(A) Purpose and duties. The purpose and duties of the Commission include:
(1) Project approvals. To review and act upon the appropriateness of proposals for alterations, demolitions or new construction within historic districts or to historic landmarks;
(2) Historic resources inventory. To undertake an inventory of properties of historical, prehistorical, architectural, and/or cultural significance;
(3) Historic district and landmark designation. To recommend to the City Council areas to be designated by ordinance as "Historic Districts"; and individual structures, buildings, sites, area or objects to be designated by ordinance as "Landmarks;"
(4) Historic property acquisition. To acquire by any lawful means the fee or any lesser included interest, including the option to purchase properties within an established district or any property designated as a landmark;
(5) Negotiation. To negotiate at any time with the owner of a building, site, area or object for its acquisition or preservation;
(6) Historic property protection. To restore, preserve and operate historic properties;
(7) Revocation of designation. To recommend to the City Council that the designation of any area as a historic district or part thereof, or designation of any building, structure, site, area or object as a landmark, be revoked or removed for cause;
(8) Public outreach. To conduct an educational program with respect to historic properties and districts within its jurisdiction;
(9) Intergovernmental partnerships. To cooperate with state, federal, and local governments in pursuance of purposes of this part. The City Council may authorize the Commission to contract with state and federal governments or any agency of either, or with any other organization provided the terms are not inconsistent with state and federal law; and
(10) Comprehensive planning. To prepare and recommend the official adoption of a preservation element of the city's Comprehensive Plan.
(B) Membership.
(1) A Historic District Commission for the City of Goldsboro is hereby created. The Historic District Commission shall consist of seven regular members, two alternate members, and two ex-officio members. The members at the time of appointment shall reside within the planning and zoning jurisdiction of the city. The members of the Historic District Commission shall be qualified by special interest, knowledge, or training in such fields as architecture, construction, or historic preservation. Alternate members, when acting on the Historic District Commission, shall have all the same powers and duties as the member for which they substitute.
(2) Two ex-officio members shall serve as follows:
(a) The Mayor or one member of the City Council; and
(b) An at-large member appointed by the City Council.
(C) Staff services. The Planning Director or his designee shall serve as Secretary to this body.
(Ord. 2018-8, passed 2-19-18; Am. Ord. 2021-39, passed 12-20-21)