(A) (1) There is hereby established the Historic Preservation Commission of the Town of Ellettsville, Indiana (hereinafter referred to as the Commission).
(2) The Commission shall consist of not less than three nor more than nine voting members. The voting members shall be appointed by the Council subject to the approval of the town and shall be residents of the town who are interested in the preservation and development of historic areas. The members of the Commission should include professionals in the disciplines of architectural history, planning, and other disciplines related to historic preservation, to the extent that those professionals are available in the community. Nonvoting, advisory member(s) may be appointed to the Commission by the Town Council. Commission members shall serve without compensation, except for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
(3) Voting members shall serve for a term of three years; however, the initial terms of members shall be for one year, two years, and three years in order for the terms to be staggered. The term for nonvoting, advisory members shall be for three years. A vacancy shall be filled within 90 days for the duration of the term.
(4) A Town administrator designated by the Council shall serve as the ex officio administrator of the Commission. The administrator shall provide staff assistance to the Commission, act as the Commissions secretary, and issue certificates of appropriateness as directed by the Commission.
(5) The Commission shall elect from its membership a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Treasurer who shall serve for one year and who may be re-elected.
(6) The Commission shall adopt rules consistent with this title for the transaction of its business. The rules must include the time and place of regular meetings and a procedure for the calling of special meetings.
(7) Commission meetings must be open to the public in accordance with Indianas Open Door Law and a public record shall be kept of the Commissions resolutions, proceedings, and actions. The Commission shall hold regular meetings, at least monthly, except when it has no business pending. Special meetings may be called in a manner determined by the Commission and its rules.
(Ord. 03-05, 880-10, passed 5-27-2003)
(B) (1) The Commission shall be concerned with those elements of development, redevelopment, rehabilitation, and preservation that affect visual quality in a historic district, which include but are not limited to viewsheds, landscapes, and streetscapes of historic importance. The Commission may not consider details of design, interior arrangements, or building features, if those details, arrangements, or features are not subject to public view, and may not make any requirement except for the purpose of preventing development, alteration, or demolition in the historic district obviously incongruous with the historic district.
(2) The Commission shall conduct surveys and establish historic districts in accordance with the provisions hereof.
(3) (a) The Commission may adopt preservation guidelines for architectural review.
(b) If adopted, preservation guidelines shall be published and made readily accessible to the general public.
(4) The Commission has the authority to receive funds in order to promote its stated purpose.
(5) The Commission shall promote public interest in historic preservation by initiating and carrying on a public relations and community education program.
(6) The Commission, through this chapter, may:
(a) Acquire by purchase, gift, grant, bequest, devise, or lease any real or personal property, including easements, that is appropriate for carrying out the purposes of the Commission;
(b) Hold title to real and personal property; and
(c) Sell, lease, rent, or otherwise dispose of real and personal property at a public or private sale on the terms and conditions that the Commission considers best.
(7) The Commission shall establish procedures that the Commission must follow in acquiring and disposing of property.
(Ord. 03-05, 880-15, passed 5-27-2003)