Regardless of whether or not the standards set forth in Section 3.24.260 are met, the commission may approve a permit application to carry out alterations or construction on a landmark site, in an historic district or on a structure of merit site, if the applicant presents clear and convincing evidence to the commission that such disapproval will work immediate and substantial hardship because of conditions peculiar to the particular structure or feature involved, and that failure to disapprove the application will be consistent with the purposes of this chapter. If hardship is found to exist under this section, the commission shall make a written finding to that effect, and shall also specify in writing the facts relied upon in making such finding. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the commission from acting to modify or to suspend action on any application pursuant to Sections 3.24.220 through 3.24.250 hereof. (Ord. 5686-NS § 1 (part), 1985: Ord. 4694-NS § 6.2, 1974)