GENOA HISTORIC (GH) OVERLAY DISTRICT
Sections:
20.680.010 (GH) Purpose.
20.680.020 (GH) Applicability.
20.680.030 (GH) Commission.
20.680.040 (GH) Processing procedures.
20.680.050 (GH) Submittal requirements.
20.680.060 (GH) Failure to take action.
20.680.070 (GH) Variance
20.680.080 (GH) Repair, safety.
20.680.090 (GH) Change of land use or zoning.
20.680.100 (GH) Appeals.
20.680.010 (GH) Purpose.
The purposes of these regulations are to promote
the general welfare of the inhabitants of Genoa,
Douglas County, Nevada, through the preservation
and protection of historic buildings and places
of historic interest, many of which are not only
of local, but of state and national significance,
through development of an appropriate setting
for these buildings, places and districts; through
the stabilization and improvement of property
values; through the promotion and use of this
historic areas for the education, pleasure, welfare
of the people; through fostering civic beauty
and pride in heritage of Nevada’s oldest town;
and through providing for objective criteria
whereby the historic district and structures
therein might obtain grants, tax relief, low
interest loans and other recognition. (Ord. 763,
1996; Ord. 212, 1974) 
20.680.020 (GH) Applicability.
The Genoa Historic (GH) overlay district is created
as a combining overlay classification to be superimposed
on lands within the defined “Genoa historic district,”
the boundaries of which are shown on the Hawkins
Map of 1874 and the official zoning map of Douglas
County. Notwithstanding anything in this chapter
to the contrary, this chapter shall apply to
the erection, reconstruction, alteration or restoration
of property presently or in the future zoned
for non-residential use in the district. (Ord.
763, 1996; Ord. 212, 1974)
20.680.030 (GH) Commission.
The Genoa historic commission, hereinafter referred
to in this chapter as “the commission,” was formed
pursuant to Title 2 of the Douglas County Code
and shall be responsible for the issuance of
certificates of appropriateness within the district.
(Ord. 763, 1996; Ord. 212, 1974)
20.680.040 (GH) Processing procedures.
No owner shall apply to the county for a zoning permit
or building permit within the district for the
purpose of erecting, reconstructing, altering
or restoring a structure unless and until the
Genoa historic commission has approved the exterior
architectural features which are subject to public
view from a public street, way or place and issued
a certificate of appropriateness. (Ord. 763,
1996; Ord. 212, 1974)
20.680.050 (GH) Submittal requirements.
Applicants requesting approval of the Genoa historic
commission shall, at minimum, submit an application
form provided by the historic commission with
all required submittal materials, including,
but not limited to, site plans, elevations and
other information deemed necessary by the commission
to determine the appropriateness of the exterior
features to be passed upon must be made available
to the commission by the applicant. Note that
the historic district commission will not consider
those detailed designs, interior arrangement
or building features not subject to public view. The
Genoa historic commission will not make any recommendations
or requirements except for the purpose of preventing
developments obviously incongruous to the historic
aspects of the surroundings and the district.
(Ord. 763, 1996; Ord. 212, 1974)
20.680.060 (GH) Failure to take action.
If the Genoa historic commission fails to take final action
on an application within 60 days after discussion
at a regular historic commission meeting, the
application is deemed to be approved except where
mutual agreement has been reached for an extension
of the time limit. (Ord. 763, 1996; Ord. 212,
1974)
20.680.070 (GH) Variance.
When strict adherence to this chapter would work
a substantial hardship on an applicant, the commission,
in the same manner as issuing a certificate of
appropriateness, may grant a variance if the
variance remains in harmony with the general
purpose and intent of this chapter so that the
general character of the historic district is
conserved and substantial justice done. In granting
the variance, the commission may impose reasonable
and additional conditions to fulfill the purposes
of this chapter. (Ord. 763, 1996; Ord. 212, 1974)
20.680.080 (GH) Repair, safety.
Ordinary maintenance or repair which does not involve
a change of design, material or outward appearance
of a structure, or where the change involves
any portion of the structure which a building
engineer or inspector or the county engineer
certifies as required because of an unsafe or
dangerous condition, may be undertaken without
the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness.
(Ord. 763, 1996; Ord. 212, 1974)
20.680.090 (GH) Change of land use or zoning.
A copy of all applications of master plan amendment
or zone changes within the district must be forwarded
to the Genoa historic commission for its recommendations
to the planning commission. Any recommendations
must be received no later than public hearing
on any of the aforementioned matters. (Ord.
763, 1996; Ord. 212, 1974)
20.680.100 (GH) Appeals.
Appeals of the Genoa historic commission shall be
made pursuant to chapter 20.12. (Ord. 763, 1996;
Ord. 212, 1974)
