HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 11295+'
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ORDINANCE N0. /~ •r~
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 7, "BUILDINGS", OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH ( 1986) , AS AMENDED, BY
ADDING A NEW ARTICLE X, "ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS APPLI-
CABLE~TO CERTAIN HISTORIC STRUCTURES AND PROPERTY";
DECLARING THE PURPOSE AND INTENT OF THE ARTICLE; PRO-
VIDING DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING FOR THE DESIGNATION OF
HISTORIC STRUCTURES AND PROPERTY AND THE REMOVAL OF SUCH
DESIGNATION; PROVIDING FOR AN HISTORIC RESOURCES SURVEY;
REQUIRING CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR CERTAIN
WORR ON STRUCTURES OR PROPERTY IN "HC" HISTORIC AND
CULTURAL LANDMARK OVERLAY DISTRICTS; ESTABLISHING APPLI-
CATION PROCEDURES FOR CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS;
PROVIDING CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING PUBLIC SAFETY
HAZARDS AND EMERGENCY SECURING MEASURES; REQUIRING
CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR DEMOLITION, RELOCA-
TION OR REPAIR OF CERTAIN HISTORIC STRUCTURES AND PROP-
ERTY; ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR MODIFICATION OF
REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS WHEN
CERTAIN FINDINGS ARE MADE CONCERNING HISTORIC SIGNIFI-
CANCE OR UNREASONABLE ECONOMIC HARDSHIP; ESTABLISHING
PROCEDURES FOR APPEALS FROM DECISIONS CONCERNING CERTIF-
ICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS; ESTABLISHING PROVISIONS
CONCERNING ENFORCEMENT; PERMITTING THE ORDINARY REPAIR
AND MAINTENANCE OF CERTAIN HISTORIC STRUCTURES AND
PROPERTY; ESTABLISHING PROVISIONS CONCERNING UNREASON-
ABLE ECONOMIC HARDSHIP; PROHIBITING DEMOLITION BY
NEGLECT OF CERTAIN HISTORIC STRUCTURES AND PROPERTY;
PROVIDING FOR ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES; PROVIDING THAT
THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE CUMULATIVE OF ALL ORDINANCES;
PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SAVINGS
CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION IN PAMPHLET FORM;
PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION IN THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH,
TEXAS:
SECTION 1.
That Chapter 7, "Buildings", of the Code of the City of Fort
Worth (1986), as amended, be and is hereby amended by adding the
following new Article:
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ARTICLE X.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO CERTAIN
HISTORIC STRUCTURES AND PROPERTY
Division 1. General
Sec. 7-408. Pu se.
The purpose of this Article is to protect, enhance
and perpetuate structures and property of historic,
cultural, architectural or archeological importance so
as to promote the economic, cultural, educational and
general welfare of the public.
Sec. 7-409. Definitions.
As used in this Article, the following words and
terms shall have the meaning ascribed theretos
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS: A signed and dated
document evidencing the approval of the Landmarks
Commission for work proposed by an owner or applicant.
CITY COUNCIL: The City Council of the City of Fort
Worth.
CONTRIBUTING RESOURCE: A structure or property which in
its historical, cultural, architectural or archeological
character contributes to the purpose of an "HC" Overlay
District and which is classified as a Contributing
Resource in the design guidelines for an "HC" Overlay
District.
DEMOLITION: Any act or process that destroys or razes a
structure or property in whole or in part or that perma-
nently impairs its structural integrity.
DESIGN GUIDELINESz Guidelines for an "HC" Overlay
District which are adopted by the Landmarks Commission
and are for the purpose of enhancing the historic,
cultural, architectural or archeological character of an
area or a structure or property.
"HC" HISTORIC AND CULTURAL LANDMARK OVERLAY DISTRICTS A
specified area which is designated as an "HC" Historic
and Cultural Landmark Overlay District in accordance
with Section 2-G of the Zoning Ordinance; also referred
to as an "HC" Overlay District.
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HISTORIC FEATURES: Those "character defining" architec-
tural materials and features which give the exterior of
a structure or property significance, including exterior
materials and features of structures and property of all
sizes, types, materials and treatments.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION: The identification, evaluation,
recordation, documentation, acquisition, protection,
management, rehabilitation, restoration, stabilization,
maintenance and reconstruction of historic structures or
property, or any combination of the foregoing activ-
ities.
HISTORIC RBSOURCBS SURVBY: The inventory of Historic
Structures or Property maintained by the Landmarks
Commission.
HISTORIC STRUCTURE OR PROPBRTY: An individual structure
or property that is designated as an Historic Structure
or Property in accordance with Section 7-410 of the City
Code.
LANDMARKS COMliISSION: The Historic and Cultural
Landmarks Commission of the City of Fort Worth.
NON-CONTRIBUTING RESOURCB: A structure or property
which, though within the boundaries of an "HC" Overlay
District, does not contribute to the historical, cul-
tural, architectural or archeological character thereof
and which is classified as a Non-contributing Resource
in the design guidelines for an "HC" Overlay District.
NON-ESSENTIAL ELEgiENT: A structure or property which,
though within the boundaries of an "HC" Overlay
District, lacks the basic characteristics of an Historic
Structure or Property and could be demolished or
relocated with little or no consequence to the histori-
cal, cultural, architectural or archeological character
of the "HC" Overlay District, and which is classified as
a non-essential element in the guidelines for the "HC'
Overlay District.
OBJECT: A material thing of functional, aesthetic,
historical, cultural, architectural, archeological or
scientific value that may be, by nature or design,
movable yet related to a specific setting or environ-
ment.
ORDINARY REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE: Any work, the purpose
and effect of which is to correct any deterioration or
decay of or damage to a structure or property, or any
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part thereof, and to restore the same, as nearly as may
be practicable, to its condition prior to such deter-
ioration, decay or damage, using the same materials or
those materials available which are as close as possible
to the original and which must all comply with appli-
cable codes and ordinances. Does not include a change
in design, material or outward appearance; does include
in-kind replacement or repair.
