SEC. 51A-4.505. CONSERVATION DISTRICTS.
(a) Definitions. In this section:
(1) AREA means the land within the boundaries of a proposed CD that may include subdistricts, land within the boundaries proposed to be added to an established CD that may include subdistricts, or land within the boundaries of a proposed subdistrict.
(2) BLOCKFACE means the linear distance of lots along one side of a street between the two nearest intersecting streets. If a street dead ends, the terminus of the dead end will be treated as an intersecting street.
(3) CD means conservation district.
(4) CD ORDINANCE means the ordinance establishing or amending a particular conservation district.
(5) DEMOLITION means the intentional destruction of an entire building.
(6) NEIGHBORHOOD COMMITTEE means the property owners of at least 10 properties within a proposed CD, proposed area to be added to an established CD, or an established CD; or, if less than 10 properties, 50 percent of the property owners within the proposed CD, proposed area to be added to an established CD, or an established CD.
(7) PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES means the physical features of buildings and structures, including the architectural style; characteristics of a period; and method of construction, and may also include those physical characteristics of an area that help define or make an area unique, including scale; massing; spatial relationship between buildings; lot layouts; setbacks; street layouts; streetscape characteristics or other natural features; or land-use patterns.
(8) STABLE means that the area is expected to remain substantially the same over the next 20 years with continued maintenance of the property. While some changes in structures, land uses, and densities may occur, all such changes are expected to be compatible with surrounding development.
(9) STABILIZING means that the area is expected to become stable over the next 20-year period through continued reinvestment, maintenance, or remodeling.
(b) Findings and purpose.
(1) State law authorizes the city of Dallas to regulate the construction, alteration, reconstruction, or razing of buildings and other structures in “designated places and areas of historic, cultural, or architectural importance and significance.”
(2) Conservation districts are intended to provide a means of conserving an area’s distinctive character by protecting or enhancing its physical attributes.
(3) Conservation districts are distinguished from historic overlay districts, which preserve historic residential or commercial places; neighborhood stabilization overlay districts, which preserve single family neighborhoods by imposing neighborhood- specific yard, lot, and space regulations that reflect the existing character of the neighborhood; and planned development districts, which provide flexibility in planning and construction while protecting contiguous land uses and significant features.
(4) The purpose of a CD is to:
(A) protect the physical attributes of an area or neighborhood;
(B) promote development or redevelopment that is compatible with an existing area or neighborhood;
(C) promote economic revitalization;
(D) enhance the livability of the city; and
(E) ensure harmonious, orderly, and efficient growth.
(c) General provisions.
(1) Each CD must be established by a separate CD ordinance.
(2) A CD may replace a planned development district or a neighborhood stabilization overlay. A CD may include an historic district overlay. A CD may not be placed on a planned development district or a neighborhood stabilization overlay.
(3) For purposes of determining the applicability of regulations in this chapter triggered by adjacency or proximity to another zoning district, an identifiable portion of a CD governed by a distinct set of use regulations is treated as though it were a separate zoning district. If the CD district or a portion of the district is limited to those uses permitted in an expressly stated zoning district, the CD district or portion of the district is treated as though it were that expressly stated zoning district; otherwise it is treated as though it were:
(A) a TH-3(A) zoning district if it is restricted to single family and/or duplex uses;
(B) an MF-2(A) zoning district if it is restricted to residential uses not exceeding 36 feet in height and allows multifamily uses;
(C) an MF-3(A) zoning district if it is restricted to residential uses and allows multifamily uses exceeding 36 feet in height; or
(D) a nonresidential zoning district if it allows a nonresidential use.
(d) Establishing a conservation district.
(1) Determination of eligibility.
(A) Before a neighborhood committee may request pre-application meetings or apply for a CD, a neighborhood committee must request a determination of eligibility and the director must determine that an area is eligible. A request for determination of eligibility is not an application for a CD.
