Subject to the laws of the State of Illinois, the Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
(a) To adopt its own procedural rules. In the absence of such rules, the Commission shall conduct its business, as nearly as practicable, in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order.
(b) When authorized by the Council, to undertake an ongoing survey and research effort in the Village to identify neighborhoods, areas, sites, structures, and buildings that have historic, community, architectural, or aesthetic importance, interest, or value. As part of the survey, the Commission shall review and evaluate any prior surveys and studies of the Village and compile appropriate descriptions, facts, and photographs.
(c) To keep a register of all buildings, structures, sites, and areas that have been designated as landmarks, including all information required for each designation.
(d) To provide information to owners of landmarks, as well as to Village residents, regarding the physical and financial aspects of preservation, renovation, rehabilitation, and reuse, and procedures for inclusion on the State or National Register of Historic Places.
(e) To inform and educate residents of the Village about the historic and architectural heritage of the Village by publishing maps, newsletters, brochures, and pamphlets and by holding programs and seminars.
(f) To hold public hearings, review applications, conduct advisory review conferences, and make recommendations regarding the designation and withdrawal of designation of landmarks and the alteration of such landmarks, and to issue decisions regarding the issuance of Certificates of Appropriateness and Certificates of Economic Hardship.
(g) To develop, subject to review and approval by the Council, specific guidelines for the alteration, construction, or removal of landmarks.
(h) To recommend, when requested by the Council, whether the Village should accept and administer any property or full or partial interest in real property, including conservation rights as that term is used in ILCS Ch. 765, Act 120, § 1, which the Village may have or accept as a gift or otherwise.
(i) To request technical advice and assistance from Village staff members and to retain specialists or consultants when expressly authorized by the Council.
(j) To review, upon request of the Council, the Plan Commission, or the Zoning Board of Appeals, applications for zoning or subdivision relief affecting historically and architecturally significant landmarks.
(k) To review, when requested by the Council, Part Twelve of the Village Code, titled "Planning and Zoning Code," and to recommend to the Council any amendments appropriate for the protection and continued use of landmarks.
(l) To perform such other functions as requested by the Council.
(Ord. 2005-01. Passed 1-10-05.)