The City Council shall preserve landmarks and points of historic interest not in conflict with the public health, safety, and general welfare, and is the final authority whether an item is designated a landmark of point of historic interest.
(a) The functions of the City Council shall be to:
(1) Identify and refer potential landmarks and points of historic interest which it has a reason to believe are, or will become in the near future, an historic landmark or point of historic interest, to the Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board to evaluate consistent with its functions identified in section 1-9.205;
(2) Deliberate whether to ratify the decision of the Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board regarding the designation of a landmark or point of historic interest;
(3) Amend this article when circumstances indicate;
(4) Determine which designated landmarks and points of historic interest shall be marked with uniform and aesthetic markers, and appropriate public funds therefore;
(5) Hear and consider applications for certificates of appropriateness for any alteration to a landmark or point of historic interest as provided in Section 1-9.206;
(6) Apply to the appropriate state agency for state registration of landmarks or points of historic interest which meet state registration criteria, and where the registration would assist in preservation; and,
(7) Develop guidelines, standards and criteria for fulfilling its duties and functions under this article as well as running of its meetings.
(b) The City Council may, in its discretion, inspect and investigate a potential landmark and point of interest rather than refer the item to Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board in the manner set forth in subsection (a)(1), as follows:
(1) The City shall perform the functions of the Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board set forth in Section 1-9.205; and,
(2) The City Council shall post an agenda and hold a public hearing for the purpose of identifying the landmark or point of historic-interest. Such hearing shall be held at least fifteen (15) days or more after the property owner of the potential landmark or place of historic interest has been notified of the time and place of the hearing by registered mail.
(c) The City shall compile and maintain a list of all current historic, cultural and natural landmarks, monuments and points of historic interest which shall be declared as such. This information shall be made available to the public.
(d) The City Council may apply to the appropriate state agency for state registration of landmarks or sites which have historic significance, which meet-state registration criteria, and where the registration would assist in preservation. The City Council may find that even though an item has been designated a landmark or point of historic interest, it does not warrant registration as a state “historical landmark.” The City Council shall determine the appropriate state registration, if any.
(e) In the event the City Council does not ratify the Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board’s decision regarding the designation or rejection of an item as a landmark or point of historic interest, the item shall remain undesignated absent further review consistent with this article.
(§ 2, Ord. 1015-NS, eff. December 6, 1988, as amended by Ord. 1276-NS, February 12, 1977, and § 1, Ord. 1420-NS, eff. December 17, 2003)