(a) 
The city council finds and declares as a matter of public policy that the protection and use of historic landmarks is a public necessity and is required in the interest of the city’s economy and the education, culture and general welfare of the people.
(b) 
The purposes of this chapter are to:
(1) 
Identify, provide protection for, and perpetuate historic landmarks which represent distinctive and important elements of the city’s, state’s and nation’s past, and develop appropriate settings for them.
(2) 
Strengthen the economy of the city by stabilizing and improving property values.
(3) 
Protect and enhance the quality of neighborhoods.
(4) 
Protect and enhance the city’s attraction to tourists and visitors, providing stimulus to business and industry.
(5) 
Conserve resources and save on construction costs.
(6) 
Reinforce community identity and foster civic pride in the appearance of the city and in the accomplishments of the past.
(1966 Code, sec. 2-160.6; 2001 Code, sec. 62-1; Ordinance 92-2003, sec. 1, adopted 9/16/03)
If work is performed without or contrary to this chapter, the building code administrator shall immediately stop any work. Such order shall institute immediately an appropriate action or proceeding to prevent any further unlawful action, and the unauthorized work must be corrected to meet conditions established by the Landmark Commission.
(1966 Code, sec. 2-160.7.6; 2001 Code, sec. 62-2; Ordinance 92-2003, sec. 1, adopted 9/16/03)
It shall be the duty of the city to enforce this chapter. Any person who violates, disobeys, omits, neglects or refuses to comply with or who resists the enforcement of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00. The imposition of one penalty for any violation shall not excuse the violation nor permit it to continue, and each day that the violation is maintained shall constitute a separate offense. The application of such penalty shall not be held to prevent the enforced removal of prohibited conditions.
(2001 Code, sec. 62-3; Ordinance 07-2001, sec. 6, adopted 1/2/01)
Fees shall be established for this chapter as provided by separate ordinance.
(1966 Code, sec. 2-160.7.8; 2001 Code, sec. 62-4)
(a) 
The following are designated as city landmarks and districts:
(1) 
A commercial historic district known as the Depot Square Historic District is established pursuant to Ordinance Number 32-84 (March 20, 1984), and consists of such boundaries as designated by that ordinance and delineated in the following Depot Square District Boundary Map:
(2) 
A residential historic district known as the West Floral Heights Historic District is established pursuant to Ordinance Number 02-2005 (January 18, 2005), and consists of such boundaries as designated by that ordinance and delineated in the following Floral Heights District Map:
(3) 
Memorial Auditorium at 1300 7th Street, further described as Lots 1 and 2, Block 238, original townsite.
(4) 
Kell House at 900 Bluff, further described as Lot 1 and the north 70.67 feet of Lot 2, Block 235, original townsite.
(5) 
First United Methodist Church at 909 Tenth Street, further described as Lots 8, 9 and 10, Block 192, original townsite.
(6) 
The Woman’s Forum of Wichita Falls, Inc., at 2120 Speedway Avenue, further described as Lot 9, Block 12, Country Club Estates Addition.
(7) 
The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd at 1109 Tenth Street, further described as Lot 7A, Block 190, original townsite.
(8) 
The Hardy-Chambers House at 1100 Travis Street, further described as Lots 1 and 2, Block 202, original townsite.
(9) 
The Hardin Administration Building of Midwestern State University at Taft Boulevard.
(10) 
Dr. Fanous’ office at 1411 9th Street.
(11) 
The Berry Brown House at 1400 Travis Avenue.
(12) 
The Hamilton House at 1106 Brook Avenue.
(13) 
The Weeks-Estes House at #1 Crestway.
(14) 
The Lillis Morgan House at 1808 Elizabeth Avenue, Wichita Falls, Texas.
(15) 
The Kell Field Air Terminal located at Sheppard Air Force Base.
(16) 
The Kemp Wholesale Grocery (currently Big C Appliance) at 500 Eighth St., Wichita Falls, Texas.
(17) 
The Kemp Public Library at 1300 Lamar Street, Wichita Falls, Texas.
(18) 
The Elks Home at 1005 Ninth Street, Wichita Falls, Texas, further described as Lots 1, 2 and parts of 3 and 4, Block 186, original townsite.
(19) 
The Central YMCA at Ninth Street, Wichita Falls, Texas, further described as Lots 8, 9 and 10, Block 172, original townsite.
(20) 
The Kemp/Kell Depot at 503 Eighth Street, Wichita Falls, Texas, further described as Lots 1 and 2, Block 177, original townsite.
(21) 
The building location at 616 Seventh Street, Wichita Falls, Texas, further known as Lot 2, Jalonick Subdivision out of Lots 8 and 9, Block, original townsite, and formerly known as Toodles.
(22) 
The building located at 900 Eighth Street, Wichita Falls, Texas, further known as Lots 6 and 7, Block 166, original townsite, and commonly known as the Hamilton Building.
(23) 
The building located at 701 LaSalle Street, Wichita Falls, Texas, further known as Lot 1, Block 162, original townsite, and commonly known as the Littlest Skyscraper.
(24) 
The Graham B. Purcell Building/Federal Post Office at Lamar Street, Wichita Falls, Texas, further known as Lots 1 through 5, Block 192, original townsite.
(25) 
The Cline-Bridwell Mansion, a residence located at Hamilton Boulevard, Wichita Falls, Texas, further known as Lots 1 and 2, Block 6, Country Club Estates Addition, and commonly known as the White House.
