The purpose of this legislation is to promote the general welfare of the public through:
(1) 
The protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use of structures, sites and areas that are reminders of people, events or eras, or which provide significant examples of architectural styles and the physical surroundings in which past generations lived;
(2) 
The development and maintenance of appropriate settings for such structures, sites or areas;
(3) 
The enhancement of property values, the stabilization of neighborhoods and the increase of economic and financial benefits to the city and its residents;
(4) 
The enrichment of the cultural and educational dimensions of human life by encouraging study and enjoyment of our historical heritage.
(Ord. 576 § 1 (part), 1975)
The planning commission:
(1) 
Shall recommend to the City Council an initial group of landmarks to be covered by this chapter, and
(2) 
Shall review and make recommendations to the City Council, after public hearing, concerning applications for designation as a landmark structure, site or area.
(Ord. 576 § 1 (part), 1975)
The City Council may, by ordinance, designate a structure or feature or integrated groups of structures or features on a single lot or site or man-made or natural landscape elements, having a special character or historical, architectural, or aesthetic interest or value as a landmark and shall designate a landmark site for each landmark. The designating ordinance shall include a description and photos of the characteristics of the landmark which justify its designation and shall include the location and boundaries of the landmark site and a description of the features to be preserved.
(Ord. 576 § 1 (part), 1975)
(1) 
Initiation of designation proceedings shall be by resolution of the City Council or by written application of the owners of the property or their authorized agent, or by civic groups, public agencies or interested citizens. Application for designation shall be filed with the department of community development upon forms prescribed by the director of the department and shall be accompanied by a fee set by the City Council.
(2) 
Upon receipt of an application, the secretary of the planning commission shall set a date for a public hearing on such application. Notice of such hearing shall be given as set forth in Chapter 16.84. If the planning commission approves the designation, it shall transmit the application to the City Council with the recommendation of the commission.
(3) 
Upon receipt of the proposal for designation and the recommendation of the planning commission, the city clerk shall set a date for a public hearing thereon, following which the ordinance may be adopted.
(4) 
Amendments or rescission of the designating ordinance may be initiated pursuant to a procedure similar to adoption of the designation ordinance.
(5) 
In the event that the planning commission disapproves or modifies the application for designation, the applicant may appeal the decision to the City Council. The method, provisions for notice, report of facts and reasons, and council action shall be the same as those provided in Chapter 16.86.
(Ord. 576 § 1 (part), 1975)
No person shall carry out or cause to be carried out on a designated landmark structure, site or area, nor shall the department of community development approve or issue a permit for any construction, alteration, removal or demolition of a structure, feature or site, or for a change in use of a structure, site or area, except in conformity with this chapter and the provisions of Chapter 16.68.
Requests to make changes in the interior or minor repairs to the exterior, such as painting, replacement of windows, awnings or nonstructural items may be approved by the department of community development, but only if the department determines that the proposal is not potentially detrimental to the landmark site, area or structure and that there would be no significant impact or detriment thereto. In that event, the department shall approve the request; otherwise, such requests shall be treated as an application for architectural control.
(Ord. 576 § 1 (part), 1975)
If the application for architectural control proposes alterations, demolition or removal of a landmark, the planning commission may approve the application or suspend action on the application for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty days. The City Council by resolution may, for good cause shown, extend the suspension for an additional period not to exceed one hundred eighty days, if the resolution is adopted not more than ninety days and not less than thirty days prior to expiration of the original one hundred eighty-day period.
(Ord. 576 § 1 (part), 1975)
None of the provisions of this chapter shall be construed to prevent any reasonable measures of construction, alteration or demolition necessary to correct the unsafe or dangerous condition of any structure or feature thereof where such condition has been declared unsafe or dangerous as per Uniform Building Code Section 203, and the Uniform Fire Code Section 1.207, by the building official or the fire chief and where the proposed measures are declared necessary by the above officials to correct the condition.
(Ord. 576 § 1 (part), 1975)
The owner, lessee or other person in actual charge of a landmark shall comply with all applicable codes, laws and regulations governing the maintenance of the property. Such person shall keep in good repair all exterior portions of the property and all interior portions whose maintenance is necessary to prevent deterioration of any exterior portion or which are subject to control as specified in this chapter.
(Ord. 576 § 1 (part), 1975)
(1) 
Permitted Uses. There are no permitted uses in the H district.
(2) 
Conditional Uses. All uses in the H district are conditional uses, subject to obtaining a use permit.
(3) 
Development regulations. Except for a maximum floor area ratio of forty-five percent (45%), there are no development regulations, except those that are specified in the use permit.
(Ord. 576 § 1 (part), 1975; Ord. 863 § 20, 1994)