§ 125-123. Interested parties.

(a)

An interested party means one of the following:

(1)

The mayor of the city.

(2)

The common council.

(3)

The historic preservation commission of the city.

(4)

A neighborhood association, whether incorporated or unincorporated, a majority of whose members are residents of a historic district under this chapter.

(5)

An owner or occupant owning or occupying property in an historic district or conservation district established by an ordinance adopted under this chapter.

(6)

Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, Inc., or any of its successors.

(7)

The state historic preservation officer designated under IC 14-21-1, as may be amended from time to time.

(b)

Every interested party has a private right of action to enforce and prevent violation of a provision of this chapter or an ordinance adopted by a unit under this chapter, and with respect to any building, structure or site within an historic district, has the right to restrain, enjoin, or enforce by restraining order of injunction, temporarily or permanently, any person from violating a provision of this chapter or an ordinance adopted by a unit under this chapter.

(c)

The interested party does not have to allege or prove irreparable harm or injury to any person or property to obtain relief under this section.

(d)

The interested party bringing an action under this section does not have to post bond unless the court, after a hearing, determines that a bond should be required in the interest of justice.

(e)

The interested party that brings an action under this section is not liable to any person for damages resulting from bringing or prosecuting the action unless the action was brought without good faith or without a reasonable belief that a provision of this chapter, or an ordinance adopted by a unit under this chapter, had been, or was about to be violated or breached.

(f)

An interested party who obtains a favorable judgment in an action under this section may recover reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs from the person against whom judgment was rendered.

(g)

An action arising under this section must be brought in the circuit or superior court of the county in which the historic district lies and no change of venue from the county shall be allowed in the action.

(h)

The remedy provided in this section is in addition to other remedies that may be available at law or in equity.

(Code 1985, § 160.30; Ord. No. 3793, 12-6-1993; Ord. No. 4343, 11-16-1998)