[Zoning Order §6.020, 4-2-2008]
A.
Composition Of Historic Preservation Commission. The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) shall consist of five (5) members, residents of Jefferson County, all of whom shall be appointed by the County Executive with consent of the County Council. All HPC members must have a demonstrated interest, competence or knowledge in historic preservation. To the extent available in the County, the HPC shall include professional members representing such disciplines as architecture, architectural history, prehistoric and historic archaeology, planning, urban design, cultural geography, cultural anthropology, folklore, curation, conservation, landscape architecture, law, real estate brokerage, banking, history or other fields related to historic preservation. If certain critical disciplines are not represented on the HPC, the County may seek the advice of consultants and the State Historic Preservation Office in reviewing a particular action.
B.
Terms. The terms of office of the members of the HPC shall be for three (3) years, excepting that the membership of the first (1st) HPC appointed shall serve respectively for terms of three (3) for two (2) years; and two (2) for three (3) years. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term only. Action to fill vacancies shall be initiated within sixty (60) days. The HPC shall hold at least four (4) meetings per year and any member of the HPC who fails to attend at least fifty percent (50%) of all meetings, regular and special, in any calendar year shall thereby automatically vacate the membership.
C.
Officers. Officers shall consist of a Chairman and a Vice Chairman elected by the HPC who shall each serve a term of one (1) year and shall be eligible for re-election; but no member shall serve as Chairman for more than two (2) consecutive years. The Chairman shall preside over meetings.
In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman shall perform the duties of the Chairman. If both are absent, those present shall elect a temporary Chairman. The Planning Division shall provide a recording secretary for the HPC.
D.
Meetings. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the members appointed. All decisions of the HPC shall be made by a majority vote of those members present and voting at any meeting where a quorum exists. Meetings shall be held at scheduled times to be established by resolution of the HPC at the beginning of the calendar year or at any time upon the call of the Chairman, but no less than once per calendar quarter. Public notice of all meetings shall be posted in conformance with standard County policy and Section 610.020, RSMo. All meetings of the HPC shall be open to the public except as allowed by State law. The HPC shall keep minutes of its proceedings, showing the vote, indicating findings of fact and shall keep records of its examinations and other official actions, all of which shall be public record. All HPC rules of procedure, designation criteria, design guidelines and forms shall be available to the public at the office of the Planning Division.
E.
Funding. The County Council may annually appropriate funds, within the budget limitations, for the operation of the HPC. The HPC may, with the consent of the County Council, apply for, receive or expend any Federal, State or private grant, grant-in-aid, gift or bequest in furtherance of the general purposes of this Chapter.
F.
Compensation. The members shall serve without compensation or as otherwise determined by the County Council.
G.
Powers And Duties. The HPC shall have the following powers and duties:
1.
To adopt its own bylaws and procedures consistent with the Revised Statutes of the State of Missouri;
2.
To conduct an ongoing survey for the identification of historically, archaeologically and architecturally significant properties, structures, sites and areas that exemplify the cultural, social, economic, political or architectural history of the nation, State or County; and to maintain the research information in an inventory accessible to the public (except for archaeological site locations which shall be restricted);
3.
To investigate and recommend to the County Council the adoption of ordinances designating, for protection, properties or structures having special cultural, historic, political or architectural value as "landmarks";
4.
To investigate and recommend to the County Council the adoption of ordinances designating, for protection, areas as having special cultural, historic, prehistoric, archaeological, community or architectural value as "historic districts";
5.
To keep a register of all properties that have been designated as landmarks or historic districts, including all information required for each designation;
6.
To confer recognition upon the owners of landmarks and property or structures within historic districts by means of determinations, plaques or markers; and to make recommendations for the design and implementation of specific markings of the streets and routes leading from one landmark or historic district to another;
7.
To advise owners of landmarks and property or structures within historic districts on physical and financial aspects of preservation, renovation, rehabilitation and reuse and on procedures for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places;
8.
To nominate landmarks to the Jefferson County Historic Register and to the National Register of Historic Places and to review and comment on any nominations to the National Register of Historic Places for properties within the boundaries of Jefferson County;
9.
To inform and educate the citizens of Jefferson County concerning the heritage of the County through seminars, programs and literature;
10.
To review applications for construction, alteration, removal or demolition affecting proposed or designated landmarks or structures within historic districts in accordance with the adopted procedures and policies of this Article.
11.
To administer on behalf of the County any property of historical significance or full or partial interest in real property, including easements, that the County may have or accept as a gift or otherwise, upon approval by the County Council;
12.
To recommend revisions to the preservation component of the Official Master Plan to the Planning and Zoning Commission and to the County Council;
13.
To periodically review this UDO and to recommend to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the County Council any amendments appropriate for the protection and continued use of landmarks or property, sites and structures within historic districts;
14.
To undertake any other action or activity necessary or appropriate to the implementation of its powers and duties or to implementation of the purpose of this Article; and
15.
To make recommendations to the County Council concerning budgetary appropriations to further the general purposes of this Article.