PENDING DESIGNATION: A structure or property is pending
designation as an "HC" Overlay District when an applica-
tion for that designation has been filed and is pending
before the Landmarks Commission, Zoning Commission or
City Council.
PROPERTY: A site, object or material thing of histori-
cal, cultural, architectural or archeological value.
REASONABLB RATS OF RBTIIRN: A reasonable profit or
capital appreciation that may accrue from the use or
ownership of a structure or property as the result of an
investment or labor.
RECONSTRUCTION: The act or process of reassembling,
reproducing, or replacing by new construction, the form,
detail and appearance of a structure of property and its
setting as it appeared at a particular period of time by
means of the removal of later work, or by the replace-
ment of missing earlier work, or by reuse of original
materials.
REHABILITATION: The act or process of returning a
structure or property to a state of utility through
repair, remodeling or alteration that makes possible an
efficient contemporary use while preserving those por-
tions or features of the structure or property that are
significant to its historical, cultural, architectural
or archeological values.
RELOCATION: Any change of the location of a structure,
object or material thing in its present setting or to
another setting.
RESOIIRCBs A source or collection of sites, structures
objects, or property that exemplify the social, eco-
nomic, political, cultural, architectural or archeologi-
cal history of the nation, state or city.
RESTORATION: The act or process of accurately recover-
ing the form and details of a structure or property and
its setting as it appeared at a particular period of
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time by means of the removal of later work or by the
replacement of missing earlier work.
SITB: The location of a signific ant event, a prehis-
toric or historic occupation or activity, or a building,
structure or cluster of buildings or structures, whether
standing, ruined or vanished, where the location itself
maintains historical or archeological value, regardless
of the value of any existing structure.
STABILIZATION: The act or process of applying measures
designed to reestablish a weather-resistant enclosure
and the structural stability of an unsafe or deter-
iorated structure or property while maintaining the
essential form as it presently exists.
STROCTURB: Anything constructed or erected which
requires location on the ground, or is attached to
something having a location on the ground.
t]R~l4F,ASONABLB ECONOMIC HARDSHIP: An economic burden
imposed upon the owner which is unduly excessive and
deprives the owner of the opportunity of realizing a
reasonable rate of return upon the value of the owner's
property, applying the test utilized by the Supreme
Court of Texas in construing Article I, Section 17, of
the Constitution of the State of Texas, 1876, in deter-
mining the existence of an unreasonable economic hard-
ship. Includes an excessive and unreasonable burden
that may be imposed on an owner through affirmative
obligations to maintain a structure or property. Goes
not include a hardship which is self-imposed.
ZONING COMMISSION: The Zoning Commission of the City of
Fort Worth.
ZONING ORDINANCB: The Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of
the City of Fort Worth, codified as Appendix "A" of the
Fort Worth City Code.
Sec. ?-410. Designation and Listing of Historic.
Structures or Property.-
a. Criteria for Designation.
The following structures or property may be desig-
nated by the City as "Historic Structures or Property':
1. An historic structure as defined in
Section 442.001, Texas Government Code;
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2. A structure or property that has been
listed or designated or is potentially eligible
for listing or designation under applicable cri-
teria for:
a) individual listing in the National
Register of Historic Places, or listing as a
contributor to a proposed National Register
Thematic group, in accordance with the
National Historic Preservation Act
(16 U.S.C.A. 5470 et seq.);
b) designation as a recorded Texas
Historic Landmark, in accordance with
Chapter 422, Texas Government Code;
c) designation as a State Archeologi-
cal Landmark, in accordance with Chapter 191,
Texas Natural Resources Code; or
d) designation by the City as an "HC"
Overlay District, in accordance with
Section 2-G of the Zoning Ordinance.
3. A structure or property in an "HC'
Overlay District is, by virtue of such designa-
tion, also classified as an Historic Structure or
Property under this Article, but without the
requirement of complying with the designation pro-
cedures contained in Paragraph c below.
b. Purpose of Designation
The purpose of the Historic Structure or Property
designation is to protect a wide range of historically,
culturally, architecturally or archeologically signifi-
cant structures or property from demolition or reloca-
tion by requiring that before any such structure or
property can be demolished or relocated a finding must
be made that the structure or property:
1. has lost its historical, cultural,
architectural or archeological significance; or
2. imposes an unreasonable economic hard-
ship on the owner or owners and no feasible alter-
natives to demolition or relocation exist.
Such findings are made by the Landmarks Commission in
accordance with the provisions of this Article, and the
owners of Historic Structures or Property are required
to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness before demol-
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CITY SECRETARY
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ishinq or relocating such a structure or property (see
Division 2 of this Article).
c. Procedures for Designation
1. The procedures for designating
Historic Structures or Property, other than
those in "HC" Overlay Districts, are as fol-
lowss
a. The Landmarks Commission may nomi-
nate a structure or property for designation
if the structure or property meets the cri-
teria listed in Paragraph a. above.
b. The Landmarks Commission shall hold
a public hearing concerning the proposed
designation of a structure or property as an
Historic Structure or Property. Such hearing
shall be held within 45 days after the prop-
erty is nominated by the Landmarks
Commission, of as soon thereafter as is
reasonably practicable. Before the 10th day
before the hearing date, written notice of
the public hearing shall be sent by the
Historic Preservation Officer to the owner of
the structure or property as indicated by the
most recently approved municipal tax roll.
