Chapter 2.95
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Sections:
2.95.010 Established.
There is hereby established a city of Sumner historic preservation commission, consisting of seven members, as provided in SMC 2.95.020(B). Members of the city of Sumner historic preservation commission shall be appointed by the mayor and approved by the city council and shall be residents of the city of Sumner, except as provided in SMC 2.95.020(B). (Ord. 2389 § 1, 2012: Ord. 2275 § 1 (part), 2008)
2.95.020 Membership.
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 two professionals who have experience in identifying, evaluating, and protecting historic resources and are selected from among the disciplines of architecture, history, architectural history, planning, prehistoric and historic archaeology, folklore, cultural anthropology, curation, conservation, and landscape architecture, or related disciplines. The commission will also include a representative of the Sumner Downtown Association. 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 or the downtown association representative, 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 city council in order to obtain representatives from these disciplines.
C. In making appointments, the mayor may consider names submitted from any source, but the mayor shall notify local history and historic redevelopment related organizations and business associations 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. (Ord. 2389 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2275 § 1 (part), 2008)
2.95.030 Terms of office.
The initial appointments shall be one member to a one-year term; two members to two-year terms; and two members to three-year terms. Each appointment thereafter shall serve a four-year term. In the event of a vacancy of any position originally appointed by the mayor, the mayor shall appoint a successor for the unexpired portion of the term with confirmation by the city council. (Ord. 2275 § 1 (part), 2008)
2.95.040 Powers and duties.
The major responsibility of the historic preservation commission is to identify and actively encourage the conservation of the city of Sumner’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 of Sumner’s history and historic resources; and to serve as the city’s primary internal 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 of Sumner and known as the Sumner Historic Register, 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 Sumner Historic Register. 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 of Sumner and encourage efforts by owners to maintain, rehabilitate, and preserve properties.
C. Review nominations to the Sumner Historic Register according to criteria in SMC 18.39.060 and adopt standards in its rules to be used to guide this review.
D. Review proposals to construct, change, alter, modify, remodel, move, or significantly affect properties or districts on the register as provided in SMC 18.39.100; and adopt standards in its rules to be used to guide this review and the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness.
E. 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.
F. 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.
G. Participate in, promote and conduct public information, educational and interpretive programs pertaining to historic and prehistoric resources.
H. Establish liaison support, communication and cooperation with federal, state, and other local government entities which will further historic preservation objectives, including public education, within the Sumner area.
I. 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 of Sumner, other neighboring communities, Pierce County, the state or federal governments, as they relate to historic resources of the city of Sumner.
J. Advise the city council and the mayor generally on matters of Sumner history and historic preservation.
K. Perform other related functions assigned to the commission by the city council or the chief local elected official.
L. 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.
M. 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.
N. Be informed about and provide information to the public and city of Sumner departments on incentives for preservation of historic resources including legislation, regulations and codes which encourage the use and adaptive reuse of historic properties.
O. Review nominations to the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
P. 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 of Sumner.
Q. Serve as the local review board for special property tax 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.
R. The commission shall adopt rules of procedure to address subsections C, D, F, and Q, inclusive, of this section. (Ord. 2275 § 1 (part), 2008)
2.95.050 Compensation.
All members shall serve without compensation. (Ord. 2275 § 1 (part), 2008)
2.95.060 Rules and officers.
The commission shall establish and adopt its own rules of procedure, and shall select from among its membership a chairperson and such other officers as may be necessary to conduct the commission’s business. (Ord. 2275 § 1 (part), 2008)
2.95.070 Commission staff.
Commission and professional staff assistance shall be provided by the Sumner historic preservation commission with additional assistance and information to be provided by other city of Sumner departments as may be necessary to aid the commission in carrying out its duties and responsibilities under this chapter. (Ord. 2275 § 1 (part), 2008)