Article 13-05

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sections:

It is hereby declared as a matter of public policy that the recognition, preservation, enhancement and use of heritage resources within the City is required in the interest of the health, economic prosperity, cultural enrichment and general welfare of the people. The purpose of this Chapter is to:

(a) Safeguard the heritage of the City by providing for the protection of irreplaceable heritage resources representing significant elements of its history;

(b) Enhance the visual character of the City by encouraging and regulating the compatibility of architectural styles within historic areas which reflect established architectural traditions;

(c) Encourage public knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the City's past, and foster civic and neighborhood pride and sense of identity based upon the recognition and use of the City's heritage resources;

(d) Stabilize and improve property values within the City and increase the economic and financial benefits to the City and its inhabitants derived from the preservation, rehabilitation, and use of heritage resources;

(e) Integratetheconservationof heritageresources into the public and private development process and identify as early as possible and resolve conflicts between the preservation of such resources and alternative land uses.

For the purposes of this Chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this Section, unless the context or the provision clearly requires otherwise:

(a) Alteration means any exterior change or modification of a property including, but not limited to, exterior changes to or modifications of structure, architectural details or visual characteristics, grading, surface paving, the addition of new structures, removal or alteration of natural features, disturbance of archeological sites or areas, and the placement or removal of

any exterior objects such as signs, plaques, light fixtures, walls, fences, steps or gates affecting the exterior visual qualities of the property, but does not include painting, landscaping and ordinary maintenance.

(b) Commission staff means the Community Development Director and the Director's authorized representatives.

(c) Exterior architectural feature means the architectural elements embodying style, design, general arrangement and components of all the outer surfaces of an improvement, including but not limited to, the kind and texture of building materials and the type and style of windows, doors, lights, signs and other fixtures appurtenant to such improvement.

(d) Historic district means a distinct section of the City, specifically defined in terms of geographic boundaries, designated as a historic district pursuant to this Chapter.

(e) Historic landmark means a building, improvement, structure, natural feature, site or area of land under single or common ownership, designated as a historic landmark pursuant to this Chapter.

(f) Heritage lane means a public right-of-way such as a street, road, avenue, boulevard, pathway or trail that has been designated as a heritage lane pursuant to this Chapter and that does not include any portion of any property outside the public right of way.

(g) Heritage Preservation Commission means the commission established pursuant to this Chapter and Commissioner means a member of the Heritage Preservation Commission.

(h) Heritage resource means any public or private property designated by the City, pursuant to this Chapter, as a historic landmark, heritage lane, or historic district, and those properties listed on the City's Heritage Resource Inventory.

(i) Heritage Resource Inventory means the City's official inventory of heritage resources, as adopted and amended from time to time by resolution of the Heritage Preservation Commission. A property may be listed on the Heritage Resource Inventory without being designated pursuant to this Chapter as a historic landmark, heritage lane or historic district.

(j) Improvement means any building, structure, parking facility, fence, gate, wall, work of art or other appurtenance or addition thereto constituting a physical betterment of real property, or any part of such betterment.

(Saratoga Supp. No. 52, 3-23)

221

13-05.020

(k) Public Right-of-Way shall have the meaning set forth in section 15-06.570(a) of this Code. (Ord. No. 393, § 1(Att. 1), 12-7-2022)

222

(Saratoga Supp. No. 52, 3-23)

13-10.040