Chapter 2.17
PLANNING AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Sections:
2.17.010 Duties.
There is hereby established a Roslyn planning and historic preservation commission that shall serve as an advisory body to the mayor and city council and shall exercise such decision making authority as may be assigned or delegated by the mayor and city council.
A. The primary responsibilities of the planning and historic preservation commission include:
1. Serve as an advisory body to the mayor and city council;
2. Serve as the decision making body for Class 1A and Class 2 permits issued by the city;
3. Conduct open record public hearings on certain Class 2 and Class 3 permits issued by the city;
4. Make recommendations to the city council on certain Class 3 and Class 4 permits;
5. Make recommendations to the city council on proposed amendments to the comprehensive plan, development regulations, and official zoning map;
6. Conduct such public meetings and discussions as may be necessary to make a recommendation to the city council on proposed master planned developments in accordance with the provisions of this title; and
7. Actively document and encourage the preservation of the city’s historic character, development pattern, and resources.
B. In carrying out these responsibilities, the planning and historic preservation commission shall engage in the following:
1. Conduct and maintain a comprehensive inventory of historic resources within the boundaries of the city to be known as the Roslyn historic inventory, and publicize and periodically update the inventory;
2. Review and recommend nominations to the Roslyn register of historic places and recommend amendments or standards for adoption by the city council to be used to guide this review;
3. Periodically review and recommend for adoption by the city council standards to be used to guide the design, review and approval of proposals to construct, change, alter, modify, remodel, move, demolish or significantly affect properties on the Roslyn register of historic places and the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness or waiver;
4. Review and approve proposals to construct, change, alter, modify, remodel, move, demolish and significantly affect properties on the Roslyn register of historic places;
5. Issue certificates of appropriateness and waivers of certificates of appropriateness, and make exemption determinations for activities involving properties listed on the Roslyn register of historic places;
6. Promote public information, educational, and interpretive programs pertaining to historic resources and the maintenance and rehabilitation of historic properties and advise the mayor, city council, city departments, and the public on incentives and funding sources for historic resource preservation;
7. Establish liaison support, communication and cooperation with federal, state, and other local government entities in order to further historic preservation objectives, including providing information to the public on methods of maintaining and rehabilitating historic properties;
8. Advise the mayor and city council on land use, housing, historic preservation, and development;
9. Officially recognize excellence in the rehabilitation of historic buildings, structures, sites and districts, and new construction in historic districts; and encourage appropriate measures for such recognition;
10. Review and comment on nominations to the state and National Registers of Historic Places;
11. Serve as the local review board for the purpose of approving applications for special property tax valuation in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 84.26 RCW and entering into an agreement with the property owner for the duration of the special valuation during which time the review board monitors the property for continued qualification for the special valuation in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 84.26 RCW;
12. Perform other related functions assigned to the commission as may be assigned by the city council; and
13. Conduct all commission meetings in compliance with state and local laws including Chapter 42.30 RCW, Open Public Meetings Act, to provide for adequate public participation and adopt standards in its rules to guide this action. [Ord. 1070 § 3, 2011; Ord. 1060 §§ 5, 6, 2010; Ord. 1059 § 2 (Exh. A (12.290.010)), 2010. Formerly 18.290.010.]
2.17.020 Membership.
The Roslyn planning and historic preservation commission shall consist of five members appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council for a term of two years, and staggered in such a manner that the terms of three commissioners shall expire in even-numbered years and the terms of two commissioners shall expire in odd-numbered years; provided, that the mayor may increase the membership from time to time up to a maximum of seven members, with each additional member serving a two-year term.
Terms shall expire on the thirty-first day of December.
A. Members of the planning and historic preservation commission must have significant ties to the community either as a resident or as the operator of a business within the city limits of Roslyn; provided, that:
1. In order to meet the requirement set forth in subsection C of this section, up to two members of the commission may be nonresidents or nonbusiness operators of Roslyn.
B. All members of the planning and historic preservation commission must have a demonstrated interest and competence in land use planning and/or historic preservation and possess qualities of impartiality and broad judgment.
C. The planning and historic preservation commission shall include at least two professionals who have experience in identifying, evaluating, and protecting historic resources and are selected from among the disciplines of history, architecture, architectural history, historic preservation, planning, cultural anthropology, archaeology, cultural geography, American studies, and law. 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. Furthermore, exception to the residency requirement of commission members may be granted by the mayor and city council in order to obtain representatives from these disciplines.
D. In making appointments, the mayor may consider names submitted from any source, but the mayor shall notify history- and 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. No person holding any city office shall be a member of the planning and historic preservation commission.
F. Members may be removed by the mayor, with the approval of the majority of the city council, for neglect of duty, misfeasance of office, or for being absent for three consecutive meetings without approval of the chairperson of the planning and historic preservation commission. [Ord. 1164 § 1, 2019; Ord. 1070 §§ 1, 3, 2011; Ord. 1060 §§ 5, 6, 2010; Ord. 1059 § 2 (Exh. A (12.290.020)), 2010. Formerly 18.290.020.]
2.17.030 Officers.
The planning and historic preservation commission shall establish and adopt their own rules of procedure and bylaws, subject to city council review and approval, and shall select from among its membership a chairperson and such other officers as may be necessary to conduct the commission’s business.
A. All members shall serve without compensation, except that reimbursement expenses may be paid in accordance with established city policies.
B. Staff support shall be provided to the commission by city staff as directed by the mayor in accordance with the approved city budget.
C. All meetings of the commission and any subcommittees that may be established shall be scheduled and conducted as public meetings in accordance with their approved bylaws; provided, that:
1. The mayor or his or her designee may schedule, subject to proper public notice, special meetings of the planning and historic preservation commission in order to address matters of interest in a timely manner. [Ord. 1070 § 3, 2011; Ord. 1060 §§ 5, 6, 2010; Ord. 1059 § 2 (Exh. A (12.290.030)), 2010. Formerly 18.290.030.]
2.17.040 Quorum.
A quorum of the planning and historic preservation commission shall be required in order to take official action. A quorum shall not be required to adjourn or continue a meeting. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the members currently seated on the commission but shall never be less than three members. The chairperson is included in the quorum count. Should a member recuse themselves from participation on a matter before the commission, that member may be included in the quorum count. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions in RCW 42.36.090 shall still apply. To take action on any item shall require a majority or three members, whichever is more. [Ord. 1070 §§ 2, 3, 2011. Formerly 18.290.040.]