and the locations and boundaries of designated County, State or
Federal landmarks or preservation districts.
E. To keep a register of all designated landmarks and preservation districts.
F. To establish an appropriate system of markers or plaques for all designated
landmarks and preservation districts, and for streets, roads, trails, and highways
leading from one landmark or preservation district to another, and to confer
recognition upon the owners of landmarks or property within preservation
districts by means of certificates, plaques or markers.
G. To nominate landmarks and preservation districts to any State or Federal
registers of historic places.
H. To advise and assist owners of landmarks and property within preservation
districts on physical and financial aspects of preservation, renovation,
rehabilitation and reuse, and on procedures for inclusion on any State or Federal
register of historic places.
To inform and educate the citizens of the City concerning the historic,
archeological, architectural, or scenic heritage of the City by publishing
appropriate maps, newsletters, brochures, and pamphlets, and by holding
programs and seminars.
J. To develop specific criteria and guidelines for the proper alteration, construction,
demolition, or removal of landmarks, or of property within preservation districts.
K. To hold public hearings and to review applications for construction, alteration,
removal, or demolition affecting nominated or designated landmarks or property
within preservation districts, and issue or deny or recommend approval or denial
of a Certificate of Appropriateness, or of a Certificate of Economic Hardship that
would allow the performance of work for which a Certificate of Appropriateness
has been denied for such actions.
L. To accept and administer on behalf of the City, upon designation by the City
Council, such gifts, grants and money as may be appropriate for the purposes of
this ordinance.
M. To administer any system established by the City for the transfer of development
rights.
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N. To seek help from citizen, neighborhood, or area advisory committees, as
required from time to time.
O. To testify before all appointed Boards and Commissions on any matter affecting
nominated or designated landmarks or preservation districts;
P. To periodically review the Comprehensive Plan and to develop a preservation
component in any Comprehensive Plan of the City.
Q. To periodically review the Zoning Ordinance and building codes and recommend
to the City Council any amendments appropriate for the protection and continued
use of landmarks or property within preservation districts.
R. To advise or testify on behalf of the City for Federal and State projects requiring
cultural impact surveys.
S. To periodically monitor designated landmarks and preservation districts for
demolition by neglect.
T. To undertake any other action or activity necessary or appropriate to the
implementation of the purposes of this ordinance.
U. To submit an annual report of its activities to the City Council.
3. SURVEYS AND RESEARCH
The Commission shall undertake an ongoing survey and research effort to identify
districts, sites, structures and objects that have historical, cultural, community,
architectural, archaeological or aesthetic significance, interest, or value. As part of the
survey, the Commission shall review and evaluate any prior surveys and studies by any
unit of government or private organizations and compile appropriate descriptions, facts,
and photographs.
The Commission shall systematically identify potential landmarks and preservation
districts associated with a particular person, event or historical period, or of a particular
architectural style or school or building material, or of a particular architect, engineer,
builder or craftsman, and adopt procedures to assure systematic survey and nomination
of all potential landmarks and preservation districts within the City.
4. PRESERVATION PLAN
A. The Commission shall, through the aforesaid surveys and research, become
thoroughly familiarized with districts, sites, structures, and objects within the City
that may be eligible for designation as historic landmarks or preservation
districts, and prepare a Historic Landmark and District Preservation Plan.
B. The Historic Landmark and District Preservation Plan shall be presented to the
City Council for consideration and recommendation for inclusion in the
Comprehensive Plan.
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ARTICLE III
DESIGNATION OF LANDMARKS AND PRESERVATION DISTRICTS
1. NOMINATION
The Commission or any person may nominate landmarks or preservation districts for
designation by the City Council, provided however, only the Mayor and City Council
shall be permitted to nominate a landmark or preservation district if the owner of a single
proposed landmark, or 25% or more of the owners in a proposed preservation district,
object to the nomination.
Nomination forms shall be flied with the City Clerk, and shall include the following:
A. The name and address of the owner of record of the nominated landmark or of
all properties in a nominated preservation district;
B. The legal description and common street address(s) of the nominated landmark
or preservation district;
C. A map delineating the boundaries and location of the nominated landmark or
preservation district;
D. A statement indicating whether the owner of record of a single nominated
landmark or each of the owners of record within a nominated preservation district
consents to the landmark designation; all reasonable efforts shall be made to
secure the written consent of the owner(s) before filing the nomination;
E. A written statement, with photographs, describing the property and setting forth
the reasons in support of the nomination;
F. In nominating an area for designation as a preservation district, a list
enumerating all properties and improvements in the area previously nominated
or designated as a landmark by the City, or listed on any State or Federal
registers of historic places.
2. CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATION
The Commission may recommend to the City Council the designation of landmarks and
preservation districts, upon written proof of notification of the owner of record of a single
nominated landmark or each of the owners of record within a nominated preservation
district, after a thorough investigation results in a determination that a property, structure
or district so recommended is at least fifty (50) years old and meets one (1) or more of
the following criteria:
A. It has character, interest, or value which is part of the development, heritage or
cultural characteristics of the City, County, State, or the Nation;
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B. Its location is the site of a significant local, County, State or National event;
C. It is identified with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the
development of the City, County, State, or the Nation;
D. It embodies distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style valuable for the
study of a period, type, method of construction or use of indigenous materials;
E. It is identified with the work of a master builder, designer, architect or landscape
architect whose individual work has influenced the development of the City,
County, State, or the Nation;
F. It embodies elements of design, detailing, materials or craftsmanship that render
it architecturally significant;
G. It embodies design elements that make it structurally or architecturally
innovative;
H. It has a unique location or singular physical characteristic that make it an
established or familiar visual feature;
It has character which is a particularly fine or unique example of a utilitarian
structure, including, but not limited to, farmhouses, gas stations or other
commercial structures with a high level of integrity or architectural significance;
It establishes a sense of time and place unique to the City of McHenry;
K. It is suitable for preservation or restoration because of its integrity of location,
design, materials and workmanship;
L. It is included in the National Register of Historic Places or the Illinois Register of
Historic Places;
M. It has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important to pre -history or
other areas of archaeological significance;
N. It is an exceptional example of a historic or vernacular style or one of few
remaining in the City of McHenry.
3. INITIAL REPORT
Within thirty (30) days from receipt of a complete nomination, the Commission shall
cause to be written an initial report stating whether the nominated landmark or
preservation district meets the criteria for designation herein. The report shall be
available to the public in the office of the City Clerk, and shall contain the following
information:
A. An explanation of the significance or lack of significance of the nominated
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landmark or preservation district as it relates to the criteria for designation;
B. A description of the integrity or lack of integrity of the nominated landmark or
preservation district;
C. The relationship of the nominated landmark or preservation district to the
ongoing effort of the Commission to identify and nominate all potential areas and
structures that meet the criteria for designation;
D. In the case of a nominated landmark or preservation district found to meet the
criteria for designation, the report shall contain:
i) A description of the significant exterior architectural features of the
nominated landmark that should be protected;
ii) A description of the types of construction, alterations, or
demolitions that should be reviewed for appropriateness pursuant
to this ordinance.
4. PUBLIC HEARING ON NOMINATION
Within thirty (30) days from completion of the initial report and recommendation, the
Commission shall schedule a public hearing on the nomination.
Oral or written testimony shall be taken at the public hearing. The Commission may
solicit expert testimony or present its own evidence regarding the historic,
archaeological or scenic significance of a proposed landmark or of any property within a
proposed preservation district relative to compliance with the criteria for designation.
The owner of any nominated landmark or of any property within a nominated
preservation district shall be allowed reasonable opportunity to present evidence and to
cross-examine expert witnesses. The hearing shall be closed upon completion of
testimony.
S. NOTICE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON NOMINATION
A. Notice of the date, time, place and purpose of the public hearing, the street
address and legal description of the nominated landmark or the boundaries of a
nominated preservation district, and a copy of the completed nomination form
shall be sent by certified mail to the owner of record of a single nominated
landmark or each of the owners of record within a nominated preservation district
not more than thirty (30) nor less than fifteen (15) days prior to the scheduled
date of the hearing.
B. Notice of the date, time, place and purpose of the public hearing, and the street
address and legal description of the nominated landmark or the boundaries of a
nominated preservation district shall be sent by regular mail to the owners of
record of each parcel of real estate abutting or across a street or alley from the
Page 11 of 20
nominated landmark or preservation district not more than thirty (30) nor less
than fifteen (15) days prior to the scheduled date of the hearing.
C. Notice of the date, time, place and purpose of the public hearing, and the street
address and legal description of the nominated landmark or the boundaries of a
nominated preservation district shall be published in a newspaper of general
circulation in the City not more than thirty (30) nor less than fifteen (15) days
prior to the scheduled date of the hearing.
6. RECOMMENDATION OF COMMISSION
Within thirty (30) days following the close of the public hearing, the Commission shall
make its determination and recommendation upon the evidence whether the proposed
landmark or preservation district meets the criteria for designation. The
recommendation to the City Council shall be passed by resolution of the Commission.
