Chapter 14.12
LANDMARK DESIGNATION AND PRESERVATION
Sections:
14.12.010 Purpose.
14.12.020 Landmarks commission authorized.
14.12.030 Definitions.
14.12.040 Designation criteria.
14.12.050 Designation procedure.
14.12.060 Certificate of appropriateness procedure.
14.12.070 Adoption by reference.
14.12.080 Nomination approval.
14.12.090 Appeal procedure.
14.12.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to designate, preserve, protect, enhance, and perpetuate those sites, buildings, districts, structures, and objects which reflect significant elements of the city of Kent’s cultural, ethnic, social, economic, political, architectural, aesthetic, archaeological, engineering, historic, and other heritage; to foster civic pride in the beauty and accomplishments of the past; to stabilize and improve the economic values and vitality of landmarks; to protect and enhance the city of Kent tourist industry by promoting heritage-related tourism; to promote, assist, encourage, and provide incentives to public and private owners to preserve, restore, rehabilitate, and use landmark buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects to serve the purposes of this chapter; and to provide the framework for the implementation of an interlocal agreement between King County and the city of Kent relating to landmark designation and protection services.
(Ord. No. 3809, § 1, 9-5-06)
14.12.020 Landmarks commission authorized.
A. Landmarks commission. The King County landmarks and heritage commission, established pursuant to Chapter 20.62 of the King County Code, is hereby designated and empowered to act as the landmarks commission for the city of Kent pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
B. Public hearings – Rules and regulations. The landmarks commission shall not conduct any public hearings required by this chapter with respect to properties located within the city of Kent until its rules and regulations, including procedures consistent with this chapter, have been filed with the city clerk.
C. Special member appointment. The mayor shall, subject to confirmation by the city council, appoint one (1) individual to act as a special member of the King County landmarks and heritage commission as provided for in King County Code Section 20.62.030. The special member shall have a demonstrated interest and competence in historic preservation. The special member shall be appointed for a three (3) year term. Each special member shall serve until his or her successor is duly appointed and confirmed. In the event of a vacancy, an appointment shall be made to fill the vacancy in the same manner and with the same qualifications as if such appointment were made at the beginning of the term, and the person appointed to fill the vacancy shall hold the position for the remainder of the unexpired term. A special member may be reappointed but may not serve more than two (2) consecutive three (3) year terms. A special member shall be deemed to have served one (1) full term if that special member resigns at any time after appointment or if that special member serves more than two (2) years of an unexpired term. Special members shall serve without compensation except for out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with commission meetings or programs. The city of Kent shall reimburse such expenses incurred by the special member.
(Ord. No. 3809, § 1, 9-5-06)
14.12.030 Definitions.
The city council adopts by reference the definitions contained in King County Code Section 20.62.020, except as provided below:
A. Council is the Kent city council.
B. Manager shall be read to be the city chief administrative officer.
(Ord. No. 3809, § 1, 9-5-06)
14.12.040 Designation criteria.
The designation criteria for landmarks as contained in King County Code Section 20.62.040 is hereby adopted by reference for the designation criteria of landmarks within the city of Kent.
(Ord. No. 3809, § 1, 9-5-06)
14.12.050 Designation procedure.
The designation procedure for landmarks as contained in King County Code Section 20.62.070 is hereby adopted by reference for the designation procedure of landmarks within the city of Kent.
(Ord. No. 3809, § 1, 9-5-06)
14.12.060 Certificate of appropriateness procedure.
The certificate of appropriateness procedure for landmarks as contained in King County Code Section 20.62.080 is hereby adopted by reference for the city of Kent, except for the last sentence of King County Code Section 20.62.080(a).
(Ord. No. 3809, § 1, 9-5-06)
14.12.070 Adoption by reference.
The following sections in Chapter 20.62 of the King County Code are adopted by this reference:
A. Nomination procedure. King County Code Section 20.62.050.
B. Evaluation of economic impact. King County Code Section 20.62.100.
C. Penalty for violation. King County Code Section 20.62.130.
D. Special valuation for historic properties. King County Code Section 20.62.140.
(Ord. No. 3809, § 1, 9-5-06)
14.12.080 Nomination approval.
No historic resource may proceed through the nomination procedure of King County Code Section 20.62.050 until such time as the Kent city council has approved the historic resource for nomination. A minimum of four (4) council members must vote in favor in order that the resource be eligible for nomination. Said approval by the council is a condition precedent to any nomination procedure.
(Ord. No. 3809, § 1, 9-5-06)
14.12.090 Appeal procedure.
A. A party of record aggrieved by a decision of the commission designating or rejecting a nomination for designation of a landmark, or issuing or denying a certificate of appropriateness may, within fourteen (14) calendar days of mailing of notice of such decision, appeal such decision in writing to the hearing examiner. The written notice of appeal shall be filed with the historic preservation officer and the city clerk. The written notice of appeal shall be accompanied by a statement that includes the items required in KCC 12.01.195(E) for similar closed record appeals.
B. The appeal to the hearing examiner shall be a “closed record appeal,” as that term is used in Ch. 12.01 KCC.
C. If, after the closed record appeal hearing, the hearing examiner determines:
1. An error in fact was made by the commission, the hearing examiner shall remand the proceeding to the commission for reconsideration; or
2. The decision of the commission is based on an error in judgment or conclusion, the hearing examiner may modify or reverse the decision of the commission.
D. The hearing examiner’s final decision shall include findings of fact and conclusions from the record which support the decision. The hearing examiner may adopt all or portions of the commission’s findings and conclusions.
E. The decision of the hearing examiner shall be final unless within twenty-one (21) calendar days from the date of issuance of the decision an appeal is filed in King County superior court.
(Ord. No. 3809, § 1, 9-5-06)