§ 27-8. Referral to the Commission by other departments, boards or commissions.

A.

All applications for development or demolition in any local, State, or National historic preservation district, of any historic site, or of any scenic, historic or rural road within the City of Stamford shall be referred to the Commission for its review. This referral shall be made when the application for development or demolition is deemed complete or is scheduled for a hearing, whichever occurs sooner. Failure to refer the application as required shall not invalidate any hearing or proceeding. The Commission may provide its advice, which shall be conveyed through its delegation of one (1) of its members or staff to testify orally at the hearing on the application and to explain any written report which may have been submitted.

B.

It shall be the policy of the City of Stamford and its boards, commissions and departments to give priority to the preservation of the city's historic architecture and character. All boards, commissions and departments of the city, including but not limited to those dealing with planning, zoning, transportation, health and safety, shall consider historic and architectural significance and preservation when making decisions concerning whether and how properties and adjacent infrastructure should be rehabilitated, mothballed, maintained, or demolished, including decisions concerning to whom dispositions of property will be made. Properties owned by the City of Stamford shall not be excluded. Demolition shall be treated as an alternative of last resort and shall be utilized only when other reasonable alternatives do not exist.