The Historic Site Overlay Zone recognizes archeological sites and historic sites, structures and areas important to local, state, or national history. These standards are intended to protect historic structures and sites by requiring new uses and alterations to existing uses to be designed with consideration for preserving and protecting the historic resource.
(Ord. 68 § 9-3.621, 1983)
The standards of Sections 9-3.623 through 9-3.625 apply to all uses for which a zoning approval is required that are located within an Historic Site Overlay Zone.
(Ord. 68 § 9-3.622, 1983)
The following standards apply to all development proposals within an Historic Overlay Zone:
(a) 
Initial Submittal.
(1) 
New Structures and Uses. An application for precise plan approval is to be initially submitted, unless conditional use permit approval is otherwise required by Chapter 9-4 or 9-6. The initial application will be used as the basis for an environmental determination (see subsection (c) of this section), and depending upon the result of the environmental determination, the applicant may be required to amend the application to a conditional use permit application as a condition of further processing of the request (see subsection (d) of this section).
(2) 
Modifications to Historic Structures.
(i) 
Restoration. Precise plan approval is required for construction activities intended to preserve a historic structure from deterioration, or to restore the structure to an appearance or condition approximating its original state, where such preservation or restoration uses construction materials and methods of the same historic period as those originally used, except where visible contemporary structural reinforcement is necessary to prevent a structure from collapse.
(ii) 
Alteration or Demolition. Conditional use permit approval is required to authorize demolition of a historic structure or any remodeling that alters the historic architectural character of the structure.
(b) 
Application Content. Applications for projects within a Historic Site Overlay Zone are to include a description of measures proposed to protect the historic resource.
(c) 
Environmental Determination.
(1) 
When an application has been accepted for processing as set forth in Section 9-2.102, it shall receive an environmental determination pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
(2) 
The initial study of the environmental determination is to evaluate the potential of the historic site or district and to evaluate the other direct and indirect effects of the new construction upon the actual archeological resources or historic structures.
(d) 
Final Application Requirement and Processing.
(1) 
If an environmental determination results in a finding of exemption or issuance of a negative declaration, the entitlement requirement is to remain as established for the initial submittal. In the event that a negative declaration identifies mitigation measures necessary to reduce environmental impacts, such mitigation measures are to be applicable to the approved entitlement as conditions of approval.
(2) 
If an environmental impact report is required, the project shall be authorized only through conditional use permit approval (Section 9-2.110).
(Ord. 68 § 9-3.623, 1983)
Where a conditional use permit involving archeological resources is required by the provisions of the Historic Site Overlay Zone, it may be approved only where the following findings are made:
(a) 
The site design and development as finally proposed incorporates adequate measures to insure the archeological resources will be acceptably and adequately protected; or
(b) 
Where site design and development proposals cannot feasibly be changed and intrusion into or disturbance of archeological resources will result, that construction will use appropriate methods to protect the integrity of the site, including possible relocation of graves and artifacts.
(Ord. 68 § 9-3.624, 1983)
Where a conditional use permit involving historic structures, landmarks and districts is required by the provisions of the Historic Site Overlay Zone, it may be approved only when the following findings are made:
(a) 
The height, bulk, location, structural materials, landscaping and other aspects of the proposed use will not obstruct public views of the historic structure or of its immediate setting;
(b) 
Any proposed alteration or removal of structural elements, or clearing of landscaping or natural vegetation features will not damage or destroy the character of insignificant historical features and settings;
(c) 
Any proposed remodeling or demolition is unavoidable because it is not structurally or economically feasible to retain or restore existing structures or features.
(Ord. 68 § 9-3.625, 1983)