A.  The historic preservation district or landmarks commission shall hold a public hearing upon each application for a certificate of appropriateness affecting property under its control except in those instances where the commission has determined that the application for a certificate of appropriateness is not a substantive change and further that the commission has determined the certificate complies with standards adopted by said commission.  Notice of the time and place of said hearing shall be given by publication in the form of a legal advertisement appearing in the official journal of the governmental unit or in a newspaper having general circulation in the area served by the governmental unit, provided it has one, at least seven days before such hearing, and by the posting of such notice on or near the main entrance of any hall or room where the commission usually meets.  

B.  Within not more than forty-five days after the filing of an application the commission shall pass upon it, giving consideration to the factors set forth in La. Rev. Stat. 25:757(A) and (B), and shall give written notice of its decision to the applicant setting forth the reasons therefor.  Evidence of approval shall be by certificate of appropriateness issued by the commission, and whatever its decision, notice in writing shall be given to the applicant.  The commission shall keep a record of all applications for certificates of appropriateness and of all its doings under this Part.  

C.  No building permit shall be authorized by the governing body which affects a site or structure in the historic preservation district or a designated landmark without a certificate of appropriateness except as otherwise permitted by the governing authority.  

D.  The commission shall have the right to make such recommendations for changes and modifications as it may deem to be necessary in order to enable the applicant to meet with its requirements.  

Acts 1974, No. 273, §10.