Chapter 2.27
OKANOGAN HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Sections:
2.27.020 Composition of the commission.
2.27.070 Rules of procedure – Records and reports.
2.27.100 Register of historic places.
2.27.010 Established – Size.
There is hereby established an Okanogan historic preservation commission, consisting of seven members, as provided in OMC 2.27.020. Members of the Okanogan historic preservation commission shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council and shall be residents of the city, except as provided in OMC 2.27.020(B). (Ord. 1016 § 2, 2006)
2.27.020 Composition of the commission.
A. All members of the commission must have a demonstrated interest and competence in historic preservation and possess qualities of impartiality and broad judgment.
B. The commission shall always include at least five professionals who have experience in identifying, evaluating, and protecting historic resources and are selected from among the disciplines of architecture, history, planning, archaeology, curation, conservation, construction, and landscape architecture, or related disciplines. The commission action that would otherwise be valid shall not be rendered invalid by the temporary vacancy of one or all of the professional positions, unless the commission action is related to meeting certified local government (CLG) responsibilities cited in the certification agreement between the mayor and the State Historic Preservation Officer on behalf of the state. Furthermore, exception to the residency requirement of commission members may be granted by the mayor and confirmed by the city council in order to obtain representatives from these disciplines.
C. At least one seat on the commission shall be reserved for a landowner within the areas included in the historic district to ensure local representation is maintained.
D. In making appointments, the mayor may consider names submitted from any source, but the mayor shall notify history and city development related organizations of vacancies so that names of interested and qualified individuals may be submitted by such organizations for consideration along with names from any other source.
E. Members shall be selected without respect to political affiliation. (Ord. 1016 § 2, 2006)
2.27.030 Terms.
The original appointment of members to the commission shall be as follows: three for two years, two for three years, and two for four years. Thereafter, appointments shall be made for a three-year term.
A. Vacancies shall be filled by the mayor with the confirmation of the city council for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.
B. Members may be removed, after a public hearing, by the mayor, with the confirmation of the city council, for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. (Ord. 1016 § 2, 2006)
2.27.040 Quorum.
A. The presence of four members of the historic preservation commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Any action taken by a majority of those present when those present constitute a quorum, at any regular or special meeting of the commission, shall be deemed and taken as the action of the commission.
B. Prior to the creation of a confirmed quorum, the planning commission shall serve in the capacity of and bear the responsibilities, powers and duties of the historic preservation commission. (Ord. 1016 § 2, 2006)
2.27.050 Powers and duties.
The major responsibility of the historic preservation commission is to identify and actively encourage the conservation of the city’s historic resources by initiating and maintaining a register of historic places and reviewing proposed changes to register properties; to raise community awareness of the city’s history and historic resources; and to serve as the city’s primary resource in matters of history, historic planning, and preservation.
In carrying out these responsibilities, the historic preservation commission shall engage in the following:
A. Conduct and maintain a comprehensive inventory of historic resources within the boundaries of the city known as the Okanogan historic inventory, and publicize and periodically update inventory results. Properties listed on the inventory shall be recorded on official zoning records with an “HI” (for historic inventory designation). This designation shall not change or modify the underlying zone classification.
B. Initiate and maintain the city of Okanogan register of historic places. This official register shall be compiled of buildings, structures, sites, objects, and districts identified by the commission as having historic significance worthy of recognition and protection by the city and encouragement of efforts by owners to maintain, rehabilitate, and preserve properties.
C. Review nominations to the city of Okanogan register of historic places according to criteria in OMC 2.27.100 and adopt standards in its rules to be used to guide this review.
D. Review proposals to construct, change, alter, modify, remodel, move, demolish, or significantly affect properties or districts on the register as provided in subsection A of this section; and adopt standards in its rules to be used to guide this review and the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness or waiver.
E. Review petitions to establish, change, alter, modify, retract and/or reduce the territories designated and regulations pertaining thereto of historic zoning as provided in Article II of Chapter 18.54 OMC; and adopt standards in its rules to be used to guide this review and the issuance of an opinion to the planning commission and/or the city council.
F. Review proposals at pre-application phase and provide guidance to prospective applicants or in the normal course of application review to construct, change, alter, modify, remodel, move, demolish, or significantly affect facades and/or streetscapes of properties within districts designated with historic zoning as provided in Article II of Chapter 18.54 OMC; and adopt standards in its rules to be used to guide this review and the issuance of a zoning opinion of concurrence, with or without condition(s) applied thereto or the recommendation of rejection of the application thereof.
