(A) Establishment of Commission. There is hereby created the San Gabriel Historic Preservation and Cultural Resource Commission. The Commission shall have and exercise the powers and perform the duties set forth in this subchapter. Except as otherwise specified in this subchapter, the Commission shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 33 (Commissions) of this code.
(B) Composition and appointment of members.
(1) Commissioners shall be appointed pursuant to Chapter 33 (Commissions) of this code. All members shall have an expressed and/or demonstrated interest, experience, or knowledge of the cultural heritage, history, and/or architecture of the city. Preference shall be given to residents of the city.
(2) At least two members of the Commission shall be appointed from among professionals in the disciplines of anthropology, archaeology, architecture, history, historic preservation, landscape architecture, urban planning, land economics, real estate or a related discipline, to the extent that such professionals are available in the community.
(C) Terms and vacancies. The Commission will consist of five members to be appointed by the City Council. The members will serve two-year terms and may be appointed for additional two-year terms. Any vacancy shall be filled by the City Council within a reasonable time after the vacancy occurs, for the unexpired term. Members shall serve until their successors are appointed. The members of the Commission shall serve without compensation.
(D) Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, rules. The Commission shall elect its chairman and vice-chairman who shall have the power to administer oaths and take testimony.
(E) Member’s failure to attend meetings, successor. If a member of the Commission fails to attend three consecutive regular meetings of the Commission, or fails to attend 50% or more of the regular meetings of the Commission during a calendar year, unless excused by the Chairman, the City Council may declare such member’s seat vacant and appoint a new member to serve the balance of the unexpired term.
(F) Meetings and record of proceedings. The Commission shall meet on a quarterly basis, at minimum, and monthly basis if needed, as determined by the Director. All meetings of the Commission (1) shall be open to the public and (2) noticed and held in compliance with the provisions of the state’s Ralph M. Brown Act. The Commission shall keep a record of minutes of all of its proceedings and actions, which shall be available for public inspection.
(G) Powers and duties. The Commission shall have the following powers and duties, in addition to any other duties specified in this subchapter:
(1) General powers. The Commission shall advise the City Council, Planning Commission, and all city departments and staff on all matters relating to the identification, protection, retention, preservation, and registration of cultural resources in the city, as directed by the City Council. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Commission shall have the following powers and duties in addition to those otherwise provided in this subchapter:
(a) Administer the provisions of this subchapter;
(b) Advise the City Council in all matters pertaining to cultural resource management and historic preservation in the city;
(c) Compile and maintain for public use and information the San Gabriel Register of Cultural Resources;
(d) Compile, maintain, and periodically update the San Gabriel Inventory of Cultural Resources;
(e) Recommend the designation and approval of eligible cultural resources for inclusion in the San Gabriel Register and designation and approval of conservation overlay zones;
(f) Approve or disapprove in whole or in part applications for the demolition, alteration, or relocation of properties included on the Register and Inventory in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter, in addition to any review by the Planning Commission and/or any other hearing body;
(g) Approve or disapprove in whole or in part applications for in-fill/new construction within historic districts listed on the Register, in addition to any review by the Planning Commission and/or any other hearing body;
(h) Review and comment on the decisions and documents, including but not limited to environmental assessments, environmental impact reports, and environmental impact statements, prepared by the city or other public agencies when such decisions or documents might affect designated or eligible historical resources within the city;
(i) Participate in, promote, and conduct public informational, educational, and interpretive programs pertaining to historic preservation;
(j) Recommend and encourage the protection, enhancement, appreciation, and use of properties of cultural, historical, architectural, community or aesthetic value that have not been designated as cultural resources but are deserving of recognition;
(k) Review applications and make recommendations to the City Council on Mills Act contract applications and other incentive programs;
(l) Upon request, make recommendations to the Planning Commission on zoning and general plan amendments related to historic preservation goals and policies; and
(m) Perform any other functions that may be designated by resolution or action of the City Council.
(2) Secretary. The Director shall act as Secretary of the Commission and shall be custodian of its records, conduct official correspondence, and generally coordinate the clerical and technical work of the Commission in administering this subchapter.
(Ord. 636-C.S., passed 8-15-17
; Am. Ord. 679, passed 10-19-21
)