(A) The Historic Preservation Commission shall survey, identify, plan for and advise the Common Council and Plan Commission concerning the designation of local historic landmarks and districts.
(B) The Commission shall establish reasonable and just standards and procedures for the preservation and rehabilitation of historic landmarks and districts, including architectural treatment, site development requirements and maintenance provisions provided that the Commission shall adopt only those standards necessary for the purpose of preventing anything that is not in keeping with the intent of this chapter, and such standards shall only be applicable to the exterior features of historic landmarks and structures within a historic district.
(C) The Commission shall be concerned with those elements of development, redevelopment, rehabilitation and preservation that affect visual quality of a historic landmark or in a historic district. However, the Commission may not consider details of design, interior arrangements, or building features, if those details, arrangements or features, are not subject to public view, and may not make any requirement except for the purpose of preventing development, alteration or demolition of the historic landmark or in the historic district which is obviously incongruous with that historic landmark or district.
(D) The Commission shall conduct a survey to identify historic buildings, structures and places located within the city; however, neither the survey nor any other action of the Commission shall affect any property not located within the city limits.
(E) Based on its survey, the Commission shall submit to the Common Council a map describing the boundaries of an historic landmark or historic district or historic conservation district. The map may identify a primary area within an historic district.
(F) The Commission shall recommend the designation of local historic landmarks and districts on the basis of historic, architectural and cultural significance, educational value and suitability for preservation. Historic landmarks and districts shall be designated and established by the Common Council by ordinance.
(G) For the nomination of any local historic district, historic landmark or historic conservation district in the city, the Commission shall hold a public hearing for discussion and clarification of the local historic district or landmark designation. Notification of hearing date, time and place will be given to property owners and interested persons. A legal notice shall also occur by publication describing the nature of the hearing, the properties involved and the date, time and place of the hearing, and the fact that the nomination package and guidelines for the proposed designated landmark/district are on file for public inspection in the Department of Planning and Development. A first class letter will be sent to each property owner in the proposed district or the owner of the proposed landmark (ownership determined by records of the Township Assessor). In the letter, the preliminary draft of the proposed preservation guidelines will be included and the proposed designation will be explained.
(H) Owners of property in fee simple wishing to establish an historic district which includes their property may petition the Commission to consider drawing and submitting a map of said property to the Common Council for its approval. The Commission may establish in its rules criteria to be met before it considers a petition.
(I) The Commission shall also classify and designate on the map all buildings and structures within each historic district described on the map. Buildings and structures shall be classified as historic or non-historic, in the following manner:
(1) Historic buildings and structures must possess identified historic or architectural merit of a degree warranting their preservation. They may be further classified as:
(a) Outstanding;
(b) Notable;
(c) Contributing; or
(d) Non-contributing.
(2) Nonhistoric buildings and structures are those not classified on the map as historic.
(J) The Commission shall promote public interest in historic preservation by initiating and carrying on a public relations and community education program as financial means allow.
(K) The Commission may develop historic preservation plans for historic landmarks and districts and together with other public or private agencies or officials, assist in the administration and implementation of such plans.
(Prior Code, § 160.05) (Ord. 4769, passed 6-14-1982; Am. Ord. 4865, passed 12-12-1983; Am. Ord. 7099, passed 12-12-1988)