Article 14, Sec. 14-1

Other

• Administrative review for minor changes

  The Administrator may review, approve, or deny applications for Certificates of Appropriateness in the following situations: ... repainting ... awnings ... signs ... outdoor dining ... fencing ...

• Certificate of Appropriateness expiration period12 months

  Any Certificate of Appropriateness issued pursuant to Sections 14-3-1 and 14-3-2 of this Article shall expire of its own limitations 12 months from the date of issuance if the work authorized by the certificate has not commenced; including, if any such work is suspended or abandoned for a period of 12 months after being commenced.

• Certificate of Appropriateness required for exterior changes

  no Exterior Architectural Appearance of a building or structure within the Historic Winchester District shall be erected, reconstructed, structurally altered, restored, or demolished, unless and until a complete application for a Certificate of Appropriateness shall have been submitted and subsequently approved by the Board of Architectural Review

• Demolition of buildings 75+ years old requires public hearingConditional useAllowed only after a discretionary approval — usually a public hearing and a board vote.75 years

  No building or structure which existed in an area of the City that has since been designated within the Historic Winchester District 75 years ago or prior thereto shall be demolished or removed in whole or in part... unless and until a complete application for a Certificate of Appropriateness shall have been submitted and subsequently approved by the Board of Architectural Review. No such application shall be considered by the review board until a public hearing has been held per Section 23-7-1

• Design guidelines based on Secretary of Interior's Standards

  The Board shall base its decision on whether the proposed action conforms to the criteria set forth by the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, the Historic Winchester District Design Guidelines, and Old Town Winchester Outdoor Dining Guidelines

• Exclusion for tax credit approved alterations

  Nothing in this Article shall prevent the construction, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, or demolition, without approval of the Board, of any building or structure which has otherwise received approval through separate application for Historic Preservation Certification to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources or the United States Department of the Interior.

• Exclusion for unsafe structures

  Nothing in this Article shall prevent the construction, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, or demolition, without approval of the Board, of any building or structure which is in such unsafe condition that the building or structure would endanger life or property as determined in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Statewide Building Code.

• Exclusion for ordinary maintenance and repair

  Nothing in this Article shall be construed to prevent the ordinary maintenance or repair of any exterior elements of any building or structure described in this Article so long as there is no change in the form or materials.

• HistoricHistoric districtAn area where exterior changes need design review to protect its character. markers awarded by Board

  The Board, at its discretion, may award historical markers for buildings of historical significance to display the marker thereon. Buildings receiving such markers should have architectural and/or historic interest to justify consideration.

• YardYardThe open space left between a building and its lot line — the space a setback creates. varianceVariancePermission to depart from a specific dimensional rule, granted on a showing of hardship. recommendation for historicHistoric districtAn area where exterior changes need design review to protect its character. neighborhoods

  Due to peculiar conditions of design and construction in historic neighborhoods where buildings and structures are often built close to the lot lines, it is in the public interest to retain a neighborhood's historic appearance by granting variances to normal yard requirements. Where it is deemed that such a variance will not adversely affect neighboring properties, the Board may recommend to the Board of Zoning Appeals that such variance to standard yard requirements be made.