1. Purpose.
A. The City of Forest City would like to promote the educational, cultural, economic and general welfare of the public through the recognition, enhancement, and perpetuation of sites and districts of historical and cultural significance;
B. The City of Forest City would like to safeguard the City’s historic, aesthetic, and cultural heritage by preserving sites and districts of historic and cultural significance;
C. The City of Forest City would like to stabilize and improve property values;
D. The City of Forest City would like to foster pride in the legacy of beauty and achievements of the past;
E. The City of Forest City would like to protect and enhance the City’s attractions to tourists and visitors and the support and stimulus to business thereby provided;
F. The City of Forest City would like to strengthen the economy of the City;
G. The City of Forest City would like to promote the use of sites and districts of historic and cultural significance as places for the education, pleasure, and welfare of the people of this City.
2. Definitions.
A. “Commission” means the Forest City Historic Preservation Commission, as established by this chapter.
B. “Historic district” means an area which contains a significant portion of archaeological sites, buildings, structures and/or other improvements which, considered as a whole, possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association, and:
(1) Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represents the work of a master or that possesses high artistic values, or that represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or
(2) Is associated with events that have made significant contributions to the broad patterns of our local, State or national history; or
(3) Possesses a coherent and distinctive visual character or integrity based upon similarity of scale, design, color, setting, workmanship, materials, or combinations thereof, which is deemed to add significantly to the value and attractiveness of properties within such area.
(4) Is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or
(5) Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.
C. “Historic site” means an archaeological site, structure or building which:
(1) Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or
(2) Is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or
(3) Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represents a work of a master, or that possesses high artistic values, or that represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or
(4) Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.
3. Forest City Historic Preservation Commission.
A. The Commission shall initially consist of five (5) members who shall be residents of the City.
B. Members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council. Members shall demonstrate a positive interest in historic preservation, possessing interest or expertise in architecture, architectural history, historic preservation, City planning, building rehabilitation, conservation in general or real estate.
C. The original appointment of the members of the Commission shall be three for two years, and two for three years, from January 1, following the year of such appointment or until their successor is appointed to service for the term of three years.
D. Vacancies occurring in the Commission, other than expiration of term of office, shall be only for the unexpired portion of the term of the member replaced.
E. Members may serve for more than one term and each member shall serve until the appointment of a successor.
F. Vacancies shall be filed by the City according to the original selection as aforesaid.
G. Members shall serve without compensation.
H. A simple majority of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
I. The Commission shall elect a Chairman who shall preside over all Commission meetings and elect a Secretary who shall be responsible for maintaining written records of the Commission’s proceedings.
J. The Commission shall meet a least three (3) times a year.
4. Powers of Commission.
A. The Commission may conduct studies for the identification and designation of historic districts and sites meeting the definitions established by this section. The Commission may proceed at its own initiative or upon a petition from any person, group, or association. The Commission shall maintain records of all studies and inventories for public use.
B. The Commission may make a recommendation to the State Historic Preservation Officer for the listing of a historic district or site in the National Register of Historic Places and may conduct a public hearing thereon.
C. The Commission may investigate and recommend to the City Council the adoption of ordinances designating historic sites and historic districts if they qualify as defined herein.
D. Other Powers. In addition to those duties and powers specified above, the Commission may, with City Council approval:
(1) Accept unconditional gifts and donations of real and personal property, including money, for the purpose of historic preservation.
(2) Acquire by purchase, bequest, or donation, fee and lesser interest in historic properties, including properties adjacent to or associated with historic properties.
(3) Preserve, restore, maintain and operate historic properties, under the ownership or control of the Commission.
(4) Lease, sell, and otherwise transfer or dispose of historic properties subject to rights of public access and other covenants and in a manner that will preserve the property.
(5) Contract, with the approval of the governing body, with the State or the Federal government or other organizations.
(6) Cooperate with the Federal, State and local governments in the pursuance of the objectives of historic preservation.
(7) Provide information for the purpose of historic preservation to the governing body.
(8) Promote and conduct an educational and interpretive program on historic properties within its jurisdiction.
(Section 165.43 - Ord. 738 – Dec. 13 Supp.)
EDITOR’S NOTE | |||
The following ordinances, not codified herein, which amend the Official Zoning Map as described in Section 165.04, have been adopted and are specifically saved from repeal and are in full force and effect. | |||
ORDINANCE | ADOPTED | ORDINANCE | ADOPTED |
EDITOR’S NOTE | |||
The following ordinances, not codified herein, which amend the Official Zoning Map as described in Section 165.04, have been adopted and are specifically saved from repeal and are in full force and effect. | |||
ORDINANCE | ADOPTED | ORDINANCE | ADOPTED |
480 (Official Zoning Map) | August 16, 1993 | ||
533 | September 16, 1996 | ||
577 | October 4, 1999 | ||
583 | February 21, 2000 | ||
602 | June 18, 2001 | ||
624 | September 15, 2003 | ||
631 | February 2, 2004 | ||
638 | August 2, 2004 | ||
647 | April 26, 2005 | ||
673 | November 6, 2006 | ||
727 | September 4, 2012 | ||
735 | March 18, 2013 | ||
821 | December 6, 2021 | ||
841 | October 16, 2023 | ||