Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and terms shall, for purposes of this chapter, have the meanings shown in this article. Words used in the present tense include the future; the singular number includes the plural and the plural, the singular.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ARCHAEOLOGICAL INTEREST
Having or potentially having evidence of past human activity worthy of expert investigation at some point; capable of contributing to the scientific or humanistic understanding of past human behavior, cultural adaptation, or related topics through the application of scientifically based or scholarly techniques, such as structured observation, contextual measurement, controlled collection, analysis, interpretation, and explanation.
CONDITION BEYOND REPAIR
Whenever a structure is no longer viable for further use or occupancy because it is of such faulty construction or so dilapidated, unsound, unsafe, damaged, or decayed that:
A. 
The cost of such repair or renovation to make it usable for any lawful purpose would exceed 50% of the replacement cost of the structure; and
B. 
The structure has been condemned as unsafe by the Code Enforcement Officer.
CULTURALLY SENSITIVE PLACE
Any cemetery, burial ground, or other site that may have cultural or spiritual value to a community, including but not limited to Native Americans.
EMERGENCY
A situation or condition which could cause serious or life-threatening injury or death, or significant property damage, and demanding immediate action.
EXTERIOR ALTERATIONS
The replacement, addition, alteration or removal of any exterior building component, including but not limited to doors, windows, cornices, belt courses, corbels, wall facings and historic features. This definition shall include de minimis amounts of demolition.
HISTORIC DISTRICT
Any of the following:
A. 
The Town Center District, Division 3, as shown on the Town Center Zoning Map;[1] or
B. 
An area of two or more contiguous parcels of land anywhere in the Town of Lyons that have designated by the Town Board in accordance with Article III of this chapter; or
C. 
A district that is on the state or national registers of historic places.
HISTORIC FEATURES
Distinctive features, finishes, materials or construction techniques that are original to a building or that are at least 50 years old and contribute to the architecture and historic significance of an historic structure.
HISTORIC STRUCTURE
A building or structure that has been designated by the Town Board in accordance with Article III of this chapter, or any building or structure on the state or national registers of historic places.
MOTHBALLING
Closing up a building temporarily to protect it from the weather as well as secure it from vandalism. When all means of finding a productive use for a historic building have been exhausted or when funds are not currently available to put a deteriorating structure into a usable condition, mothballing may be a necessary and effective means of protecting the building while planning the property's future, or raising money for a preservation, rehabilitation or restoration project. If a vacant property has been declared unsafe by building officials, stabilization and mothballing may be the only way to protect it from demolition.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Town Center Zoning Map is included as an attachment to Ch. 300, Zoning.