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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2035 Historic Preservation ProgramORDINANCE NO. 2035 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AN HISTORIC PRESER- VATION PROGRAM IN THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND TO PROMOTE THE PRESERVATION OF HISTORIC PLACES, STRUCTURES AND OBJECTS, CREATING AN HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION, REVIEWING AND ADVISING THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL IN MATTERS CONCERNING HISTORIC RESOURCES WHEREAS, The recognition, enhancement, perpetuation and continued use of the buildings, sites, districts, structures and objects of historical significance within the City of Port Townsend is necessary in the interest of civic pride and the prosperity and general welfare of the City's inhabitants. WHEREAS, Such historic assets are an integral part of the heritage, education and economic base of the City of Port Townsend; and, the economic, cultural and aesthetic standing of the City can only be maintained and enhanced by regard for its heritage and by maintenance of its cultural assets. WHEREAS, The purpose of this ordinance is therefore to provide for the identification, enhancement, perpetuation and use of historic resources within the City of Port Townsend in order to: 1. Safeguard the heritage of the City as represented by those sites, buildings, districts, structures and objects which reflect significant elements of the City's history. 2. Strengthen the economic vitality of the City of Port Townsend by promoting the stabilization and improvement of property values in historic areas, and by encouraging new buildings and developments that will be harmonious .with existing historic buildings and areas. 3. Foster civic and neighborhood pride in the beauty and accomplishments of the past, and a sense of identity based on the City's history. 4. Protect and enhance the City's ability to attract tourists and visitors, thereby stimulating the local economy. ~. Assist, encourage and ~rovide incentives to~pr~a~e ~ ~ ~ °~S~for preservation, restoration, redevelopment and use of outstanding historic buildings, districts, neighbors, streets, structures, objects and sites. -1- 6. Promote and facilitate the early identification and resolution of conflicts between the preservation of historic resources and alternative land uses. 7. Conserve valuable material and energy resources by ongoing use and maintenance of the existing built environment, and WHEREAS, Chapter 449, Washington State Laws of 1985, declares that it is in the public interest to encourage mainten- ance, improvement, and preservation of privately-owned historic landmarks, and to achieve this end provides for a local review board with duties to include determining that properties are eligible historic properties and entering into a maintenance covenant with the owner for the duration of the special valua- tion, now therefore: THE CITY COUNCIL DF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, IN REGULAR SESSION ASSEMBLED, DO'ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. commissi~n~ crea..t~d There' is hereby established a Port Townsend Historic Preservation COmmiSsion, hereinafter referred to as "the Commission". Section 2. commission Members: Selection, Terms, Rules, Officer's Meetings a. The Port Townsend Historic Preservation Commission shall consist .of seven (7) members. Members of the Port Townsend Historic PreServation Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council and shall be residents of the City of Port Townsend, except as otherwise provided in this ordin- ance. The members of the commission shall include but not be limited to members of history or preservation-~related organiza- tions such as historical societies, museums, heritage groups, neighborhood organizations and civic groups involved in histor- ical and architectural development of the city, as well as members of professional bodies such as architects, historians, attorneys, realtors, and financiers. b. The commission shall always include at least one (1) architect or design professional, one (1) member of the real estate profession, one (1) historian with background in local Ameri6~h~'t~rY~.h~ ~-~°tection or an art historian with background in the history of art and architecture, and one (1) member of an historic preservation organization. An exception to the residency requirements of Commission members may be granted by the Mayor and City Council in order to obtain -2- representatives from these disciplines. The temporary vacancy of one or more of these four positions shall not render invalid any commission action that would otherwise be valid had the vacancy not existed. All members of the Commission must have demonstrated interest in and knowledge of the historical or architectural development of the city. In making appointment, the Mayor may consider names submitted from any source, but the Mayor shall notify history and city development related organi- zations of vacancies so that names of interested and qualified individuals may be submitted by such organizations for consider- ation along with names from any other source. c. ~9~rm~_~f.O~fic~e The original appointment of members to the Commission shall be as follows: three (3) members for two (2) years; two(2) members for three(3) years; and two (2) members for four (4) years. -Thereafter, appointments shall be made for a three (3) year term. VaCancies shall be filled by the Mayor for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. d. Rul~s~and O~ficDrs In accordance with WAC 25-15-050, the Commission shall establish and adopt its own rules of procedure, and shall select from among its membership a chairperson and such other officers as may be necessary to conduct the Commission's business. e. ~ The Commission shall hold at least one annual meeting between November 1 and December 31st and any other number of meetings throughout the year as required to fulfill the duties of the Commission. All meetings shall be held and conducted in accordance with the State Open Public Meetings Act, RCW 42.30, as now or hereafter amended. ~ec.tio~ 3~. Powers and Duties of Commission The Commission shall have the following powers and duties: 1. Serve as the local review board to exercise the functions and duties as defined and authorized pursuant to Chapter 449, Washington State Laws of 1985, and Washington Administrative 2. Be informed about and provide information to the public on incentives for preservation of historic resources. 3. Review and comment upon the conduct and regula- tion of land use, development, and municipal improvements within the historic district. -3- ~.~ 4. Make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council upon request on matters of city history and historic preservation. 5. Such other duties as directed by the City Council by ordinance. Section 4,. E~.igibl.e.~Property~ For the purposes of historic property tax valuation authorized as a duty of the Commission under Section 3.1 of this ordinance, the class of eligible property is: A) Property within the city's C-iii zoning district, and B) Property within that area nominated to the National Register of Historic Places and defined therein as pivotal, primary, secondary, altered historic, or recent comparable. Section 5. Severa~i~.ity If any term or provision of this ordinance is held invalid or unenforceable for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of the ordinance shall not be affected thereby but shall continue in full force and effect. Section .6 .... Ef~fe~_tive ~te This Ordinance shall take effect upon its passage, approval and publication in the form and manner required by law. Read for the first~, second and third times, passed by the City Council for the City on April 15, 1986, and approved by the Mayor on April 16, 1986. Attest: David Grove, City Clerk Appr~ed as to foW: Keith C. ~a~per, City Atto~hey MAYOR BRENT SHIRU -4-