§ 3359.23. Demolition.

Except in cases of public emergency as determined by the city's chief building official or by court order, no permit for the demolition of a structure in the downtown district shall be granted without the approval of the commission via a certificate of appropriateness. No certificate of appropriateness will be issued unless:

1)

A replacement use has been reviewed and approved by the downtown commission, and historic resources commission if applicable; or

2)

If no replacement structure or use is proposed, a plan detailing how the property will be maintained has been reviewed and approved by the downtown commission, and historic resources commission if applicable.

In instances where buildings proposed for demolition are of historic significance the commission may condition issuance of a certificate of appropriateness for demolition upon the filing of a completed building permit application for a replacement use or structure. Historic significance is demonstrated by listing on the Columbus or National Registers of Historic Properties/Places or eligibility for such listing as determined by the city's historic preservation officer.

In cases where the commission has issued a certificate of appropriateness for demolition of a historically or architecturally contributing building, the commission may require the applicant to document the building prior to its demolition. Such documentation standards should be established in consultation with the historic preservation officer. Three copies of the completed documentation shall be provided to the historic preservation office.

(Ord. No. 1532-2013, § 1, 7-15-2013)