(B) A neighborhood committee must submit a request for determination of eligibility on a form furnished by the department. The request for a determination of eligibility must include:
(i) The names and addresses of the neighborhood committee members.
(ii) The name and address of the neighborhood committee member designated to receive notice and information from the department.
(iii) A map of the request area.
(iv) A written statement explaining how the neighborhood committee selected the request area. For example, the request area is the original subdivision.
(v) A list of the architectural styles of each main building in the area of request and the year that each main building was constructed.
(vi) A written statement describing the physical attributes of the area, including the architectural styles, period of significance, and method of construction.
(vii) A written statement describing how the area of request meets all of the eligibility criteria in Section 51A-4.505(d)(1)(C).
(viii) Any other information that the director deems necessary.
(C) Within 65 days after a complete request for determination of eligibility is submitted, the director shall make a determination of eligibility. An area is not eligible for a CD unless it satisfies all of the following criteria:
(i) The area contains at least one blockface.
(ii) The area must be either “stable” or “stabilizing” as defined in this section.
(iii) The area is compact and contiguous with boundary lines drawn to the logical edges of the area or subdivision, as indicated by a creek, street, subdivision line, utility easement, zoning boundary line, or other boundary.
(iv) At least 75 percent of the lots are developed with main buildings that are at least 25 years old.
(v) The area has physical attributes that include recognizable architectural style(s).
(D) If the director determines that the area is eligible for a CD, the director shall notify the designated neighborhood committee member in writing. Notice is given by depositing the notice properly addressed and postage paid, return receipt requested, in the United States mail. The director’s determination that an area is eligible for a CD may not be appealed.
(E) After the director determines an area is eligible for a CD, the boundaries may only be changed by city council at a public hearing to consider a proposed CD or by a request for a new determination of eligibility after the original determination of eligibility expires. A request for a new determination of eligibility with different boundaries must be made before a neighborhood committee may request pre- application meetings or apply for a CD.
(F) If the director determines that the area is not eligible for a CD, the director shall notify the designated neighborhood committee member in writing why the proposed area is not eligible. Notice is given by depositing the notice properly addressed and postage paid, return receipt requested, in the United States mail. The director’s determination that an area is not eligible for a CD classification may be appealed to the city plan commission by the neighborhood committee.
(G) An appeal of a determination that an area is not eligible for a CD is made by filing a written notice of appeal with the director. The notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days after the director provides written notice to the designated neighborhood committee member. The sole issue on appeal is whether the director erred in the determination of eligibility. The city plan commission shall consider the same criteria that the director is required to consider.
(H) The city plan commission’s determination of eligibility on appeal is final. If the city plan commission determines that the area is not eligible for a CD, no further requests for determination of eligibility may be considered for the area of request for two years from the date of its decision. A property owner within the area of request may apply for a waiver of the two-year limitation period pursuant to Section 51A-4.701(d)(3).
(2) Pre-application meetings.
(A) After an area is determined eligible for a CD and before a neighborhood committee may apply for a CD, a neighborhood committee must request pre-application meetings. A request for pre- application meetings is not an application for a CD.
(B) Pre-application meetings are held by the department. Pre-application meetings are intended to inform the neighborhood committee and property owners within the eligible area about the determination of eligibility process, purpose of a CD, and the CD ordinance process. Pre-application meetings are also held to discuss and establish a list of development and architectural standards the neighborhood is interested in regulating.
(C) Within 65 days after the director has determined that an area is eligible for a CD, the neighborhood committee must submit a request for pre-application meetings on a form furnished by the department or the determination of eligibility for that area expires. If the determination of eligibility expires, a neighborhood committee must submit a new request for determination of eligibility and the director must determine that the area is eligible before a request for pre-application meetings may be submitted.
(D) Within 60 days after a complete request for pre-application meetings is submitted, the director shall schedule the first of at least two pre- application meetings. Notice of each pre-application meeting shall be given at least 10 days before the pre- application meeting to all property owners within the area eligible for a CD as evidenced by the last certified municipal tax roll.
