[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 members of the Commission shall serve without
compensation but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred
in the performance of their duties.
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.
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.
