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 Columbia, Illinois by:
A.Â
Providing a mechanism to identify and preserve the historic and architectural
characteristics of the City of Columbia, Illinois which represent
elements of the City's cultural, social, economic, political, and
architectural history.
B.Â
Promoting civic pride in the beauty and noble accomplishments of
the past as represented in the City's landmarks and historic districts.
C.Â
Stabilizing and improving the economic vitality and value of the
City's landmarks and historic areas.
D.Â
Protecting and enhancing the attractiveness of the City to home buyers,
visitors, and shoppers, thereby supporting business, commerce, and
industry, and providing economic benefit to the City.
E.Â
Fostering and encouraging preservation and restoration of structures,
areas, and neighborhoods, and thereby preventing future urban blight.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall
apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different
meaning:
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.
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.
A specific geographic division of the City.
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.
A certificate from the Columbia Heritage and Preservation
Commission authorizing plans for alterations, construction, removal,
or demolition of a designated landmark, structure, or site within
a designated historic district.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
The Columbia Heritage and Preservation Commission.
Voting members of the Columbia Heritage and Preservation
Commission.
The City Council of the City of Columbia, Illinois.
Any act or process that destroys in part or in whole a designated
landmark or a structure or site within a designated historic district.
A standard or appropriate activity that will preserve the
historic and architectural character of a structure or area.
The architectural and general composition of the exterior
of a structure, including, but not limited to, the kind, color, and
texture of the building material and the type, design, and character
of all windows, doors, light fixtures, signs, and appurtenant elements.
An area designated as a historic district by ordinance of
the City Council, 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 or architectural
significance to be designated as landmarks, nevertheless contribute
to the overall visual characteristics of the landmark or landmarks
located within the historic district.
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 or architectural significance
to the City.
The person, corporation, or other legal entity listed as
owner on the records of the County Recorder of Deeds.
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.
Any relocation of a structure on its site or to another site.
Any change that does not require a building permit, that
is not construction, relocation, addition, or alteration.
Any change or repair in the supporting members of a building,
structure, roof, or exterior walls which would expand the building
in height, width, or bulk.
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.
The condition whereby failure to issue a requested building
permit, demolition permit, or sign permit on a landmark, or an improvement
or area within an historic district, which would amount to a taking
of the owner's property without just compensation or, in the case
of low-income owner(s), failure to issue such a permit would place
an onerous and excessive financial burden upon such owner(s).
[Amended 10-17-2011 by Ord. No. 2900]
