The purposes of this chapter are to:
1. Promote the educational, cultural, economic and general welfare of the public through the recognition, enhancement and perpetuation of sites and districts of historical and cultural significance;
2. Safeguard the City's historic, aesthetic and cultural heritage by preserving sites and districts of historic and cultural significance;
3. Stabilize and improve property values;
4. Foster pride in the legacy of beauty and achievements of the past;
5. Protect and enhance the City's attractions to tourists and visitors and the support and stimulus to business thereby provided;
6. Strengthen the economy of the City;
7. Promote the use of sites and districts of historic and cultural significance as places for the education, pleasure, and welfare of the people of the City.
For use in this chapter, the following terms are defined:
1. "Commission" means the Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission, as established by this chapter.
2. "Historic district" means an area which contains a significant portion of buildings, structures, sites or other improvements which, considered as a whole, possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association, and which area as a whole:
A. Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or
B. Is associated with events that have made significant contributions to the broad patterns of our local, state or national history; or
C. Possesses a coherent and distinctive visual character or integrity based upon similarity of scale, design, color, setting, workmanship, materials or combinations thereof which is deemed to add significantly to the value and attractiveness of properties within such area; or
D. Is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or
E. Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.
3. "Historic site" means a structure, building, or archeological site which:
A. Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or
B. Is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or
C. Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or
D. Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.
1. The Commission shall consist of no more than twelve (12) persons who are members of the community.
2. Members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council. Members shall demonstrate a positive interest in historic preservation, possessing interest or expertise in architecture, architectural history, historic preservation, city planning, building rehabilitation, conservation in general or real estate.
3. At least one resident of each designated HD Historic Overlay District shall be appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission in accordance with Iowa State Code Section 303.34.3.
4. The appointment of the members of the Commission shall be for staggered three (3) year terms.
5. Vacancies occurring in the Commission, other than expiration of term of office, shall be only for the unexpired portion of the term of the member replaced.
6. Members may serve for more than one term.
7. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
8. Members shall serve without compensation.
9. A simple majority of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
10. The Commission shall elect a Chairperson who shall preside over all Commission meetings..
11. The Commission shall meet at least three (3) times a year.
Loading...