The written notice may be served by its
deposit in the City, properly addressed with
postage paid in the United States Mail. At
such hearing, the property owner and all
other interested parties, including local
preservation groups, shall have an oppor-
tunity to be heard. ~lithin 30 days from con-
clusion of the public hearing, or as soon
thereafter as is reasonably practicable, the
Landmarks Commission shall submit a recommen-
dation to the City Council concerning whether
the structure or property meets the appli-
cable criteria and should be designated as an
Historic Structure or Property.
c. Within 45 days after receipt of the
recommendation of the Landmarks Commission,
or as soon thereafter as is reasonably prac-
ticable, the City Council shall hold a public
hearing concerning the proposed designation
of an Historic Structure or Property. Before
the 15th day before the date of the hearing,
notice of the time and place of the hearing
shall be published by the City se ~flC~ CORD
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the City's official newspaper. At such
hearing, the property owner and all other
interested parties, including local preserva-
tion groups, shall have an opportunity to be
heard concerning the proposed designation.
At the conclusion of the hearing, or as soon
thereafter as is reasonably practicable, the
City Council shall make a final determination
concerning whether the structure or property
meets the applicable criteria and should be
designated as an Historic Structure or
Property. when a structure or property has
been designated as an Historic Structure or
Property, including a structure or property
that has been designated as an "HC" Overlay
District, it shall be listed by the Historic
Preservation Officer in the Historic
Resources Survey.
2. The procedures for designating "HC" Overlay
Districts are set forth in Section 2-G of the Zoning
Ordinance.
Sec. 7-411. Removal of the Historic Structure or
Property Designation.
a. An application for removal of the Historic
Structure or Property designation can be made by the
property owner, the Landmarks Commission or the City
Council.
b. The same notice and procedure that is followed
in the designation of an Historic Structure or Property
shall apply to removal of the designation, including
approval by the City Council.
c. The Historic Structure or Property designation
may be removed for the following reasons:
1. It is determined that the structure or
property is no longer historically, culturally,
architecturally or archeologically significant and
no longer meets the criteria for designation
listed in Section 7-410 of this Article; or
2. The property owner has proved by clear
and convincing evidence that the restrictions
imposed by such designation create an unreasonable
economic hardship upon the owner in accordance
with the provisions of Division 3 of this Article.
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fT. WORTH, TEX.
d. The procedures for removing the "HC" Overlay
District designation are set forth in Section 2-G of the
Zoning Ordinance. Removal of the "HC" Overlay District
designation will also remove the Historic Structure or
Property designation, unless the structure or property
is otherwise designated as an Historic Structure or
Property under Section 7-410 of this Article.
e. When the Historic Structure or Property desig-
nation or the "HC" Overlay District designation is
removed from a structure or property, the Historic
Preservation Officer shall remove the structure or
property from the Historic Resources Survey.
Sec. 7-412. Historic Resources Survey; Filing Notice
of Designation or Removal of Designa-
tion.
a. The Landmarks Commission shall maintain the
Historic Resources Survey. Such survey shall list all
structures and property in the City of Fort Worth which
are designated as an Historic Structure or Property in
accordance with Section ?-410 of this Article and shall
include structures or property in "HC" Overlay
Districts.
b. The Historic Preservation Officer shall file
in the deed records of the county clerk's office for the
county where the structures or property are located a
verified written instrument listing all Historic
Structures or Property shown in the Historic Resources
Survey. Such instrument shall list each structure or
property bys
1. street address, if available in the City
files;
2. legal description of the real property
where the structure or property is located; and
3. the name of the owner of the real prop-
erty, if available in the City files.
Likewise, when a structure or property is no longer
designated as an Historic Structure or Property under
Section 7-410 of this Article, or when the "HC" Overlay
District designation is removed, the Historic
Preservation Officer shall file a written verified
instrument stating that such classification no longer
exists and identifying the structure or property.
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c. The Historic Preservation Officer shall pro-
vide a current copy of the Historic Resources Survey,
and any changes therein, to the Building Official and
the Superintendent of the Code Enforcement Division.
Division 2. Certificates of Appropriateness
Sec. ~-413. Certificates of Ate. propriateness
Required. '
a. No person shall carry out any of the following
work without obtaining a Certificate of Appropriateness
issued by the Landmarks Commission in accordance with
the provisions of this Division 2s
1. Demolition or relocation of an Historic
Structure or Property.
2. Repair, reconstruction, alteration,
addition, stabilization, restoration, or rehabili-
tation, of:
(a) a structure or property in an "HC"
Overlay District; or
(b) a structure or property which is
.pending designation as an "HC" Overlay
District.
3. New construction on real property which
is in an "HC" Overlay District or is pending des-
ignation as an "HC" Overlay District.
4. Material changes in any doors, roofs,
windows, stonework, woodwork, light fixtures,
signs, sidewalks, fences, steps, paving andlor
other exterior elements visible from a public
right-of-way which affect the appearance and com-
patibility of any structure or property in an •HC"
Overlay District, or of any structure on property
which is pending designation as an •HC" Overlay
District.
b. No Certificate of Appropriateness is required
for ordinary repair and maintenance of any structure or
property if the proposed work does not involve a change
in design, material or outward appearance. In-kind
replacement or repair is considered to be ordinary
repair and maintenance. Requests for permits for ordi-
nary repair and maintenance of a structure or property
to
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which is in an "HC" Overlay District, or is pending
designation as an "HC" Overlay District, shall be
reviewed and approved by the Historic Preservation
Officer prior to issuance of the permits to determine
that no Certificate of Appropriateness is required.
c. The Certificate of Appropriateness required by
this Section shall be in addition to any other permit or
approval that is required by state or federal law. a
Certificate of Appropriateness, where required, must be
obtained prior to the issuance of any building, demoli-
tion, relocation or other permit that is required by any
code or ordinance of the City of Fort Worth.
