The Bowling Green Historic Preservation Commission discussed a draft Certificate of Appropriateness procedure on the agenda and accepted staff recommendations for handling applications in the historic overlay zone (HOZ).

Heather, a city planning staff member, told commissioners she had drafted “a draft policy and procedure form for COA's” and placed the relevant zoning language (section 150.807) in the packet to make the criteria clear to applicants. She said the COA application would include required drawings, a $25 filing fee and that staff would prepare an agenda packet including a staff report and recommendation for the commission to review.

The draft procedure notes that a COA is triggered for locally designated properties in the HOZ when owners propose major exterior work. Heather told the commission the requirement may be identified in several ways — an owner applying for a permit, a city zoning permit workflow, or by code-enforcement observation leading to a stop-work order. “You do have 60 days to decide on the COA and even up to 120 days if you deem that you need more information,” she said.

Commissioners discussed how staff and commissioners would divide labor. Heather said staff would check applications for completeness, accept the fee and assemble the packet, and that staff would mail notices to adjoining property owners. Commissioners with architectural backgrounds agreed to serve as technical reviewers to help determine whether an application is complete or merits an informal consultation before coming to the full commission. One commissioner noted, and Heather agreed, that in some cases staff could advise applicants that a COA is unnecessary.

The commission also discussed narrower procedural items: the possibility of a window survey when applicants propose changes to fenestration, which the group agreed would be triggered by applications rather than by random inspections; the interaction between COAs and zoning permits when both are required; and appeals procedure — denied applicants would have recourse to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

At the meeting start commissioners approved the Sept. 23 meeting minutes by voice vote (motion seconded, unanimous). Later the commission adjourned by voice vote.

The commission requested that Heather circulate the finalized draft COA application and associated guidance before the next meeting so members can comment and confirm volunteer reviewers. The draft form and the cited code section 150.807 will remain the primary reference for applicants until the commission finalizes any edits.