Lafayette Municipal Code Art. 3 Regulation of Landmarks

Before any person who owns, rents or occupies property which has been designated as a landmark makes any environmental change in such property, he must procure a certificate of appropriateness from the city council with respect to such environmental change.

(Ord. 159 § 1 (part), 1976)

An application for a certificate of appropriateness shall be made in writing to the Lafayette Historical Society, with a record copy to the city council. The application shall be accompanied by such supporting information as will be required in order to obtain the land use entitlement required for the environmental change.

(Ord. 159 § 1 (part), 1976)

Within 30 days after receiving the application, the Lafayette Historical Society shall recommend in writing to the city council whether the application should be approved, conditionally approved or denied; and shall indicate the reasons for its recommendation.

(Ord. 159 § 1 (part), 1976)

Within 30 days after receiving the recommendation of the Historical Society, or within 60 days after receiving the record copy of the application, whichever is earlier, the city council shall either approve, conditionally approve, or deny the application.

(Ord. 159 § 1 (part), 1976)

The city council shall issue a certificate of appropriateness, either with reasonable conditions or without conditions, if it finds that the environmental change proposed by the applicant:

(a) Will not adversely affect any significant historical or aesthetic feature of the property and is appropriate and consistent with the spirit and purposes of this chapter; or

(b) Is the necessary and appropriate method of remedying conditions determined in writing by the county building inspection department, Contra Costa County consolidated fire district, or the county health department to be dangerous to life, health or property.

(Ord. 159 § 1 (part), 1976)

If the city council finds that the proposed environmental change complies with neither of the requirements of Section 6-2135, it shall by motion deny the application and the proposed environmental change shall not be made.

(Ord. 159 § 1 (part), 1976)

The city manager shall send written notification of the action of the city council on an application for a certificate of appropriateness to the applicant, the Historical Society and the official or body authorized to act on the land use entitlement needed for the proposed environmental change.

(Ord. 159 § 1 (part), 1976)

The city council shall request exemptions from requirements of the adopted construction codes for buildings or structures constituting designated landmarks when it appears such exemptions are necessary to the preservation of historical features or elements of the landmark. Such exemptions shall be granted by the county building inspector if, in his opinion, they will not result in any condition which is hazardous to life or property.

(Ord. 159 § 1 (part), 1976)