§ 34-142. Definitions

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Building means a construction created principally to shelter any form of human activity.

Certificate of appropriateness means a document evidencing approval by the historic preservation commission of an application to make a material change in the appearance of a designated historic property or of a property located within a designated historic district.

Exterior architectural features means the architectural style, general design and general arrangement of the exterior of a building, structure or object, including but not limited to the kind or texture of the building materials and the type and style of all windows, doors, signs and other appurtenant architectural fixtures, features, details or elements relative to the forgoing.

Exterior environmental features means all those aspects of the landscape or the development of a site which affect the historic character of the property.

Historic district means a geographically definable area, possessing a significant concentration, linkage, or continuity of sites, buildings, structures or objects united by past events or aesthetically by plan or physical development. A district may also comprise individual elements separated geographically, but linked by association or history. The term "historic district" shall further mean an area designated by the county commissioner as an historic district pursuant to the criteria established in section 34-144(b).

Historic property means an individual building, structure, site or object, including the adjacent area necessary for the proper appreciation thereof, designated by the county commissioner as an historic property pursuant to the criteria established in section 34-144(c).

Material change in appearance means a change that will affect either the exterior architectural or environmental features of an historic property or any building, structure, site, object or landscape feature within an historic district, such as:

(1) A reconstruction or alteration of the size, shape or facade of an historic property, including relocation of any doors or windows, or removal or alteration of any architectural features, details or elements;

(2) Demolition or relocation of an historic building, structure, site or object;

(3) Commencement of excavation for construction purposes;

(4) A change in the location of advertising visible from the public right-of-way; or

(5) The erection, alteration, restoration or removal of any building or other construction within an historic property or district, including walls, fences, steps, pavements or other appurtenant features.

Object means a construction primarily artistic in nature or relatively small in scale and simply constructed. Although it may be, by nature or design, movable, an object is associated with a specific setting or environment.

Site means the location of a significant event, a prehistoric or historical occupation or activity, or a building or structure, whether standing, ruined or vanished, where the location itself maintains historical or archaeological value regardless of the value of any existing structure.

Structure means a functional construction made for purposes other than creating human shelter.

(Ord. of 8-21-2002, § II)

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Definitions generally, § 1-2