In reviewing applications for certificates of appropriateness or recommendations of compatibility the HDC shall use the criteria set forth in R.I.G.L. § 45-24.1 et seq. and Chapter 350, Zoning. In addition, the HDC will use its adopted Standards and Guidelines.
Complete applications shall be considered by the HDC within 30 days after acceptance. The order of business for consideration of applications for certificates of appropriateness shall be determined by the Chairman and shall include the following:
A. 
A preliminary statement by the HDC concerning the application.
B. 
A presentation by the applicant or designated agent, including opinions and material in support of the application.
C. 
Comments by any official, commission, agency of the Town of Glocester, state agency, or any historical, preservation or neighborhood organization.
D. 
Comments and/or questions from other interested parties.
E. 
Comments and/or questions from HDC members.
F. 
A summary of the application, including opinions and material presented.
G. 
After closing the hearing to public comment, HDC shall deliberate regarding a certificate of appropriateness based upon evidence submitted; and the impact of the project on the structure(s) and appurtenances.
H. 
Findings of fact and vote on applications for certificates of appropriateness. Such vote may be tabled for further consideration and subsequent action.
A. 
An application for a certificate of appropriateness may be approved, denied, or approved with conditions. Motions to approve or deny a certificate of appropriateness shall include findings of fact and a specific reference to the criteria under which the proposal has been judged.
B. 
All decisions of the HDC regarding issuance of a certificate of appropriateness shall be in writing. The HDC shall state the reasons and basis for each decision. All decisions shall be recorded with the Glocester Town Clerk.
C. 
Issuance of a certificate of appropriateness. Upon granting a certificate of appropriateness, the HDC shall:
(1) 
Stamp three sets of all application documents, including the application form and all plans and other data. The stamped documents shall indicate the issue date and be signed by the HDC Chairman.
(2) 
Return one set of stamped, dated and signed documents to the applicant with a copy of the written decision.
(3) 
Retain one set of stamped and signed documents for the HDC files at the office of the Building Official.
(4) 
Provide one set of stamped and signed documents with a copy of written decision to the Building Official.
A. 
Automatic approval. The failure of the HDC to act within 45 days from the date of acceptance of a completed application for a certificate of appropriateness shall be deemed to constitute approval.
B. 
Extensions. Within this forty-five-day period, the HDC may make written findings of fact stating that the application for a certificate of appropriateness requires further time for study and/or to obtain additional information. In such case the HDC shall have a period of up to 90 days from the date of acceptance of a completed application within which to act on such application.
A pending application for a certificate of appropriateness may be modified by a written request from the applicant to the HDC. Such request shall include a description of the proposed change and additional and/or revised documentation. If an application is modified, it shall be considered a new application for a certificate of appropriateness.
Changes to a project after a certificate of appropriateness has been issued shall require a new application for a certificate of appropriateness. The new application shall be submitted before construction of the changes begins, unless the HDC determines at a new preapplication conference that a full application is not required. Any changes not so approved shall be deemed a violation.