Any building in the City of Kent fifty (50) years old or which becomes fifty (50) years old and has significant architectural features shall be considered eligible for designation as a Contributing Property or Local Historic Property and/or inclusion in a Historic Preservation District in accordance with the following:
(a) The Committee on Design and Preservation, with the consent of the owner of the property in question or majority of the property owners for a proposed district, [Each specific lot owner in a proposed district shall have one vote. A multiple property owner will get a vote for each lot they own in the proposed district.] may recommend property or districts within the City to Council for designation as a Contributing Property or Local Historic Property and, possibly, to be part of a Historic Preservation District. Any property owner, organization or interested individual may apply to the Committee for such designation. In determining whether or not to designate such place, building, structure, archaeological site, work of art or object as a historical listed property, the Committee shall consider the following criteria with respect to such item:
(1) Its character, interest or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the City, the State of Ohio or the United States.
(2) Its location as a site of a significant historic or archaeological event.
(3) Its identification with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the culture and development of the City.
(4) Its exemplification of the cultural, economic, social or historic heritage of the City.
(5) Its embodiment of distinguishing characteristic of an architectural type or specimen.
(6) Its identification as the work of an architect or master builder whose individual work has influenced the development of the City.
(7) Its embodiment of elements of architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship which represent a significant architectural innovation.
(8) Its relationship to other distinctive areas which are eligible for preservation according to a plan based on an historic, cultural or architectural motif.
(9) Its unique location or singular physical characteristic representing an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood, community or the City.
(10) Its status as either a Contributing or Noncontributing Property.
(b) Prior to designation, the Community Development Department shall notify, in writing, property owners of any proposed designation and/or proposed district(s), as appearing on the Portage County Auditor's current tax list, and hold a public hearing. Notification of such hearing shall be published at least ten (10) days in advance of such hearing, in paper of general circulation in the City. The Committee shall conduct the public hearing and shall provide a reasonable opportunity for all interested parties to express their opinions under such rules as the Committee may adopt for the purpose of governing the proceedings of the hearings.
(c) The Committee shall make a determination with respect to the proposed designation within thirty (30) days after the initial consideration of a completed application. The Committee shall set forth in its recommendations such findings of fact which constitute the basis for its decision and shall transmit the recommendation concerning the proposed designation to City Council.
(d) Within thirty (30) days after receiving the recommendation of the Committee on Design and Preservation, City Council shall render its decision regarding the proposed designation, giving due consideration to the findings and recommendations of the Committee on Design and Preservation, to the owner's written comments and to the public hearing comments.
(e) After a decision by the City Council, the Clerk of Council shall provide written notice to any owner or any person having a legal or equitable interest in the property. If the Council decides to designate a property as a Contributing Property or Local Historic Property and/or the creation of a Historic Preservation District, it shall transmit an ordinance implementing its designation and/or district creation to the Planning Commission for its consideration as a proposed amendment to the City Zoning Code. The Council will consider the adoption of the proposed ordinance in accordance with the statutory requirements governing proposed zoning code amendments. If the proposed ordinance is adopted, the Committee on Design and Preservation shall notify any appropriate county or state offices after a designation is approved. (Ord. 2012-21. Passed 2-15-12.)