Article X, Sections 10-108 to 10-113

Other

• Administrative approval of signs and minor architectural elements

  The director may review and approve applications for the following exterior changes, provided they comply with the specific criteria and standards outlined and formally approved by the board. (a) Signs; (b) Minor architectural elements including, but not limited to, residential accessibility structures; sheds; storm doors; gutters and downspouts; utility meters, vents and HVAC condensers; fences and gates; exterior lighting and shutters; siding and trim; railings; and, antennas.

• Annual subscription for notice of public hearings10 dollars

  If any person shall pay to the city the sum of $10.00 to cover costs, the director shall cause to be mailed to each such person for a period of one year notice of the respective public hearings on all matters concerning the Old and Historic Alexandria District, which notice shall be mailed at least seven days before a hearing and shall state the time, date, place and nature of the proposed hearing and location of the property involved.

• Boarding of vacant building requires certificate

  The boarding of a vacant building or structure shall constitute the alteration of the exterior architectural features of such building or structure. In the event such boarding is accomplished pursuant to an order from the code official to secure a hazardous building or structure against entry the owner shall, after complying with such order, forthwith make applications for the necessary certificate of appropriateness.

• Bona fide offer to sell for demolition rights

  Before making a bona fide offer to sell as provided for in section 10-108(A), an owner shall first file a statement with the director. The statement shall identify the property, state the offering price, the date the offer of sale is to begin and name the real estate agent, if any. No time period set forth in the schedule contained in section 10-108(A) shall begin to run until the statement has been filed. Within five days after receipt of a statement the director shall mail a copy of the statement to the mayor, the city council, the city manager and subscribers to the notice provided for in section 10-112. Such offer to sell shall be advertised in a newspaper of general circulation in the city.

• Ordinary maintenance exemption from certificate of appropriateness

  Exterior architectural features may be the subject of ordinary maintenance, including repair and replacement with the same design, color and material, without the necessity of a certificate of appropriateness if, upon review by the director or his designee, it is found that such maintenance: (1) Does not result in the substantial removal of an exterior feature that is considered to have historic and/or architectural significance; and (2) Does not perpetuate a condition or treatment that is considered to be, by board of architectural review policy, inappropriate or incompatible with the historic surroundings of the Old and Historic Alexandria District.

• Painting of previously unpainted masonry requires certificate

  The painting of a masonry building which was unpainted prior to such painting shall be considered to be the removal of an exterior feature having historic and/or architectural significance requiring a certificate of appropriateness.

• Required maintenance of buildings

  All buildings and structures within the Old and Historic Alexandria District shall be maintained in good repair, structurally sound, and reasonably protected against decay and deterioration in compliance with Volume II — Building Maintenance Code, of the Uniform Statewide Building Code, as adopted by section 8-1-2 of the city code.

• Demolition of unsafe buildings exempt with notice

  Nothing in this Article X shall apply to or in any way prevent the moving, removing, capsulating or demolition in whole or in part of any building or structure in the city which is in such a dangerous, hazardous or unsafe condition that it has been ordered demolished by the code or building official; provided that before a moving, removing, capsulating or demolition in whole or in part can be ordered by the code or building official, when the code or building official determines that such dangerous, hazardous, or unsafe condition could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm before review under the provisions of this Article X could be accomplished, the code or building official shall have first delivered a copy of the proposed order to the city manager, to the chairman and vice chairman of the board of architectural review, and mailed to the subscribers provided for in section 10-112 a copy of the proposed order.