It is hereby declared a matter of public policy that the protection,
enhancement, perpetuation and use of built improvements, landscapes,
or sites of special character or special architectural, archaeological
or historic interests or value are a public necessity and are required
in the interest of the health, prosperity, safety and welfare of the
people. Such properties provide the Village with its unique identity.
Authority for this chapter derives from §§ 61.35 and
62.23(7)(em), Wis. Stats. The purpose of this chapter is to:
A. Protect, enhance, and preserve such improvements, landscapes, sites,
and districts which represent or reflect elements of the Village's
cultural and architectural history;
B. Enhance the visual and aesthetic character of the Village;
C. Promote the use of historic properties and districts for the education,
pleasure, and welfare of the people; and
D. Foster civic pride in the accomplishments of the past.
The definitions shall be as follows:
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
The certificate issued by the Committee approving alteration,
rehabilitation, construction, reconstruction or demolition of a historic
building, structure, landscape, or site or any improvement in a locally
designated historic district.
COMMITTEE
The Belleville Historic Preservation Committee created under
this chapter.
HISTORIC DISTRICT
An area designated by the Village Board based on the recommendation
of the Committee which contains a significant concentration of buildings,
structures, objects, and/or sites which are linked together historically
or aesthetically.
HISTORIC PROPERTY
Any parcel of land of substantial historic or prehistoric
significance which has been designated as a historic property under
this chapter, and includes any improvements and any abutting parcel
and improvements or part thereof used as and constituting part of
the historic property.
HISTORIC STRUCTURE
Any improvement which has a special historic value as part
of the cultural development of the Village, state or nation and which
has been designated as a historic structure pursuant to the provisions
of this chapter.
IMPROVEMENT
Any building, structure, object, site or landscape constituting
a physical betterment of real property, or any part of such betterment,
including streets, alleys, sidewalks, curbs, lighting fixtures, signs,
and the like.
A Historic Preservation Committee is hereby created consisting
of five members. The members shall be appointed by the Village President,
subject to confirmation by the Village Board, to serve staggered two-year
terms. One member shall be a Village Trustee. Of the other members,
if practicable and available in the community, one shall be a registered
architect, one shall be a historian, one shall be a licensed real
estate broker, and one shall be a citizen. The Village President shall
designate three of the initially appointed members to serve two-year
terms and two of the initially appointed members to serve one-year
terms, with each subsequent appointment to be for a two-year term
so that appointments occur in both odd-numbered and even-numbered
years.
No building permit shall be issued by the Building Inspector
for alteration, rehabilitation, construction, demolition, or removal
of a single nominated historic property or any property within a nominated
historic district from the date of the meeting of the Historic Preservation
Committee at which a nomination form is first presented until the
final disposition of the nomination by the Historic Preservation Committee
or the Village Board, unless alteration, removal or demolition is
authorized by formal resolution of the Village Board as necessary
for public health, welfare, or safety. In no event shall the delay
be for more than 180 days.
Any person or persons violating any provision of this chapter shall be subject to a penalty as provided in §
1-4 of this Code. Each and every day during which a violation continues shall be deemed to be a separate offense. Inspection for the purposes of enforcing this chapter will be performed by the Building Inspector under direction of the Village Board. Notice of violations shall be issued by the Building Inspector.