§ 13-200.8. Definitions

The following words and phrases shall, for the purpose of this article, be defined as follows, unless it is clear from the context that another meaning is intended:

Alteration. Any change or modification, through public or private action, to the character-defining or significant physical features of properties affected by this article. In the case of cultural resources that are buildings and structures, "alteration" shall be limited to changes to the exterior unless otherwise designated per the designating resolution or per the requirements of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. Such changes may consist of modifications to structural or architectural details, or visual characteristics; grading; surface paving; the addition of new structures; the cutting or removal of designated trees, landscapes or other natural features; the disturbance of archaeological sites or areas; or the placement or removal of any significant objects such as signs, light fixtures, street furniture, walls, fences, steps, plantings, or landscape accessories affecting the significant visual and/or historical qualities of the property.

Certificate of appropriateness. A certificate issued by the planning commission (or other commission/committee designated by the city council), approving plans, specifications, or statements of work for any proposed alteration, restoration, rehabilitation, construction, relocation, or demolition, in whole or in part, of a "designated cultural resource" listed on the city's Local Register of Historic Places.

Certified local government (CLG). A local government certified under federal law by the California State Office of Historic Preservation for the purpose of more direct participation in federal and state historic preservation programs. A CLG has the ability to enforce national, state, and local preservation laws and to provide for adequate public participation in the programs resulting from these laws. The CLG has a qualified historic preservation review commission or board and must have completed or be in the process of completing a comprehensive historic resources inventory. CLGs are eligible for special federal matching grants.

Character-defining features. The following natural or man-made elements of a cultural resource: design, general arrangement or components of an improvement, including but not limited to, site placement, height, scale, and setback; the type, color, and texture of the building materials; and the type and style of all windows, doors, lights, signs, and other fixtures appurtenant to such improvement. "Character-defining features" of cultural resources that are buildings or structures will generally be those associated with the exterior of such resources.

Contributing cultural resource to an historic district (contributor). A building, site, structure or object that adds to the historic architectural qualities, historic associations, or archaeological values for which an historic district is significant because:

(a) It represents a period of historic importance, and possesses historic integrity reflecting its architectural character at that time or is capable of yielding important information about that period; or

(b) It independently meets the designation criteria as defined in this section.

Cultural resource. Buildings, structures, natural features, sites, landscapes, objects, or improvements, which are of scientific, cultural, architectural, political, military, historical or archaeological significance to the citizens of the city, the state, or the nation, which may be determined eligible for designation or designated by the planning commission (or other commission/committee designated by the city council) pursuant to the provisions of this section, or which may be eligible for listing or designation on any state or federal register.

Designated cultural resource. Any cultural resource that has been designated a landmark or historic district and placed on the local Register of Historic Places, pursuant to this section or is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the California Register of Historical Places, or is a state historical landmark; but does not include any cultural resource for which such designation has been repealed.

Designation. The process of reviewing a cultural resource for designation as a landmark or historic district and placing it on the local Register of Historic Places.

Determined eligible. Any cultural resource which has been determined by the planning commission (or other commission/committee designated by the city council) or by city staff to meet the established criteria for designation as a cultural resource or contributing cultural resource to an historic district or which has been so named by the California State Historic Preservation Officer, but has not been so designated.

Historic district. Any delineated geographic area having historical significance which serves as an established neighborhood, community center, or distinct section of the city, possessing a significant concentration, linkage, or continuity of site, buildings, structures, or objects united historically or aesthetically by plan or by physical development; and which has been designated a historic district pursuant to this article or is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the California Register of Historical Places, or is a state historical landmark.

Historic property or resource. Another term for a cultural resource.

Improvement. Any building, structure, place, fence, gate, landscaping, wall, parking facility, work of art, or other object constituting a physical feature of real property, or any part of such feature which is not a natural feature.

Integrity. The ability of a property to convey its historic identity and significance. Six (6) aspects or qualities define integrity: location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, and association.

Landmark. Any site, including significant trees or permanent landscaping, building, structure, improvement, street furniture, sign, work of art, natural feature or other object representative of the historical, archaeological, cultural, architectural or community heritage of the city which has been designated a landmark pursuant to this section.

Local Register of Historic Places. A list of designated cultural resources, landmarks and historic districts located within the city.

Nominated cultural resource. Any cultural resource that has been nominated for designation pursuant to this section.

Non-contributing cultural resource to an historic district (non-contributor). A building, site, structure, or object that does not add to the historic architectural qualities, historic associations, or archaeological values for which a historic district is significant because the resource:

(a) Was not present during the period of the district's historic significance; or

(b) No longer possesses historic architectural integrity due to the alterations, or additions; or

(c) Does not independently meet the designation criteria as defined in this section.

Object. Any works that are primarily artistic in nature or are relatively small in scale and simply constructed and are in a setting appropriate to their significant historic use, roles, or character. Objects include, but are not limited to: boundary markers, fountains, furniture, monuments, sculptures and statuary.

Ordinary maintenance and repair. Any work, excluding window replacement, exterior wall resurfacing and re-roofing, where the purpose and effect of such work is to prevent or correct any deterioration of or damage to a structure or any part thereof and to restore in style, kind, and material the same to its condition prior to the occurrence of such damage, deterioration, or alteration in violation of this article.

Preservation. The act or process of applying measures necessary to sustain the existing form, integrity, and materials of an historic property. Work, including preliminary measures to protect and stabilize the property, generally focuses upon the ongoing maintenance and repair of historic materials and features rather than extensive replacement and new construction.

Reconstruction. The act or process of depicting, by means of new construction, the form, features, and detailing of a non-surviving site, landscape, building, structure, or object for the purpose of replicating its appearance at a specific period of time and in its historic location.

Rehabilitation. The act or process of making possible a compatible use for a property through repair, alterations, and additions while preserving those portions or features which convey its historical, cultural, or architectural values.

Restoration. The act or process of accurately depicting the form, features, and character of a property as it appeared at a particular period of time (period of significance) by means of the removal of features from other periods in its history and reconstruction of missing features from the restoration period.

Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings (Standards). The current standards and guidelines prepared by the National Park Service for rehabilitating historic buildings and the current Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring and Reconstructing Historic Buildings prepared by the National Park Service.

Site (historic). The location of a significant event, a prehistoric or historic occupation or activity, or a building or structure, whether standing, ruined, or vanished, where the location itself possesses historic, cultural, or archaeological value regardless of the value of any existing structure.

Special consideration. Includes, but is not limited to, those properties less than fifty (50) years of age that have achieved exceptional importance within the past fifty (50) years.

Substantial adverse change. Any demolition, destruction, relocation, or alteration activities that would impair the significance of a cultural resource.

(Ord. No. 99-17, § 2, 11-15-99)