20F.50.45 Landmark Commissions.

20F.50.45-010 Creation and Purpose.

(1) Two Commissions. A Redmond Landmark Commission and a Regional Landmark Commission are created to designate, provide additional incentives to, provide review of changes to and provide expertise on archeological and historic matters pertaining to properties qualifying for either a national, state, or local register status. The purpose of both the Redmond and Regional Landmark Commissions is the following:

(a) To promote the preservation of historic and archeological resources;

(b) To advise the Mayor and City Council on archeological and historic resources;

(d) To conduct hearings and decide applications for historic landmark demolitions, historic landmark moves, major alterations to historic landmarks, or excavations of archeological sites.

(2) Commission Roles. The Regional Landmark Commission shall be created to provide review over those properties listed as key historic landmarks and agreed upon through an interlocal agreement with King County. The Redmond Landmark Commission shall be created to provide review over any properties not covered through the King County interlocal agreement establishing Redmond’s use of the King County Landmark Commission as the Regional Landmark Commission. King County Code Chapter 20.62 shall govern the authority, duties, staffing, and procedural rules for the Regional Landmark Commission. (Ord. 2400; Ord. 2164)

20F.50.45-020 Authority and Duties.

(1) The Redmond Landmark Commission shall have the duty and authority over all properties not listed in the King County interlocal agreement for preservation services to:

(a) Review and approve, deny, or amend nominations to be listed on the Redmond Heritage Resources Register as a historic landmark.

(b) Review applications proposing demolition of historic landmarks, and either deny demolition in part or in whole or approve, or approve with conditions, and issue a Certificate of Appropriateness.

(c) When applicable, consider evidence of economic hardship during hearings on applications for demolition or moving of historic landmarks.

(d) Review applications proposing to move historic landmarks and to excavate archeological sites and deny or approve, or approve with conditions, in whole or in part the application and issue a Certificate of Appropriateness.

(e) Review applications proposing removal of a site or structure from the Redmond Heritage Resources Register and approve, approve with conditions, or deny the application.

(2) The Redmond Landmark Commission shall have additional reviewing and recommendation responsibilities related to historic or potentially historic properties, including reviewing applications for the City’s heritage restoration and preservation grant program.

(3) Decisions on applications for landmark designation and Certificates of Appropriateness shall be binding upon all parties. (Ord. 2400; Ord. 2164)

20F.50.45-030 Appointment and Composition.

(1) Regional Commission Special Member. One special member shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Redmond City Council to serve on the King County Landmark Commission as a voting member on all matters relating to or affecting designation, and Certificate of Appropriateness and incentives review for key historic landmarks listed in the King County interlocal agreement for preservation services.

(2) Redmond Appointment and Composition.

(a) Appointment. The Redmond Design Review Board together with two special members shall be empowered to act as the City of Redmond Landmark and Heritage Commission pursuant to other provisions of this chapter.

(b) Special Members. Two special members shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Redmond City Council to serve on the Redmond Landmark and Heritage Commission. One shall be the member appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Redmond City Council to serve as the special member on the King County Landmark Commission. At least one of the two members shall be a resident of the City. At least one of the two members shall have professional expertise in historic preservation. (Ord. 2400; Ord. 2164)

20F.50.45-040 Terms of Office.

The special members shall serve for a term of three years. The special members may not serve more than two consecutive terms. (Ord. 2400; Ord. 2164)

20F.50.45-050 Vacancies.

Vacancies shall be filled in the manner provided in RCDG 20F.50.45-030, Appointment and Composition, and RCDG 20F.50.45-040, Terms of Office. Special members appointed to fill unexpired terms shall serve the duration of the term. If the unexpired term is less than one year, it shall not be counted as a consecutive term. When a special member has two or more unexcused absences, the position shall be deemed vacant and a successor appointed. (Ord. 2400; Ord. 2164)

20F.50.45-060 Removal.

The special members may be removed for inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance. The Mayor or the City Council may initiate removal proceedings. A two-thirds vote of the City Council is required for removal for the reasons listed in this section. (Ord. 2400; Ord. 2164)

20F.50.45-070 Rules.

The Redmond Landmark and Heritage Commission shall adopt rules for the transaction of its business. The rules shall provide, but not be limited to, the date, time, place and format of regular meetings and hearings; a record of proceedings, reports, studies, findings, conclusions and recommendations; and election of a Commission Chair and Vice Chair to a one-year term each. The rules of the Redmond Landmark and Heritage Commission shall be approved by the City Council and included in an appendix to the Redmond Community Development Guide. (Ord. 2400; Ord. 2164)

20F.50.45-080 Staff Services.

The Administrator (Director of Planning and Community Development) or successor shall be responsible for the general administration of the Redmond Landmark and Heritage Commission and may request staff services from other City departments or outside agencies trained in preservation. (Ord. 2400; Ord. 2164)

20F.50.45-090 Conflict of Interest.

Members of the Commission shall disqualify themselves from involvement in Commission actions in which they have an interest. (Ord. 2400; Ord. 2164)

20F.50.45-100 Quorum and Voting.

(1) A majority of the appointed and qualified members with at least one of the two special members present shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, provided that at least five shall be required to constitute a quorum, excluding any disqualifications.

(2) 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. Any number less than a quorum shall be authorized to convene a meeting at the time set and to adjourn, recess or continue a regular meeting, a special meeting, or a public hearing to a date and time certain.

(3) An agenda or notice with the date, time, and place of the continued meeting shall be mailed to the owner of the property under consideration, interested persons of record and, for designation hearings, the person submitting the nomination. (Ord. 2400; Ord. 2164)