Subject to the laws of the State of Illinois and the ordinances of the City of Pittsfield, the Pittsfield Historic Preservation Advisory Committee shall have and may exercise the following authority and responsibilities.
(A) To adopt its own procedural regulations;
(B) To assist persons interested in Historic Preservation by:
(1) Acting in an advisory capacity in the review of plans and specifications for alterations;
(2) Developing an educational program of technical information and assistance for contractors, tradesmen, craftsmen, property owners, and others;
(3) To work in conjunction with the Main Street Committee in publishing maps, newsletters, brochures and pamphlets and making presentations to inform and educate the public concerning the historic and architectural heritage of the City of Pittsfield;
(4) Developing and maintaining a library of informative material; and
(5) Maintaining a file of available architects, historians, contractors, preservationists and other resource people.
(C) To conduct an ongoing survey to identify historically and architecturally significant properties, structures and areas;
(D) To hold public hearings and to review applications for construction, alteration, removal, or demolition affecting proposed or designated landmarks or structures or historic districts and issue or deny certificates of appropriateness for such actions;
(E) To develop specific guidelines for the alteration, demolition, construction, or removal of landmarks or property and structures within historic districts;
(F) To review proposed zoning amendments, applications for special use permits or variances that affect proposed or designated landmarks and historic districts. Such review shall be made and finding submitted to the City Planning Commission or the Zoning Board of Appeals prior to the date of the hearing of these respective bodies;
(G) To investigate and recommend to the Pittsfield City Council the adoption of procedures to protect properties or structures having special historic, community or architectural value;
(H) To determine an appropriate system of markers and make recommendations for the design and implementation of specific markings of properties or structures which have special historic, community or architectural value;
(I) To advise property owners on physical and financial aspects of preservation, renovation, rehabilitation and reuse and on procedures for inclusion on the State or National Register of Historic Places:
(J) Applicants requesting assistance in regards to preservation, renovation, rehabilitation and reuse and on procedures for inclusion on the State or National Register of Historic Places may submit plans, drawings, elevations, specifications and other information to the Committee;
(K) To administer on the behalf of the City of Pittsfield, upon designation by the City Council, any property or full or partial interest in real property, including a conservation right as that term is used in Chapter 30, paragraph 401, et.seq., Illinois Revised Statutes, which the village may have or accept as a gift or otherwise;
(L) To accept and administer on behalf of the city, upon designation by the City Council, such gifts, grants and money and may be appropriate for the purpose of this chapter;
(M) To call upon available city staff members as well as other experts for technical advice;
(N) To testify before all boards and commissions, including the City Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals, on any matter affecting historically and architecturally significant property and landmarks; and
(O) To periodically review the Pittsfield Zoning Ordinance and to recommend to the City Planning Commission and the City Council any amendments appropriate for the protection and continued use of historically or architecturally significant properties.
(Am. Ord. 1532, passed 2-3-15)