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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 Landmark Commission vs HPC DutiesCITY STRUCTURE CONCERNING HISTORY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION: The purpose of the HPC addresses local history, and preserving and publicizing it. Since my hire date, it has been an occasional occurrence that individuals have expressed concern about the future of the local history embodied in older local buildings within the City. Since 2008, the committee that most directly addresses these issues is the local Landmark Commission. This committee has a large degree of formalized expressed authority, and is given explicit powers and duties, I have summarized these in the following pages for reference. It is crucial that anyone with a concern for the state of local architecture be familiar with these. I am addressing this at this time, because the HPC does not have the same formalized powers and duties as the Landmark Commission, but serves an important role in raising awareness and enthusiasm for local history. To put it bluntly, using the HPC to directly impact Planning and Zoning is equivalent to using the Fire Department to lower the crime rate. Both address public safety, but one has a mandate and duty to enforce, the other often responds to the same location, but they are only effective overall when each attends to their respective missions. However, there are three effective actions the HPC the can take, that are directly drawn from their purpose and duties statement: -The HPC can raise the awareness and perceived value of local history, as well as remind the public of the tangible benefits of a strong sense of place. -The HPC can be informed of the resources in the local community, and direct citizens who express their concerns to the Landmark Commission and the City Historic Preservation Liaison. - The HPC can prioritize collecting and preserving information about historic architecture and neighborhoods. This will allow it to be available for the purposes of historic preservation planning when needed, and if that does not occur, it ensures that information about these areas is not completely lost to the historical record. Any other actions are out of the expressed scope and purpose of the committee. If the committee allows distractions to affect the focus on the essential purpose of the HP committee, the risk is that the potential for the committee to raise awareness and contribute to a climate which grows a preservation ethic is compromised, while still providing no tangible benefit in terms of the preservation of historic buildings. -A citizen who has expertise specific to historic buildings, landmarks and landscapes, and/or feels the need to work specifically towards creating Historic Preservation overlay districts would be most effective applying to the Landmark Commission. -A private citizen also has the right to form and/or become involved with an advocacy group that promotes preservation of historic resources that is not formally affiliated with the City. The Historic Preservation Committee, without doubt, has been enhancing the quality of life for citizens for roughly three decades, and occupies a special and crucial place in creating knowledge, and esteem for history, but it can only be effective continuing that tradition by sticking to the fundamental purpose, with all aspects working together in commitment to the core purpose. Brief summary of Landmark Commission wording: According to their creation ordinance, the Landmark Commission was created “for the purpose of enhancing the City’s ability to identify and protect historically and/or culturally significant districts, areas, sites, buildings, and structures by bringing expertise from the community in those areas related to the designation of Historic Preservation Overlay Districts and the protection of the contributing elements within them. The Landmark Commission shall have the following powers and duties: Duties: Review and approve surveys conducted and maintained by the City that include an inventory of significant historic, architectural, and cultural resources within the City of College Station according to guidelines established by the Texas Historical Commission; Utilize such surveys to identify potential property appropriate for the application of Historic Preservation Overlays; Review and approve surveys conducted and maintained by the City that include an inventory of all properties located within a Historic Preservation Overlay District within the City of College Station; Nominate properties to the National Register of Historic Places; Establish an ad hoc three-person Economic Review Panel when a property owner in a Historic Preservation Overlay District requests a Certificate of Demolition based on the reason that no economically viable use of the property exists. Act in an advisory role to the City Council of the City of College Station, all appointed boards and commissions, and City departments regarding the protection of local historic, architectural, and cultural resources; Review and make recommendations to the appropriate County Historical Commission of all proposed National Registration nominations for properties within the City of College Station Recommendations: To P and Z: -coordination of city departments, committees, and boards, in implementation Comprehensive Plan regarding historic preservation. -adoption of text amendments regarding designation of HP overlay districts, and processes and standards within districts. -acceptance of dedication of Historic Preservation Easements for HP. Final Action: -Certificates of Appropriateness -Certificates of Demolition -Certification of Demolition by Neglect, notices, and referrals for enforcement -The Landmark Commission shall have a HP officer provided Text related to HP overlay district’s Purpose: The Historic Preservation Overlay District is intended to provide for the protection and preservation of places and areas of historical, cultural, and architectural importance and significance. Text related to applicability: Applicability. The Historic Preservation Overlay District may be applied to districts, areas, or individual property, regardless of the base zoning district or current use of the property(ies), that: 1. Are at least forty (40) years old; 2. Meet at least two (2) of the criteria listed below; and 3. Possess integrity that is evident through historic qualities including Location, Design, Setting, Materials, Workmanship, Feeling, and Association. C. Criteria for Designation of Historic Preservation Overlay Districts. A property or district may be designated if it: 1. Possesses significance in history, architecture, archeology, and culture; 2. Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of local, regional, state, or national history; 3. Is associated with events that have made a significant impact in our past; 4. Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction; 5. Represents the work of a master designer, builder, or craftsman; 6. Represents an established and familiar visual feature of the neighborhood or City; or 7. Is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, or a State Archaeological Landmark, as determined by the Texas Historical Commission.