What authority does the Commission have over development or use of properties inside a County Historic District?
The law specifies, in Section 32-7-403, that any excavation, construction, alteration, reconstruction, moving, demolition, removal, or erection of any building, fence, wall or other new structure of any kind, requires a historic permit from the County. This includes such things as the installation of new siding, replacement windows and trim. Subsequent sections in the law list the procedure for review and approval of the historic permit application by the LPC before the County may issue building or other permits. The LPC’ s decisions are guided by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. Although the LPC has authority over the exterior appearance and design of a project, the normal County zoning, environmental, building, etc. laws continue to authorize and regulate the other aspects of developing and using a property.
