(A) The Historic Preservation Commission is established under G.S. §§ 160D-303 and 160D-941 and, pursuant to G.S. § 160D-942, may within the jurisdiction of the county (not inclusive of the Town of Warrenton and its extraterritorial jurisdiction):
(1) Undertake an inventory of properties of historical, prehistorical, architectural, and/or cultural significance;
(2) Recommend to the governing board areas to be designated by ordinance as historic districts and individual structures, buildings, sites, areas, or objects to be designated by ordinance as landmarks;
(3) Acquire by any lawful means the fee or any lesser included interest, including options to purchase, to properties within established districts or to any such properties designated as landmarks to hold, manage, preserve, restore, and improve such properties, and to exchange or dispose of the property by public or private sale, lease or otherwise, subject to covenants or other legally binding restrictions that will secure appropriate rights of public access and promote the preservation of the property;
(4) Restore, preserve, and operate historic properties;
(5) Recommend to the governing board that designation of any area as a historic district or part thereof, or designation of any building, structure, site, area, or object as a landmark, be revoked or removed for cause;
(6) Conduct an educational program regarding historic properties and districts within its jurisdiction;
(7) Cooperate with the state, federal, and local governments in pursuance of the purposes of this subchapter. The governing board or the Commission, when authorized by the governing board, may contract with the state, or the United States of America, or any agency of either, or with any other organization provided the terms are not inconsistent with state or federal law;
(8) Enter, solely in performance of its official duties and only at reasonable times, upon private lands for examination or survey thereof. However, no member, employee, or agent of the commission may enter any private building or structure without the express consent of the owner or occupant thereof;
(9) Prepare and recommend the official adoption of a preservation element as part of the local government's comprehensive plan;
(10) Review and act upon proposals for alterations, demolitions, or new construction within historic districts, or for the alteration or demolition of designated landmarks, pursuant to this subchapter;
(11) Negotiate at any time with the owner of a building, structure, site, area, or object for its acquisition or its preservation, when such action is reasonably necessary or appropriate.
(B) The performance of these duties must be in compliance with powers and duties outlined under G.S. Ch. 160D, Art. 9, particularly the following:
(1) G.S. § 160D-942, Powers of the Historic Preservation Commission;
(2) G.S. §§ 160D-102 and 160D-947, Certificate of appropriateness required. Appeals of decisions on certificates of appropriateness for historic landmarks and historic districts may be made to the Superior Court of Warren County as provided in G.S. § 160D-1402;
(3) G.S. § 160D-951, Conflict with other laws;
(4) G.S. § 160D-404(c), Remedies;
(5) G.S. § 160D-406, Quasi-judicial procedure;
(6) G.S. § 160D-943, Appropriations;
(7) G.S. § 160D-948, Certain changes not prohibited;
(8) G.S. § 160D-949, Delay in demolition of landmarks and buildings within historic district;
(9) G.S. § 160D-1405, Statutes of limitation. Appeal of certificates of appropriateness must be filed within 30 days after the decision is effective or written notice is provided.
(Ord. passed 6-7-2021)