The Board shall have the following duties in addition to those as otherwise specified in this chapter.
(A) The Board shall function to improve the quality of life in this village by striving to further and achieve the spirit and purpose of this subchapter.
(B) The Board shall conduct or cause to be conducted or assist the conduct of a continuing survey of all structures, works of art, objects, or areas of architectural, historic, or aesthetic interest in the village which the Board, on the basis of information available or presented to it, has reason to believe are, or will be, eligible for designation as a preservation district or listed property.
(C) The Board shall work for the continuing education of its members and residents of the village with respect to the architectural and historic heritage of the Waynesville Historic Preservation District, the village, listed properties and any other preservation district designated under the provisions of this chapter, and shall make every effort to improve the overall design and environmental awareness of the people.
(1) The Board shall make an inventory of the designated districts, sites, and/or structures under its jurisdiction, and record the inventory on Ohio Historic Inventory, Ohio Archaeological inventory forms, and/or other forms compatible with the computerized inventory of the state’s Historic Preservation Office.
(2) The Board shall keep current a register of all listed properties, and all listed properties shall be given a number and a description accompanied by a photograph.
(3) This inventory and register shall be maintained securely with copies made available to Council, the Building Department, the Planning Commission, the Inspection and Engineering Department, the Board of Zoning and Building Appeals, and the state’s Historic Preservation Office. The inventory and register shall be accessible to the public, except that access to archaeological site locations may be restricted. The survey and register shall be updated periodically to reflect changes, alterations, and demolitions.
(D) The Board shall have authority to establish, within the interest, spirit, and purpose of this subchapter, criteria, rules, and regulations not otherwise included in this subchapter for evaluating applications for certificates of appropriateness as hereinafter defined, which are submitted to it, and the manner in which such certificates shall be processed. The Board may adopt policies, guidelines, and technical bulletins prepared by professionals experienced in rehabilitating historic buildings and properties to assist its own members in deliberations and to assist the general public in its understanding of appropriate modifications to historic properties.
(E) The Board shall determine within the interest, spirit, and purpose of this subchapter, what legislation, if any, would best serve to preserve, restore, and develop the village, or any part of the village, and recommend such legislation to the Planning Commission and Council. Toward these ends, the Board shall work with the appropriate village officials, employees, and departments, and joint meetings with such officials, employees, and departments for this purpose.
(F) Members of the Board shall abstain from taking action on any matter that would present a conflict of interest. No member of the Board shall have a financial interest, direct or indirect, or by reason of ownership of stock in any corporation (except as permitted by the laws the state) in any matter pending before the Board. In the event that such a conflict arises, the affected member shall leave the room wherein the Board is holding its meeting and shall abstain from discussion and voting on the issue or matter in which he or she has such an interest. The affected member shall not be required to resign from the Board. Any willful violation of this section shall constitute malfeasance in office, and any member of the Board found guilty thereof shall thereby forfeit his or her office or position.
(G) The Board shall offer guidance or otherwise assist individuals concerned with historic preservation in their efforts to improve their property or area.
(H) The Board may, upon its own determination, make recommendations to Council for additions or revisions to this subchapter. Members of the Board shall abstain from taking action on any matter that would present a conflict of interest. See division (F) of this section.
(I) (1) The Board shall review, for the purpose of recommending, all proposed National Register nominations for properties within its jurisdiction, and may by written agreement cooperate with the state’s Historic Preservation office to substitute review procedures which expedite the National Register review requirement.
(2) When the Board considers a National Register nomination for distinctive or rare resources (such as an archaeological site) which are normally evaluated by a professional in a specific discipline (such as archaeologist), and that discipline is not represented on the Board, the Board shall seek expertise in this area before rendering its decision.
(J) The Board shall encourage members to attend educational sessions at least once a year, or conduct in-depth consultation with the state’s Historic Preservation office, pertaining to the work and functions of the Board or on specific historic preservation issues.
(K) The Board shall prepare a written annual report of activities, cases, decisions, special projects and qualifications of the members, and the same shall be kept on file and available for public inspection.
(Ord. 96-152, passed 10-7-1996)