(A) In regard to this chapter, the primary duties of the Planning Commission shall be:
(1) The identification, designation and preservation of historic resources and historic districts owned by the city or located within the city limits; and
(2) The regulation of exterior alterations visible from a public right-of-way including demolition, relocation and new construction, and interior alterations which would affect the significance of historic resources or historic districts.
(B) The Commission shall have the following additional duties and powers:
(1) Conduct studies and evaluations of applications requesting the designation of historic districts, make determinations and recommendations as appropriate for consideration of such applications in order to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
(2) Adopt specific guidelines for the designation of historic resources, historic districts and heritage properties as it deems necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
(3) Maintain a current listing and description of designated historic resources and historic districts and transmit copies and update of such listings to all appropriate city agencies and departments as determined by the Secretary to the Commission.
(4) Develop and recommend the adoption of a Historic Preservation Element for the General Plan of the city.
(5) Participate in environmental review procedures called for under this chapter or under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) or under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) by providing review and comments on permit actions affecting designated historic resources and historic districts as the Commission deems appropriate.
(6) Review and comment upon the conduct of land use, housing, redevelopment, municipal improvement and other types of planning and programs undertaken by any agency or department of the city, county or state as they relate to designated historic resources and historic districts as the Commission deems appropriate.
(7) Establish criteria and conduct or cause to be conducted historical resource surveys of properties within the city limits in accordance with state survey standards and procedures; submit completed surveys to the Council for official adoption; and submit adopted surveys to the Office of Historic Preservation for integration into the Historic Property Data File for Tulare County maintained by that office.
(8) Recommend internal procedures to facilitate the use of such adopted historical resource surveys in planning and development processes by all relevant city agencies and departments.
(9) Publicize, maintain and periodically update such historical resource surveys in accordance with state survey standards and procedures.
(10) Adopt procedural rules for the systematic review of such historical resource surveys to determine if designation proceedings should be initiated on appropriate sites. Provide for the removal of sites not found qualified for designation from the survey and from the Historic Property Data File for the City of Tulare maintained by the State Office of Historic Preservation if included therein.
(11) Review and make recommendations on nominations for inclusion in the California Register of Historical Resources.
(12) Review and make recommendations on any applications to participate in local historic preservation incentive programs established in order to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
(13) Adopt, promulgate, amend and rescind, from time to time, such rules, guidelines and regulations as the Commission may deem necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
(14) Provide for a suitable sign, plaque or other marker at public or private expense, on or near the historic resource or district (LHD or NRD), indicating that the resource or district (LHD or NRD) has been so designated. The sign, plaque or other marker shall contain information and data deemed appropriate by the Commission and its placement shall be at the discretion of the owner.
(15) Keep minutes and records of all meetings and proceedings including voting records, attendance, resolutions, findings, determinations and decisions as a matter of public record.
(16) Render advice and guidance, upon the request of a property owner or tenant on the financial and physical aspects of the restoration, alteration, rehabilitation, landscaping or maintenance of any historic resource or any contributor to any historic district (LHD or NRD).
(17) Investigate and report to the Council on the use of various federal, state, local or private funding sources and mechanisms available to promote historic resource preservation in the city.
(18) Participate in, promote and conduct public information, educational and interpretive programs pertaining to historic resources and provide for public participation in all aspects of the city's historic preservation programs.
(Ord. 07-28, passed 12-18-2007)