Maywood Municipal Code Ch. 45 Voluntary Historic Resource Designation Program

It is the purpose of this chapter to:

(1) Protect, enhance and perpetuate historic resources and sites that represent or reflect elements of the City's cultural, social, economic, political and architectural history for the public health, safety and welfare of the people of the City.

(2) Safeguard the City's historic heritage as embodied and reflected in its historic and cultural resources, sites, and historic districts.

(3) Foster civic pride in the character and accomplishments in the City's past.

(4) Strengthen the City's economy by protecting and enhancing the City's attractions for residents, tourists, and visitors and serve as a support and stimulus to business and industry.

(5) Enhance the visual character of the City by encouraging the preservation of unique and established architectural traditions.

(6) Promote historic resources and districts for the use, education, pleasure, and welfare of the people of the City.

(7) Integrate the preservation of historic resources and historic resource sites into public and private land use management and development processes.

(8) Preserve diverse architectural styles, patterns of development, and design preferences reflecting phases of the City's history and encouraging complementary contemporary design and construction and inspiring a more livable urban environment

(9) Stabilize neighborhoods through the preservation of historic resources and historic resources sites.

(Ord. No. 10-03, §§ 1, 2, 3-8-2010; Ord. No. 11-01, § 2, 2-14-2011)

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

"Historic Resource" or "Historic Site" shall mean any site or specific improvement, manmade or natural, which has special character or special historical, cultural, architectural, archaeological, community or aesthetic value as part of the heritage of the City or the United States or which has been designated as historically significant in federal or state registers of historic places.

"Property Owner" shall mean the person or persons shown of record as holding title in fee.

(Ord. No. 10-03, §§ 1, 2, 3-8-2010; Ord. No. 11-01, § 2, 2-14-2011)

Prior to any site or specific improvement (or any portion thereof) being designated as an historic resources or historic site, any or all of the following National Register of Historic Places criteria shall be applied:

(1) It exemplifies or reflects special elements of the City's cultural, social, economic, civic aesthetic, engineering, architectural, or natural history.

(2) It is identified with persons or events significant in local, regional, state or national history.

(3) It embodies distinctive characteristics of a style, type, period, design ideology, or method of construction, or is a valuable example of the use of indigenous materials or craftsmanship.

(4) It is representative of the work of a notable builder, designer, or architect.

(5) It contributes to the significance of an historic area, being a geographically definable area possessing a concentration of not less than fifty (50) percent of historic or scenic properties or thematically related grouping of properties which contribute to each other and are unified aesthetically by plan or physical development.

(6) It has a unique location or singular physical characteristic(s) or is a view or vista representing an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood, community, or the City.

(7) It embodies elements of architectural design, detail materials, or craftsmanship that represent a significant structural or architectural achievement or innovation.

(8) It is similar to other distinctive properties, sites, areas, or objects based on an historic, cultural, or architectural motif.

(9) It reflects significant geographical patterns, including those associated with different eras of settlement and growth, particular transportation modes, or distinctive examples of park or community planning.

(10) It is one (1) of the few remaining examples in the City, region, state, or nation possessing distinguishing characteristics of an architectural or historical type or specimen.

(Ord. No. 10-03, §§ 1, 2, 3-8-2010; Ord. No. 11-01, § 2, 2-14-2011)

(a) A landowner of a possibly historic property, structure, or improvement may voluntarily apply for designation as an historic resource or historic site under this ordinance by requesting an historic designation in writing with the Planning Director. The written request shall contain the name of the landowner and the address of the property, structure, or improvement for which the landowner is seeking historic designation. The written request must also detail which, if any, of the criteria specified in Section 5-45.03 applies to the property for which the landowner is seeking a historic designation.

(b) If the Planning Director receives a written request for a property that meets one (1) or more of the criteria specified in Section 545.03, the Planning Director will submit that written request to the City Council for approval by minute order or resolution.

(c) A property, structure, or improvement approved by the City Council as a designated historic resource or site shall then be listed as such in the City of Maywood's Register of Designated Historic Resources and Historic Sites.

(Ord. No. 10-03, §§ 1, 2, 3-8-2010; Ord. No. 11-01, § 2, 2-14-2011)

No person shall demolish, construct, move, change the appearance of or make alterations to any designated historic resource or site without first obtaining a "permit to alter or remove an historic site. An application for such permit shall be filed with the Planning Director, who shall thereupon transmit the written request to the City Council. The application shall contain such information and materials as are prescribed in any duly adopted City rules and regulations. The Planning Director may require that the permit be supplemented by such additional information and materials as he/she believes may be necessary for a complete review by the City Council. The City Council shall have sixty (60) days from the date the application was deemed complete to adopt a resolution stating whether the proposed demolition, construction, alteration or relocation will significantly affect the purpose of this article.

(Ord. No. 10-03, §§ 1, 2, 3-8-2010; Ord. No. 11-01, § 2, 2-14-2011)

Every owner of a designated historic resources or site shall maintain and keep in good repair such premises. Good repair includes and is defined as that level of maintenance and repair which clearly ensures the continued availability of such premises for lawful and reasonable uses, and which prevents deterioration, dilapidation and decay of any exterior portion of such place or structure.

(Ord. No. 10-03, §§ 1, 2, 3-8-2010; Ord. No. 11-01, § 2, 2-14-2011)