Subject to the laws of the state and the ordinances of the city, the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee shall have and may exercise the following authority and responsibilities:
(A) To assist persons interested in historic preservation by the following:
(1) To act in an advisory capacity in review of plans and specifications for alterations;
(2) To develop an educational program of technical information and assistance for contractors, tradesmen, craftsmen, property owners and others;
(3) Publish maps, newsletters, brochures and pamphlets and present programs and seminars to inform and educate the public concerning the historic and architectural heritage of the city;
(4) Develop and maintain a library of informative material;
(5) Maintain a file of available architects, historians, contractors, preservationists and other resource persons; and
(6) Provide information and assistance relevant to designation of landmarks and historic districts.
(B) To develop specific design guidelines for the alteration, demolition, construction or removal of landmarks or property and structures within historic districts;
(C) To review proposed zoning amendments, applications for special use permits, or applications for zoning variances that affect proposed or designated landmarks and historic districts;
(D) To develop a preservation policy to be included in the general plan of the city and to recommend it to the Planning and Zoning Commission and to the City Council;
(E) To periodically review the city’s zoning ordinance, and to recommend to the Planning and Zoning Commission and to the City Council any amendments appropriate for the protection and continued use of landmarks or property and structures within the historic districts;
(F) To determine an appropriate system of design of markers for designated landmarks and historic districts;
(G) To accept gifts, grants, money as may be appropriate for the purposes of this chapter. Such funds may be expended to carry out the powers and duties of the Advisory Committee subject to appropriation of said funds by the City Council;
(H) To request technical advice and assistance from city staff members and to retain specialists or consultants and to appoint citizen advisory committees as required from time to time. Specialists or consultants shall be retained only upon express authority of the City Council;
(I) To conduct a survey of city properties, structures and areas to identify those with architectural, historical and social significance;
(J) To recommend that the City Council designate certain structures or properties as landmarks;
(K) To recommend that the City Council designate certain places or areas as historic districts;
(L) To keep a register of all properties and structures that have been designated as landmarks or historic districts, including all information required for each designation;
(M) To obtain a certified local government status for the city pursuant to the Department of Interior’s standards so as to take advantage of financial and other assistance which may become available through the Department and other sources;
(N) To obtain certification of this chapter with the State Office of Preservation Services of the State Department of Conservation, and with the Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior, so as to qualify historic structures under this chapter as historic structures under the Tax Reform Act of 1976, § 2124, or other legislation subsequently passed into law by the Congress of the United States; and
(O) To adopt, publish and make available bylaws for the conduct of Advisory Committee meetings not inconsistent with Administrative Review Act of 1945, 735 ILCS 5/3-101 et seq.
(1974 Code, § 2-8-4) (Ord. 9-85-04, passed 9-10-1985)