HomeMy WebLinkAboutREV Bylaws HPC Memo 2014-11-12.pdf MEMORANDUM
DATE: November 12, 2014
TO: Historic Preservation Commission
FROM: Jeffrey B. Adams, Secretary
SUBJECT: Historic Preservation Commission Bylaws
The City Council approved Title 27 Historic Preservation (Ordinance 3785) in
August 2006 to facilitate Special Tax Valuation for State and National Historic
Register properties within the City.
In November of 2013 the City expanded its interest in preserving artifacts of
historical significance to the City by approving a more comprehensive Historic
Preservation Work Plan (Resolution 3521), which includes action items for
establishing a local historic register and generally increasing awareness of historic
resources important to the citizens of Pasco. One of the priorities in the Plan is to
apply for Certified Local Government (CLG) status.
The CLG Program is a technical and financial assistance program established by
the National Historic Preservation Act and administered in the State of Washington
through the State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP).
Local governments that establish a historic preservation program which meets
federal and state standards are eligible to apply to the State Historic Preservation
Officer (SHPO) and the National Park Service for certification. A local government
that receives such certification is known as a "Certified Local Government."
Benefits of participating in the program include eligibility to apply for special
grants from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), authority to offer Special
Tax Valuation to locally listed properties, technical assistance and training from
the SHPO, ability to participate in the review of nominations to the National
Register of Historic Places, access to the national historic preservation assistance
network, and access to the State Historic Preservation Office data exchange. CLGs
are expected to maintain a historic preservation commission, maintain a survey of
local historic properties, enforce local preservation laws, review National Register
Nominations, and engage the public in historic preservation activities.
Among the requirements for CLG status is passage of a Historic Preservation
Ordinance and Bylaws. While the city has both a historic preservation ordinance
and bylaws in place, they are limited in scope, and missing key elements including
sections dealing with a local register of historic places as well as historic resources
design review. The current Historic Preservation Ordinance and Bylaws were not
deemed "comprehensive" by the State as they do not address these items.
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In order to rectify this situation the City Historic Preservation Commission
proposed an updated and augmented Title 27 which they recommended to the City
Council with the following added elements:
• Language allowing for the expansion of the Historic Preservation
Commission by two members.
• A chapter dealing with the establishment of a City of Pasco Register of
Historic Places compiled of buildings, structures, sites, objects, and districts
identified by the Commission as having historic significance worthy of
recognition and protection by the City of Pasco.
• Language dealing with the establishment of a comprehensive inventory of
local historic resources which may be eligible for Special Tax Valuation
and/or with potential to be listed on the City, State, or Federal Historic
Registers
• A chapter dealing with the review process for resources bidding for inclusion
on the City of Pasco Historic Register.
• A review process for proposals to construct, change, alter, modify, remodel,
move, demolish, or significantly affect properties or districts listed on the
City of Pasco Historic Register.
• New definitions in conjunction with the two new chapters above.
The City Council approved the code amendments by ordinance 4178 on October 6,
2014, as a prerequisite to the revision of the Historic Preservation Commission
Bylaws.
The Historic Preservation Commission Bylaws have been revised to align with the
newly revised Title 27.
Findings of Fact
1) Title 27 Historic Preservation (Ordinance 3785) was approved by the City in in
August of 2006.
2) The Historic Preservation Work Plan (Resolution 3521), was approved by
Council in November of 2013.
3) Certified Local Government (CLG) status is one of the Historic Preservation Plan
priorities.
4) The CLG Program administered through the State DAHP provides technical and
financial assistance to qualified "Certified Local Governments."
5) A Historic Preservation Ordinance including sections dealing with a local
register of historic places as well as historic resources design review is required
for CLG status.
6) The current historic preservation ordinance was not deemed "comprehensive"
by the State as it does not including sections dealing with a local register of
historic places as well as historic resources design review.
7) The Historic Preservation Commission has recommended the augmented
ordinance which includes the necessary elements, as per the State DAHP.
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The revised Historic Preservation ordinance is attached as "Exhibit A."
MOTION: I move the Historic Preservation Commission adopt the Findings of
Fact as contained in the November 12, 2014 staff memo on Historic Preservation
Commission Bylaws.
MOTION: I move the Historic Preservation Commission approve and adopt the
proposed Historic Preservation Commission Bylaws as shown in the Historic
Preservation Packet.
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