G. Provide for the review either by the commission or its staff of all applications for approvals, permits, environmental assessments or impact statements, and other similar documents pertaining to identified historic resources or adjacent properties.
H. Conduct all commission meetings in compliance with Chapter 42.30 RCW, Open Public Meetings Act, to provide for adequate public participation and adopt standards in its rules to guide this action.
I. Participate in, promote and conduct public information, educational and interpretive programs pertaining to historic and prehistoric resources.
J. Establish liaison support, communication and cooperation with federal, tribal, state, and other local government entities which will further historic preservation objectives, including public education, within the city area.
K. Review and comment to the city council on land use, housing and redevelopment, municipal improvement and other types of planning and programs undertaken by any agency of the city, other neighboring communities, the county, the state or federal governments, as they relate to historic resources of the city.
L. Advise the city council and the mayor generally on matters of city history and historic preservation.
M. Perform other related functions assigned to the commission by the city council or the mayor.
N. Provide information to the public on methods of maintaining and rehabilitating historic properties. This may take the form of pamphlets, newsletters, workshops, or similar activities.
O. Officially recognize excellence in the rehabilitation of historic buildings, structures, sites and districts, and new construction in historic areas; and encourage appropriate measures for such recognition.
P. Be informed about and provide information to the public and city departments on incentives for preservation of historic resources including legislation, regulations and codes which encourage the use and adaptive reuse of historic properties.
Q. Review nominations to the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
R. Investigate and report to the city council on the use of various federal, state, local or private funding sources available to promote historic resource preservation in the city.
S. Provide technical assistance and guidance as appropriate to the building official with respect to developing minimum standards, specifications and work necessary for protecting further decay of a historic structure pursuant to the issuance of an abatement order under Chapter 18.116 OMC.
T. Serve as the local review board for special valuation and:
1. Make determination concerning the eligibility of historic properties for special valuation;
2. Verify that the improvements are consistent with the Washington State Advisory Council’s Standards for Rehabilitation and Maintenance;
3. Enter into agreements with property owners for the duration of the special valuation period as required under WAC 254-20-070(2);
4. Approve or deny applications for special valuation;
5. Monitor the property for continued compliance with the agreement and statutory eligibility requirements during the 10-year special valuation period; and
6. Adopt bylaws and/or administrative rules and comply with all other local review board responsibilities identified in Chapter 84.26 RCW.
U. The commission shall adopt rules of procedure to address subsections C, D, F, and T, inclusive, of this section. (Ord. 1016 § 2, 2006)
2.27.060 Compensation.
All members shall serve without compensation. (Ord. 1016 § 2, 2006)
2.27.070 Rules of procedure – Records and reports.
The commission shall establish and adopt its own rules of procedure, not inconsistent with other provisions of the city code, and keep records of its proceedings, findings, actions and the vote of each member. The commission, at or before its first regular meeting in February of each year, shall make a full report in writing to the city council of its transactions and expenditures, if any, for the preceding year, with such general recommendations as to matters covered by its prescribed duties and authority. (Ord. 1016 § 2, 2006)
2.27.080 Officers.
The commission shall appoint from among its membership a chairperson and such other officers as may be necessary to conduct the commission’s business. The commission may designate one of its members to act as secretary without salary, or if requested by the commission, the mayor shall designate a member of the paid staff of the city to serve as such secretary, who shall serve without additional compensation. (Ord. 1016 § 2, 2006)
2.27.090 Commission staff.
Commission professional staff assistance shall be provided by the city with additional assistance and information to be provided by the planning commission as may be necessary to aid the commission in carrying out its duties and responsibilities under this chapter. (Ord. 1016 § 2, 2006)
2.27.100 Register of historic places.
A property or group of properties may be included in the city of Okanogan register of historic places if:
A. The building, site, structure or object is at least 50 years old. If newer, the resource should have documented exceptional significance;
B. The resource has a high to medium level of integrity, i.e., it should retain important character-defining features from its historic period of construction;
C. The building, site, structure or object has significant character, interest, or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the city, or portrays the environment in an era of history characterized by a distinctive architectural style;
D. The building, site, structure or object embodies those distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type; or
E. The building, site, structure or object represents an established and familiar visual feature of the neighborhood in which it is located. (Ord. 1016 § 2, 2006)