This recommendation shall be accompanied by a report stating the findings of the
Commission concerning the historic, archaeological or scenic significance of the
proposed landmark or preservation district.
7. DESIGNATION
The City Council shall consider the nomination upon receipt of the report and
recommendation of the Commission. The City Council may schedule a public hearing
concerning the nomination and shall provide notice in the same manner as provided in
Section 5 of this article. The City Council, after reviewing the report and
recommendation, shall take one of the following steps within sixty (60) days from receipt
of the recommendation of the Commission:
A. Designate the landmark or preservation district by ordinance;
B. Refer the report and recommendation back to the Commission with suggestions
for revisions, stating its reasons for such action; or
C. Deny the landmark designation. If the City Council denies the landmark
designation, no nomination for landmark designation of the same site, structure
or district shall be made within one (1) year of the date of the final denial.
8. NOTICE OF DESIGNATION
Notice of the action of the City Council shall be sent by regular mail to the owner of
record of the landmark or all owners of record of property within the preservation district,
and to the owners of record of each parcel of real estate abutting or across a street or
alley from the designated landmark or preservation district. The City will also notify the
McHenry County Recorder of Deeds by forwarding a copy of the designation ordinance
to be recorded.
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9. PUBLICATION OF MAP
A map showing the location of all designated landmarks and preservation districts shall
be published and amended upon each designation. Copies of the maps shall be
available to the public at the office of the City Clerk.
10. MARKING BY ATTACHMENT OF A PLAQUE
Each designated landmark or preservation district may be marked, with the owner's
consent, by an appropriate plaque carrying a brief description and account of the
historical significance of the property.
11. AMENDMENT OR RESCISSION OF DESIGNATION
The City Council, with or without a recommendation from the Commission, may amend
or rescind designation by the same procedure and according to the same standards and
considerations set forth for designation.
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ARTICLE IV
ALTERATION, CONSTRUCTION, DEMOLITION AND MAINTENANCE
1. SCOPE
No exterior construction, alteration, demolition or removal is permitted on property and
structures nominated or designated under this ordinance as landmarks or preservation districts,
except as shall be approved by a Certificate of Appropriateness or Certificate of Economic
Hardship.
2. CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A. Application. Every application submitted to the City for a building permit affecting
property or structures nominated or designated under this ordinance as
landmarks or preservation districts shall be forwarded to the Commission
following the receipt of said application.
Application for review of construction, alteration, demolition or removals not
requiring a building permit, but for which a Certificate of Appropriateness is
required, shall be made on a form available at the City, and shall be forwarded to
the Commission following the receipt of said application.
B. Required Information. The following information shall be required for all
applications for a Certificates of Appropriateness:
i) Street address;
ii) Legal description;
iii) Brief description of the present improvements situated on the
property;
iv) A detailed description of the construction, alteration, demolition, or
removal proposed, together with any architectural drawings or
sketches, or a sufficient description to enable anyone to
determine the final appearance of the real estate, including
landscaping;
v) Owner's name;
vi) Developer's name;
vii) Architect's or Contractor's name;
viii) An application fee established by the City Council to cover the
cost of the review process.
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C. Hearing. The Commission may schedule, provide notice, and conduct a public
hearing concerning the application in the manner previously described for the
designation of landmarks and preservation districts. If a public hearing is not
scheduled, the Commission shall consider the completed application at its next
regular meeting.
The Commission shall act promptly and in a reasonable manner in its judgment
of plans for construction, alteration, removal or demolition of structures in
preservation districts that have little historic value and that are not shown on
priority lists, except where such construction, alteration or demolition would
seriously impair the historic or architectural value of surrounding structures or the
surrounding area.
D. Design Criteria. The Commission shall consider the following factors in
reviewing applications for Certificates of Appropriateness:
HEIGHT: compatible with the style and character of the landmark
and with the surrounding structures within a preservation district;
ii) PROPORTIONS OF WINDOWS AND DOORS: compatible with
the architectural style and character of the landmark and with the
surrounding structures within a preservation district;
iii) RELATIONSHIP OF BUILDING MASSES AND SPACES:
compatible within a preservation district to open space between it
and adjoining structures;
iv) ROOF SHAPE: compatible with the architectural style and
character of the landmark and surrounding structures in a
preservation district;
v) LANDSCAPING: compatible with the architectural style and
character of the landmark and with the surrounding structures
within a preservation district;
vi) SCALE: compatible with architectural style and character of the
landmark and with the surrounding structures within a
preservation district;
vii) DIRECTIONAL EXPRESSION: compatible with the dominant
horizontal or vertical expression of surrounding structures and
facades;
viii) ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS: treated to make a landmark
compatible with its original architectural style or character.
