Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
A geographic location of the remains of prehistoric life
or of historic human beings. These include, but are not limited to,
structures, artifacts, terrain features, graphics (paintings or drawings,
etc.) and the evidence of plants or animals.
ARCHITECTURAL FEATURE
Any feature that helps give a structure its distinctive architectural
character. Such character defining features include but are not limited
to columns, pilasters, cornice boards, brackets, balustrades, quoins,
fanlights, corner boards, window and door frames, and transoms.
AUGUSTA HISTORIC PRESERVATION DESIGN MANUAL
A set of recommendations for guidance when evaluating proposed
changes in historic properties, based on the Secretary of the Interior's
Standards for Rehabilitation, for the use of the Historic District
Review Board or other appointed body that has the responsibility of
overseeing a specific local historic structure, area, site, or district.
BOARD
Augusta Historic District Review Board.
COMPATIBILITY
The relationship between buildings of scale, height, proportion
and mass and their relationship to the viewscape. See this section
for definition of viewscape.
CONTRIBUTING PROPERTY
A contributing property means and includes any building, other structure or site that by age, location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association adds to the district's sense of time and place and historical development or is capable of yielding important information about an historically significant period. The property shall retain some or all of its historic integrity, as defined in this section. Ordinarily buildings that have been built within the 50 years prior to the year of application shall not be considered to contribute to the district unless a justification concerning their historical or architectural merit is given by the referenced surveys, Subsection
D(2), or the historical attributes of the district are considered to be less than 50 years old. See this section for the definition of noncontributing properties. In the case of a disagreement, an architectural historian recognized by the Maine State Historic Preservation Commission shall be consulted.
DETERIORATION FROM NEGLECT
Deterioration of any structural or exterior architectural
feature of a property from inadequate maintenance to the extent that
it creates an irremediably detrimental effect on the life and character
of that historic structure or landmark and/or creates health and safety
violations.
HISTORIC DISTRICT
A geographically definable area possessing a significant
concentration or linkage of sites, structures or objects united by
past events or aesthetically by plan or physical development and designated
in accordance with the requirements of this section as appropriate
for historic preservation. Such historic districts may also comprise
individual elements separated geographically, but linked by historical
association.
HISTORIC INTEGRITY
The authenticity of a property's historic identity as evidenced
by the survival of physical characteristics (location, design, setting,
materials, workmanship, feeling, and association) that existed during
the property's prehistoric or historic period.
HISTORIC LANDMARK
Any site feature or structure of particular, strong, historic
or architectural significance to the City relating to its heritage,
cultural, social, economic or political history, or which is associated
with historic personages or important events in local, state or national
history which has been designated in accordance with this section.
HISTORIC SITE
A parcel of land of special significance in the history or
prehistory of the City and its inhabitants, or upon which an historic
event has occurred, or an historic site by virtue of usage and which
has been designated as such in accordance with this section. The term
"historic site" shall also include any improved parcel or part of
it on which is situated an historic landmark, and any abutting parcel
or part of it used as and constituting part of the premises on which
the historic landmark is situated as may be designated in accordance
with this section.
INDIVIDUAL HISTORIC PROPERTY
A property that is worthy of preservation because it possesses
historic integrity and local, regional, state, or national significance.
Important properties may include structures, sites, and objects significant
in American history, archaeology, architecture, engineering, or culture,
which have been designated as such in accordance with this section.
MAINTENANCE
The keeping of a resource in good repair, e.g., painting,
protection from weather and decay and replacement of deteriorating
elements, to preserve its integrity.
MAJOR CHANGE
Additions or alterations to a structure or site, or a large-scale
change that affects the character of the structure or the related
viewscape.
MINOR CHANGE
Small-scale alterations to a structure or site that do not
significantly affect its appearance and are easily reversible. Minor
changes may include improvement projects, such as lighting, sidewalks,
paving and curbing.
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
A register assigned by the National Historic Preservation
Act of 1966, as amended, that recognizes buildings, sites, districts,
structures, and objects significant in American history, archaeology,
architecture, engineering, or culture, and identifies them as worthy
of preservation.
NATIONAL-REGISTER-ELIGIBLE PROPERTY
An historic property that is eligible for inclusion in the
Register because it meets the National Register criteria, which are
specified in the Department of the Interior regulations at 36 CFR
60.4.
NATIONAL-REGISTER-LISTED PROPERTY
An historic property that has been formally listed in the
National Register of Historic Places and accepted by the Secretary
of the Interior, who is represented for purposes of the decision by
the Keeper of the National Register.
NONCONTRIBUTING PROPERTY
(1)
Means and includes any building, other structure or site that
does not add to the district's sense of time and place and historical
development; or one where the location, design, setting, materials,
workmanship or association have been so altered or have so deteriorated
that the overall integrity of the building, structure, or site has
been irretrievably lost. Although changes to a noncontributing property
may not have historical significance, they may affect the historic
integrity of the viewscape and the district as a whole.
(2)
Ordinarily buildings that have been built within the 50 years
prior to the year of application shall not be considered to contribute
to the significance of a district unless a strong justification concerning
their historical or architectural merit is given by the referenced
surveys, Subsection D(2), or the historical attributes of the viewscape
are considered to be less than 75 years old. Age shall be determined
based on the architectural surveys on file in the City Office. In
the case of a disagreement, an architectural historian recognized
by the Maine State Historic Preservation Commission shall be consulted.
OBJECT
A construction that is primarily artistic or utilitarian
in nature or is relatively small in scale and simply constructed.
Although it may be, by nature and design, movable, an object is associated
with a specific setting or environment.
SIDING
The covering of exterior vertical or nearly vertical wall
surfaces, excluding architectural features.
SITE
The location of a significant object, structure, or event.
STRUCTURE
A building, or anything built for the support, shelter or
enclosure of persons, animals, goods, or property of any kind, together
with anything constructed or erected with a fixed location on or in
the ground. The term includes structures temporarily or permanently
located, such as decks, fences, and walls.
VIEWSCAPE
The public setting in which a structure, site, or landmark
is located. It is the immediate visible neighborhood of the street
or public land associated with such a structure, including such things
as fences, sidewalks and lights. A viewscape is not synonymous with
scenic views, for example water views possessed by individual property
owners, but encompasses the public view of a street, neighborhood
or public land. Every kind of structure is considered in the context
of its viewscape. A district may include many viewscapes.
VISIBLE FROM THE STREET
Any site or structure that can be seen from any public street
or way abutting the subject property.