(A) The Historic District Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) Conducting a survey of historic buildings and areas and preparing a plan for their preservation;
(2) Recommending to the City Council the designation of historic districts and individual landmarks and landmark sites, but limited to, those as designated by the survey conducted for the National Register of Historic Places;
(3) Any rules and regulations necessary to carry out its functions under the provisions of this chapter shall be recommended by the Commission for approval by the Mayor and City Council;
(4) Promote public interest in the purposes of this chapter;
(5) Recommending to City Council written guidelines for making exterior changes to designated property and for undertaking new construction on designated property;
(6) The Commission shall be empowered to issue a certificate of appropriateness upon a majority vote of a quorum. It shall be signed by the Chairperson (or Vice-Chairperson) and Secretary;
(7) Regulating alterations visible to the public that are proposed for designated property; regulating demolitions, relocations and new construction involving designated property based on the guidelines set forth in this chapter;
(8) Working with and advising the federal state, and county governments and other parts of the city government;
(9) Advising and assisting property owners and other persons and groups including neighborhood organizations who are interested in historic preservation; and
(10) Encouraging and undertaking where necessary the publication of uniform and complementary maps, brochures and descriptive material about such landmarks, landmark sites and preservation districts and the placing of historical markers.
(B) The Commission may initiate and encourage plans for the preservation and rehabilitation of individual historic buildings. The Commission shall, on a regular basis, give recognition to owners and tenants who maintain or rehabilitate their historic buildings with care and thus contribute to the preservation of the history of the city.
(C) In making its survey of historic buildings and areas, the Commission shall conduct this work in accordance with the guidelines of the Kentucky Heritage Council. The Commission shall provide that its survey and preservation plan shall be maintained and continued. The Commission shall use the preservation plan to assist the city and county in their overall planning efforts.
(D) The Commission shall prepare comments on the relationship between LaGrange Historic Districts and landmarks and plans for redevelopment projects. These comments shall include suggestions on how to link the new and old buildings.
(E) The Commission shall adopt and make public rules for the transaction of its business and shall hold at least four public meetings annually and special public meetings when necessary. All meetings shall have a previously available agenda and shall comply with the Kentucky Open Meetings Statute, KRS 61.805. A majority of quorum of the membership shall be required for decisions involving historic buildings and areas.
(F) In the development of the Certified Local Government Program, the city may ask the Commission to perform other responsibilities that may be delegated to the city under the National Historic Preservation Act.
(Ord. 7-89, passed 7-3-1989)