(a) When a proposal to create a historic district is received or initiated by the Commission, the Commission shall consider the proposal in terms of the criteria defined in § 1488.06 and make a recommendation to City Council.
(b) For proposed historic districts, the following procedures shall be followed:
(1) All property owners within the proposed historic district shall be notified by personal service or certified mail that the property is being considered for designation within a historic district. The notice shall include the date, time, and place of a public hearing relative to the proposed designation. The owners shall be invited to comment in writing. The general public shall also be notified through the local newspaper.
(2) No sooner than 30 days after sending its notice to the owners and publishing a legal notice in the newspaper, the Commission shall conduct a public hearing and review any written comments received. The hearing shall be open for public comment. The Commission shall explain the effects of designation, why landmark status is being sought, and record the comments of persons in attendance. At the close of the hearing, and if there is no objection by 51% or more of the property owners, the Commission shall forward a copy of the minutes of the hearing, along with its recommendation for designation to City Council.
(3) At the next regular City Council meeting occurring subsequent to the receipt of a recommendation from the Historic Preservation Commission to designate a historic district, Council shall vote by motion on the designation of the district.
(4) If Council does not approve the nomination, and if owners pose no objections, then the Commission may revise and/or resubmit the nomination to Council with any additional supportive information. The property owners shall be notified as to the date that City Council will be acting on the designation of the historic district.
(c) Immediately after the approval of the historic district by City Council, the Clerk of Council shall notify all property owners in the district of the decision in writing, add the historic district designation to the list of same, and forward a copy of the information to the Mayor and all pertinent city commissions and personnel. The Clerk shall keep a copy of the list on file for public inspection.
(Ord. 20-2014, passed 2-17-2015)