The purpose of this chapter is to promote the protection, enhancement,
perpetuation, and use of improvements of special character or historical
interest or value in the interest of the health, prosperity, safety,
and welfare of the people of the City of Mendota by:
A. Providing a mechanism to identify and preserve the historic and architectural
characteristics of Mendota which represent elements of the City's
cultural, social, economic, political and architectural history.
B. Promoting civic pride in the beauty and noble accomplishments of
the past as represented in Mendota's landmarks and historic preservation
districts.
C. Stabilizing and improving the economic vitality and value of Mendota's
landmarks and historic areas.
D. Protecting and enhancing the attractiveness of the City to have buyers,
visitors and shoppers and thereby supporting business, commerce, industry,
and providing economic benefit to the City.
E. Fostering and encouraging preservation, restoration of structures,
areas, and neighborhoods and thereby preventing future urban blight.
Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases in this
chapter shall be interpreted to give them the same meaning they have
in common usage and so as to give this chapter its most reasonable
application. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
ADDITION
Any act or process which changes one or more of the exterior
architectural features of a structure designated for preservation
by adding to, joining with or increasing the size or capacity of the
structure.
ALTERATION
Any act or process that changes one or more of the exterior
architectural features of a structure, including, but not limited
to, the erection, construction, reconstruction, or removal of any
structure.
AREA
A specific geographic division of the City of Mendota.
BUILDING
Any structure created for the support, shelter or enclosure
of persons, animals or property of any kind and which is permanently
affixed to the land.
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A certificate from the Historic Preservation and Restoration
Commission authorizing plans for alterations, construction, removal
or demolition of a landmark or site within a designated historic preservation
district.
COMMISSION
The Mendota Historic Preservation and Restoration Commission.
COMMISSIONERS
Voting members of the Mendota Historic Preservation and Restoration
Commission.
CONSTRUCTION
The act of adding an addition to an existing structure or
the erection of a new principal or accessory structure on a lot or
property.
COUNCIL
The City Council of the City of Mendota.
DEMOLITION
Any act or process that destroys in part or in whole a landmark
or site within an historic preservation district.
DESIGN GUIDELINE
A standard of appropriated activity that will preserve the
historic and architectural character of a structure or area.
EXTERIOR ARCHITECTURAL APPEARANCE
The architectural and general composition of the exterior
of a structure, including, but not limited to, the kind, color, and
the texture of the building material and the type, design and character
of all windows, doors, light fixtures, signs, and appurtenant elements.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION DISTRICT
An area designated as an "historic preservation district"
by ordinance of the City and which may contain within definable geographic
boundaries one or more landmarks and which may have within its boundaries
other properties or structures that, while not of such historic and/or
architectural significance to be designated as landmarks, nevertheless
contribute to the overall visual characteristics of the landmark or
landmarks located within the historic preservation district.
LANDMARK
Any building, structure or site which has been designated
as a "landmark" by ordinance of the City Council, pursuant to procedures
prescribed herein, that is worthy of rehabilitation, restoration,
and preservation because of its historic and/or architectural significance
to the City of Mendota.
OWNER OF RECORD
The person, corporation, or other legal entity listed as
owner on the records of the County Recorder of Deeds.
REHABILITATION
The process of returning a property to a state of utility,
through repair or alteration, which makes possible an efficient contemporary
use while preserving those portions and features of the property which
are significant to its historic, architectural and cultural values.
REMOVAL
Any relocation of a structure on its site or to another site.
REPAIR
Any change that does not require a building permit, that
is not construction, relocation or alteration.
STRUCTURAL CHANGE
Any change or repair in the supporting members of a building,
structure, roof or exterior walls which would expand or reduce the
building in height, width or bulk of the building.
STRUCTURE
Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires
permanent or temporary location on or in the ground, including, but
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, buildings, fences,
gazebos, advertising signs, billboards, backstops for tennis courts,
radio and television antennas, including supporting towers, swimming
pools, satellite dishes, solar panels and wind generation.