Chapter 18.60
HISTORIC REGISTER DESIGN REVIEW
Sections:
18.60.030 Historic register design review standards.
18.60.040 Roslyn register of historic places.
18.60.050 Review and monitoring of properties for special valuation.
18.60.010 Purpose.
It is the intent of the city of Roslyn to encourage and support the designation of properties on the Roslyn register of historic places and to assist property owners in their efforts to maintain historic properties. This chapter sets forth specific standards for preservation of properties listed on the Roslyn register of historic places.
A. A complete list of properties listed on the Roslyn register may be obtained by contacting the Roslyn city administrative offices.
B. Properties may be added to the Roslyn register of historic places in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. [Ord. 1192 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022; Ord. 1060 §§ 5, 6, 2010; Ord. 1059 § 2 (Exh. A (12.60.010)), 2010.]
18.60.020 Applicability.
Any proposed modification, addition, alteration, moving or demolition of a property listed on the Roslyn register of historic places as well as the construction, erection, repair or replacement of a deck, the construction of a covered patio and all associated landscaping, and clearing and grading activities on a property listed on the Roslyn register of historic places shall be subject to historic register design review as specified, unless specifically exempted.
A. Certificate of Appropriateness. All development activities involving properties listed on the Roslyn register of historic places shall be subject to historic register design review, and must receive a certificate of appropriateness and all other city permits and approvals that may be required in accordance with the provisions of this title, prior to initiating any construction-related activities, unless specifically exempted or granted a waiver.
1. Applications for certificates of appropriateness or waivers shall be processed as Class 1A permits.
2. Prospective applicants for historic register design review shall schedule and participate in a preapplication conference in accordance with the provisions of this title.
3. It is the intent of the city to integrate the historic register design review process with the process for reviewing associated permits and approvals. The planning official shall notify the project sponsor of the procedures and timing for the integration of the required historic register design review.
4. The planning official shall notify applicants of the historic register design review requirements and report any application for a permit to work on a property on the Roslyn register of historic places to the planning and historic preservation commission.
5. The city staff, in consultation with the planning and historic preservation commission and city consultants as appropriate, shall determine whether a proposed activity is exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
6. The city shall not issue any permits involving properties on the Roslyn register of historic places until an exemption determination, a certificate of appropriateness, or a waiver of certificate of appropriateness has been issued.
B. Waiver of Certificate of Appropriateness. Proposed demolition activities involving properties listed on the Roslyn register of historic places must receive a waiver from the certificate of appropriateness from the planning and historic preservation commission through a Class 1A review before a demolition permit may be issued; provided, that:
1. Requests for demolition must be submitted and considered in conjunction with all associated permits and approvals that may be required by the city.
C. The following activities are exempt from historic register design review and do not require a certificate of appropriateness or review by the planning and historic preservation commission:
1. Ordinary repair and maintenance which includes painting and work for which a permit issued by the city of Roslyn is not required by law, and where the purpose and effect of such work is to correct any deterioration or decay of or damage to the real property or structure appurtenance therein and to restore the same, as nearly as may be practical, to the condition prior to the occurrence of such deterioration, decay or damage.
2. Emergency repairs to prevent destruction or dilapidation to listed properties immediately threatened or damaged by fire, flood, earthquake, or other disaster. Within seven days of the emergency repair, the person or agency undertaking the repair shall report the activity to the planning official. The planning official may require submittal of a Class 1A certificate of appropriateness application to the planning and historic preservation commission to review the repair. [Ord. 1192 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022; Ord. 1073 § 6, 2011; Ord. 1060 §§ 5, 6, 2010; Ord. 1059 § 2 (Exh. A (12.60.020)), 2010.]
18.60.030 Historic register design review standards.
All development activities involving properties listed on the Roslyn register of historic places and proposals to construct historically accurate replicas shall comply with the document entitled “The City of Roslyn Standards and Guidelines for Preservation, Rehabilitation, Restoration, and Reconstruction of Historic Properties” as adopted or subsequently amended by the city council.
