Historic preservation

A. The office shall regulate the historic character of the buildings, furnishings, and grounds of the district. B. No building, structure, or edifice, including fences, boundaries, walls, signs, light fixtures, steps, and paving, or other appurtenant fixtures shall be erected, altered, restored, moved, or demolished within the district until an application for a certificate of appropriateness has been submitted to and approved by, and the certificate issued by the office. C. No furniture, objects of art or any other interior furnishings of any building within the district shall be removed, altered, stored, replaced, or demolished, or otherwise disposed of until a certificate of appropriateness has been submitted to and approved by the office. The provisions of this Subsection shall apply to furniture, objects of art, and other furnishings which have historic significance. The provisions of this Subsection shall not be construed to interfere with the normal operation of state agencies and boards housed in buildings within the district or the normal use and maintenance thereof. D. There shall be no excavating or moving of earth, rock, or subsoil within the district until a certificate of appropriateness has been submitted to and approved by the office. E. There shall be no rearrangement of the grounds of any building within the district until a certificate of appropriateness has been submitted to and been approved by the office. The provisions of this Subsection shall not be construed to interfere with normal maintenance of any grounds within the district. F. The provisions of this Part shall not be construed to prevent ordinary maintenance or repairs which do not involve a change of design, material, or of the outward appearance thereof; nor to prevent the construction, reconstruction, alteration, or demolition of any feature which is required for the public safety because of an unsafe or dangerous condition. The provisions of this Part shall not apply to work which was begun or for which a permit was issued prior to the effective date of this Part. G. The office shall adopt and promulgate rules, regulations, and standards for the administration of this Part. No review, approval, disapproval, or recommendation shall be made by the office prior to the adoption and promulgation of such rules, regulations, and standards. It shall hold public hearings prior to adoption of any rule.