(A) All requests shall first be presented to the Historic Preservation Commission. The requests should include reference to the historical, architectural or archaeological significance of the proposed district. The Commission will conduct a preliminary investigation to determine the eligibility of the proposed area.
(B) If the Commission determines that the proposed area is ineligible to become an historic district, the Commission shall report that determination to the entity that requested the designation. The report shall be made within 30 days of the Commission’s consideration of the request. The report may also include recommendations of if and how the request may be amended in order to make the area eligible as an historic district.
(C) If the Commission determines that a proposed area is eligible to become an historic district, it shall notify property owners within the area through first class mail that establishment of an historic district will be considered by the Commission at a specified date and time. The Commission shall hold the public informational meetings and receive questions and comments, after which they shall make refinements to any proposed boundaries.
(D) The Commission shall prepare and submit a report to the Planning Board and the Town Board. The report shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:
(1) A boundary description of the area;
(2) A map at a scale of not less than 1 inch represents 200 feet, showing the boundaries of the proposed area; and
(3) A description of the significance of the area, including its buildings, structures, features, sites or surroundings.
(E) Pursuant to review and comment by the Town Board, the report shall be forwarded to the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources who shall make an analysis of and recommendations concerning the report and description of proposed boundaries to the Town Board. Failure of the Department to submit its written analysis and recommendations to the Town Board within 30 calendar days after a written request for the analysis has been received by the Department of Cultural Resources shall relieve the town of any responsibility for awaiting the analysis, and the Town Board may at any time thereafter take any necessary action to adopt or amend its zoning ordinance.
(F) Once all of the previous procedural steps have been met, rezoning the proposed area to an historic district shall proceed in the same manner as would otherwise be required for a change in the zoning ordinance.
(Ord. passed - -)