(A) Establishment and composition.
(1) There is hereby established a Board of Architectural Review. The Board shall consist of five members appointed by the mayor with the approval of the city. The members shall have demonstrated interest in urban planning and historic preservation, and at least two members shall have training or experience in the fields of real estate, architecture, construction, history, planning or related disciplines. The mayor shall appoint at least one member who owns property within the historic district.
(2) When one or two professional members are not available, the Mayor may appoint other persons interested in historic preservation to serve. When the Board reviews an issue that is normally evaluated by a professional member and that member is not represented on the Board, the Board shall seek expert advice before rendering its decision.
(3) Members of the Board shall serve without compensation.
(B) Terms of office.
(1) The terms of office of the members shall be three years, except the terms of two members of the original Board shall expire after two years, and the terms of two other members of the original Board shall expire after one year.
(2) Each member shall serve until the appointment and qualification of his successor, and when a vacancy occurs during a term of office, it shall be filled by nomination of the Mayor within sixty (60) days, and the person selected shall be appointed for the unexpired portion of the term.
(C) Officers. The Board shall each year elect members to serve as Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary. The Chairman shall preside at the meetings of the Board and shall be the spokesman for the Board. In his absence, the Vice-Chairman shall perform these duties. The Secretary shall prepare the minutes of the Board's meetings which shall be available for public inspection.
(D) Votes affecting personal interest. No member of the Board of Architectural Review shall vote on any matter that may affect the property, income or business interest of that member.
(E) Powers and duties of the Board of Architectural Review.
(1) Specific duties. In addition to the powers and duties stated elsewhere, the Board of Architectural Review shall take action necessary and appropriate to accomplish the purpose of this chapter. These actions may include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a) Conducting a survey of historic buildings and areas and preparing a plan for their preservation;
(b) Soliciting public input for the purpose of collecting information to assist in making recommendations to the Planning and Zoning Commission and city;
(c) Recommending to the City Zoning Adjustment Board and the Planning and Zoning Commission designation of historic districts and individual landmarks;
(d) Adopting written guidelines for making exterior changes to designated property and for undertaking new construction on designated property;
(e) Regulating alterations visible to the public that are proposed for designated property; regulating demolitions, relocations and new construction involving designated property;
(f) Working with and advising the federal, state and county governments and others parts of city government;
(g) Advising and assisting property-owners and other persons and groups including neighborhood organizations who are interested in historic preservation; and
(h) Conducting educational programs including the preparation of publications and the placing of historical markers.
(2) Rehabilitation of buildings.
(a) The Board of Architectural Review may initiate and encourage plans for the preservation and rehabilitation of individual historic buildings.
(b) The Board shall on a regular basis give recognition to owners and tenants who maintain or rehabilitate their structures with care and thus contribute to the preservation of the history and the appearance of our downtown area.
(3) Survey of historic buildings.
(a) In making its survey of historic buildings and areas, the Board of Architectural Review shall conduct this work in accordance with the guidelines of the Kentucky Heritage Council.
(b) The Board shall provide that its survey and preservation plan shall be maintained and continued.
(c) The Board shall use the preservation plan to assist the city and the Planning and Zoning Commission in their overall planning efforts.
(F) Meetings of the Board. The Board shall adopt and make public rules for the transaction of its business and shall hold monthly public meetings and special public meetings, when necessary. All meetings shall have a previously available agenda and shall comply with the Kentucky Open Meeting Statute, KRS 61.805. A simple majority of the membership shall be required for decisions involving historic districts and landmarks.
(G) Annual report. The Board shall prepare and keep on file available for public inspection a written annual report of its activities, cases, decisions, qualifications of members and other work.
(H) Right to receive and spend funds. The Board, in addition to any appropriations made by the city , shall have the right to receive, hold and spend funds which it may legally receive from any and every source both in and out of the Commonwealth of Kentucky for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this chapter.
(I) Assistance for the Board. The Board shall receive regular assistance in the performance of its responsibilities from the city staff and from Morehead Tomorrow. If necessary, the Board may secure the services of professional consultants with the approval of the city.
(Ord. 05:2002, passed 4-8-02)