Sec. 7-414. Application Procedures for Certificate
of Appropriateness.
a. Prior to the commencement of any work requir-
ing a Certificate of Appropriateness, the property owner
shall file an application for a Certificate of Appro-
priateness with the Department of Planning and Growth
Management. The application will not be accepted until
the application is determined by the Historic Preserva-
tion Officer to be complete and correct. The applica-
tion must contain all of the following:
1. name, address and telephone number of
the owner(s);
2. a site plan showing the location of the
structure or property;
3. photographs of all four elevations of
the structure or property and adjacent structures
or property;
4. detailed description of the proposed
work (not applicable to demolition or relocation);
5. elevation drawings of the proposed
changes, if applicable;
6. samples of, or appropriate information
concerning, materials to be used (not applicable
to demolition or relocation);
7. rationale for why the structure or prop-
erty is no longer historically, culturally,
architecturally or archeologically significant or
groof of economic hardship if applicable;
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8. rationale for why the proposed change is
compatible with or will not affect an "HC" Overlay
District;
9. any other information which the Landmark
Commission or staff deems reasonably necessary to
visualize and evaluate the proposed work; and
10. signature of the owner verifying that
the application is complete and correct.
b. The City Manager or his designee shall direct
the erection of at least one sign upon each property for
which an application has been filed seeking a
Certificate of Appropriateness for demolition or relo-
cation of a structure or property. Where possible, such
sign or signs shall be located in a conspicuous place or
places upon such property at a point or points nearest
any right-of-way, street, roadway or public thoroughfare
abutting such property. Such sign or signs shall be so
erected not less than ten days before the date set for
public hearing before the Historic Landmarks Commission.
Any such sign or signs shall be removed subsequent to
the occurrence of the following: final action by the
Landmarks Commission, or City Council on appeal, denying
or approving the application for a Certificate of
Appropriateness, or withdrawal of the application. Such
sign or signs shall substantially indicate that an
application is pending for demolition or relocation of
the building or structure and shall further set forth
that additional information can be acquired by tele-
phoning the number indicated thereon. Such erection
and/or the continued maintenance of any such sign or
signs shall not be deemed a condition precedent to the
holding of any public hearing, to the approval or denial
of the Certificate of Appropriateness or to any other
official action concerning such application.
Sec. 7-415. Certificates of Appropriateness for
Demolition or Relocation.
a. When an application for a Certificate of
Appropriateness is accepted by the Historic Preservation
Officer for filing, and such application seeks approval
of the demolition or relocation of a structure or prop-
erty, the application shall be scheduled by the
Landmarks Commission for a public hearing.
b. Such hearing shall be held by the Landmarks
Commission within 45 days after the application is
filed, or as soon thereafter as is reasonably practi-
cable. The Landmarks Commission may delay the hearing
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for a reasonable time if the Commission finds that all
parties who have an interest in the structure or prop-
erty (lawyer, owner, seller, broker, investor, etc.) are
not present or that additional information needs to be
provided to the Commission.
c. At the hearing, the applicant and all other
interested parties, including local preservation groups,
will be heard concerning the proposed demolition or
relocation.
d. At the conclusion of the hearing, or as soon
thereafter as is reasonably practicable, the Landmarks
Commission shall take the following action:
1. I f the Commission f finds that the struc-
ture or property is classified as a Non-essential
Element in the design guidelines for an "HC"
Overlay District, the Commission shall issue the
Certificate of Appropriateness approving the demo-
lition or relocation subject to the owner comply-
ing with the design guidelines for the District.
2. If the Commission finds that a structure
or property is no longer historically, culturally,
architecturally or archeologically significant,
the Commission shall issue the Certificate of
Appropriateness approving the demolition or relo-
cation, with or without conditions. In making
this determination, the Commission must find that
the owner has established by clear and convincing
evidence that the structure or property has under-
gone significant and irreversible changes which
have caused it to lose the historic, cultural,
architectural or archeological significance, qual-
ities or features which qualified the structure or
property to be designated as an Historic Structure
or Property.
3. If the Commission finds that the owner
is not entitled to a Certificate of
Appropriateness as provided in Paragraphs 1 and 2
above, the owner shall have the right to introduce
evidence to establish that the owner will suffer
an unreasonable economic hardship if the
Certificate of Appropriateness is not issued for
the proposed demolition or relocation. The owner
shall have the burden of establishing by clear and
convincing evidence that an unreasonable economic
hardship exists under the criteria set forth fn
Division 3 of this Article. If the owner does not
establish that an unreasonable economic hardship
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exists, the Certificate of Appropriateness shall
be denied. If the owner does establish that an
unreasonable economic hardship exists, the
Landmark Commission may delay the issuance of a
Certificate of Appropriateness for up to 180 days
from the date of the Landmarks Commission hearing.
During any delay period, the Commission, City
staff, local preservation groups and interested
parties shall explore with the owner any alterna-
tives to demolition or relocation which may pro-
vide economically viable uses for the structure or
property. The burden shall be on the City to rec-
ommend a plan to alleviate the unreasonable eco-
nomic hardship. Such plan may include, but is not
limited to, property tax relief, loans or grants
from public or private resources, acquisition of
the property by purchase or eminent domain,
building code modifications, changes in applicable
zoning ordinance provisions, including a transfer
of development rights, or a variance from provi-
sions of the zoning ordinance, to allow reasonable
beneficial use of the structure or property. At
the end of any delay period, if a suitable
alternative plan has not been approved by the
Landmarks Commission, the Commission shall issue
the Certificate of Appropriateness for demolition
or relocation, with or without conditions.
e. Unless the Landmarks Commission determines
otherwise, the Historic Preservation Officer shall
accept from the Property Owner and shall file the fol-
lowing documentation for any structure or property,
other than a Non-essential Element, which is approved by
the Commission for demolition or relocation:
1. Photographs of the structure, property
or features to be demolished.
2. Written documentation of the architec-
ture, and the structure or property.
3. Significant historical background of
past owners and events in the structure or on the
property.
