PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor

Ch. 631

and until he has received such a certificate of approval. If there is no building inspector
in the county or municipal corporation, the owner, lessee, or tenant of the property and
premises shall not commence the proposed work or change until and unless he or it has
received such a certificate of approval from the commission. The failure of the
commission to act upon [an] A COMPLETED application within forty-five (45) days from
the date the COMPLETED application was filed shall be deemed to constitute automatic
approval of the proposed changes unless an extension of this forty-five day period is
agreed upon mutually by the applicant and the commission or the application has been
withdrawn.

8.13.

Nothing in this subtitle shall be taken or construed to prevent [work and repairs on
any structure coming under the heading of ordinary maintenance] ROUTINE
MAINTENANCE, CUSTOMARY FARMING OPERATIONS, OR LANDSCAPING WHICH
WILL HAVE NO MATERIAL EFFECT ON THE HISTORIC, ARCHEOLOGICAL, OR
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF A DESIGNATED SITE, STRUCTURE, OR DISTRICT.
Nothing in this subtitle affects the right to complete any work covered by a permit or
authorization issued prior to [January 1, 1971] OCTOBER 1, 1995.

8.14.

A COMMISSION MAY REQUEST THAT THE ENFORCING AUTHORITY INSTITUTE
ANY OF THE REMEDIES AND PENALTIES PROVIDED BY LAW FOR ANY VIOLATION OF
AN ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION ADOPTED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE.

[8.14.] 8.15.

Any person or persons, firm, or corporation aggrieved by a decision of the [historic
district] commission has a right of appeal therefrom similar to that provided from the
decision of the zoning board or commission within the county or municipal corporation.

[8.14.1.] 8.16.

(a) Every county, municipal corporation and Baltimore City [may enact laws] in
which [an historical] A district is [located,] DESIGNATED, MAY ENACT LAWS requiring
that utility companies relocate underground existing overhead lines and facilities within
the defined part of the [historic] district or the entire [historic] district, and requiring
the connection thereto to be placed underground if necessary by private owners then
receiving service from the overhead lines and facilities. The law shall provide:

(1)     The estimated cost to property owners for work to be performed on
private property be determined and made available to affected property owners;

(2)     Financing of these costs to private owners be provided including any
charges for the amortization of the bonds issued to initially cover such private costs. The
county, municipal corporation, or Baltimore City may enter into agreement with
individual property owners whereupon it will advance funds to cover the property owner's
costs involved in the conversion of the overhead lines and facilities and may appropriate
funds, levy taxes or borrow funds to pay and advance the costs of such conversion. The

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