Sec. 17-103. - 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:

Alteration. Any change or modification of any landmark or of any improvement located on a property within a historic district. Such change or modification includes, but are not limited to, changes to or modifications of structure, architectural details or visual characteristics (including paint color and surface texture), the addition of new structures, grading, cutting or removal of trees, other alteration of natural features, and the placement or removal of any significant objects affecting the significant visual and/or historical qualities of the property.

Alteration, minor. An alteration that has been determined to have limited potential to affect the defining character and architectural style of the subject structure or resource. In no case shall minor alterations include actions involving new construction or full or partial demolition of a resource, or actions requiring approval on the basis of a finding of economic hardship.

Certificate of appropriateness. A certificate approving such plans, specifications, design, or statements of work, for any proposed alteration, restoration, demolition, removal, or relocation, in whole or in part, of or to improvements relative to landmarks or any property within a historic district.

Commission. The Planning Commission of the City of West Covina.

Construction. The act of expanding an existing building or structure or the erection of a new principal or accessory structure or building on a lot or property.

Contributing building. A building within a historic district that has a special character, special historic or aesthetic interest or value, and is incorporated into the district for that reason.

Demolition. Any act that destroys or damages in whole or in part, a building, structure, or improvement.

Exterior architectural feature. The architectural style, design, general arrangement, components, natural features and all the outer surfaces of an improvement, including, but not limited to, the kind and texture of the building material, the type and style of all windows, doors, lights, signs, walls, fences, and other fixtures appurtenant to such improvement.

Historic district. Any area containing a concentration of improvements which have a special character, historical interest, or aesthetic value; which possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association; or which represent one or more architectural periods or styles typical to the history of the city; and that has been designated a historic district pursuant to this article.

Historic resource. Any improvement, building, structure, landscape, sign, feature, site, place, or area of scientific, aesthetic, educational, cultural, architectural, or historic significance to the citizens of the city.

Improvement. Any building, structure, place, wall, fence, gate, sign, landscaping, or other object constituting a physical alteration of real property, or any part of such alteration.

Landmark. Any improvement, building, structure, landscape, sign, feature, site, or place that has historical, cultural, aesthetic, or architectural character or value, or which represents one or more architectural periods or styles typical to the history of the city and that has been designated as a landmark pursuant to this chapter.

Minor alterations subcommittee. A subcommittee of the planning commission whose function is to review certificates of appropriateness involving minor alterations. The minor alterations subcommittee shall consist of the following three (3) members appointed by the chairperson of the commission: the staff liaison to the commission, and two (2) members of the commission, one of whom shall be a professional from the field of architecture, if such a professional sits on the commission.

Noncontributing building. A building within a historic district that does not possess the qualifications or characteristics of a contributing building due to such factors as age or alteration, but which has been included within the historic district because of its impact on the geographic integrity and overall character of the district.

Ordinary maintenance and repair. Any work for which a building permit is not required by law where the purpose and effect of such work is to correct any deterioration of or damage to an improvement or natural feature of any part thereof and to restore the same to its condition prior to the occurrence of such deterioration or damage.

Rehabilitation. The act or process of returning an improvement or site to a condition of utilization, through repair, remodeling, or alteration, that makes possible an efficient contemporary use while preserving those portions or features of the improvement or site that are significant to its historical, architectural, and cultural values.

Relocation. Any change of the location of an improvement in its present setting or to another setting.

Removal. The displacement or loss of any improvement from the site.

Restoration. The act or process of accurately recovering the form and details of a property and its setting as it appeared at a particular period of time by means of the removal of later work or by the replacement of missing earlier work.

Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation codified in 36 C.F.R., Part 67, as the minimum standards or guidelines for that resource.

(Ord. No. 2173, § 1(Exh. A), 3-4-08)

Secs. 17-104—17-110. - Reserved.

DIVISION 2. - LANDMARK AND HISTORIC DISTRICT DESIGNATION CRITERIA

Sec. 17-111. - Designation criteria.

For the purposes of this chapter, a historic resource may be designated a landmark, and an area may be designated a historic district pursuant to division 3 of this chapter, if it meets one (1) or more of the following criteria:

(a)

It exemplifies or reflects special elements of the city's cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering, or architectural history; or

(b)

It is identified with persons or events significant in local, regional, state or national history; or

(c)

It embodies distinctive characteristics of a style, type, period, or method of construction, or is a valuable example of the use of indigenous materials or craftsmanship; or

(d)

It is representative of the notable work of a builder, designer, or architect; or

(e)

It has unique location or physical characteristic(s) or represents an established and familiar visual feature or landmark of a neighborhood, community, or the city.

(Ord. No. 2173, § 1(Exh. A), 3-4-08)

Secs. 17-112—17-120. - Reserved.

DIVISION 3. - DESIGNATION OF LANDMARKS AND HISTORIC DISTRICTS

Sec. 17-121. - Nomination requirements, landmark.

Nominations of a historic resource as a landmark shall be made only by application of the property owner or property owners representing a majority or controlling interest in the property on which the resource is located, and the owner or owners representing a majority or controlling interest in the improvement if such improvement has been legally severed.

(Ord. No. 2173, § 1(Exh. A), 3-4-08)

Sec. 17-122. - Minimum eligibility requirements, landmark.

To be eligible for consideration as a landmark, a historic resource must be at least fifty (50) years old, with the exception that a historic resource of at least thirty (30) years of age may be eligible if the planning commission determines that the resource is exceptional, or that it is threatened by demolition, removal, relocation, or inappropriate alteration.

(Ord. No. 2173, § 1(Exh. A), 3-4-08)

Sec. 17-123. - Nomination requirements, historic district.

The initiation of a proposed historic district may arise from a property owner or group of property owners in a potential historic district. When such an initiation is proposed, the city will assist in preparing the defining characteristics of the proposed historic district. Only those properties for which the property owners submit a nomination to be included in a proposed or existing district will be considered to be within the district. The district boundary will not include any property without the written consent of the property owner of said property.

(Ord. No. 2173, § 1(Exh. A), 3-4-08)

Sec. 17-124. - Minimum eligibility requirements, historic district.

To be eligible for consideration as a historic district, at least seventy-five (75) percent of the buildings in the proposed historic district (excluding accessory buildings) must be at least fifty (50) years old or otherwise meet the requirement of section 17-122. In addition, no more than twenty-five (25) percent of the buildings in the proposed district (excluding accessory buildings) may be noncontributing. Noncontributing buildings may be included as part of a historic district only to the extent that the planning commission determines them to be essential to the geographic integrity of the district. The planning commission shall make determinations identifying any noncontributing buildings within a historic district as part of the review process.

(Ord. No. 2173, § 1(Exh. A), 3-4-08)

Sec. 17-125. - Delay of work pending hearing.

Once a completed application has been accepted for the designation of a landmark or a historic district, no building, alteration, demolition, removal, or relocation permits for any historic resource, improvement, building, or structure relative to a proposed landmark or within a proposed historic district shall be issued until a final determination is made regarding the proposed designation, except as provided under division 6 of this article.

(Ord. No. 2173, § 1(Exh. A), 3-4-08)