A. 
When a claim of unreasonable economic hardship is made due to the effect of this chapter, the owner of record must present evidence sufficient to prove that, as a result of the HDC's action, he is unable to obtain a reasonable return or a reasonable beneficial use from a resource. The owner of record shall submit by affidavit to the HDC some or all of the information below, at its discretion, which may include but not be limited to the following:
(1) 
Date the property was acquired by its current owner.
(2) 
Price paid for the property (if acquired by purchase) and a description of the relationship, if any, between the buyer and the seller of the property.
(3) 
Current market value of the property.
(4) 
Equity in the property.
(5) 
Appraisals of the property obtained within the previous two years.
(6) 
All appraisals obtained within the previous two years by the owner or applicant in connection with purchase, offerings for sale, financing or ownership of the property, or a statement that none were obtained.
(7) 
All studies commissioned by the owner as to profitable renovation, rehabilitation utilization of any structures or objects on the property for alternative use, or a statement that none were obtained.
(8) 
Form of ownership or operation of the property, whether sole proprietorship, for-profit or nonprofit corporation, limited partnership, joint venture or other.
B. 
The HDC may require that an applicant furnish additional information relevant to its determination of unreasonable economic hardship. Should the HDC determine that the owner's present return is not reasonable, it must consider whether there are other uses currently allowed that would provide a reasonable return and whether such a return could be obtained through investment in the property for rehabilitation purposes. The HDC may choose to recommend to the City of Easton that special economic incentives be developed to assist the owner of the resource in maintaining it and obtaining a suitable economic return or achieving a reasonable beneficial use.
C. 
The HDC may seek the assistance of an appropriate local, statewide or national preservation organization in developing solutions which would relieve the owner's economic hardship. If the HDC chooses to explore such options, the HDC may delay issuing a certificate of appropriateness for demolition on the basis of economic hardship for a period of 90 days in addition to time periods otherwise applicable.
D. 
Should the applicant satisfy the HDC that he will suffer an unreasonable economic hardship if a certificate of appropriateness is not approved, and should the HDC not be able to develop with the City of Easton or appropriate local, statewide and national preservation organization a solution which can relieve the owner's economic hardship, the HDC may recommend a certificate of appropriateness for demolition.