E. Standards for Review. The Commission, in considering the appropriateness of
any alteration, demolition, construction, or removal shall be guided by the
following general standards in addition to any design guidelines in the ordinance
designating the landmark or preservation district:
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i) Every reasonable effort shall be made to provide a compatible
use for a property that requires minimal alteration of the structure,
or site and its environment, or to use a property for it's originally
intended purpose;
ii) The distinguishing original qualities or character of a structure or
site and its environment shall not be destroyed. The removal or
alteration of any historic material or distinctive architectural
feature should be avoided when possible;
iii) All structures and sites shall be recognized as products of their
time. Alterations which have no historical basis and which seek to
create an earlier appearance shall be discouraged;
iv) Changes that may have taken place in the course of time are
evidence of the history and development of a structure or site and
its environment. These changes may have acquired significance
in their own right, and this significance shall be recognized and
respected;
v) Distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craftsmanship
that characterize a structure or site shall be treated with
sensitivity;
vi) Deteriorated architectural features shall be repaired rather than
replaced wherever possible. If replacement is necessary, the new
material should match the material being replaced in composition,
design, color, texture, and other visual qualities. Repair or
replacement of missing architectural features should be based on
accurate duplication of features, substantiated by historic,
physical or pictorial evidence, rather than on conjectural designs
or the availability of different architectural elements from other
structures;
vii) The surface cleaning of structures shall be undertaken with the
gentlest means possible. Sandblasting and other cleaning
methods that will damage the historic building materials shall not
be undertaken;
viii) Every reasonable effort shall be made to protect and preserve
archaeological resources affected by or adjacent to any project;
ix) Contemporary design for alterations and additions to existing
properties shall not be discouraged when such alterations and
additions do not destroy significant historical, architectural or
cultural material, and such design is compatible with the size,
scale, color, material and character of the property, neighborhood
or environment;
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x) Wherever possible, new additions or alterations to structures shall
be done so that the essential form and integrity of the structure
would be unimpaired if such additions or alterations were to be
removed in the future.
F. Determination by Commission. Within fifteen (15) days from the date of the
regular meeting or from the close of a public hearing, or within such further time
as the applicant approves in writing, the Commission shall provide notice of the
approval or denial of the Certificate of Appropriateness supported by written
findings.
G. Denial of Certificate of Appropriateness. A denial of a Certificate of
Appropriateness shall be accompanied by a statement of the reasons for the
denial. The Commission shall make recommendations to the applicant
concerning changes, if any, in the proposed action that would cause the
Commission to reconsider its denial and shall confer with the applicant and
attempt to resolve as quickly as possible the differences between the applicant
and the Commission. The applicant may submit an amended application or
reapply for a building permit that takes into consideration the recommendations
of the Commission.
H. Failure of Commission to Review Application in a Timely Manner. Failure of the
Commission to make a final determination on an application for a Certificate of
Appropriateness within ninety (90) days from receipt of a completed application
shall constitute approval and no other evidence shall be needed.
Demolitions. Upon receipt of an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness
for demolition, the Commission shall make a determination, supported by written
findings, whether one or more of the following criteria are met:
i) The structure is of such interest or quality that it would reasonably
meet national, state or local criteria for designation as a historic or
architectural landmark on its own credentials;
ii) The structure is of such unusual or uncommon design, texture, or
materials that it could not be reproduced, or be reproduced only
with great difficulty and expense;
iii) Retention of the structure would aid substantially in preserving
and protecting another structure that meets the above criteria.
Compliance. A Certificate of Appropriateness will become void if there is any
change in the scope of work of the approved application subsequent to the
issuance of the certificate; if twelve (12) months have elapsed after the issuance
of the certificate and no building permit has been issued; or if twenty-four (24)
months have lapsed after issuance of the last building permit and the project has
not been completed.
K. Appeals. Any appeal of a denial of Certificate of Appropriateness shall be made
to the City Council. The City Council, after reviewing the determination and
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written findings of the Commission, shall affirm the determination or approve the
Certificate of Appropriateness within sixty (60) days from receipt of the appeal.
3. CERTIFICATE OF ECONOMIC HARDSHIP
A. The Commission shall issue a Certificate of Economic Hardship only after a
determination that the failure to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness has
denied, or will deny the owner of a landmark or of a property within a
preservation district all reasonable use of, or return on, the property.
