Certificate Of Appropriateness
A Certificate of Appropriateness is the document issued by the Historical and Cultural Preservation Commission for exterior changes to buildings and characteristic features of the environment within locally designated historic districts. Changes involving new construction, reconstruction, alteration, demolition, major maintenance, and the introduction of fences, walls, lighting fixtures, permanent landscaping, etc. require a certificate before other permits are issued for, or work begun on, exterior projects. The approval process is not, however, intended to prevent the ordinary maintenance or repair of any building, structure, or site, provided that such maintenance does not result in a change in the design, form, mass, proportion, configuration, building material, texture, location, or visual appearance of any structure or part thereof.
A Certificate of Appropriateness can be obtained by filing an application with the Commission's staff, located in the City of Anderson's Planning Department. Documentation which completely and effectively explains and illustrates the proposed changes, such as photographs, drawings, site plans, and sample materials must be submitted with the application. There is a $25.00 filing fee and advertising costs charged for filing a Certificate of Appropriateness application.
New construction, demolition, the moving of any building, major maintenance requiring replacement of materials and features, cases which do not meet the adopted guidelines, and claims of economic hardship must be approved by the Historical and Cultural Preservation Commission.
The Commission meets regularly on the second (2nd) Monday of every month. Applications must be submitted with all pertinent documentation, twenty-eight (28) days prior to the meeting date to be considered at the regularly scheduled meeting.
Written comments and recommendations for action will be prepared by staff for applications. Case reviews will be routed through the City Planning Department to solicit comments pertaining to other regulations or ordinances which might apply to Historical and Cultural Preservation Commission cases.
Copies of staff reports will be available to applicants, neighborhood associations, and any interested parties prior to Commission review. Public comments during the meeting are encouraged.
Once staff reports, documentation, and public comments have been considered, the Commission shall approve, deny, or otherwise act upon an application. If the Commission finds that the documentation submitted is inadequate to take appropriate action on any case, the Commission reserves the right to defer approval or denial until the next scheduled meeting. The Commission shall request an applicant to provide any additional information it finds necessary to make a fair and equitable decision.
If an application is approved, a Certificate of Appropriateness shall be issued. The Commission has the authority to set any conditions on an approved application to ensure compliance with the adopted guidelines. If an application is denied, the Commission shall state its reasons for denial. Reconsideration requests on any case denied by the Commission shall be accepted no sooner than six months from the date of Commission action. Such requests for reconsideration must be submitted in written form. Appeals from the decision as to the issuance of Certificates of Appropriateness shall be to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Submitting complete and thorough applications will avoid any potential and unnecessary delays. Applicants who have questions concerning what documentation is appropriate for their proposals should contact the City Planning Department staff.