4. Scale drawings of the floor plan.
tion.
5. Scale drawings of the exterior eleva-
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14 ~ CITY SECRETARY
ET. WDRTN, fiEX.
6. A scale plan indicating the dimensions
of the site and exact location of each structure,
property and landscape feature on the site.
7. Documentation that the site has been
rezoned (e.g. "PD" Planned Development), replat-
ted, variances granted or other development
requirements have been met;
8. Any other information which the
Commission may deem reasonably necessary to record
the proposed demolition or relocation, such as
documentation in accordance with the Historic
American Building Survey (NABS) or Historic
American Engineering Resource Survey (AERS).
Such documentation shall be filed with the Historic
Preservation Officer before a Certificate of Appropri-
ateness is issued for the demolition or relocation.
Sec. 7-416. Public Safety Hazards and Emercxency
Securing Measures.
a. The Historic Preservation Officer is autho-
rized to approve the issuance by the Building Official
of permits for the emergency securing or stabilization
of Historic Structures or Property. The Historic
Preservation Officer must receive a written statement
from the Building Official that there is an emergency or
safety hazard before approving issuance of the permit.
Such permits may be issued without a Certificate of
Appropriateness from the Landmarks Commission if the
Historic Preservation Officer finds that the condition
of the structure or property constitutes a safety hazard
which is likely to injure the public. The Historic
Preservation Officer shall report the authorization of
any such permits to the Commission at the next regular
Commission meeting following the authorization.
b. The City of Fort Worth shall not allow demoli-
tion, demolish, or order to be demolished, in whole or
in part, an Historic Structure or Property as a public
safety hazard until the Historic Preservation Officer
has been notified by the Building Official or the
Superintendent of the Code Enforcement Division that an
order for such demolition is being prepared. The
Landmarks Commission shall be given an opportunity to
discuss with City officials the feasibility of taking
emergency measures to secure or stabilize the structure
or property and delay the demolition so that other
alternatives may be considered. After any emergency
measures are taken, the Historic Preservation Officer
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wishing to issue the order for demolition to review the
condition of the structure or property and any plans for
rehabilitation. If, after 30 days from the date of the
notification to the Historic Preservation Officer, the
Landmarks Commission finds that no feasible plan for
further protection of the structure or property has been
developed, a Certificate of Appropriateness shall be
issued by the Landmarks Commission for demolition of the
structure or property. When appropriate, the Landmarks
Commission may make a recommendation to the City Council
or other entities or persons about the feasibility of
rehabilitation based on a report from the Historic
Preservation Officer. Demolition shall be the
alternative of last resort and shall occur only if there
is no economically feasible way to rehabilitate the
structure or property.
Sec. 7-417. Certificates of Appropriateness for Work
Other than Demolition or Relocation.
a. When an application for a Certificate of
Appropriateness is accepted by the Historic Preservation
Officer for filing, and such application seeks a
Certificate of Appropriateness for new construction,
repairs, reconstruction, alteration, addition, stabili-
zation, restoration or rehabilitation of a structure or
property in an "HC" Overlay District, or a structure or
property which is pending designation as an "HC" Overlay
District, the application shall be scheduled by the
Landmarks Commission for a public hearing.
b. Such public hearing shall be held by the
Landmarks Commission within 45 days after the applica-
tion is filed, or as soon thereafter as is reasonably
practicable. The Landmarks Commission may, however,
delay the hearing for a reasonable time if the
Commission finds that all parties who have an interest
in the structure or property (lawyer, owner, seller,
broker, investor, etc.) are not present or that addi-
tional information needs to be provided to the
Commission.
c. At the hearing, the applicant and all other
interested parties, including local preservation groups,
will be heard concerning the proposed work.
d. In considering the application,
shall determine whether the proposed work
the design guidelines for an "HC" Overlay
where applicable, the fallowing criteria:
16
the Commission
complies with
District and,
OfFICIAI RECORD
Cifl SECRffARY
R. WORTH, TEX.
1. A structure or property shall be used
for its historic purpose or be placed in a new use
that is permitted under the Zoning Ordinance.
Such use shall require minimal change to the
defining characteristics of the structure, prop-
erty, site and environment.
2. The historic character of a structure or
property shall be retained and preserved. The
removal of historic materials or alteration of
features and spaces that characterize a structure
or property shall be avoided.
3. Each structure or property shall be
recognized as a physical record of its time, place
and use. Changes that create a false sense of
historical development, such as adding conjectural
features or architectural elements from other
structures or property, shall not be undertaken.
4. Most structures and property change over
time; those changes that have acquired historic
significance in their own right shall be retained
and preserved.
5. Distinctive features, finishes and con-
struction techniques or examples of craftsmanship
that characterize a structure or property shall be
preserved within the limits permitted by appli-
cable codes and ordinances.
6. Deteriorated historic features shall be
repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity
of deterioration requires replacement of a dis-
tinctive feature, the new feature shall match the
old in design, color, texture and other visual
qualities and, where possible, materials, provided
such materials meet other applicable codes and
ordinances. Replacement of missing features shall
be substantiated by documentary, physical or pic-
torial evidence.
7. Chemical or physical treatments, such as
sandblasting, that cause damage to historic
materials shall not be used. The surface cleaning
of structures, ff appropriate, shall be undertaken
using the gentlest means possible.
8. Significant archeological resources
affected by a project shall be protected and pre-
served. If such resources must be disturbed, mit-
igation measures shall be undertaken.
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OFFICIAL RECORD
CIiY SECRETARY
FL -NORTN, [kX.
9. New additions, exterior alterations, or
related new construction shall not destroy his-
toric materials that characterize the structure or
property. The new work shall be differentiated
from the old and shall be compatible with the mas-
sing, size, scale and architectural features to
protect the historic integrity of the structure or
property and its environment.