A. Properties designated to the Roslyn register of historic places shall be subject to the provisions set forth in this chapter, as well as the bulk, use, setback, and other controls of the zoning district in which they are located. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to be repealing, modifying, or waiving any zoning requirement, design standard, conditions of approval contained in an agreement for special property tax valuation, or the provisions of this title.
B. The planning and historic preservation commission shall consider the following criteria when evaluating applications for certificates of appropriateness:
1. Compliance with approved city standards.
2. Historic and architectural value and significance.
3. Architectural style.
4. Location on the lot.
5. Position of the structure in relation to a public way and visibility from a public place.
6. General design, arrangement, texture, material, color, and size of the exterior architectural features and the relationship of a building to others in the immediate neighborhood.
7. Relationship of a structure’s exterior architectural features to the recognized styles of early western architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
8. Compliance with the terms and conditions of approval of agreements for special property tax valuation, in accordance with the provisions of RMC 18.60.050. [Ord. 1192 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022; Ord. 1060 §§ 5, 6, 2010; Ord. 1059 § 2 (Exh. A (12.60.030)), 2010.]
18.60.040 Roslyn register of historic places.
A. It is the intent of the city to encourage property owners and residents to nominate properties for inclusion on the Roslyn register of historic places.
The planning and historic preservation commission shall conduct and maintain a comprehensive inventory of historic resources eligible for inclusion on the Roslyn register of historic places, to be known as the Roslyn historic inventory.
B. Designation Criteria. Any building, structure, site, object or subdistrict may be designated for inclusion in the Roslyn register of historic places if it is significantly associated with the history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or cultural heritage of the community; if it has integrity; if it is at least 50 years old, or is of lesser age and has exceptional importance; and if it falls in at least one of the following categories:
1. Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of national, state, or local history.
2. Embodies the distinctive architectural characteristics of a type, period, style, or method of design or construction, or represents a significant and distinguishable entry whose components may lack individual distinction.
3. Is an outstanding work of a designer, builder, or architect who has made a substantial contribution.
4. Exemplifies or reflects special elements of Roslyn’s cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering, or architectural history.
5. Is associated with the lives of persons significant in national, state or local history.
6. Has yielded or may be likely to yield important archaeological information related to history or prehistory.
7. Is a building or structure removed from its original location but which is significant primarily for architectural value, or which is the only surviving structure significantly associated with a historic person or event.
8. Is a birthplace or grave of a historical figure of outstanding importance and is the only surviving structure or site associated with the person.
9. Is a cemetery which derives its primary significance from age, from distinctive design features, or from association with historic events or cultural patterns.
10. Is a reconstructed building that has been executed in a historically accurate manner on the original site.
11. Is a creative and unique example of folk architecture and design created by persons not formally trained in the architectural or design professions, and which does not fit into formal architectural or historical categories.
C. Designation Process.
1. Buildings, structures, sites, objects, or subdistricts may be nominated for inclusion in the Roslyn register of historic places in a format prescribed by the city. This shall include, but is not limited to:
a. In the case of individual properties, the nomination shall include the description of all features – interior and exterior – and outbuildings which contribute to its designation.
b. In the case of subdistricts, the nomination shall include a description of the proposed boundaries of the subdistrict; the characteristics of the subdistrict which justify its designation; and a list of all properties including features, structures, sites, and objects which contribute to the designation of the subdistrict.
2. The planning and historic preservation commission shall consider the merits of the nomination, according to the criteria in this chapter and according to the nomination review standards and procedures in this title. If the planning and historic preservation commission finds that the nominated property is eligible for the Roslyn register of historic places, the commission shall make recommendation to the city council that the property be listed in the register with owner’s consent. The public, property owner(s) and the authors of the nomination, if different, and lessees, if any, shall be notified of the listing.