(E) Within 14 days after the last pre- application meeting, the department shall provide the designated neighborhood committee member with the original petition forms.
(F) The original petition forms must include a map showing the boundaries of the area determined eligible for a CD; a list of the development and architectural standards a CD may regulate; the development and architectural standards established at the pre-application meetings that neighborhood is interested in regulating; the name and address of all property owners within the proposed CD; the deadline for the required signatures; and a statement that by signing the petition, the property owner is indicating support for initiating a process that may result in a change of zoning.
(G) Once the original petition forms are provided to the designated neighborhood committee member, additions to the development and architectural standards established by the neighborhood and listed on the original petition forms may only be recommended by city plan commission and approved by the city council.
(3) Application for a CD.
(A) After an area is determined eligible for a CD and the pre-application meetings have been held by the department, a neighborhood committee may submit an application for a CD.
(B) The application must be on a form provided by the department and must include:
(i) The original petition forms submitted with the dated signatures of property owners within the area determined eligible for a CD in support of the proposed CD that represent at least 58 percent of the land, excluding streets and alleys, within the proposed CD or 58 percent of the lots within the proposed CD.
(aa) For a proposed CD with 200 or fewer lots, the signatures on the original petition forms must be dated within 12 months following the date the original petition forms are provided to the designated neighborhood committee member.
(bb) For a proposed CD with 201 to 500 lots, the signatures on the original petition forms must be dated within 15 months following the date the original petition forms are provided to the designated neighborhood committee member.
(cc) For a proposed CD with more than 500 lots, the signatures on the original petition forms must be dated within 18 months following the date the original petition forms are provided to the designated neighborhood committee member.
(ii) The application fee, if applicable.
(aa) If the original petition forms are signed by 75 percent or more of the lots within the proposed CD boundaries, the application fee is waived.
(bb) If the proposed CD is authorized pursuant to Section 51A-4.701(a)(1), the application fee is waived.
(iii) Any other information that the director deems necessary.
(C) Within 30 days after an application for a CD is submitted, the director shall verify the original petition forms and determine if the application is complete. The time the director takes to review an application for completeness is not counted toward the date requirements in Section 51A-4.505(d)(3)(B)(i) for signatures in support of the proposed CD.
(D) If the application is deemed complete or the CD is authorized pursuant to Section 51A-4.701(a)(1), a public hearing to create a CD is initiated.
(E) If the director deems the application incomplete, the director shall notify the designated neighborhood committee member in writing of the application deficiencies and return the incomplete application. Notice is given by depositing the notice properly addressed and postage paid, return receipt requested, in the United States mail.
(F) For purposes of Section 51A-4.701, “Zoning Amendments,” once a CD application has been deemed complete, the CD shall be treated as a city plan commission authorized public hearing and may not be appealed to city council if the city plan commission recommends denial. If the proposed CD is initiated by application, the notice of authorization in Section 51A-4.701(a)(1) is not required.
(4) Preparing a CD ordinance.
(A) Within 30 days after a CD application is deemed complete, the director shall begin scheduling neighborhood meetings. Neighborhood meetings shall be held as necessary to receive input from property owners regarding the content of the CD ordinance.
(B) The city shall prepare a CD ordinance that includes:
(i) a map showing the boundaries of the area, including any subdistricts, that the director determined eligible for a CD;
(ii) maps and other graphic and written materials describing the physical attributes of the proposed CD; and
(iii) regulations for development and architectural standards.
(C) The CD ordinance must include the following:
(i) Development standards.
(aa) accessory structures.
(bb) building and structure height;
(cc) density;
(dd) fences and walls;
(ee) floor area ratio;
(ff) lot coverage;
(gg) lot size;
(hh) off-street parking and loading requirements;
(ii) permitted uses;
(jj) setbacks; and
(kk) stories.
(ii) Architectural standards.
