The Commission is authorized and empowered to undertake such actions reasonably necessary to the discharge and conduct of its duties and responsibilities as outlined in this chapter and the N.C. General Statutes, including but not limited to the following:
(A) Undertake an inventory of properties of historical, prehistorical, architectural, archaeological and/or cultural significance;
(B) Seek and secure funding and assistance as necessary and desirable to complete the inventory of properties of historical, prehistorical, architectural, archaeological and/or cultural significance;
(C) Recommend to the county and any municipalities which have adopted this chapter individual buildings, structures, sites, areas or objects within the respective zoning jurisdiction to be designated as historic landmarks, and areas within the respective zoning jurisdiction to be designated as historic district;
(D) Recommend to the county and any municipalities which have adopted this chapter proposed ordinances regarding historic landmarks, historic districts and amendments to the same, as requested by the Board of Commissioners or by the governing board of the municipalities. It is anticipated that each of the counties and any municipalities which have adopted this chapter may, due to their unique characters and natures, have different ordinances regarding historic landmarks and historic districts, with differing degrees of protection of the same, and any recommendations from the Resources Commission shall be guided by the Board of Commissioners or by the governing board of the municipalities;
(E) Recommend to the county and any municipalities which have adopted this chapter that designation of any area as a historic district or part thereof, or of any building, structure, site, area or object as a historic landmark, be revoked or removed for cause;
(F) Review and act upon proposals for alteration or demolition of designated landmarks and for alteration, demolition or new construction within historic districts, pursuant to this chapter;
(G) Report violations of this chapter, or other ordinances affecting historic landmarks and properties within historic districts, to the local official responsible for enforcing this chapter;
(H) Act as, establish or designate a group, body or committee to give advice to owners of historic landmarks or property within a historic district concerning the treatment of the historical and visual characteristics of their property, such as color schemes, gardens and landscape features, minor decorative elements, and for the informal review of major additions and new construction;
(I) Conduct an educational program on historic landmarks and district within the county;
(J) Publish information, or otherwise inform the public about any matters pertinent to its purview, duties, organization, procedures, responsibilities, functions or requirements;
(K) Cooperate with state, federal and local governments in pursuing the purposes of this chapter. The local governing body or the Commission when authorized by the appropriate local governing body may contract with the state, the United States of America, or any agency of either, or with any other organization, provided the terms are not inconsistent with state or federal law;
(L) Communicate with other boards or commissions in Henderson County or with agencies of the county or other governmental units to offer or request assistance, aid, guidance or advice concerning matters under its purview or of mutual interest;
(M) Prepare and recommend the official adoption of a historic preservation element as part of the county’s comprehensive plan and a municipality’s comprehensive plan, at the request of the local governing body;
(N) Accept funds to be used for preservation purposes that are granted to the Commission by private individuals, organizations and local governing bodies;
(O) Act as the appeal board from decisions of the staff of Henderson County or of any municipality which has adopted this chapter regarding the enforcement of any ordinance of Henderson County or of any municipality which designates the Resources Commission as its appeal board. For any appeals arising from within any such municipality heard by any committee or subcommittee of the Resources Commission, the Resources Commissioner residing in the municipality shall be a member of the committee or subcommittee determining the appeal; and
(P) Organize itself and conduct its business, including any meetings or hearings necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
(Ord. O-05-8, passed 11-14-2005)