3. Properties listed on the Roslyn register of historic places shall:
a. Be designated on official zoning records with an “HR” (for historic register) designation. This designation shall not change or modify the underlying zone classification;
b. Have a notice of the listing recorded on the title for the property; and
c. Have a notice of the listing recorded with the county assessor’s office.
D. Effects of Listing on Register.
1. Listing on the Roslyn register of historic places is an honorary designation denoting significant association with the historic, archaeological, engineering or cultural heritage of the community. Properties are listed individually or as contributing properties to a historic district.
2. Prior to the commencement of any nonexempt activity on a register property, the project sponsor must request and receive a certificate of appropriateness. Violation of this rule may be grounds for the planning and historic preservation commission to review and recommend to the city council that the property be removed from the Roslyn register of historic places.
3. Prior to whole or partial demolition of a register property, the owner must request and receive a waiver of a certificate of appropriateness.
4. Properties listed on the register of historic places may be eligible for a special tax valuation on their rehabilitation.
E. Removal of Properties from Register. In the event that any property is no longer deemed appropriate for designation to the Roslyn register of historic places, the planning and historic preservation commission may recommend to the city council removal from such designation by the same procedure as provided for in establishing the designation. A property may be removed from the city of Roslyn register without the owner’s consent. [Ord. 1060 §§ 5, 6, 2010; Ord. 1059 § 2 (Exh. A (12.60.040)), 2010.]
18.60.050 Review and monitoring of properties for special valuation.
A. Properties eligible for special property tax valuation in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 84.26 RCW shall be limited to properties listed on the Roslyn register of historic places.
B. Applications for special property tax valuation in connection with substantial improvement of historic properties as defined in Chapter 84.26 RCW shall be processed as a Class 1A permit in accordance with the following procedures:
1. Upon approval, applications must be submitted to the Kittitas County assessor’s office no later than October 1st of the calendar year preceding the first assessment year for which the special valuation is requested.
2. The county assessor will forward applications for properties within the city of Roslyn to the city within 10 days of filing. The planning and historic preservation commission shall review applications for special valuation to determine if the property meets the following criteria and the requirements of Chapter 84.26 RCW:
a. The property is listed on the Roslyn register of historic places;
b. The property has been rehabilitated in full compliance with the regulations of the city of Roslyn at a cost which meets the definition set forth in RCW 84.26.020(2) within 24 months prior to the application for special valuation; and
c. The property is protected by an agreement between the owner and the city in accordance with the provisions of RCW 84.26.050(2).
3. The planning and historic preservation commission is authorized to examine the records of the applicant and is authorized to request additional information of the applicant in order to complete its review.
4. The planning and historic preservation commission shall approve an application based on a finding that:
a. The application meets state and local requirements; and
b. The property has not been altered in a way which adversely affects those elements which contribute to its designation; and
c. The owner(s) is willing to enter into an agreement with the city which requires the owner(s) for the 10-year period of classification to:
i. Monitor the property for its continued qualification for special valuation.
ii. Comply with rehabilitation plans and minimum standards of maintenance as defined in the agreement.
iii. Make the historic aspects of the property accessible to public view one day a year, if the property is not visible from the public right-of-way.
iv. Apply to the city for approval or denial of any demolition or alteration.
v. Comply with other provisions in the original agreement as may be appropriate.
5. The city shall notify the county assessor whether an application has been approved or denied by the planning and historic preservation commission prior to December 31st of the calendar year in which the application was submitted; provided, that:
a. Decisions of the planning and historic preservation commission may be appealed to Kittitas County superior court in accordance with the provisions of the Revised Code of Washington.
6. Once an agreement between an owner and the city has become effective pursuant to Chapter 84.26 RCW, there shall be no changes in standards of maintenance, public access, alteration, or report requirements, or any other provisions of the agreement during the period of the classification without the approval of all parties to the agreement. [Ord. 1192 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022; Ord. 1060 §§ 5, 6, 2010; Ord. 1059 § 2 (Exh. A (12.60.050)), 2010.]