B. The Commission shall required the following information, evidence, or expert
testimony to make a determination on an application for a Certificate of
Economic Hardship:
i) An estimate of the cost of the proposed construction, alteration,
demolition or removal, and an estimate of any additional cost that
would be incurred to comply with the recommendations of the
Commission for changes necessary for the issuance of a
Certificate of Appropriateness;
ii) A report from an engineer or architect licensed in the State of
Illinois with experience in rehabilitation as to the structural
soundness of any structures on the property for rehabilitation;
iii) The estimated market value of the property in its current
condition; after completion of the proposed construction,
alteration, demolition or removal; after any changes
recommended by the Commission; and, in the case of a proposed
demolition, after renovation of the property for continued use;
iv) An estimate of any decrease in the fair market value of the
property as a result of denial of the Certificate of Appropriateness
and any decrease in the pre-tax return to the owner or other
investors in the property as a result of the denial of the Certificate
of Appropriateness;
v) In the case of a proposed demolition, an estimate from a licensed
architect, developer, real estate consultant, appraiser or other real
estate professional experienced in rehabilitation as to the
economic feasibility of rehabilitation or reuse of the existing
structure on the property;
vi) The amount paid for the property, the date of purchase, and the
party from whom purchased, including a description of the
relationship, if any, between the owner or applicant and the
person from whom the property was purchased, and any terms of
financing between the seller and buyer, and any consideration by
the owner as to profitable adaptive uses for the property;
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vii) If the property is income -producing, the annual gross income from
the property for the previous two (2) years; itemized operating and
maintenance expenses for the previous two (2) years; and
depreciation deduction and annual cash flow before and after debt
service, if any, during the same period;
viii) Remaining balance on any mortgage or other financing secured
by the property and annual debt service, if any, for the previous
two (2) years, and all appraisals obtained within the previous two
(2) years by the owner or applicant in connection with the
purchase, financing or ownership of the property;
ix) Any listing of the property for sale or rent, price asked and offers
received, if any, within the previous two (2) years;
x) The Assessed value of the property according to the two (2) most
recent quadrennial assessments;
xi) The real estate taxes paid or owed for the previous two (2) years;
xii) Form of ownership or operation of the property, whether sole
proprietorship, for -profit or not -for -profit corporation, limited
partnership, joint venture or other;
xiii) Any other information, including the income tax bracket of the
owner, applicant or principal investors in the property considered
necessary by the Commission to make a determination as to
whether the property does yield or may yield a reasonable return
to owners.
C. Determination of Economic Hardship. Within one -hundred and twenty (120)
days from receipt of a completed application for a Certificate of Economic
Hardship, the Commission shall provide notice of the approval or denial of the
Certificate of Economic Hardship supported by written findings
In cases of denial of a Certificate of Economic Hardship, the Commission may
recommend that the City offer the owner of the property reasonable financing,
tax or other incentives sufficient to allow a reasonable use of, or return on, the
property; or that the City offer to purchase the property at a reasonable price or
institute eminent domain proceedings
D. Any appeal of a denial of a Certificate of Economic Hardship shall be made to
the City Council. The City Council, after reviewing the determination and written
findings of the Commission, shall affirm the determination or approve the
Certificate of Economic Hardship within sixty (60) days from receipt of the
appeal.
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ARTICLE V
ADMINISTRATION
1. ENFORCEMENT
The City may petition the Circuit Court of McHenry County to restrain and/or enjoin any
construction, removal, alteration or demolition in violation of this act and may request
the removal in whole or part of any exterior architectural feature existing in violation of
this ordinance which may be necessary or desirable to redress any alteration or
demolition in said violation.
2. PENALTIES
Any person found to be in violation of any provision of this ordinance shall be guilty of a
separate offense for each day or portion thereof during which such violation is
committed, continued or permitted, and each offense may be punishable by a fine of not
less than fifty dollars ($50.00), nor more than five hundred dollars ($750.00), and the
City's reasonable Attorneys' fees.
A. Any person, firm or corporation who alters, repairs, relocates or demolishes by
neglect any landmark or any structure within a preservation district without
complying with the provisions of this ordinance shall be required to restore the
structure and its site to its appearance prior to the violation. This civil remedy
shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any penalty contained in this section.
B. In the case of an unauthorized demolition of a landmark or a property within a
preservation district, the City may choose not to issue a building permit for the
subject property for a period of five (5) years after the date of the demolition.
3. EQUITABLE RELIEF
In addition to other remedies by law, the City may institute any appropriate action or
proceeding to prevent, restrain, abate or correct a violation of this ordinance including,
but not limited to, requiring the restoration of property and improvements to its
appearance prior to the violation.
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