1914                             Laws of Maryland                       Ch. 672

the historic value of the surrounding area; (2) the relationship of
the exterior architectural features of the structure to the remainder
of the structure and to the surrounding area; (3) the general com-
patibility of exterior design, arrangement, texture, and materials
proposed to be used; (4) to any other factors including aesthetic
factors which the commission deems to be pertinent.

[43]

8.07    Considerations

The Commission shall consider only exterior features of a struc-
ture and shall not consider any interior arrangements. Also, the
commission shall not disapprove an application except with respect
to the several factors specified in Section [42] 8.06 above.

[44]

8.08    Strictness and Leniency in Judgment of Plans

The commission shall be strict in its judgment of plans for those
structures deemed to be valuable according to studies performed for
districts of historic or architectural value. The commission shall be
lenient in its judgment of plans for structures of little historic value
or for plans involving new construction, unless such plans would
seriously impair the historic or architectural value of surrounding
structures of the surrounding area. A commission is not required
to limit new construction, alteration, or repairs to the architectural
style of any one period.

[45]

8.09    Application for Repairs or Alterations

If an application is submitted for repairs or alterations affecting
the exterior appearance of a structure or for the moving or demolition
of a structure, the preservation of which the commission deems of
unusual importance to the county or municipal corporation or un-
usual importance to the entire state or nation, the commission shall
attempt with the owner of the structure to formulate an economically
feasible plan for the preservation of the structure. Unless in these
circumstances the commission is satisfied that the proposed con-
struction, alteration, or repair will not materially impair the historic
value of the structure, the commission shall reject the application
for repair or alteration, filing a copy of its rejection with the building
inspector by whatever name known of the county or municipal cor-
poration. An application for any such repair or alteration, if rejected,
shall not be renewed within a period of one year after the rejection.

[46]

8.10    Approval Under Certain Circumstances

In the case of a structure deemed to be valuable for the period of
architecture it represents and important to the neighborhood within
which it exists, the commission may approve the proposed repair
or alteration despite the fact the changes come within the provisions
of Section [45] 8.09 above if (1) the structure is a deterrent to a
major improvement program which will be of substantial benefit
to the county or municipal corporation; (2) retention of the structure
would cause undue financial hardship to the owner; or (3) the re-
tention of the structure would not be to the best interests of a
majority of persons in the community.