(A) Creation and appointment. The Historic Properties Commission (HPC) shall consist of five regular members and two alternate members appointed by the Board of Commissioners. All members must reside in Harnett County within the jurisdiction of the HPC, which shall include the area wherein the county and municipalities which adopt this section have authority for planning and regulation of development. The regular members of the HPC should represent each of the five Board of Commissioners’ districts, but the Board of Commissioners may select no more than two qualified candidates from the same district. Alternate members shall be at-large members; however, both alternates shall not reside in the same district unless the Board of Commissioners do not receive qualified candidates from different districts.
(1) Representation of jurisdiction. In making appointments to the HPC, the Board of Commissioners shall strive to appoint members geographically representing all areas of the HPC's territorial jurisdiction, including but not limited to, participating municipalities. The provisions of this section shall apply to the unincorporated areas of the county as specifically identified and delineated on the zoning map identified as The Official Zoning Map of Harnett County, North Carolina. In establishing the HPC and making appointments to it, the Board of Commissioners shall seek the advice of state or local historical agencies, societies, or organizations as it may deem necessary. The HPC may appoint advisory bodies and committees as appropriate.
(B) Membership.
(1) Qualification of members. A majority of the members of the HPC shall have demonstrated special interest, experience, or education in history, architecture, archaeology, or related fields.
(2) Terms. HPC members shall serve overlapping terms of three years, and until their successors have been appointed. Initially, the Board of Commissioners shall appoint three regular members to a full term of three years and appoint two regular members to a two-year term. Alternate members shall be appointed to three-year terms. Thereafter, the Board of Commissioners shall appoint members to three-year terms. Any vacancy during the unexpired term of a member of the HPC shall be filled in accordance with the rules of procedure for the Board of Commissioners.
(3) Rules of procedure. The HPC shall adopt rules of procedure necessary to the conduct of its affairs and in keeping with the provisions of this section. The rules of procedure adopted by the HPC shall at least provide for the selection of its officers, the time and place of its regular meetings and the calling of special meetings, the procedures for the conduct of public hearings, the conduct of voting, the forms to be used in applying for and issuing or denying certificates of appropriateness, and a list of minor works for which the Harnett County Planning Department may issue certificates of appropriateness. These rules and procedures shall be kept on file in the County Planning Department Office.
(C) Powers and duties. The HPC is authorized and empowered to undertake such actions reasonably necessary to the discharge and conduct of its duties and responsibilities as outlined in this ordinance and the state general statutes, including but not limited to the following:
(1) Undertake an inventory of properties of historical, prehistorical, architectural, archaeological, and/or cultural significance.
(2) Recommend to the Board of Commissioners individual buildings, structures, sites, areas, or objects within its zoning jurisdiction to be designated by designation resolution as “historic landmarks,” and areas within its zoning jurisdiction to be designated by designation resolution as “historic districts.”
(3) Recommend to the Board of Commissioners that designation of any area as a historic district or part thereof, or of any building, structure, site, area, or object as a historic landmark, be revoked or removed for cause.
(4) Review and act upon proposals for alteration or demolition of designated landmarks and for alteration, demolition, or new construction within historic districts, pursuant to this section.
(5) Conduct educational programs on historic landmarks and districts within the county.
(6) Cooperate with state, federal and local governments in pursuing the purposes of this section. The Board of Commissioners or the HPC when authorized by the Board of Commissioners may contract with the state, or the United States of America, or any agency of either, or with any other organization, provided the terms are not inconsistent with state or federal law.
(7) Prepare and recommend the official adoption of a historic preservation element as part of the county's comprehensive plan, at the request of the Board of Commissioners.
(8) Acquire by any lawful means the fee or any lesser included interest, including options to purchase, to any historic landmarks, land to which historic buildings or structures may be moved, or properties located within historic districts; hold, manage, preserve, restore, and improve the interest; and exchange or dispose of the interest by public or private sale, lease, or otherwise, subject to covenants or other legally binding restrictions which will secure appropriate rights of public access and promote the preservation of the property. All lands, buildings, structures, sites, areas, or objects acquired by funds appropriated by the HPC, Board of Commissioners, or other county agency shall be acquired in the name of the Harnett County unless otherwise provided by the Board of Commissioners.
(9) Restore, preserve, and operate such historic properties.
(10) Enter, at reasonable times, upon private property designated as a historic landmark, within a historic district or under review for such designation and make examinations or surveys as necessary to the performance of its official duties. The HPC shall make a good faith attempt to notify the property owner(s) or his or her duly authorized agent prior to entry.
(11) Negotiate at any time with the owner(s) of a building, structure, site, area or object for its acquisition or its preservation, when such action is reasonably necessary and appropriate.
(Ord. passed 10-17-2011; Ord. 2023-27, passed 12-18-2023)