In order to execute the purposes declared in this chapter, there is created a historic preservation advisory committee.
A. Committee Membership.
1. The historic preservation advisory committee shall consist of seven members appointed by the city council to serve without compensation. All committee members shall be residents of the city at the time of their appointment and will lose their position if they move outside the city limits during their term of office. Members shall be appointed on the basis of:
a. Relevant professional or business qualifications;
b. Ownership of property within the historic district;
c. Practical experience in restoration or preservation;
d. Exceptional civic interest.
e. Terms of office shall be for two years.
2. Vacancies that may occur on the committee shall be filled by appointment of a new member of the city council for the duration of the unexpired term of office. The Council has the option of appointing up to two Historic Preservation Advisory Committee alternates. Should a mid-term vacancy occur, an alternate may automatically fill the unexpired term. The council shall also have the power to remove any member from the committee by an affirmative vote of three council members.
3. Four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
B. Procedures for the Review of Applications. The operating procedures of the historic preservation advisory committee shall be prescribed from time to time by resolution of the city council, for the purpose of carrying into effect the standards and specifications of this chapter. The committee may adopt, amend, and repeal rules and regulations governing the conduct of its meetings, as long as said rules do not violate the procedures established by the city council or the terms of this chapter.
C. Duties and Responsibilities. The historic preservation advisory committee shall review applications only as specified in this chapter, consistent with the rules and regulations adopted from time to time by resolution of the city council (as referred to in Section 17.56.050(B)). Applications shall be approved or disapproved based solely on the considerations set forth in this chapter. It is the intent of this chapter that the historic preservation advisory committee shall encourage applicants to make alterations and repairs to structures in the spirit of the architectural style of the structure. The duties and responsibilities of the historic preservation advisory committee shall include the following:
1. It shall be the duty of the historic preservation advisory committee to review all proposed zoning actions (zone changes, conditional use permits, special zoning exceptions, planned unit developments and variances) within the historic district. The committee may recommend approval, conditional approval, modification or disapproval of an application based upon the expected impact of the proposed zoning action on the historic or architectural significance of the affected structure(s), neighborhood, or the entire historic district. The committee's recommendation shall be forwarded to the planning commission for its consideration.
2. It shall be the duty of the historic preservation advisory committee to review all applications for site plan review permits within the historic district for compliance with the provisions of this chapter. Items that shall be subject to review by the committee include but are not limited to vehicular access, location and screening of parking, setbacks, location of service use areas, walls and landscaping. The committee may recommend approval, conditional approval, disapproval or resubmittal of the site plan review permit application. The committee's recommendation shall be forwarded to the site plan review committee for its consideration.
3. It shall be the duty of the historic preservation advisory committee to review all applications for the construction or exterior alteration or enlargement of structures within the historic district or listed on the local register. The committee shall have the power to approve, modify or disapprove such applications before a building permit can be issued, subject to the provisions of Sections 17.56.100 and 17.56.110.
4. It shall be the duty of the historic preservation advisory committee to review all applications for sign permits within the historic district or for properties listed on the local register. The committee may recommend approval, conditional approval or denial of the sign permit application based upon the proposed design and/or materials, but not upon the proposed size or location. The application shall then be presented to the proper issuing authority for sign permits, pursuant to Chapter 17.48. Sign permits shall be issued only in compliance with the recommendation of the committee. Approval by the committee in no way implies approval by the issuing authority for sign permits, whose approval must also be secured pursuant to Chapter 17.48.
5. It shall be the duty of the historic preservation advisory committee to review all applications for the moving or demolition of structures in the historic district or listed on the local register. The committee shall have the power to approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove such applications, subject to the provisions of Section 17.56.130.
6. It shall be the duty of the historic preservation advisory committee to compile and update the historic survey and inventory, and to nominate properties to the local register, the California Register of Historical Resources, and the National Register of Historic Places. In selecting properties for nomination to the local register, the board shall consider:
a. Architectural significance and style;
b. Historic significance, including age of structure, original owners, and events related to the structure, site or original owners.
The committee shall review the local register every five years, make recommendations for the addition or deletion of structures or sites, and submit said recommendations to the planning commission and city council for certification.
7. Permits may be issued for air conditioners, electrical work and plumbing work that is visible from a public right-of-way when the chief building official determines that the work insignificantly affects the exterior of a structure, or that reasonable alternatives as to location or screening have been employed. The building official may forward to the historic preservation advisory committee applications for permits for this type of work when it appears that the appearance of a structure may be significantly altered. This subsection shall not apply to the following types of permit applications:
1. Reroofing with like materials;
2. Residing with like materials;
3. Swimming pools;
4. Masonry repairs with like materials;
5. Chimney repair with like materials.
8. Sites within the historic district or on the local register shall reserve a minimum 50% of the required front yard setback area for the purposes of landscaping.
(Ord. 2022-10 (part), 2022: Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017: Ord. 2008-11 § 1, 2008: Ord. 2001-13 § 4 (part), 2001: prior code § 7704)