(aa) architectural styles;
(bb) building elevations;
(cc) building materials;
(dd) chimneys;
(ee) porch styles;
(ff) roof form or pitch;
(gg) roofing materials; and
(hh) windows.
(D) The CD ordinance may also include, but is not limited to, the following development and architectural standards:
(i) building relocation;
(ii) building width;
(iii) demolition;
(iv) driveways, curbs, and sidewalks;
(v) foundations;
(vi) garage location and entrance;
(vii) impervious surfaces;
(viii) landscaping or other natural features;
(ix) massing;
(x) paint colors;
(xi) solar energy systems and the components;
(xii) steps; or
(xiii) window and dormer size and location.
(E) At least 30 days before the city plan commission public hearing to consider the proposed CD ordinance, the director shall conduct a neighborhood meeting to review the proposed CD ordinance.
(F) Notice of the neighborhood meeting shall be given at least 10 days before the neighborhood meeting to all property owners within the boundaries of the proposed CD as evidenced by the last certified municipal tax roll. The notice must include a web address where an electronic copy of the draft CD ordinance may be found.
(G) After the neighborhood meeting and at least 10 days before consideration by the city plan commission, the director shall send written notice of the city plan commission public hearing and a reply form to all property owners within the area of notification as evidenced by the last certified municipal tax roll. The reply form allows the recipient to indicate support or opposition to the proposed CD and give written comments. The director shall report to the city plan commission the percentage of replies in favor and in opposition, and summarize any comments.
(H) If city plan commission recommends approval of the proposed CD, at least 10 days before consideration by the city council, the director shall send written notice of the city council public hearing and a reply form to all property owners within the area of notification as evidenced by the last certified municipal tax roll. The reply form allows the recipient to indicate support or opposition to the proposed CD and give written comments. The director shall report to the city council the percentage of replies in favor and in opposition, and summarize any comments.
(e) Expanding an established CD.
(1) In general. Before a neighborhood committee or, if the area proposed to be added is one lot, an applicant may request petitions or apply to expand an established CD, a neighborhood committee or applicant must request a determination of eligibility for the proposed area to be added and the director must determine that the area is eligible. A request for determination of eligibility is not an application to amend an established CD.
(2) Determination of eligibility.
(A) A neighborhood committee or, if the area proposed to be added is one lot, an applicant must submit a request for determination of eligibility on a form furnished by the department. The request for determination of eligibility must include:
(i) The names and addresses of the neighborhood committee members or applicant.
(ii) If applicable, the name and address of the neighborhood committee member designated to receive notice and information from the director.
(iii) A map of the request area to be added that is compact and contiguous with the established CD.
(iv) A written statement explaining how the neighborhood committee or the applicant selected the request area. For example, the proposed area is part of the original subdivision but was not included when the CD was established.
(v) A list of the architectural styles of each main building in the area of request and the year that each main building was constructed.
(vi) A written statement describing the physical attributes of the area, including the architectural styles, period of significance, and method of construction and how these physical attributes, including the architectural styles, are similar to and compatible with the established CD.
(vii) A written statement describing how the proposed area meets all of the eligibility requirements in Section 51A-4.505(d)(1)(C) except that the area proposed is not required to be at least one blockface.
(viii) Any other information that the director deems necessary.
(B) Within 65 days after a complete request for determination of eligibility is submitted, the director shall make a determination of eligibility. An area is not eligible to be added to an established CD unless:
(i) the area satisfies all of the criteria in Section 51A-4.505(d)(1)(C), except that the area to be added is not required to be at least one blockface, and
(ii) the area to be added is similar to and compatible with the physical attributes of the established CD.
(C) If the director determines that the proposed area is eligible to be added to an established CD, the director shall notify the designated neighborhood committee member or applicant in writing. Notice is given by depositing the notice properly addressed and postage paid, return receipt requested, in the United States mail. The director’s determination that an area is eligible for a CD may not be appealed.
