§ 12.3. Building appearance, structure completion, and personal construction authority.

1.

Residential zones. In residential zones, after 25 percent of the lots and frontage on the side of the street on any block where the proposed improvement is contemplated have been improved by the erection on the residences thereon, if one-half or more of the residences built in any such block are of a certain type and style, the remainder of the residences built in any such block and to be constructed, altered, relocated, or repaired in such block shall be of a substantially similar type and style so that new or altered buildings will be in harmony with the character of the neighborhood. Nothing herein shall prevent the upgrading of any residential block by installing an exterior finish having fire or weather resistance which is greater than the minimum herein required or by constructing in such block a residence having floor area greater than the average area of residences in such block; provided, however, such type and style shall be such as not to impair or destroy property values in the block.

2.

Nonresidential zones. In any case where a building or accessory building in a nonresidential district is erected or placed within 200 feet of the front lot line of any parcel of land fronting upon any public street, the front walls of said building or accessory building within said distance of 200 feet shall be constructed of stone, face brick or other ornamental materials approved by the planning commission consistent with neighboring property, and no building so situated shall be constructed of tarred paper, tin, corrugated iron, or any form of pressed board or felt or similar material within the limits herein specified, nor shall any occupant of such premises be permitted to place open stock, scrap, or junk piles within said 200 feet unless the same shall be obscured from view from the street by the existence of a building, solid wall, earth berm, or evergreen screen sufficient to properly obscure the same from view from the street.

3.

Building completion period. All structures shall be completed within one year of the issue date of the building permit for such structure, unless an extension for not more than one additional year is granted for good cause by the building official. When a part of the building is ready for occupancy, a temporary occupancy permit may be issued, provided that the premises complies with health and fire standards required under this Ordinance, or any other ordinance, regulation, or statute.

4.

Personal construction authority. Nothing in this Ordinance shall be construed as prohibiting an owner, tenant, occupant, or land contract vendee from doing his or her own building, altering, plumbing, electrical installations, etc., provided the minimum requirements of the Electrical and Plumbing Codes of the State of Michigan, and the applicable County Health Department regulations are complied with.