Title
SUBMISSION OF A NOTICE OF APPEAL REQUESTING CITY COUNCIL OVERTURN THE DECISION OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION REGARDING AN APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR MODIFICATIONS AT 904 SOUTH MILLER AVENUE.
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What Standards are to be Applied by City Council on the Appeal of a COA denial?
Standard of Review
This appeal comes before Council on a de novo (or "new") standard of review, meaning that Council is to evaluate the COA application on its merits and not simply review the HDC's decision. As such, Council is to apply the applicable provisions of the Historic District Ordinance (? 22:429.3 of the Zoning Ordinance) and the Historic Preservation Guidelines outlined below. Council may approve or deny the application for the COA, in whole or in part.
BACKGROUND: On September 3, 2019, Norman's Historic District Commission (HDC) voted unanimously to deny a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) to retain all non-compliant windows that had been installed at this property without Commission review. In the case of a post facto review, commissioners are required to treat the application as if the work had not already taken place using the Historic Preservation Guidelines as a basis for review.
On June 25, 2019, staff received an email from a concerned resident of the Miller Historic District that the windows in the house located at 904 Miller Avenue had been replaced with vinyl windows. Staff immediately visited the property and observed that a window contractor was in the process of finishing the trim work on the installation of replacement vinyl windows.
Shortly thereafter, the property owner, Thekla Mendros, arrived at the property and stated to staff that she was not aware the subject house is in the Miller Historic District. Additionally, Mrs. Mendros invited staff to view the condition of the removed wood windows which she had stored in the rear of the house. Upon examination, staff informed the applicant that the windows were rep...
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