(D) After the director determines an area is eligible to be added to an established CD, the boundaries may only be changed by city council at a public hearing to consider expanding an established CD or by a request for a new determination of eligibility after the original determination of eligibility expires. A request for a new determination of eligibility with different boundaries must be made before a neighborhood committee or applicant may request petitions or apply to expand an established CD.
(E) If the director determines that the area is not eligible to be added to an established CD, the director shall notify the designated neighborhood committee member or applicant in writing why the area is not eligible. Notice is given by depositing the notice properly addressed and postage paid, return receipt requested, in the United States mail.
(F) The director’s determination that an area is not eligible to be added to a CD may be appealed to the city plan commission by the neighborhood committee or applicant.
(G) An appeal of a determination that an area is not eligible for a CD is made by filing a written notice of appeal with the director. The notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days after the director provides written notice to the designated neighborhood committee member or applicant. The sole issue on appeal is whether the director erred in the determination of eligibility. The city plan commission shall consider the same criteria that the director is required to consider.
(H) The city plan commission’s determination of eligibility on appeal is final. If the city plan commission determines that the area is not eligible for a CD, no further requests for determination of eligibility may be considered for the area of request for two years from the date of its decision. A property owner within the area of request may apply for a waiver of the two-year limitation period pursuant to Section 51A-4.701(d)(3).
(3) Request for petitions.
(A) After an area is determined eligible to be added into an established CD and before a neighborhood committee or applicant may apply to expand an established CD, a neighborhood committee or applicant must request petitions. A request for petitions is not an application to amend an established CD.
(B) A neighborhood committee or applicant must submit a request for petitions within 65 days after the director determines that the area is eligible to be added to an established CD or the determination of eligibility for that proposed area to be added expires. If the determination of eligibility expires, a neighborhood committee or applicant must submit a new request for determination of eligibility and the director must determine that the area is eligible before a request for petitions may be submitted.
(C) The request for petitions must be on a form furnished by the department and must include the names and addresses of the neighborhood committee members or the applicant and a list of the development and architectural standards listed in Sections 51A-4.505(d)(4)(C) and (D) that a neighborhood committee or applicant is interested in regulating.
(D) Within 14 days after a complete request for petitions is submitted, the director shall provide the designated neighborhood committee member or applicant with the original petition forms.
(E) The original petition forms must include a map showing the boundaries of the established CD and the area eligible to be added to the established CD; a list of the development and architectural standards a CD may regulate; the development and architectural standards the neighborhood or applicant is interested in regulating; the name and address of all property owners within the area proposed to be added to an established CD; the deadline for the required signatures; and a statement that by signing the petition, the property owner is indicating support for initiating a process that may result in a change of zoning.
(F) Once the original petition forms are provided to the designated neighborhood committee member or applicant, additions to the development and architectural standards established by the neighborhood and listed on the original petition forms may only be recommended by city plan commission and approved by the city council.
(G) Within 60 days after the department provides the designated neighborhood committee member or applicant with the original petition forms, the department shall schedule a neighborhood meeting. Notice of the neighborhood meeting shall be given at least 10 days before the neighborhood meeting to all property owners within the proposed area to be added and the established CD as evidenced by the last certified municipal tax roll.
(H) The neighborhood meeting is held by the department. The purpose of the neighborhood meeting is to inform the property owners within the established CD, and the proposed area to be added, that petitions have been requested to expand the established CD.
(4) Application to expand an established CD.
(A) After an area is determined eligible to be added to an established CD and the neighborhood committee or applicant has requested and received the original petition forms, the neighborhood committee or applicant may submit an application to expand an established CD.
(B) The application must be on a form provided by the department and must include:
(i) The original petition forms with dated signatures of property owners within the proposed area to be added into the established CD that are in support of being added to the established CD.
(ii) The signatures on the original petition forms must be dated within 60 days after the date the director provides the original petition forms to the neighborhood committee or applicant and must represent at least 58 percent of the land, excluding streets and alleys, within the proposed area to be added to the CD; or 58 percent of the lots within the area proposed to be added to the CD.
