(A) Any property within the city may be designated as a landmark or landmark site and thus be covered by this article if the City Council determines, pursuant to procedures set forth in this section, that the property meets the following criteria:
(1) It exemplifies or reflects elements of the cultural, social, economic, engineering, political, or other heritage of the city;
(2) It has any special aesthetic or artistic interests or values;
(3) It is identified with any historic persons or important events in the history of the city, the state, Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory, or the nation in general;
(4) It embodies distinguished architectural characteristics which are valuable for a study of any period, style, or method of construction; or if it is a valuable example of the use of native or indigenous materials or craftsmanship; or
(5) It is representative of a notable work of a master builder, designer, or architect.
(B) Landmarks and landmark sites shall be designated in the following manner:
(1) Any owner of a proposed landmark or landmark site may request such designation by submitting an application to the Commission. In the event the Commission or the City Council believes such a designation to be appropriate, they may also initiate such proceedings before the Commission.
(2) The Commission shall conduct or cause to be conducted a written study of the proposed designation based on the criteria described in this section.
(3) The Commission shall schedule a public hearing for a date within 30 days of receipt of the study.
(4) Notice of the date, time and purpose thereof shall be in writing and shall be filed with the Planning Department and the City Clerk. At least 15 days prior to the date of the public hearing, notice of the date, time, and purpose thereof shall be given by mail to the property owner and advertised five consecutive days in a daily newspaper of general circulation.
(5) Within 60 days of the date of the public hearing, the Commission shall, in writing, make a recommendation to City Council, setting forth those findings of fact which constitute the basis for its decision.
(6) The City Council within 30 days of receipt of the recommendations of the Commission shall by ordinance approve the application or shall by motion disapprove it in its entirety.
(7) Notice of the Council’s decision to approve or deny the application for designation shall be given by mail to the property owner and published in a daily newspaper of general circulation.
(8) The city may effect the amendment or rescission of any designation of a landmark and landmark site in the same manner and procedure described in this article for designation.
(9) In the event any application for designation is denied by the city, no new application for such designation substantially in the form of the previous application which was denied shall be made within 12 months subsequent to the effective date of such denial, unless it can be shown that the conditions under which such denial was made have substantially changed. In the event any application for designation is approved by the city, no application for rescission will be considered within six months subsequent to the effective date of such approval.
(10) No permit for any alteration, demolition or relocation involving the property or properties in question shall be issued while the designation process is in progress. Nor shall such property or properties in question be afforded the privileges of designation until an ordinance has been approved by the City Council.
(Ord. 3075, passed 3-20-01)