Ordinance 51-05 Ashland, Ohio
“Application Procedures.
(1) Submission requirements. Before it can be considered at a meeting of the Historic Preservation Board, an application along with any supporting documents, shall be filed with the Planning Commission Building & Zoning Office. In order for an application to be reviewed and approved, the applicant shall submit drawings, photographs, specifications and material samples as outlined below. A minimum of six sets of drawings and one set of photographs and material samples shall be submitted. These items shall accurately represent the proposed alterations or additions and new construction. The Building & Zoning Office Planning Commission will place the applicant on the next meeting’s agenda and forward the submitted copies to all the Board members.
A. Alterations and change of color.
1. Photographs of existing conditions.
2. Drawings indicating any changes to the physical appearance.
3. An outline describing work and the procedures to be performed.
4. Material samples and manufacturer’s literature for major materials and products to be incorporated in the building.
B. New Buildings.
1. Photographs (8”x10”) of the proposed site and adjoining building.
2. Site plan and elevation drawings showing the design, indicating drives, road, parking, walks, walls, fences, landscaping, doors, windows, decoration, materials, finishes and other features accurately representing the proposed design.
3. Material samples and manufacturer’s literature for major materials and products to be incorporated in the proposed design.
C. Additions to existing buildings.
1. Photographs (8” x 10”) of the existing building and adjoining building.
2. Site plan and elevation drawings showing the design, indicating drives, road, parking, walks, walls, fences, landscaping, doors, windows, decoration, materials, finishes and other features accurately representing the proposed design.
3. Material samples and manufacturer’s literature for major materials and products to be incorporated in the proposed design.”
The application process listed above is nowhere to be found on any City of Ashland website. So even if one happens to know a preservation ordinance is in effect, one can not comply because the process may not be available to them.
Application as defined by Webster’s online dictionary is, “ a form used in making a request.” To my knowledge, no form/application has ever been created by the City of Ashland, the Building and Zoning Office, or the Historic Preservation Board. “In order for an application to be reviewed and approved, the applicant shall submit drawings, photographs, specifications and material samples as outlined below.” This statement implies that a form must be accompanied by drawings, photographs, specifications, etc. in order to be reviewed. A simple application would document the homeowner’s name, address, contact information. When applying for a recent job, I don’t just send in my teaching certificate and curriculum vitae. I must complete a form accompanied with a cover letter and other required documents.
With technology today, an online application is easy to create as well as complete. “A minimum of six sets of drawings and one set of photographs” is outdated. A computerized log would be created if the applications and items requested were submitted digitally, no file cabinets needed. Stating that pictures must be 8” x 10” is also outdated in a digital world. I can print an 8” x 10” picture that is extremely pixelated. Requesting a digital image with a certain number of pixels is much better. Yearbook and other printing companies do this to maintain quality.
If Ordinance 51-05 will ever be successful in the preservation of the Center Street Historic District, the Historic Preservation Board and the City of Ashland must start with an updated application process for documentation purposes.
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