As used in this Division, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them as follows:
     “Alteration”. Any act or process that changes one or more historic, architectural or physical features of an area, site, landscape, place or structure, including, but not limited to, the erection, construction, reconstruction, or removal of any structure; the expansion or significant modification of agricultural activities; surface mining; and clearing, grading or other modification of an area, site or landscape that changes its current or natural condition.
     “Architectural significance”. Embodying the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, style or method of construction or use of indigenous construction, or representing the work of an important builder, designer, architect, or craftsman who has contributed to the development of the community, county, State or country.
     “Archaeological significance”. Importance as an area, site, place or landscape that has yielded or is likely to yield information concerning past patterns of human settlement, or artifacts or information concerning previous cultures in Illinois or previous periods of the present culture. Areas, sites or landscapes of archaeological significance may include, but are not limited to, aboriginal mounds, forts, earthworks, burial grounds, historic or prehistoric ruins, locations of villages, mine excavations or tailings, or other locations.
     “Building”. Any structure designed or constructed for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural or other use.
     “Certificate of Appropriateness”. A certificate issued by a preservation commission indicating its approval of plans for alteration, construction, demolition, or removal affecting a nominated or designated landmark or property within a nominated or designated preservation district.
     “Certificate of Economic Hardship”. A certificate issued by a Preservation Commission authorizing an alteration, construction, removal or demolition even though a Certificate of Appropriateness has previously been denied or may be denied.
     “Commissioners”. Members of a Preservation Commission.
     “Conservation Right”. A term that includes easements, covenants, deed restrictions or any other type of less than full fee simple interest as that term is defined in Section 1 of “An Act relating to conservation rights in real property”, approved September 12, 1977, as amended.
     “Construction”. The act of adding an addition to a structure or the erection of a new principal or accessory structure on a lot or property.
     “Demolition”. Any act or process which destroys in part or in whole a landmark or a building or structure within a preservation district.
     “Design Criteria”. A standard of appropriate activity that will preserve the historic, architectural, scenic or aesthetic character of a landmark or preservation district.
     “Development Rights”. The development rights of a landmark or of a property within a preservation district as defined in § 11-48.2-1A of the Illinois Municipal Code.
     “Development Rights Bank”. A reserve for the deposit of development rights as defined in § 11-48.2-1A of the Illinois Municipal Code.
     “Exterior Architectural Appearance”. The architectural character and general composition of the exterior of a building or structure, including but not limited to the kind, color and texture of the building material and the type, design and character of all windows, doors, light fixtures, signs and appurtenant elements.
     “Historic Significance”. Character, interest or value as part of the development, heritage, or culture of the community, county, State or country; as the location of an important local, county, State or national event; or through identification with a person or persons who made important contributions to the development of the community, county, State or country.
     “Landmark”. A property or structure designated as a “Landmark” by ordinance of a county board, pursuant to procedures prescribed herein, which is worthy of rehabilitation, restoration, or preservation because of its historic or scenic or architectural significance.
     “Landscape”. A natural feature or group of natural features such as, but not limited to, valleys, rivers, lakes, marshes, swamps, forests, woods, or hills; or a combination of natural features and buildings, structures, objects, cultivated fields, or orchards in a predominantly rural setting.
     “Object”. Any tangible thing, including any items of personal property, including, but not limited to, wagons, boats, and farm machinery, that may be easily moved or removed from real property.
     “Owner of Record”. The person or corporation or other legal entity in whose name the property appears on the records of the County Recorder.
     “Preservation District”. An area designated as a “preservation district” by ordinance of a county board and which may contain within definable geographic boundaries one or more landmarks and which may have within its boundaries other properties, areas, sites, landscapes or structures which, while not of such historic or architectural or scenic significance to be designated as landmarks, nevertheless contribute to the overall visual characteristics of the landmark or landmarks located within the district.
     “Preservation Ordinance”. An ordinance enacted by a county board pursuant to this Division that provides for the nomination, designation, and protection of landmarks or preservation districts, and that contains, at a minimum, the elements required by Section 5-30009.
     “Removal”. Any relocation of a structure, object or artifact on its site or to another site.
     “Repair”. Any change that is not construction, alteration, demolition, or removal and is necessary or useful for continuing normal maintenance and upkeep.
     “Scenic Significance”. Importance as a result of appearance or character that remains relatively unchanged from and embodies the essential appearance related to a culture from an earlier historic or prehistoric period; as a result of a unique location, appearance, or physical character that creates an established or familiar vista or visual feature; or as a geologic or natural feature associated with the development, heritage or culture of the community, county, State or nation.
     “Site”. The traditional, documented or legendary location of an event, occurrence, action or structure significant in the life or lives of a person, persons, group, or tribe, including but not limited to, cemeteries, burial grounds, campsites, battlefields, settlements, estates, gardens, groves, river crossings, routes, trails, caves, quarries, mines or significant trees or other plant life.
     “Structure”. Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires permanent or temporary location on or in the ground, including (but without limiting the generality of the foregoing) barns, smokehouses, advertising signs, billboards, backstops for tennis courts, bridges, fences, pergolas, gazebos, radio and television antennae, solar collectors, microwave antennae, including supporting towers, roads, ruins or remnants (including foundations), swimming pools or walkways.
     “Survey”. The systematic gathering of information on the architectural, historical, scenic, and archaeological significance of buildings, sites, structures, areas, or landscapes through visual assessment in the field and historical research, for the purpose of identifying landmarks or districts worthy of preservation.