Arkansas Code
Subchapter 2 - Cities and Towns
§ 14-172-209. Determination on application for certificate

(a) Within a reasonable time, not to exceed thirty (30) days after the filing of an application for a certificate of appropriateness with the historic district commission, the commission shall determine the property to be materially affected by the application and immediately send by mail, postage prepaid, to the applicant and to the owners of all such properties to be materially affected notice of the hearing to be held by the commission on the application.
(b)
(1) The commission may hold such public hearings as are necessary in considering any applications for certificates of appropriateness.
(2) The commission shall act on an application for certificate of appropriateness within a reasonable period of time.
(3) The commission shall determine whether the proposed construction, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, moving, or demolition of buildings, structures, or appurtenant fixtures involved will be appropriate to the preservation of the historic district for the purposes of this subchapter, or whether, notwithstanding that it may be inappropriate, owing to conditions especially affecting the structure involved, but not affecting the historic district generally, failure to issue a certificate of appropriateness will involve a substantial hardship, financial or otherwise, to the applicant, and whether the certificate may be issued without substantial detriment to the public welfare and without substantial derogation from the intent and purpose of this subchapter.

(c)
(1) If the commission determines that the proposed construction, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, moving, or demolition is appropriate or is not appropriate, owing to conditions as aforesaid, but that failure to issue a certificate of appropriateness would involve substantial detriment or derogation as aforesaid, or if the commission fails to make a determination within a reasonable time prescribed by ordinance, the commission shall forthwith approve the application and shall issue to the applicant a certificate of appropriateness.
(2) If the commission determines that a certificate of appropriateness should not be issued, it shall place upon its records the reasons for the determination and may include recommendations respecting the proposed construction, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, moving, or demolition.
(3) The commission shall immediately notify the applicant of the determination.

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