The purpose of this chapter is to promote the
educational, cultural, economic and general welfare of the Town through
the preservation and protection of buildings, places and districts
of historic interest by the maintenance of such landmarks in the history
of architecture and of the Town.
As used in this chapter the following terms
shall have the meaning ascribed to them:
COMMISSION
The Ridgefield Historic District Commission as constituted in accordance with this Chapter
19, Article
V of the Town Code.
EXTERIOR ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
Includes the location, architectural style, general design
and general arrangement of such portion of the exterior of a structure
as is open to view from a public street, way or place.
HISTORIC DISTRICT
Ridgefield Historic District No. 1 and any other historic
district hereafter established pursuant to state law.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to
prevent the ordinary maintenance or repair of any exterior feature
in the historic district which does not involve a change of design
thereof, nor to prevent the construction, reconstruction, alteration
or demolition of any such feature which the Building Official or a
similar agent shall certify to the Commission is required by the public
safety because of an unsafe or dangerous condition, nor to prevent
the construction, reconstruction, alteration or demolition of any
such feature under a permit issued by a Building Official or similar
agent prior to the effective date of establishment of such district.
Where, by reason of topographical conditions,
district border line situations, immediately adjoining existing developments,
or because of other unusual circumstances, the strict application
of any provision of this chapter would result in exceptional practical
difficulty or undue hardship upon the owner of any specific property,
the Commission in passing upon applications shall have the power to
vary or modify strict adherence to this chapter, or to interpret the
meaning of this chapter so as to relieve such difficulty or hardship,
provided that such variance, modification or interpretation shall
remain in harmony with the general purpose and intent of this chapter
so that the general character of the district shall be conserved and
substantial justice done. In granting variations, the Commission may
impose such reasonable and additional stipulations and conditions
as will, in its judgment, better fulfill the purpose of this chapter.
[Amended 10-5-1983]
Regulations and orders of the Commission issued
pursuant to this chapter or to any rule of procedure adopted hereunder
shall be enforced by the Historic District Enforcement Officer, who
shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen for a two-year term,
who may be authorized by the Commission to inspect and examine any
building, structure, place or premises and to require in writing the
remedying of any condition found to exist therein or thereon in violation
of any provision of the regulations or orders made under the authority
of this chapter or of any rule of procedure adopted hereunder.
The owner or agent of any building or premises
where a violation of any provision of this chapter or of any bylaw
adopted hereunder has been committed or exists, or the agent, architect,
building contractor, or any other person who commits, takes part or
assists in any such violation, or who maintains any building or premises
in which any such violation exists, shall be fined not less than $10
nor more than $100 for each day that such violation continues, but,
if the offense is willful, the person convicted thereof shall be fined
not less than $100 nor more than $250 for each day that such violation
continues. Each day such violation continues to exist shall constitute
a separate offense.