2019-078 Ordinance - Laserfiche WebLink

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Introduction The Butternut Ridge Historic District was established by North Olmsted City Council through Ordinance 86-67 adopted on September 16, 1986. The ordinance ratified the actions of the Landmarks Commission, including the findings contained in the Historic District Designation Report. This report documented the history and significance of Butternut Ridge and established the proposed boundaries for the district. The North Olmsted Landmarks Commission uses the historic district map to determine what properties require a Certificate of Appropriateness when construction, alteration or demolition of a structure is proposed. A review of the Landmarks Commission document archives found that there is more than one version of the map, and there are some inconsistencies between the maps and the description of the boundaries contained in the designation report. These differences have led to contemporaneous interpretation of the description of the district over time. A current goal of the Landmarks Commission is to avoid inconsistent application of the provisions of the city's historic preservation regulations. To that end, in 2018, Chapter 165 was updated and, in the process, the historic district boundary was reassessed. In order to enable the Commission to consistently apply these regulations to an evolving area, it is important to establish a clear baseline. The map accompanying this report shows the proposed boundaries for the Historic District taking into account the information presented in the designation report, changes over time in the district and needed clarifications where historical information was inconsistent or ambiguous. It is important to note that the proposed boundary modifications do not result in the addition of any new parcels of land not previously included in the district. A small number of properties are proposed to be removed. Otherwise, boundary lines have been adjusted to more logically follow parcel lines where feasible. Process The Landmarks Commission was established in Article VII, Section 5 of the city's Charter, and Chapter 165 of the Codified Ordinances enumerates its various duties and responsibilities related to historic preservation in the community. Contained within the ordinance is the process for creating a new historic district in North Olmsted. Until recently, the code was silent on how to make updates to existing districts in order to add or delete properties. This changed when City Council adopted Ordinance 2018-96 on November 20, 2018, which, among other changes related to the Landmarks Commission, created a procedure for the modification of existing historic districts. In 165.06(c) Procedure for Modifying Existing Districts, the code now reads as follows: The Commission realizes the Historic District is not a static environment, but an ever changing and developing entity. From time to time, the Landmarks Commission may review changes in the Historic District that could add new qualifying properties or delete previously qualifying properties. The Landmarks Commission may alter the boundaries of any existing Historic District provided that at least fifty percent of the buildings and other structures within the new boundaries are at least seventy years old and the district has retained its historical significance. Notably, Ordinance 2018-96 changed the age requirements of structures for an area to qualify for consideration as a historic district. Prior to the change, at least 50% of the structures must have been at least 50 years old. Since the change, at least 50% of the structures must be at least 70 years old. In this report, the Landmarks Commission will describe the proposed changes to the Butternut Ridge Historic District and certify the continuing conformance with the requirement for age and historical significance. Page 11