[Adopted by Bill No. 08-41]
[Amended by Bill No. 15-017]
A. 
There is hereby created the Historic Preservation Commission for Harford County. The Commission shall consist of 7 citizens interested and active in historic preservation. Members of the Commission shall be appointed by the County Executive and confirmed in accordance with the Charter of Harford County.
B. 
Qualifications.
(1) 
A majority of the members of the Commission shall be residents of Harford County. Each member shall possess a demonstrated special interest, specific knowledge or professional or academic training in such fields as history, architecture, architectural history, planning, archeology, anthropology, curation, conservation, landscape architecture, historic preservation, urban design or related disciplines.
(2) 
Non-resident members of the Commission shall possess professional or academic training, as set forth below in Subsection B(5).
(3) 
A member's demonstrated special interest shall be satisfied by either formal training in one or more of the fields set forth in Subsection B(1) above or by active membership in a preservation-related organization.
(4) 
A member's specific knowledge requirement shall be satisfied by formal post-secondary education, employment or practical experience in one or more of the fields set forth in Subsection B(1) above.
(5) 
A member's professional or academic training requirement shall be satisfied by a minimum of two years' experience as a professional working in one or more of the fields set forth in Subsection B(1) above or by possession of a Bachelor's degree in one or more of the fields set forth in Subsection B(1) above.
(6) 
At least two members of the Commission shall possess professional or academic training in one or more of the fields set forth in Subsection B(1) above in accordance with the minimum professional requirements of the United States Department of the Interior for certifying local governments under 36 C.F.R. Part 61.
A. 
Historic Preservation Commission members shall be appointed for terms of 4 years, except that the terms of the initial appointments shall be staggered so that 3 members shall serve terms of 4 years, 2 members shall serve terms of 3 years, 1 member shall serve a term of 2 years and 1 member shall serve a term of 1 year. Historic Preservation Commission members may be reappointed.
[Amended by Bill No. 19-004]
B. 
All vacancies on the Commission shall be filled by appointment by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council for the unexpired term of the original appointee.
C. 
Any member missing 3 consecutive meetings shall be deemed to have terminated his or her membership on the Commission unless the Commission shall, by majority vote, excuse one or more of the absences.
D. 
At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a qualified successor is appointed.
[Added by Bill No. 19-004]
The Chair of the Commission shall be appointed by the County Executive. A Co-Chair and Secretary shall be selected by the Commission.
[Amended by Bill No. 15-017]
The Commission shall meet at least 4 times per year and shall hold special meetings at the call of the Chair or of any 4 members of the Commission. The Commission shall keep official records of its resolutions, proceedings and actions. Four members shall constitute a quorum.
The purpose of the Commission shall be to advise the County Executive on the protection, enhancement and perpetuation of structures and sites that represent or reflect elements of the County's cultural, social, economic, political and architectural history to ensure that historical and architectural qualities of County historic landmarks are preserved, and to foster civic pride in the beauty and noble accomplishments of the County's historic and cultural heritage.
The Historic Preservation Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
A. 
Identify historically and architecturally significant properties, structures and areas that exemplify the cultural, social, economic, political or architectural history of the nation, state and County.
B. 
Investigate and recommend to the Department of Planning and Zoning the designation of properties or structures having special historic, community or architectural value as County historic landmarks in accordance with §§ 267-104 and 267-105.
[Amended by Bill No. 15-017]
C. 
In coordination with the Department of Planning and Zoning hold public meetings for all County landmark nominations.
D. 
Make recommendations to the Director of Planning and Zoning on the width of the buffer to be provided for proposed uses adjacent to designated County historic landmarks.
E. 
Keep a register of all properties and structures that have been designated as County historic landmarks or historic districts listed on the national register of historic places, including all information required for each designation.
F. 
Make recommendations for strategies or tools to educate citizens about County historic landmarks and historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
G. 
Advise and assist owners of County historic landmarks and property and structures within historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places on the physical and financial aspects of preservation, renovation, rehabilitation and reuse and on procedures for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.
H. 
Nominate County historic landmarks and historic districts to the National Register of Historic Places and review and comment on any National Register nomination submitted to the Commission for review.
I. 
Inform and educate the citizens of Harford County concerning the historic and architectural heritage of the County by publishing appropriate maps, newsletters, brochures and pamphlets and by holding programs and seminars.
J. 
Hold public meetings to review applications for construction, alteration, removal or demolition affecting proposed or designated County historic landmarks and issue or deny certificates of appropriateness for such actions. Applicants may be required to submit plans, drawings, elevations, specifications and other information as may be necessary to make decisions.
K. 
Review proposed zoning amendments, applications for special use permits or applications for zoning variances that the Director of Planning and Zoning has determined may have some effect on proposed or designated County historic landmarks and historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Director of Planning and Zoning shall send the applications for special use or zoning variances to the Preservation Commission for comment prior to the date of a hearing.
L. 
Call upon staff members of the Department of Planning and Zoning as well as experts for technical advice.
M. 
Confer recognition upon the owners of County historic landmarks or property or structures within historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places by means of certificates, plaques or markers.
N. 
Periodically review the Harford County Zoning Code to recommend to the Department of Planning and Zoning any amendments appropriate for the protection and continued use of County historic landmarks or property and structures within historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
O. 
Undertake any other action or activity necessary or appropriate to the implementation of its powers and duties or to implementation of the purpose of historic preservation.
P. 
Review and comment on major County plans prior to adoption to ensure that historic preservation concerns are adequately addressed.
The Commission shall annually submit a report to the County Executive and the County Council. The report shall contain a summary of all activities of the Commission for the preceding year and shall contain recommendations and evaluations of activities taking place in the County on subjects which fall within the general functions of the Commission. The Commission may issue such other reports as it may deem necessary.