10. New additions and adjacent or related
new construction shall be undertaken in such a
manner that if removed in the future, the essen-
tial form and integrity of the historic structure
or property and its environment will be unim-
paired.
11. New construction which takes place after
demolition or removal of a structure or property
has been approved must comply with the design
guidelines for the "HC" Overlay District.
e. At the conclusion of the hearing, or as soon
thereafter as is reasonably practicable, the Landmarks
Commission shall take the following actions
1. If the Commission finds that the pro-
posed work will comply with the criteria listed in
Paragraph d. above, and any design guidelines for
an "HC" Overlay District, the Conaaission shall
issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the
work, with or without conditions.
2. If the Commission determines that the
proposed work will not comply with the criteria
listed in Paragraph d. above, and any design
,guidelines for an "HC" Overlay District, the owner
shall then have the right to introduce evidence to
prove to the Commission that the owner will suffer
an unreasonable economic hardship if the owner is
required to do the proposed work in accordance
with the criteria listed fn Paragraph d. above and
any design guidelines for an •HC" Overlay
District. The owner shall have the burden of
establishing by clear and convincing evidence that
an unreasonable economic hardship exists under the
criteria set forth in Division 3 of this Article.
If the Commission finds that no unreasonable eco-
nomic hardship exists, the Certificate of
Appropriateness will be denied. If the Cosmnission
finds that an unreasonable economic hardship
exists, the Commission may grant a deviation from
the criteria listed in Paragraph d. above and from
18 ~~~~~ R~~Q~~
CITY SECR~]'~RY
f t. YIiORt~, T~'X.
any design guidelines for an "HC" Overlay
District, and may issue a Certificate of Appropri-
ateness for the proposed work, with or without
conditions. In determining whether to grant such
a deviation, the Commission shall consider the
extent to which a deviation is necessary to remove
the unreasonable economic hardship, whether
granting the deviation will harm an existing or
proposed "HC" Overlay District and whether the
proposed work is in harmony with the spirit and
purposes of Section 2-G of the Zoning Ordinance.
The Commission, City staff, local preservation
groups and interested parties shall explore with
the owner alternatives for performance of the pro-
posed work that will preserve the structure or
property to the greatest extent that is econom-
ically feasible. If a deviation is granted, the
Certificate. of Appropriateness for the proposed
work shall state the terms and conditions of the
deviation.
f. The Zoning Board of Adjustment shall not have
jurisdiction to grant any variance or special exception
from the criteria listed in Paragraph d. above or from
the guidelines for an "HC" Overlay District.
Sec. ~-418. Salvage Plan.
in connection with any Certificate of Appropriate-
ness for demolition, relocation or other work on a
structure or property of significant architecture or
workmanship, the Commission may prepare and submit to
the owner, at or before the issuance of said Certif-
icate, a salvage plan. Such plan may suggest salvage
and preservation for reuse in restoration elsewhere,
specified classes of building materials, architectural
details, ornaments, fixtures and the like. Also, in
connection with any such Certificate of Appropriateness,
the Commission may require the preservation of trees,
shrubs and other landscaping of substantial signifi-
cance.
Sec. 7-419. Anneal to Citv Council.
Any owner dissatisfied with the action of the
Landmarks Commission regarding the issuance or denial of
a Certificate of Appropriateness shall have the right to
appeal to the City Council within 10 calendar days after
receipt of notification of such action. Written notice
of such appeal shall be filed with the City Secretary
and the Ristorfc Preservation Officer. Such appeal
shall be a de novo hearing concerning whether a
19 OF~~~~ ~~~ ~~
~: `, ' ; ~:
~_
~.'
~~:, t s~
Certificate of Appropriateness should be issued or
denied. The City Council shall schedule a hearing on
such appeal within 30 days after receipt of the notice
of appeal, or as soon thereafter as is reasonably prac-
ticable.. Notice of such hearing shall be published by
the City Secretary in the City's official newspaper not
less than the 15th day before the date of the hearing.
At the hearing, the owner and all interested parties,
including local preservation groups, will have the
opportunity to be heard. The City Council shall
approve, deny or approve with conditions the Certificate
of Appropriateness within 30 days of the appeal hearing
unless a continuance is agreed to by the owner. The
same criteria considered by the Landmarks Commission as
set forth in Divisions 2 and 3 of this Article shall be
applied by the City Council in arriving at its decision
as Lo whether a Certificate of Appropriateness should be
issued or denied.
Sec. ?-420. Issuance of Certificate.
a. When a Certificate of Appropriateness is
required for demolition, relocation or other work, the
Building Official shall not issue a permit for such work
until the Certificate of Appropriateness has been issued
by the Landmarks Commission or the City Council on
appeal.
b. All decisions of the Landmarks Commission and
the City Council on appeal shall be in writing. Such
decisions of the Landmarks Commission and any decisions
of the City Council shall state the findings of the
Comm.~ssion and Council pertaining to the approval,
denial or approval with conditions of the Certificate of
Appropriateness. Such decisions may limit the period
for which a Certificate of Appropriateness is valid.
The Historic Preservation Officer shall provide copies
of the decisions of the Landmarks Commission and any
decisions of the City Council to the applicants, the
Building Official and the Superintendent of the Code
Enforcement Division.
Sec. 7-421. Refiling of Application for Certificate
o= Appro i~
When an application for Certificate of Appropriate-
ness is denied by the Landmarks Commission, or the City
Council on appeal, or when the owner has withdrawn an
application after the application has been scheduled for
hearing, no new application of like nature shall be
accepted by the City or scheduled for a hearing by the
Landmarks Commission for a period of twelve months fol-
lowing the date of denial or withdrawal, unless the
2 o OFFICIAL Rf CORD
CITY SFCR~'ARY
FT. VYORTN, tEX.
application is denied without prejudice; provided,
however, on receipt of written request by the original
applicant describing substantially changed conditions
since prior consideration of the application to justify
an earlier consideration of the application, the Land-
marks Commission may waive the mandatory delay period
and authorize the acceptance of a new application.
