Establishment of Historic Districts; Landmark/Sites-Landmark/Sites includes individual properties.
(a) Initiating an Historic District Landmark/Site/Nomination: A recommendation for establishing an historic district; landmark/site may be initiated from either of the following two sources:
(1) Based on its survey, the Committee may prepare and submit in accordance with this chapter, historic district; landmark/sites nominations for Council approval. Such nominations shall first be submitted to the Planning Commission for its review and comment. For the purpose of this chapter, no building/site may be nominated for inclusion in a district or as a historic site unless the owner of that building/site has been notified and given opportunity to review and comment on said nomination. Any owner objecting to an individual site nomination will submit such objection by certified letter to the Committee. Any objection to designation as a Historic District must include objections by fifty-one percent (51%) of all owners affected in said district with a certified letter outlining the objections sent by the owners to the Committee.
(2) Owners of property in fee simple wishing to establishing an historic district; landmark/site which includes their property may petition the Committee to consider designating said property to be processed as in subsection (a)(1) above.
(b) Preparation of Local Historic District; Landmark/Sites Nominations: In order to establish a local historic district, landmark/site, the Committee shall prepare or order to have prepared by the individual(s) petitioning the Committee as in subsection (a)(2) above a nomination describing said district or landmark/site and shall consist of two (2) parts:
(1) Physical description and
(2) A description of historic significance.
(c) Approval of Nominations of Local Historic Districts, Landmark/Sites: Before a local historic district, landmark/site is established and the building classifications take effect, the nomination setting forth its boundaries and building classifications must be submitted to, and approved in an ordinance by the Council. The procedure for doing so shall be as follows:
(1) In accordance with subsection (b) hereof, the Committee must take official action deciding whether or not to submit a nomination to Council for its approval.
(2) Prior to taking action at a meeting, the Committee shall hold a public hearing to allow public comment. A public hearing may be held separately or in conjunction with the meeting where action on the district is to occur.
(3) A public hearing held by the Committee for the purpose of allowing comment on a proposed historic district, landmark/site designation shall be preceded by public notice printed twenty (20) days prior to the hearing.
(4) Before submitting a nomination to Council, the Committee shall first submit it to the Planning Commission for its review and comment.
(d) Local Historic District, Landmark/Site Criteria: A local historic district, landmark/site shall not be established unless the proposed nomination includes groups of buildings, structures, sites, monuments, streetscapes, or neighborhoods which meet at least one of the following criteria:
(1) Historic:
A. Has significant character, interest, or value as part of the development, heritage, or cultural characteristics of the City, State, Nation; or is associated with the life of a person significant in the past; or,
B. Is the site of a historic event with a significant effect upon society; or,
C. Exemplifies the cultural, political, economic, social, or historic heritage of the community; or,
D. Has significant archaeological value as part of the community’s heritage.
(2) Architecturally worthy:
A. Portrays the environment in an era of history characterized by a distinctive architectural style; or,
B. Embodies those distinguishing characteristics of an architectural or engineering type; or,
C. Is the work of a designer whose individual work has significantly influenced the development of the community; or,
D. Is the work of a designer of such prominence that such work gains its value from the designer’s reputation; or,
E. Contains elements of design detail, materials, or craftsmanship which represent a significant innovation; or,
F. Contains any architectural style, detail, or other element in danger of becoming extinct; or,
G. Owing to its unique location or physical characteristics, represents an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood or the City.
(e) National Register Nomination: In the event of a National Register nomination in Fremont initiated by a private individual, the Committee will review the documentation and submit a recommendation on the eligibility of the proposed property(s) for the National Register to the State Historical Preservation Office within thirty (30) days.
(Ord. 2010-3527. Passed 6-17-10.)