HomeMy WebLinkAbout2773 Extending Special Tax Valuation Eligibility to Non-Residential Properties Listed on the Local Register of Historic PlacesOrdinance No. 2773
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AMENDING
CHAPTER 2.72.070 OF THE PORT TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE -
ELIGIBLE PROPERTY FOR SPECIAL TAX VALUATION - TO EXTEND
SPECIAL VALUATION ELIGIBILITY TO NON-RESIDENTIAL
PROPERTIES LISTED ON THE LOCAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC
PLACES
SECTION 1
FINDINGS
WHEREAS, the recognition, enhancement, perpetuation and continued use of 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; and
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; and
WHEREAS, the City Council established in 1986, by Ordinance 2035, a historic
preservation program in the City of Port Townsend and created the Port Townsend Historic
Preservation Commission (HPC) to further the goals and benefits of historic preservation; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has periodically amended the role of the HPC, whose duties
and responsibilities are found in Chapters 2.72, 17.30 and 17.80 of the Port Townsend Municipal
Code (PTMC). Such duties include review of Special Valuation tax program requests as specified
in PTMC 2.72.070; and
WHEREAS, certain additional amendments to PTMC Chapter 2.72.070 are warranted to
further assist, encourage and provide incentives to private owners for preservation, restoration,
redevelopment and use of outstanding historic buildings, structures and sites; and
WHEREAS, the responsible official has conducted environmental review of the proposed
municipal code text amendments under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), RCW 43.21C
and made a determination of non-significance and published notice of such in the official city
newspaper on August 2, 2000, for which the comment and appeal period ended on August 17,
2000. No SEPA comments or appeals were filed during this period; and
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WHEREAS, on June 29, 2000 and September 14, 2000 the Planning Commission held
public workshops on the proposed municipal code text amendment; and
WHEREAS, on October 12, 2000, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public
hearing on the proposed amendments during which presentations were made by staff and testimony
was sought from the public. At the conclusion of the October 12, 2000 public hearing the Planning
Commission recommended that the proposed amendments to PTMC Chapter 2.72 be approved;
and
WHEREAS, on December 4, 2000 the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on
the proposed amendments and voted to postpone action on the item for staff to provide additional
research and incorporate several council suggestions into a revised draft. The City Council further
conducted a series of workshops, held May 14, 2001, June 18, 2001 and July 9, 2001, to review the
results of staff's research, hear presentations from the County Assessor and others on Special
Valuation, and to provide BCD staff with additional direction. With the changes suggested by City
Council, the Council now find that adoption of the following amendments to the text of PTMC
Chapter 2.72.070 will further promote historic Preservation efforts in the City and should be
approved.
NOW, THEREFORE, based upon the foregoing FINDINGS, and based upon the record
before the Port Townsend Planning Commission and City Council, the City Council hereby ordains
as follows:
SECTION 2:
ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO
CHAPTER 2.72.070, HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE,
OF THE PORT TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE.
2.72.070 Eligible property for special tax valuation.
For the purposes of historic property tax valuation authorized as a duty of the committee under
PTMC 2.72.060(A), the class of eligible property is:
A. Property within the city's C-III zoning district; and
Until Port Townsend is certified as a Certified Local Government (CLG), the class of properties
eligible for special valuation shall be limited to those PrzpeXy within that area nominated to the
National Register of Historic Places and defined therein as pivotal, primary, secondary, altered
historic, or recent compatible. Once Port Townsend receives written notification that it is a
Certified Local Government, the class of properties eligible for special valuation shall be expanded
to those listed on the Local Register of Historic Places which are not residentially zoned properties;
however, a residentially zoned property which is legally operated as a bed & breakfast may seek
special valuation.
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SECTION 3
TRANSMITTAL TO OAHP
The City Clerk shall transmit a copy of this Ordinance to the State Office of Archeology and
Historic Preservation (OAHP) within 10 days of adoption of this ordinance.
SECTION 4
EFFECTIVE DATE
This ordinance shall take effect and be in force five days after the date of its publication in the
manner provided by law.
SECTION 5
SEVERABILITY
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part of this Ordinance or its application to any person
or circumstance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such
order or judgment shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the remainder of any part of
this ordinance. To this end, the provisions of each clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part of
this law are declared severable.
Read for the first, second, and third times and adopted by the City Council of the City of Port
Townsend, Washington, at a regular meeting thereof, held this 23rd day of July, 2001.
G~Masci, Mayor
Attest:
Pamela Kolacy, City Clerk
Approved as to Form:
John Watts, City Attorney
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