§ 8-5
Powers and duties of the HDC
[Ord. No. 08-31, 10-7-2009]
The HDC shall have the following powers and duties:
- (a) Regulation of development in historic districts. The HDC shall be authorized to regulate the construction, demolition, change in any exterior structure and/or appurtenance within any historic district identified on the overlay zoning district map of the official zoning map adopted in accordance with this appendix and identified herein.
- (b) Adoption of rules. The HDC shall, within 90 days of its first meeting, adopt and publish written rules and regulations, as provided in the Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission's report entitled Easy Guide to Rehab Standards, dated 1992, (hereinafter known to as "RIHPC Standards") necessary to carry out its functions under the provisions of this article. All such rules and regulations, and any amendments thereto, shall be available to the public.
- (c) Adoption of standards and guidelines. The HDC shall, within 90 days of its first meeting, adopt and publish standards and guidelines as necessary to inform historic district residents, property owners, and the general public of those criteria by which the HDC shall determine whether to issue a certificate of appropriateness. The standards and guidelines shall insure that consideration is given to the historic and architectural significance of the district, the structure and its appurtenances; the way in which the structure and its appurtenances contribute to the historical and architectural significance of the district; and the appropriateness of the general design, arrangement, texture, materials, and siting proposed in the plans for both new and existing structures and appurtenances. The HDC may incorporate by reference in its rules and regulations such other standards as are appropriate, including, but not limited to the Standards and Guidelines for Rehabilitation adopted by the United States Secretary of the Interior. The HDC may from time to time amend its standards as reasonably necessary, and it shall publish all such amendments to remain in compliance with the RIHPC Standards.
- (d) Issuance of certificate of appropriateness. The HDC shall be authorized to issue certificates of appropriateness for projects that conform to the requirements of this appendix and the standards and guidelines adopted by the HDC. A certificate of appropriateness may be issued by the HDC indicating approval of plans for alteration, construction, repair, removal or demolition of a structure or appurtenances of a structure within an historic district. "Appropriate" for the purposes of passing upon an application for a certificate of appropriateness means not incongruous with those aspects of the structure, appurtenances, or the district which the HDC has determined to be historically or architecturally significant.
- (e) Provision of advice to other agencies. In order to assist the Town on matters of historic preservation, the HDC may provide its expertise and advice to agencies of Town government as appropriate.
- (f) Inspection of work in progress. The HDC or its designee may inspect work in progress after a certificate of appropriateness has been issued to insure that work is proceeding in accordance with the approval received. If the HDC finds that the work in progress does not conform to the certificate of appropriateness, the HDC shall advise the zoning enforcement officer, who shall enforce the requirements of the certificate of appropriateness in accordance with Article 17 of this appendix.