HZC-COA Approval Process

	COA Approval Process

Process Flow Chart

In order to protect and enhance the historic significance and physical characteristics that make downtown McMinnville such a special place, the Historic Zoning Commission oversees all physical alterations in the district. Someone contemplating an alteration to a district property should follow the following steps:

Step #1: Familiarize yourself with the Historic Distric Design Guidelines, which you can pick up at the Planning and Zoning Office.

Step #2: Determine if Approval is required. In general, any noticeable alteration to a building, new construction or demolition requires approval in the form of a COA. A COA is not required for routine maintenance, exterior paint colors, or interior alterations.

Step #3: As you're planning modifications, keep the guidelines in mind. When you've decided what you want to do, submit a COA to the Planning and Zoning Office so it can be reviewed at the next Historic Zoning Commission meeting. You can download a COA form from this website or you can pick one up at the Planning and Zoning Office.

Step #4: Plan to attend the Historic Zoning Commission meeting so that you can answer any questions that may arise. This will speed the process along. At the meeting, one of three things will happen. Your COA will be
1.) Approved
2.) Approved With Conditions
3.) Denied
If approved, you are free to proceed with your plans, assuming the plans meet all other city code regulations.
If approved with conditions, it means that the commission generally agrees with your plans, but there may be some things you need to do in order to remain in compliance with the guidelines.
If your COA is denied, it will be because the commission feels that the plans are not in keeping with the historic guidelines. At this point you should consider adjusting your plans and submitting another COA.

Step #5: Obtain a building permit. Not all work requiring a COA will require a building permit. Refer to Section 1.6 of the Historic District Design Guidelines to verify the need for a building permit. If a COA and a building permit (if needed) are approved, you may begin work.

Step #1:	Familiarize yourself with the Historic Distric Design Guidelines, which you can pick up at the Planning and Zoning Office.
Step #2:	Determine if Approval is required. In general, any noticeable alteration to a building, new construction or demolition requires approval in the form of a COA. A COA is not required for routine maintenance, exterior paint colors, or interior alterations.
Step #3:	As you're planning modifications, keep the guidelines in mind. When you've decided what you want to do, submit a COA to the Planning and Zoning Office so it can be reviewed at the next Historic Zoning Commission meeting. You can download a COA form from this website or you can pick one up at the Planning and Zoning Office.
Step #4:	Plan to attend the Historic Zoning Commission meeting so that you can answer any questions that may arise. This will speed the process along. At the meeting, one of three things will happen. Your COA will be 1.) Approved 2.) Approved With Conditions 3.) Denied If approved, you are free to proceed with your plans, assuming the plans meet all other city code regulations. If approved with conditions, it means that the commission generally agrees with your plans, but there may be some things you need to do in order to remain in compliance with the guidelines. If your COA is denied, it will be because the commission feels that the plans are not in keeping with the historic guidelines. At this point you should consider adjusting your plans and submitting another COA.
Step #5:	Obtain a building permit. Not all work requiring a COA will require a building permit. Refer to Section 1.6 of the Historic District Design Guidelines to verify the need for a building permit. If a COA and a building permit (if needed) are approved, you may begin work.