It is hereby declared a matter of public policy that the protection,
enhancement, perpetuation and use of improvements of special character
or special historical interest or value are a public necessity and
are required in the interest of health, prosperity, safety and welfare
of the people. The purpose of this chapter is to:
A. Effect and accomplish the protection, enhancement, and perpetuation
of such improvements and of districts which represent or reflect elements
of the City of Fond du Lac's cultural, social, economic, political,
engineering and architectural history.
B. Safeguard the City of Fond du Lac's historic and cultural heritage,
as embodied and reflected in such historic structures, sites and districts.
C. Stabilize and improve property values.
D. Foster civic pride in the beauty and noble accomplishments of the
past.
E. Protect and enhance the City of Fond du Lac's attractions to
residents, tourists and visitors, and serve as a support and stimulus
to business and industry.
F. Strengthen the economy of the City of Fond du Lac.
G. Promote the use of historic structures, sites and districts for the
education, pleasure and welfare of the people of the City of Fond
du Lac.
In this chapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise,
the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
COMMISSION
The Historic Preservation Commission created under this chapter.
HISTORIC DISTRICT
An area designated by the City Council of the City of Fond
du Lac on recommendation of the Commission, composed of two or more
improvement parcels that together comprise a district of special character
or special historic interest or value as part of the development,
heritage or cultural characteristics of the City of Fond du Lac, state
or nation, and which has been designated as an historic district pursuant
to the provisions of this chapter.
HISTORIC SITE
Any parcel of land whose historic significance is due to
a substantial value in tracing the history of aboriginal people, or
upon which a historic event has occurred, and which has been designated
as a historic site under this chapter, or an improvement parcel, or
part thereof, on which is situated a historic structure and any abutting
improvement parcel, or part thereof, used as and constituting part
of the premises on which the historic structure is situated.
HISTORIC STRUCTURE
Any improvement which has a special character or special
historic interest or value as part of the development, heritage or
cultural characteristics of the City of Fond du Lac, state or nation
and which has been designated as a historic structure pursuant to
the provisions of this chapter.
IMPROVEMENT
Any building, structure, place, work of art or other object
constituting a physical betterment of real property, or any part of
such betterment.
IMPROVEMENT PARCEL
The unit of property which includes a physical betterment
constituting an improvement and the land embracing the site thereof,
and is treated as a single entity for the purpose of levying real
estate taxes; provided, however, that the term "improvement parcel"
shall also include any unimproved area of land which is treated as
a single entity for such tax purposes.
Every person in charge of any historic structure, historic site
or improvement in an historic district shall maintain the same or
cause or permit it to be maintained in a condition consistent with
the provisions of this chapter. The City Council may appoint the Building
Inspector or other City employee to enforce this chapter.
Nothing contained in this chapter shall prohibit the making
of necessary construction, reconstruction, alteration or demolition
of any historic structure or any improvement on an historic site or
in an historic district pursuant to order of any appropriate City
or state governmental official or pursuant to any court order having
jurisdiction, for the purpose of remedying emergency conditions determined
to be dangerous to life, health or property. In such cases, no approval
from the Commission shall be required.
Except as otherwise provided, any person, firm, corporation or organization found to be in violation of any provisions of this chapter or any rule or order promulgated herein shall be subject to a penalty as provided in §
1-4 of this Code.