Sec. 7-422. Enforcement.
All work performed pursuant to a Certificate of
Appropriateness issued under Division 2 of this Article
shall conform to any requirements included herein. It
shall be the duty of the Historic Preservation Officer
with the assistance of City staff to periodically
inspect any such work to assure compliance. If work is
found that is not performed in accordance with the
Certificate of Appropriateness, or upon notification of
such fact by the Commission and verification by the
Building Official, the Building Official shall issue a
stop-work order and all work shall immediately cease.
No further work shall be undertaken on a project while a
stop-work order is in effect.
Division 3. Unreasonable Economic Hardship
Sec. 7-423. Declaration of Unreasonable Economic
Hardship.
The Landmarks Commission may declare that an unrea-
sonable economic hardship exists as a basis for:
a. recommending removal of the "HC" Overlay
District designation as provided in Section 2-G of
the Zoning Ordinance;
b. recommending removal of the Historic
Structure or Property designation as provided in
Section 7-411 of this Article;
c. issuing a Certificate of Appropriateness
approving the demolition or relocation of an
Historic Structure or Property, as provided in
Section ?-415 of this Article; or
d. granting a deviation and issuing a
Certificate of Appropriateness approving new con-
struction, repairs, reconstruction, alteration,
addition, stabilization or rehabilitation work on
a structure or property in an "HC• Overlay
District, or on a structure or property which is
21
OFFICIAL RECORD
CRY SECRETARY
fi. WOATN, TEX.
pending designation as an "HC" Overlay District,
as provided in Section 7-417 of this Article.
Sec. 7-424. Proof Required.
a. when a claim of unreasonable economic hardship
is made, the owner must prove by clear and convincing
evidence that:
1. the owner cannot realize a reasonable
rate of return on the structure or property,
unless the "HC" Overlay District or Historic
Structure or Property designation is removed or
the proposed demolition, relocation or other work
is allowed, regardless of whether that return rep-
resents the most profitable return possible;
2. the structure or property cannot be
adapted for any other use, whether by the current
owner or by a purchaser, which would result in a
reasonable rate of return; and
3. if the owner has made substantial
ongoing efforts within the immediately past two
years to find a bona fide purchaser or tenant
interested in acquiring or leasing and preserving
the structure or property at a reasonable price
and efforts have failed.
b. The evidence of unreasonable economic hardship
introduced by the owner may, where applicable, include
proof that the owner's affirmative obligations to main-
tain the structure or property make it impossible for
the owner to realize a reasonable rate of return on the
structure or property.
Sec. 7-425. Consultation and Search for Alterna-
tives.
In accordance with the provisions of Sections 7-415
and 7-417 of this Article, the owner, the Landmarks
Commission, local preservation groups and interested
parties shall consult in good faith in a diligent effort
to seek alternatives that will eliminate the unreason-
able economic hardship and preserve the structure or
property.
Sec. 7-426. Affidavit of Hardship.
As evidence that an unreasonable economic hardship
exists, the owner shall submit the following information
to the Landmarks Commission by affidavit:
2 2 OFFICIAL RECORO
CITY SECRf TARY
FT. WORT'!i, tEX.
a. For all structures and property:
1. the past and current use of the struc-
tures and property;
2. the name and legal status (partnership,
corporation, etc. of the owners and their federal
income tax bracket;
3. the original purchase price of the
structures and property;
4. the assessed value of the structures and
property according to the 2 most recent tax
assessments;
5. the amount of real estate taxes on the
structures and property for the previous 2 years;
6. the date of purchase or other acquisi-
tion of the structures and property, such as by
gift or inheritance, and the party from whom pur-
chased or otherwise acquired;
7. principal balance and interest rate on
current mortgage and the annual debt service on
the structures and property, if any, for the pre-
vious 2 years;
8. all appraisals obtained by the owner or
applicant within the previous 2 years in connec-
tion with his or her purchase, financing or owner-
ship of the structures and property;
9. any listing of the structures and prop-
erty for sale or rent, price asked and offers
received;
10. any consideration given by the owner to
profitable adaptive uses for the structures and
property;
11. any replacement construction plans for
proposed improvements on the site;
12. financial proof of the owner's ability
to complete any replacement project on the site,
which may include but not be limited to a perfor-
mance bond, a letter of credit, a trust for com-
pletion of improvements, or a letter of comaaitment
from a financial institution; and
23
13. the current fair market value of the
structures and property as determined by a
qualified appraiser approved by the Landmarks
Commission.
When a resident homeowner is unable to meet
the requirements of this paragraph, the Landmarks
Commission may waive any of the above requirements
and/or request substitute information.
b. For income producing structures and property,
the owner shall provide a profit and loss statement
containing the following information:
1. annual gross income from the structures
and property for the previous 2 years;
2. itemized operating and maintenance
expenses for the previous 2 years, including proof
that adequate and competent management procedures
were followed;
3. annual cash flow, if any, for the previ-
ous 2 years; and
4. proof that the owner has made reasonable
efforts to obtain a reasonable rate of return on
the owner's investment or labor.
