[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca 7-2-2012 by Ord. No.
2012-04; amended in its entirety 12-4-2013 by Ord. No.
2013-17. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
To effectuate the goals of Chapter 228, Landmarks Preservation, there is hereby established in and for the City of Ithaca a commission to be known as the "Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission."
A.
Membership.
The Commission shall consist of seven members plus two alternates,
all of whom shall possess a demonstrated significant interest in and
commitment to the field of historic preservation as evidenced by involvement
in a local, state, or national historic preservation group; employment;
education; or volunteer activity in furtherance of historic preservation.
B.
Appointment.
Members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor with the
advice and consent of the Common Council. Three members shall be selected,
each of whom shall possess professional qualifications evidencing
expertise in historic preservation, architecture, City planning or
building construction. The four remaining members shall be selected
from the community at large. In filling two of these four at-large
seats, preference will be given to individuals who possess demonstrated
expertise in commercial or business activity, including, but not limited
to, banking or real estate.
C.
Terms.
The original appointments of the members of the Commission shall be
three for one year, two for two years and two for three years from
January following the year of such appointment, or until their successor
is named to serve out the unexpired portion of their term of appointment,
or until their successor is appointed to serve for the term of three
years.
D.
Vacancies.
Vacancies occurring in the Commission other than by expiration of
term of office shall be filled by appointment by the Mayor, but such
appointment shall be only for the unexpired portion of the term of
the member replaced.
E.
Reappointment.
Members may serve for more than one term, and each member shall serve
until the appointment of a successor.
F.
Method
of selection to fill vacancies. Vacancies shall be filled by the Mayor
according to the original selection as aforesaid.
G.
Compensation.
Members shall serve without compensation.
H.
Quorum.
A majority of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business.
A.
Officers.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission shall elect from its membership
a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson whose terms of office shall be
fixed by the Commission. The Chairperson shall preside over the Commission
and shall have the right to vote. The Vice Chairperson shall, in cases
of absence or disability of the Chairperson, perform the duties of
the Chairperson.
B.
Alternates.
The Chairperson, or in their absence, the Vice-chairperson, shall
designate an alternate to serve when a regular member is faced with
a conflict of interest. When so designated, the alternate shall possess
all the powers and responsibilities of the regular member. Alternates
shall be designated at the time of their appointment as "Alternate
1" and "Alternate 2," and shall be called upon to serve on a rotating
basis.
C.
Secretary. The Director of Planning and Development or his/her designee shall serve as the Secretary to the Commission. The Secretary shall keep a record of all resolutions, proceedings, and actions of the Landmarks Preservation Commission, and shall have the authority to act as provided for in § 228-7C of the City Municipal Code.
The powers of the Commission shall include:
A.
Adoption of criteria for the identification of significant historic,
architectural, and cultural landmarks and for the delineation of historic
districts;
B.
Conduct of surveys of significant historic, architectural, and cultural
landmarks and historic districts within the City;
C.
Recommending designation by Common Council of identified structures
or resources as landmarks and historic districts;
D.
Adoption of criteria for the evaluation of applications for a Certificate
of Appropriateness;
G.
Making recommendations to the City concerning the acquisition of preservation easements or other interests in real property as necessary to carry out the purposes of § 228-2 of the City Municipal Code;
H.
Increasing public awareness of the value of historic, cultural, and
architectural preservation by developing and participating in public
education programs;
I.
Making recommendations to the City concerning the utilization of
state, federal, or private funds to promote the preservation of landmarks
and historic districts within the City;
J.
Recommending acquisition of a landmark structure by the City where its preservation is essential to the purposes of § 228-2 of the City Municipal Code and where private preservation is not feasible;
K.
Preparing a report or recommendation to other City boards and committees
regarding plans and proposals that could have an impact on designated
individual landmarks and/or historic districts;
L.
Delegation of work to staff and professional consultants as necessary
to carry out the duties of the Commission, within the budget provided
therefore by the City of Ithaca.
The Commission shall adopt rules for the transaction of its
business, which shall provide for the time and place of holding regular
meetings. Regular meetings shall be held at least once each month.
The Commission's rules shall provide for the calling of special meetings
by the Chairperson or by at least three members of the Commission.
All regular or special meetings of the Commission shall be open to
the public, and any person shall be entitled to appear and be heard
on a matter before the Commission before it reaches its decision.
[Amended 11-3-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-09]
The Commission shall keep a record, which shall be open to the public view, of its resolutions, proceedings and actions. The vote or failure to vote of each member shall be recorded. The concurring affirmative vote of a majority of those members present shall constitute approval of plans before it for review or for the adoption of any resolution, motion or other action of the Commission. The Commission shall submit an annual report of its activities to the City Manager and Common Council and make such recommendations to the Common Council as it deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter and Chapter 228, Landmarks Preservation.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission may, by rule, establish
permanent or ad hoc committees consisting of no less than three current
members of the ILPC for assignments delegated by the full Commission.
As an aid toward cooperation in matters which concern the integrity
of the designated landmarks and historic districts, all City departments
shall, upon request, furnish to the Landmarks Preservation Commission,
within a reasonable time, the available maps, plans, reports and statistical
or other information the Commission may require for its work.
