(A) Determination of application's merit. Upon acceptance of an application for designation of a historic landmark or historic district as complete, the Planning Director will forward the application to the Design Assistance Committee for a preliminary assessment of the merits of the application, in accordance with City Council Ordinance No. 816.
(B) No merit determination. If the Design Assistance Committee determines that the application has no merit, the application will be rejected and no further action will be taken, unless an appeal to the Historic Preservation Commission is filed pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 16.206 (Appeals and Revocations).
(C) Merit determination. If the Design Assistance Committee determines that the proposed historic landmark or district designation has merit, the Commission will set a date for a public hearing to consider the application.
(D) Public hearing - Historic Preservation Commission.
(1) A public hearing before the Historic Preservation Commission will be noticed and conducted pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 16.204 (Public Hearings).
(2) At the public hearing, the Commission will review the application and receive evidence as to how or why the proposed historic landmark or district represents and exemplifies an important aspect of the cultural or architectural history of the City of Santa Paula or Ventura County.
(3) The Commission will act by resolution to recommend to the City Council approval, approval with modifications, or denial of the proposed application.
(4) The Commission's resolution will include its recommendation and will be transmitted to the City Clerk for scheduling the matter for public hearing before the City Council.
(E) Public hearing - City Council.
(1) Upon receipt of the Historic Preservation Commission resolution, the City Clerk will set the matter for hearing before the City Council as provided for in Chapter 16.204 (Public Hearings).
(2) At the hearing, the City Council will review the Commission's recommendation and receive evidence as to how or why the proposed designation of a historic landmark or district furthers the goals of the city with respect to the identification and protection of important historic and cultural resources.
(3) The City Council will act by ordinance to approve, approve with modifications, or deny the application. The Council's action will be final and will become effective upon the effective date of the ordinance.
(Ord. 1100, passed 7-6-04)