Division 4. Demolition by Neglect
Sec. ?-42?. Prevention of Demolition by Neglect.
a. No owner or person with an interest in real
property which is the site of an Historic Structure or
Property, including a structure or property in an "HC•
Overlay District, whether occupied or not, shall permit
the structure or property to fall into a serious state
of disrepair so as to result in the deterioration of any
exterior architectural feature which would, in the
judgment of the Landmarks Commission, produce a detri-
mental effect upon the character of the structure or
property, or upon an "HC" Overlay District as a whole,
if the structure or property is in an "HC" Overlap
District. Examples of such deterioration include:
1. deterioration of exterior walls or other
vertical supports;
2~ OFFICIAL RECORD
CITY SECR~?ARY
f T. WORTH, TES,
2. deterioration of roofs or other horizon-
tal members;
3. deterioration of exterior chimneys;
4. deterioration or crumbling of exterior
stucco or mortar;
5. ineffective waterproofing of exterior
walls, roofs or foundations, including broken
windows or doors;
6. deterioration of any exterior feature so
as to create a hazardous condition which could
make demolition necessary for the public safety;
or
7. deterioration or removal of any unique
exterior architectural feature which would detract
from the original architectural style.
b. No owner or person with an interest in prop-
erty which is the site of an Historic Structure or
Property, including a structure or property in a "HC•
Overlay District, whether occupied or not, shall permit
the interior portions of such structure or property to
fall into a serious state of disrepair which, in the
judgment of the Landmarks Commission, produces a detri-
mental effect upon the structural integrity of such
structure or property which could make demolition neces-
sary for the public safety.
c. If a City officer finds that there are
reasonable grounds to believe that any of the conditions
described in Paragraphs a. or b. above exist, then that
officer shall notify the Historic Preservation Officer
and shall give written notice of such fact to the record
owner of the property and shall otherwise proceed to
enforce the building code and other City codes and
ordinances.
Division 5. Enforcement, Legal Procedure; Penalties
Sec. 7-426. Enforcement, Leval Procedure, Penalties.
a. It shall be the duty of the City Manager,
through the proper departments, to enforce this Article.
b. Any person, firm, or corporation who violates,
disobeys, omits, neglects or refuses to comply with the
25
OFFICtAI RECORD
s~~db~pa1 d~
~;
provisions of this Article shall be fined not more than
Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each offense. Each
day that a violation is permitted to exist shall consti-
tute a separate offense.
c. If an Historic Structure or Property,
including a structure or property in an "HC" Overlay
District, is demolished or relocated without a
Certificate of Appropriateness, then the following
restrictions shall be applicable to the site where the
structure or property was formerly located:
1. No building or other permits will be
issued for construction on the site, with the
exception of a permit to restore such structure or
property after obtaining a Certificate of
Appropriateness, for a period of three years after
the date of such demolition or removal.
2. No permits shall be issued by the City
for any curb cuts on the site for a period of
three years from and after the date of such demo-
lition or removal.
3. No parking lot for vehicles shall be
operated on the site for a period of three years
from and after the date of such demolition or
removal.
4. The owner of the site shall maintain the
site in a clean and orderly state and shall prop-
erly maintain all existing trees and landscaping
on the site.
When these restrictions become applicable to a
particular site, the Historic Preservation Officer shall
cause to be filed a verified notice thereof in the real
property records of the county where the site is located
and such restrictions shall then be binding on future
owners of the property. The restrictions imposed by
this paragraph shall be in addition to any fines imposed
pursuant to paragraph b. above.
d. The provisions of this Section shall apply in
addition to other enforcement procedures or penalties
which are available at law or in equity, including, but
not limited to, those available under Section 315.006 of
the Texas Local Government Code and Section 442.016 of
the Texas Government Code.
~~C~ R
z 6 CITY SECR~TARl~
~r. woRr~, rf~r, ,
SECTION 2.
This ordinance shall be cumulative of all provisions of
ordinances and of the Code of the City of Fort Worth, Texas
(1986), as amended, except where the provisions of this ordinance
are in direct conflict with the provisions of such ordinances and
such Code, in which event conflicting provisions of such ordi-
nances and such Code are hereby repealed.
SECTION 3.
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the City Council
that the sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses and phrases of
this ordinance are severable, and, if any phrase, clause, sen-
tence, paragraph or section of this ordinance shall be declared
unconstitutional by the valid judgment or decree of any court of
competent jurisdiction, such unconstitutionality shall not affect
any of the remaining phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs and
sections of this ordinance, since the same would have been enacted
by the City Council without the incorporation in this ordinance of
any such unconstitutional phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or
section.
SECTION 4.
Any person, firm or corporation who violates, disobeys,
omits, neglects or refuses to comply with or who resists the
enforcement of any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be
fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each
27
~ OFFiCiAL RECORD
CITY SECRETARY
FTe WORTH, T~~.
offense. Each day that a violation is permitted to exist shall
constitute a separate offense.
SECTION 5.
All rights and remedies of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, are
expressly saved as to any and all violations of the provisions of
any other ordinances which have accrued at the time of the effec-
tive date of this ordinance; and, as to such accrued violations
and all pending litigation, both civil and criminal, whether
pending in court or not, under such ordinances, same shall not be
affected by this ordinance but may be prosecuted until final
disposition by the courts.
SECTION 6.
The City Secretary of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, is
hereby authorized to publish this ordinance in pamphlet form for
general distribution among the public, and the operative provi-
sions of this ordinance as so published shall be admissible in
evidence in all courts without further proof than the production
thereof, as provided in Chapter XXV, Section 3, of the Charter of
the City of Fort Worth, Texas.
SECTION 7.
The City Secretary of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, is
hereby directed to publish the caption, penalty clause and effec-
tive date of this ordinance for two (2) days in the official
newspaper of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, as authorized by
Section 52.013, Texas Local Government Code.
2s OfF1C1Al RECORD
CITY SECRETARY
~'. WORTH, TEX.
~~
V~
C,
1 SECTION 8.
This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and
after its passage and publication as required by law, and it is so
ordained.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITYz
lam./
City Attorney
Date: ~~~ ~ '°~ 3
ADOPTED: ~ /J-~ ~~
EFFECTIVE : ~ ~~ '~~
0~'I~ICI~I RECORD
z9 CltY SECRf~AR~
f ~'. WORt!!, ,!',