(iii) The application fee, if applicable. If the proposed expansion of the established CD is authorized pursuant to Section 51A-4.701(a)(1), the application fee is waived.
(iv) Any other information that the director deems necessary.
(C) Within 30 days after an application to expand an established CD is submitted, the director shall verify the original petition forms and determine if the application is complete. The 30 day application review period is not counted toward the signature date requirement in Section 51A-4.505(e)(4)(B)(ii).
(D) If the director deems the application complete or the request to expand the established CD is authorized pursuant to Section 51A-4.701(a)(1), a public hearing to expand an established CD is initiated.
(E) If the director deems the application incomplete, the director shall notify the designated neighborhood committee member in writing of the deficiencies and return the incomplete application. Notice is given by depositing the notice properly addressed and postage paid, return receipt requested, in the United States mail.
(5) Preparing an ordinance to expand an established CD.
(A) The city shall prepare amendments to the established CD in accordance with Sections 51A-4.505(d)(4)(B) through (D) to establish development and architectural standards for the area to be added.
(B) At least 10 days before consideration by the city plan commission, the director shall send written notice of the city plan commission public hearing and a reply form to all property owners within the area of notification as evidenced by recent tax rolls. The reply form allows the recipient to indicate support or opposition to the proposed expansion of the established CD and give written comments. The director shall report to the city plan commission the percentage of replies in favor and in opposition, and summarize any comments.
(C) At least 10 days before consideration by the city council, the director shall send written notice of the city council public hearing and a reply form to all property owners within the area of notification as evidenced by recent tax rolls. The reply form allows the recipient to indicate support or opposition to the proposed expansion of the established CD and give written comments. The director shall report to the city council the percentage of replies in favor and in opposition, and summarize any comments.
(f) Amending regulations in an established CD.
(1) Pre-application meetings.
(A) To amend regulations that affect an entire established CD, a neighborhood committee must first request pre-application meetings. A request for pre-application meetings is not an application for a CD.
(B) Pre-application meetings are held by the department. Pre-application meetings are intended to inform the property owners within the established CD that a neighborhood committee is interested in amending regulations in the established CD and to discuss and establish a list of development and architectural standards the neighborhood is interested in amending or adding to the established CD.
(C) Within 60 days after a complete request for pre-application meetings is submitted, the director shall schedule the first of at least two pre-application meetings. Notice of each pre-application meeting shall be given at least 10 days before the pre-application meeting to all property owners within the established CD as evidenced by the last certified municipal tax roll.
(D) Within 14 days after the last pre-application meeting, the department shall provide the designated neighborhood committee member with the original petition forms.
(E) The original petition forms must include a map showing the boundaries of the established CD; a list of the development and architectural standards a CD may regulate; the development and architectural standards established at the pre-application meetings that the neighborhood is interested in amending or adding; the name and address of all property owners within the established CD; the deadline for the required signatures; and a statement that by signing the petition, the property owner is indicating support for initiating a process that may result in a change of zoning.
(F) Once the original petition forms are provided to the designated neighborhood committee member, additions to the development and architectural standards established by the neighborhood and listed on the original petition forms may only be recommended by the city plan commission and approved by the city council.
(2) Application to amend an established CD.
(A) After the pre-application meetings have been held by the department, a neighborhood committee may submit an application to amend an established CD that affects the entire CD.
(B) The application must be on a form provided by the department and must include:
(i) The original petition forms submitted with the dated signatures of property owners within the established CD in support of amending the established CD that represent at least 58 percent of the land, excluding streets and alleys, within the established CD or 58 percent of the lots within the established CD.
(aa) For an established CD with 200 or fewer lots, the signatures on the original petition forms must be dated within 12 months following the date the original petition forms are provided to the designated neighborhood committee member.
(bb) For an established CD with 201 to 500 lots, the signatures on the original petition forms must be dated within 15 months following the date the original petition forms are provided to the designated neighborhood committee member.
