6-10-5 Historic Preservation Commission.
Pursuant to Ordinance Number (O)04-45, there is created a commission to be known as the Oro Valley Historic Preservation Commission.
A. Membership.
1. The Historic Preservation Commission shall be composed of seven (7) members and appointed by the Town Council.
2. Prospective members should have demonstrated significant interest in and commitment to the field of historic preservation, evidenced either by involvement in a local historic preservation group, current non-conflicting or previous employment or volunteer activity in the field of historic preservation, or other serious interest in the field. To the extent possible, it is desirable that two (2) members be current or previous professionals in the areas of architecture, history, planning or archaeology.
3. Immediately prior to assumption of the duties of office, each member shall take and subscribe to the oath of office.
4. All Commission members shall serve without pay, except that members may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in connection with their duties, upon authorization.
B. Term of Office.
1. Membership appointment to the Commission shall be for a period of three (3) years. Terms shall be staggered so that no more than three (3) members’ terms shall expire in any given year. All terms shall begin on July 1st and shall end on June 30th or until a successor is appointed and qualified.
2. In the event of a resignation, removal or death of a member, the Council shall fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.
3. The Council may remove any member of the Commission by a majority vote of the majority of the Council, or as otherwise provided by ordinance or Town Code.
4. Repealed.
C. Officers.
1. The members of the Commission shall elect from among themselves a Chair and a Vice Chair, who shall serve for one (1) year or until their successors are elected. Officers may serve successive terms, if so chosen by the Commission.
2. The Chair shall preside at meetings and exercise the usual rights, duties and prerogatives as the head of similar organizations. The Chair shall serve as Commission liaison with the Town staff, and shall also be responsible for other duties as described in this article.
3. The Vice Chair shall perform the duties of Chair in the Chair’s absence or disability.
4. The members shall fill a vacancy in either office for the unexpired term through a new election.
D. Meetings.
1. The Commission shall meet monthly, unless otherwise provided.
2. A majority of members shall constitute a quorum. The affirmative vote of the majority of members present shall be required for passage of any matter before the Commission. Any member may abstain from voting on a matter by declaring a conflict of interest, in which case such member shall step down and take no part in discussions or deliberations on that matter.
E. Rules.
1. The Commission shall make and publish rules to govern its proceedings, subject to approval by the Town Council. All meetings of the Commission shall be open to the public and noticed as provided by Arizona law.
2. Minutes shall be kept of all meetings. The minutes shall include all issues considered, and shall record the individual votes of members on each action item.
F. Powers and Duties. The responsibility of the Commission is to promote the purposes and objectives of this article and shall include, but not be limited to the following:
1. Maintain and periodically update, as needed, a plan for historic preservation.
2. Maintain review criteria to assure fair and impartial evaluation and designation of properties as landmarks and Historic Districts. The Commission shall periodically review these criteria, and make such adjustments or updates as may be required.
3. Maintain criteria to assure fair and impartial review of applications for Certificates of Appropriateness.
4. Review properties proposed for designation as landmarks, explain to the owners thereof the potential effects of designation as known to the Commission at that time and make a decision to designate, conditionally designate, or deny designation.
5. Review property nominations for designation as a Historic District, explain to the owners thereof the potential effects of designation as known to the Commission at that time and make recommendations regarding rezoning to a Historic District to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
6. Propose design guidelines appropriate to individual Historic Districts.
7. Review and approve, conditionally approve or deny applications for a Certificate of Appropriateness.
8. Maintain the Historic Property Register.
9. Determine and cause to be created a system of markers for designated properties.
10. Recognize the owners of designated properties. Issue commendations to owners of historical properties who have rehabilitated their property in an exemplary manner.
11. When Town Council approval is appropriate, make recommendations to the Town Council regarding the acquisition of property suitable for preservation.
12. Make recommendations to the Town Council regarding the utilization of federal, state, Town or private funds to promote historic preservation.
13. Make recommendations to Town Council to accept gifts, grants, funds, contributions, and bequests from individuals and public and private entities, agencies, foundations, trusts, corporations, and other organizations or institutions.
14. Cooperate with and enlist the assistance of persons, organizations, foundations and public agencies in matters involving historic preservation, rehabilitation and reuse, with Town Council approval as appropriate.
15. Increase public awareness of the values of historic, cultural, archaeological and architectural preservation, by developing and participating in public education programs.
16. Annually prepare written reports of Commission activities; submit such reports to the Town Council and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). These reports shall be available for public review.
17. Conduct detailed studies and surveys of properties and areas and assess their potential for designation.
18. Periodically review the Historic Resource Survey and consider the inclusion of any properties, which may have come to meet the requirements herein, and the deletion of any properties which may no longer exist.
19. Work with and assist departments of the Town in matters affecting historic preservation.
20. Assist property owners, on request, on the restoration, rehabilitation, alteration, decoration, landscaping, or maintenance of any historic property.
21. Encourage and assist property owners of historic properties on procedures for inclusion on State historic listings and the National Register of Historic Places.
22. Work collaboratively with PRAB in the design and use of parks and park-like areas which have a historic or archeological significance.
23. Establish liaison with groups and organizations as appropriate.
24. Carry out such other duties as may be determined by the Town Council, and present other such recommendations as may be deemed pertinent.
G. Committees. Advisory committees may be created by the Chair or by the Commission to study and report on pertinent matters. Such committees may include citizens who are not members of the Commission, but shall include at least one Commission member who shall serve as Chair of the committee. Committees appointed for a specific task shall dissolve when the task is completed and its report has been presented to the Commission. ((O)08-16, 09/03/2008; (O)06-20, 10/04/2006)