8.14.090 Activities requiring an alteration permit.
A. Minor Alterations. Minor alterations are changes to the color or minor details of a historical artifact, such as for example the replacement of missing or damaged elements. Minor alterations to historical artifacts that are moveable objects include the relocation of the object on the property. Temporary removal of an artifact from the property during restoration or for its protection during construction shall also be treated as a minor alteration; however, the temporary location of the artifact and a fixed date for the return of the artifact to its site must be provided.
The alteration permit application for a minor alteration is approvable by the building official, with appeal to the planning commission. An alteration permit for a minor alteration shall be granted within ten days of a completed application. The building official may require such documentation as deemed necessary to make a decision. Copies of the permit application and supporting materials shall be filed with the historical artifact inventory as a permanent record of the alteration.
B. Major Alterations. Major alterations include permanent changes to the visual character of an artifact or its setting. Examples of major alteration include:
1. Changes to the height or width of a structure such as a gate or wall;
2. Painting or otherwise covering of previously unpainted surfaces, such as brick or stone;
3. Addition of new elements attached to historical artifacts (including but not limited to lighting fixtures, replacement of bases of sculptures or other objects);
4. Relocation of a structure on the property;
5. Relocation of an object or structure to another property within the town.
Application for a major alteration permit is approvable by the planning commission, with appeal to the city council. In hearing applications for major alteration permits, the planning commission shall review the proposed alterations for consistency with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and the California Historical Building Code. The building official may require documentary materials, including an evaluation of the proposed alterations by a qualified historical preservation professional, to assist the planning commission in its determination.
Once an application for a major alteration permit is deemed complete by the building official, the planning commission shall conduct a public hearing on the application within sixty days. Appeals to the planning commission’s decision must be filed within ten days pursuant to Chapter 17.06 to the city council. Copies of the permit application and supporting materials shall be filed with the historical artifact inventory as a permanent record of the alteration. (Ord. 567 § 1 (part), 2007)