(cc) For an established CD with more than 500 lots, the signatures on the original petition forms must be dated within 18 months following the date the original petition forms are provided to the designated neighborhood committee member.
(ii) The application fee, if applicable.
(aa) If the original petition forms are signed by 75 percent or more of the lots within the established CD boundaries, the application fee is waived.
(bb) If the established CD is authorized pursuant to Section 51A-4.701(a)(1), the application fee is waived.
(iii) Any other information that the director deems necessary.
(C) Within 30 days after an application to amend an established CD is submitted, the director shall verify the original petition forms and determine if the application is complete. The time the director takes to review an application for completeness is not counted toward the date requirements in Section 51A-4.505(d)(3)(B)(i) for signatures in support of the proposed CD.
(D) If the application is deemed complete or an amendment to the established CD is authorized pursuant to Section 51A-4.701(a)(1), a public hearing to create a CD is initiated.
(E) If the director deems the application incomplete, the director shall notify the designated neighborhood committee member in writing of the application deficiencies and return the incomplete application. Notice is given by depositing the notice properly addressed and postage paid, return receipt requested, in the United States mail.
(F) For purposes of Section 51A-4.701, “Zoning Amendments,” once an application to amend regulations in an established CD has been deemed complete, the application shall be treated as a city plan commission authorized public hearing and may not be appealed to city council if the city plan commission recommends denial. If the application to amend regulations in an established CD is initiated by application, the notice of authorization in Section 51A-4.701(a)(1) is not required.
(3) Preparing an ordinance to amend an established CD.
(A) Within 30 days after an application to amend an established CD is deemed complete, the director shall begin scheduling neighborhood meetings. Neighborhood meetings shall be held as necessary to receive input from property owners regarding the amendments to the established CD. Notice of neighborhood meetings shall be given at least 10 days before the neighborhood meeting to all property owners within the boundaries of the established CD as evidenced by the last certified municipal tax roll.
(B) The city shall prepare an ordinance amending an established CD in accordance with Sections 51A-4.505(d)(4) (B) through (D).
(C) At least 30 days before the city plan commission public hearing to consider proposed amendments to an established CD, the director shall conduct a neighborhood meeting to review the proposed ordinance amending the established CD.
(D) Notice of the neighborhood meeting shall be given at least 10 days before the neighborhood meeting to all property owners within the boundaries of the established CD as evidenced by the last certified municipal tax roll. The notice must include a web address where an electronic copy of the draft proposed ordinance amending the established CD may be found.
(E) After the neighborhood meeting and at least 10 days before consideration by the city plan commission, the director shall send written notice of the city plan commission public hearing and a reply form to all property owners within the area of notification as evidenced by the last certified municipal tax roll. The reply form allows the recipient to indicate support or opposition to the proposed CD and give written comments. The director shall report to the city plan commission the percentage of replies in favor and in opposition, and summarize any comments.
(F) If city plan commission recommends approval of the proposed CD, at least 10 days before consideration by the city council, the director shall send written notice of the city council public hearing and a reply form to all property owners within the area of notification. The reply form allows the recipient to indicate support or opposition to the proposed CD and give written comments. The director shall report to the city council the percentage of replies in favor and in opposition, and summarize any comments.
(g) Creating or amending a subdistrict within an established CD.
(1) An application to create or amend a subdistrict within an established CD must comply with Section 51A-4.701(a)(2).
(2) At least 30 days before a city plan commission public hearing to consider creating or amending a subdistrict within an established CD, the director shall hold a neighborhood meeting.
(3) Notice of the neighborhood meeting shall be given at least 10 days before the neighborhood meeting to all property owners within the established CD as evidenced by the last certified municipal tax roll.
(4) The purpose of the neighborhood meeting is to inform the property owners within the established CD of the application to create or amend a subdistrict within an established CD.
(5) The city shall prepare an ordinance creating or amending a subdistrict within an established CD in accordance with Sections 51A-4.505(d)(4)(B) through (D).
