(1968, pp 243-244.2)
ARTICLE XXV - OLD AND HISTORIC FREDERICKSBURG DISTRICT
In order to promote the general welfare by creating within this city an atmosphere of appreciation for our past heritage, as related to its original commercial activity, as to its unique historical development by outstanding citizens, and to preserve the architectural dignity of existing period structures, as well as to create an atmosphere for orderly modern growth for future generations, there is hereby created a district to be known as the "Old and Historic Fredericksburg District," the boundaries of which shall be:
Beginning at a point formed by the intersection of the Rappahannock River and what is now or formerly was Jefferson Street; thence westerly along said Jefferson Street to a point west of Caroline Street; thence northerly more or less parallel with Caroline Street along a line so located as to include all properties fronting on Caroline Street to Dixon Street; thence westerly along Dixon Street to Charles Street; thence northerly along Charles Street to Dunmore Street; thence westerly along Dunmore Street to a point west of Prince Edward Street; thence northerly more or less parallel with Prince Edward Street along a line so located as to include all properties fronting on Prince Edward Street to Hawke Street; thence easterly along Hawke Street to a point west of Caroline Street; thence northerly more or less parallel with Caroline Street along a line so located as to include all properties fronting on Caroline Street to Canal Street; thence easterly along Canal Street extended to the Rappahannock River; thence southerly along the Rappahannock River to the point of beginning; except that all buildings fronting on William Street and all buildings fronting on the 800, 900 and 1000 blocks of Caroline Street shall be excluded from the district. (9-12-67)
No building built prior to 1870 within the Old and Historic Fredericksburg District shall be demolished, removed, or altered in exterior architectural features or appearance, including the placement of signs, until a Certificate of Approval is issued by the Board of Historic Buildings. (9-12-67)
(a) Other buildings within the City of Fredericksburg, not otherwise covered by Section 18-96 hereinabove, may be placed under the jurisdiction of this ordinance by the voluntary application of the owner thereof to, and acceptance by the Board of Historic Buildings. Such buildings shall be clearly identified by a distinctive plaque approved by the Board of Historic Buildings (9-12-67)
(b) Any other building placed under the jurisdiction of this ordinance by voluntary application by the owner shall be identified in a document executed by or on behalf of the Board of Historic Buildings and this document shall be admitted to the records of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of the city. (9-12-67)
(c) The Board of Historic Buildings shall further upon acceptance of such building, promptly communicate the fact to the city inspector who shall upon receiving such information promptly conform the zoning map of the city accordingly. (9-12-67)
(d) Any building so included shall not be removed from the provisions of this article except by an ordinance of the City Council. (9-12-67)
(a) Creation. For the purpose of administering the provisions of this article, there is hereby created a Board of Historic Buildings which shall consist of seven members who are residents of the city or who conduct their primary business or profession in the city. These members shall be appointed by the City Council. (9-12-67)
(b) Membership, Of the seven members so appointed, one shall be (1) a licensed real estate broker or salesman; one shall be (2) a licensed architect; one shall be (3) a member of the planning commission; and four members shall be citizens at large. (9-12-67)
(c) Terms. Members shall be appointed for a term of four years. Initial appointments shall be three members for four years, and three members for two years. The term of the planning commission member shall be concurrent with his appointment to the planning commission. (9-12-67)
(d) Organization. The board shall elect from its own membership a chairman, vice-chairman and a secretary, who shall serve annual terms and may succeed themselves. (9-12-67)
(e) Rules. There shall be a regular meeting of the board monthly. Special meetings of the board may be called by the chairman or by two members upon written request to the secretary. The secretary shall mail to all members of the board, at least five days in advance of a special meeting, a written notice fixing the time and place of the meeting and the purpose thereof. (9-12-67) Written notice of a special meeting is not required if the time of the special meeting has been fixed at a regular meeting, or if all members are present at the special meeting or file a written waiver of notice. For the conduct of and hearing and the taking of any action, a quorum shall be not less than a majority of all the members of the board. The board may make, alter, or rescind rules and forms for its procedures, consistent with the ordinances of the city and the general laws of the State of Virginia. (9-12-67)
(f) Powers and duties. It shall be the function of the Board of Historic Buildings to pass upon the appropriateness of the exterior architectural features of the buildings, reconstructed, altered or restored or used in the Old and Historic Fredericksburg District wherever such exterior features are subject to public view from a public street or way. (9-12-67)
(g) Guidelines. In reaching its decisions, the Board of Historic Buildings shall consider: (9-12-67)
(2) Architectural significance and appearance. (9-12-67)
(3) Effect on the tourist industry. (9-12-67)
(4) Value and use of buildings. (9-12-67)
(5) Effect on surrounding property. (9-12-67)
(6) Inordinate hardship. (9-12-67)
(a) Applications, All applications for a Certificate of Approval shall be made, in writing, together with adequate documents to clearly indicate the work to be done, to the city building inspector, who shall immediately refer it to the secretary of the Board of Historic Buildings, who shall cause the matter to be advertised for hearing at a regular or special meeting of the board provided that notice of such hearing is published once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in the city. Such notice shall specify the time and place of hearing at which persons affected may appear and present their views, not less than five days nor more than ten days after final publication (9-12-67)
(b) Certification of approval or disapproval. After consideration of all drawings, documents and other information presented to it, the board may certify approval or disapproval. Such certification shall be accomplished by a statement of the board's reasons for approval or disapproval. In the event of disapproval, the board shall, when appropriate, advise the applicant and make recommendations of changes which might lead to approval. A copy of such certification shall be forwarded to the applicant and to the city inspector within thirty-five days from the date of the hearing. (9-12-67)
(c) Records. A record of the actions of the board shall be maintained and shall be open to public inspec~tion. (9-12-67)
(d) Appeals. The applicant may appeal within ninety days the decision of the Board of Historic Buildings to the Board of Zoning Appeals, which shall be bound by the provisions of this ordinance. In the event the Board of Zoning Appeals approves the appeal, it shall immediately direct the Board of Historic Buildings to issue the appropriate certification. (9-12-67)
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the application of the building code or other laws and ordinances applicable thereto. (9-12-67)
The provisions of Article 25 shall not apply to property owned by either the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia, or the United States of America and used or to be used for public purposes. (9-12-67)
Note: The 9-12-67 amendment inserted Article XXV.
Last Update: 9/16/96
Name: Gary Stanton, Dept of Historic Preservation
Email: gstanton@paprika.umw.edu