It is hereby declared a matter of public policy
that the protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use of improvements
or sites of special character or special architectural or historic
interest or value is a public necessity and is required in the interest
of the health, prosperity, safety and welfare of the people. The purpose
of this chapter is to:
A. Effect and accomplish the protection, enhancement,
and perpetuation of such improvements, sites and districts which represent
or reflect elements of the Village's cultural, social, economic, political
and architectural history.
B. Safeguard the Village's historic and cultural heritage,
as embodied and reflected in such historic structures, sites and districts.
C. Foster civic pride in the notable accomplishments
of the past.
D. Stabilize and improve property values.
E. Strengthen the economy of the Village.
F. Protect and enhance the Village's attractions to residents,
tourists and visitors and serve as a support and stimulus to business
and industry.
G. Improve and enhance the visual and aesthetic character
of the Village.
H. Promote the use of historic districts and landmarks
for the education, pleasure and welfare of the people of the Village.
I. Educate the public regarding the need and desirability
of the Village's historic preservation program and its enhancement
of the quality of life.
The definitions shall be as follows:
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
The certificate issued by the Commission approving alteration,
rehabilitation, construction, reconstruction or demolition of an historic
structure, historic site or any improvement in an historic district.
COMMISSION
The Historic Preservation Commission created under this chapter.
HISTORIC DISTRICT
An area designated by the Village Board, on recommendation
of the Commission, that contains two or more historic improvements
or sites, as well as those abutting improvement parcels which the
Commission determines should fall under the provisions of this chapter
to assure that their appearance and development are harmonious with
such historic structures or historic sites.
HISTORIC SITE
Any parcel of land of historic significance due to a substantial
value in tracing the history or prehistory of man, or upon which an
historic event has occurred, and which has been designated as an historic
site under this chapter, or an improvement parcel, or part thereof,
on which is situated an historic structure and any abutting improvement
parcel, or part thereof, used as and constituting part of the premises
on which the historic structure is situated.
HISTORIC STRUCTURE
Any improvement which has a special character or special
historic interest or value as part of the development, heritage or
cultural characteristics of the Village, state or nation and which
has been designated as an historic structure pursuant to the provisions
of this chapter.
IMPROVEMENT
Any building, structure, place, work of art or other object
constituting a physical betterment of real property, or any part of
such betterment, including streets, alleys, sidewalk, curbs, lighting
fixtures, signs and the like.
IMPROVEMENT PARCEL
The unit of property which includes a physical betterment
constituting an improvement and the land embracing the site thereof
and which is treated as a single entity for the purpose of levying
real estate taxes; provided, however, that the term "improvement parcel"
shall also include any unimproved area of land which is treated as
a single entity for such tax purposes.
An Historic Preservation Commission is hereby
created, consisting of five members. Of the membership, if available
in the community, one shall be a registered architect, one shall be
an historian, one shall be a licensed real estate broker, one shall
be a Trustee, and one shall be a citizen. Each member shall have,
to the highest extent practicable, a known interest in historic preservation.
The Village President shall appoint the Commissioners subject to confirmation
by Village Board. Of the initial members so appointed, two shall serve
a term of one year, two shall serve a term of two years, and one shall
serve a term of three years. Thereafter, the term for each member
shall be three years.
No building permit shall be issued by the Building
Inspector for alteration, construction, demolition, or removal of
a nominated historic structure, historic site, or any property or
structure within a nominated historic district from the date of the
meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission at which a nomination
form is first presented until the final disposition of the nomination
by the Historic Preservation Commission or the Village Board, unless
such alteration, removal or demolition is authorized by formal resolution
of the Village Board as necessary for public health, welfare or safety.
In no event shall the delay be for more than 180 days.
The purpose of this section is to prevent the
demolition of a building or structure by neglecting it and permitting
damage to it by weather or vandalism.
A. Every person in charge of an historic structure, historic
site or improvement in an historic district shall maintain the same
or cause or permit it to be maintained in a condition consistent with
the provisions of this chapter. The Village Board may appoint the
Building Inspector or any other individual or group of individuals
to enforce this chapter. The duties of the inspection officer shall
include periodic inspection at intervals provided by the Village Board
of designated historic structures, historic sites and historic districts.
These inspections may include physical entry upon the property and
improvement, with permission of the owner, to ensure that interior
alterations or maintenance will not jeopardize the exterior appearance
or structural stability of the improvement. If an owner refuses permission
for the enforcement officer to enter for purposes of inspection, the
inspection officer may obtain a warrant of entry pursuant to § 66.0119,
Wis. Stats., and take any other reasonable measures to further the
enforcement of this chapter.
B. Every person in charge of an improvement on an historic
site or in an historic district shall keep in good repair all of the
exterior portions of such improvement and all interior portions thereof
which, if not so maintained, may cause or tend to cause the exterior
portions of such improvement to fall into a state of disrepair, including
but not limited to:
(1) The deterioration of exterior walls or other vertical
supports.
(2) The deterioration of roofs or other horizontal members.
(3) The deterioration of external chimneys.
(4) The deterioration or crumbling of exterior plasters
or mortar.
(5) The ineffective waterproofing of exterior walls, roofs,
and foundations, including broken windows or doors.
(6) The peeling of paint, rotting, holes, and other forms
of decay.
(7) The deterioration of surrounding environment, e.g.,
fences, gates, sidewalks, steps, signs, accessory structures, and
landscaping.
(8) The deterioration of any feature so as to create or
permit the creation of any hazardous or unsafe condition or conditions.
C. Insofar as they are applicable to an historic structure,
historic site or improvement in an historic district designated under
this chapter, any provision of the Plumbing Code, the Minimum Housing
and Property Maintenance Code, Building Code, Heating, Ventilating
and Air Conditioning Code, and Outdoor Signs and Outdoor Advertising
Structures Regulations of the general ordinances may be varied or waived, on application, by the appropriate
board having such jurisdiction over such chapter or, in the absence
of such board, by the Building Inspector, provided that such variance
or waiver does not endanger public health or safety.
Any person or persons violating any provision
of this chapter shall be fined $50 for each separate violation. Each
and every day during which a violation continues shall be deemed to
be a separate offense. Notice of violations shall be issued by the
Building Inspector. If the violations remain uncorrected after the
time specified in the notice, the Village may, at its election, impose
fines and/or have the violations corrected at Village expense and
have a lien placed against the property equal to the cost of the repairs,
plus applicable fines and administrative costs.