(6) The city council shall not grant a request to create or amend a subdistrict within an established CD except upon a finding that the creating or amending a subdistrict within the established CD will not:
(A) alter the essential character of the established CD, or
(B) be detrimental to the overall purpose of the established CD.
(h) Removing property from an established CD.
(1) An application to remove property from an established CD must comply with Section 51A-4.701(a)(2).
(2) At least 30 days before a city plan commission public hearing to consider removing property from an established CD, the director shall hold a neighborhood meeting.
(3) Notice of the neighborhood meeting shall be given at least 10 days before the neighborhood meeting to all property owners within the established CD as evidenced by the last certified municipal tax roll.
(4) The purpose of the neighborhood meeting is to inform the property owners within the established CD of the application to remove a property from an established CD.
(5) The city council shall not grant a request to remove property from an established CD except upon a finding that removing property from the established CD will not:
(A) alter the essential character of the established CD, or
(B) be detrimental to the overall purpose of the established CD.
(i) Work review procedures.
(1) Review form applications. A review form application must be submitted for any work covered by the standards in a CD ordinance.
(2) Work requiring a building permit.
(A) Upon receipt of a review form application for work requiring a building permit, the building official shall refer the review form application to the director to determine whether the work complies with the standards of the applicable CD ordinance. Within 30 days after submission of a complete review form application, the director shall review and determine whether the work complies with the standards of the applicable CD ordinance.
(B) If the director determines that the work complies with the standards of the applicable CD ordinance, the director shall approve the review form application and send it back to the building official, who shall issue the building permit if all requirements of the construction codes and other applicable ordinances have been met.
(C) If the director determines that the work does not comply with the standards of the applicable CD ordinance, the director shall state in writing the specific CD ordinance requirements that must be met before a building permit may be issued and send it back to the building official, who shall deny the building permit. The director shall give written notice to the applicant stating the reasons the building permit is denied.
(3) Work not requiring a building permit.
(A) Upon receipt of a review form application for work not requiring a building permit, the director shall review and determine whether the work complies with the standards of the applicable CD ordinance within 10 days after submission of a complete review form application.
(B) If the director determines that the work complies with the standards of the applicable CD ordinance, the director shall approve the review form application and give written notice to the applicant.
(C) If the director determines that the work does not comply with the standards of the applicable CD ordinance, the director shall state in writing the specific CD ordinance requirements to be met before the work review application may be approved. The director shall give written notice to the applicant stating the reasons for denial.
(j) Appeals.
(1) An applicant may appeal any decision regarding a review form application made by the director or any aggrieved person may appeal a final decision of an administrative official, to the board of adjustment by filing a written appeal within 15 days after notice of the decision is given by the director or the official in accordance with Section 51A-4.703(a).
(2) The regulations and procedures in Section 51A-4.703 apply to an appeal to the board of adjustment under this section, including staying proceedings, notice of hearing, and board action.
(3) In considering the appeal, the sole issue before the board of adjustment shall be whether the director or the administrative official erred in the decision. The board shall consider the same standards required to be considered by the director or the administrative official.
(4) Appeals to the board of adjustment are the final administrative remedy.
(k) Conflicts. If there is a conflict between the text of this section and the text of a CD ordinance, the text of the CD ordinance controls.
(l) Board of adjustment fee waiver. The board of adjustment may waive any filing fee for an appeal from a decision of the building official interpreting a CD ordinance, or for a variance or special exception to a CD ordinance requirement when the board finds that payment of the fee would result in substantial financial hardship to the applicant. The applicant may either pay the fee and request reimbursement as part of his appeal or request that the matter be placed on the board’s miscellaneous docket for predetermination. If the matter is placed on the miscellaneous docket, the applicant may not file his appeal until the merits of the request for waiver have been determined by the board. (Ord. Nos. 19455; 19930; 20037; 20308; 24843; 29702)
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