The Historic District Commission is authorized and empowered to undertake such actions reasonably necessary to the discharge and conduct of its duties and responsibilities:
(A) To recommend to the Planning Board, districts or areas to be designated by ordinance as "historic districts."
(B) To recommend to the Planning Board that designation of any district or area as a historic district be revoked or removed.
(C) To consider and approve or deny applications for Certificates of Appropriateness (COA) for major work.
(D) To give advice to property owners concerning the treatment of the historical and visual characteristics of their properties located within a district, such as color schemes, gardens and landscape features, and minor decorative elements.
(E) To propose to the City Council changes to this subchapter or any related ordinance and to propose new ordinances or laws relating to a historic district or relating to the total program for the development of the historical resources of the city and its environs.
(F) To cooperate with other city boards or commissions or other governmental units; to offer or request assistance, aid, guidance or advice concerning matters under its purview of mutual interest.
(G) To publish information about, or otherwise inform the owners of properties within a district of any matters pertinent to its duties, organization, procedures, responsibilities, functions or requirements.
(H) To undertake programs of information, research or analysis relating to any matters under its purview.
(I) To report violations of this subchapter or related ordinances to the local official responsible for enforcement.
(J) To assist city staff in obtaining the services of private consultants to aid in carrying out programs of research or analysis.
(K) To recommend to the City Council and the state districts worthy of national, state or local recognition.
(L) To initiate and participate in negotiations with owners and other parties in an effort to find means of preserving buildings scheduled for demolition.
(M) To establish guidelines under which the Director may approve certificates of appropriateness for minor work. No application shall be denied without first being considered by the commission.
(N) To conduct hearings on applications for certificates of appropriateness.
(O) To organize itself and conduct its business by whatever legal means it deems proper.
(P) To exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as are required elsewhere by this subchapter, the General Statutes of North Carolina or the City Council.
(Ord. O-2022-34, passed 4-12-22)