APPLICATION AND SUBMITTAL PROCEDURE
Before submitting an application, you are encouraged to review the Historic District Handbook
and to discuss your project
with Community Planning and Building Department staff. Contact Kate Schwartz, Historic Resources Planner, at (540)
372-1179 or ksschwartz@fredericksburgva.gov. The ARB is additionally available, upon request, to provide guidance for
specific projects prior to submittal of a formal application.
Sufficient details and supporting documentation are needed to review applications. Any application that does not include
information necessary for evaluation under the criteria defined in City Code §72-23.1 may be rejected, continued, or tabled
until information is provided. Please see the “Required Materials” list on the following page to identify the supporting
documentation that must be submitted.
The normal processing time for a Certificate of Appropriateness is 30-60 days. Failure to provide adequate
documentation may delay the application.
Application Submittal
Submit in person the following items: Application, Supporting Documentation, and Application Fee to the Planning
Services Division, 601 Caroline Street, Suite 400 Fredericksburg VA 22401.
Staff will determine whether the project is subject to review by staff or by the ARB.
Administratively reviewed applications are sent to the ARB for its consent at the next regular meeting.
Staff may request additional information if needed and will provide a deadline for submittal of additional information.
If requested information is not provided, review and approval of the application may be delayed.
For new construction, the applicant must send written notice by certified mail to adjacent property owners. The
property
owners are those persons shown on current real estate tax assessment records, whose properties abut the
subject property
as well as those directly across the street. Staff will provide the correct language and details to be
included in the letter.
Notice must be delivered at least five (5) days prior to the public hearing.
Public Hearing by the ARB
The ARB meets on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall. Public notice will be provided for all
applications.
Applicants, project representatives, and/or property owners are strongly encouraged to attend the ARB hearing in
order
to respond to questions about the proposed project. If no representative is present, the ARB may deny the
project or
continue its consideration to the next meeting.
The ARB may request additional information in order to make a fully informed decision, in which case its consideration
may be continued to a specified future hearing.
Post-Hearing/ Decision
Any person aggrieved by a decision of the ARB may appeal such decision to the City Council, provided such appeal is
filed in writing within 30 days from the date of the ARB's decision.
Once an application has been approved, staff will issue a Certificate of Appropriateness that remains valid for two
(2)
years after the date of approval, or as long as other required permits remain in effect.
A Certificate of Appropriateness does not constitute general zoning approval or a building permit for any use,
building,
or structure. Additional permits and associated fees may be required for the project to proceed.