(26) 
The John F. O’Donohoe/Anderson Bean Site, located at 615 8th Street, Wichita Falls, Texas, further known as Lot 13 (east 25 feet by 60 feet) and Lot 14 (east 50 feet by 60 feet), Block 176, original townsite, and commonly known as the Iron Horse Pub.
(27) 
The Holt Hotel Building, located at 600 8th Street, Wichita Falls, Texas, further known as Lot 7-A, Block 163, original townsite, is hereby designated as a Wichita Falls landmark.
(28) 
The Langford House, located at 1300 Tilden Street, Wichita Falls, Texas, further known as Lot 1-A, Block 56, Floral Heights Addition, also commonly known as the Wetherbee House.
(29) 
The Fraser House, located at 2106 Hiawatha Boulevard, Wichita Falls, Texas, further known as Lot 2 and 180 feet by 222 feet, Abstract 74, Block 1, Indian Heights Addition, also commonly known as the Blackwood House.
(30) 
The Montgomery House, located at 1300 Buchanan Street, Wichita Falls, Texas, further known as Lots 1, 2 and 3, Block 54, Floral Heights Addition, also commonly known as the Wagner House.
(31) 
The Mytinger-Richardson House, located at 2106 Wenonah Boulevard, Wichita Falls, Texas, also known as Lot 4, Block 5, Indian Heights, commonly known as the Burkman-Combs House.
(32) 
The Perkins-Prothro House, located at 3301 Harrison Boulevard, Wichita Falls, Texas, further described as 10.5 acres in Abstract 305, Abstract 346, and Abstract 346-A, Country Club Estates.
(33) 
The Carrigan-Stilley-Butler House, located at 2108 Wenonah Boulevard, Wichita Falls, Texas, further described as Lot 5, Block 5, Indian Heights.
(34) 
The McMahon-Bullington-Prothro House, located at 2028 Avondale, Wichita Falls, Texas, also known as the east 60 feet of Lot 2, all of Lot 3, and the west 40-feet of Lot 4, Block 1 Country Club Estates and 25 feet by 60 feet of A-305.
(35) 
The former Gorsline’s Fashion Livery Stable/Liepold Clothing Store located at 711 Indiana Ave., Wichita Falls, Texas, further described as the South half of Lot 12, Block 163, Original Townsite.
(b) 
Individual properties designated as city landmarks are outlined as noted in their designation ordinance. A list form of all city designated landmarks shall be kept by the city clerk and historic preservation officer which shall be made available to the public and contain such information as necessary to establish the status of the property and the ordinance designating each such property as a landmark.
(1966 Code, sec. 2-160.7.7; 2001 Code, sec. 62-5; Ordinance 38-2000, sec. 2, adopted 4/18/00; Ordinance 94-2000, sec. 1, adopted 9/14/00; Ordinance 07-2001, sec. 7, adopted 1/2/01; Ordinance 90-2001, sec. 3, adopted 9/18/01; Ordinance 84-2003, sec. 1, adopted 9/2/03; Ordinance 89-2003, sec. 1, adopted 9/16/03; Ordinance 92-2003, sec. 1, adopted 9/16/03; Ordinance 80-2004, sec. 1, adopted 9/21/04; Ordinance 02-2005, sec. 1, adopted 1/18/05; Ordinance 39-2007, sec. 1, adopted 4/17/07; Ordinance 46-2012, sec. 1, adopted 9/4/12; Ordinance 47-2012, sec. 1, adopted 9/4/12; Ordinance 52-2012, sec. 1, adopted 9/18/12; Ordinance 60-2012, sec. 1, adopted 10/16/12; Ordinance 19-2013, sec. 1, adopted 4/16/13; Ordinance 35-2013, sec. 1, adopted 7/16/13; Ordinance 67-2013, sec. 1, adopted 12/17/13; Ordinance 06-2016, sec. 1, adopted 2/16/16)
Any person who is aggrieved by a ruling or action of the Landmark Commission under this chapter may, within 30 days after the ruling, appeal to the city council by filing written notice with the city clerk.
(1966 Code, sec. 2-160.7.5; 2001 Code, sec. 62-6)
(a) 
Application to the Landmark Commission shall be made prior to any major alteration to the exterior of any part of a landmark or prior to any new construction, reconstruction, demolition, removal, or relocation, except routine maintenance of any site within a designated historic district. This section shall not apply to the demolition of a building or structure as ordered by the city council, as authorized by chapter 22, article VIII of this Code.
(b) 
Minor design alterations/elements can be implemented after an administrative review is authorized by the historic preservation officer (city Planning Division) and with the issue of a certificate of appropriateness and obtaining the necessary zoning and building permit/clearances. Minor design alterations/elements include: awnings/shutters/light fixtures; exterior accessibility ramps; outdoor storage; signage; utility servicing equipment, and all other types of work indicated in the Wichita Falls Design Review Guidelines requiring administrative review.
(c) 
An application for demolition, removal, or relocation must be accompanied by an application to remove the designation as a landmark.
(1) 
A major improvement shall include improvements or alterations identified as major in the Wichita Falls Design Review Guidelines or other similar types of work considered as a major work or improvement by the historic preservation officer.
(2) 
A completed design review application for any major improvement, new construction, or demolition shall be reviewed at a public hearing by the Landmark Commission. The Landmark Commission shall conduct the public hearing during a regularly scheduled meeting within 30 days following receipt of a completed application by the historic preservation officer. The commission will consider all applicable design guidelines and render a decision for approval, conditional approval, or disapproval within 45 days of the public hearing date, unless otherwise agreed by the historic preservation officer and the applicant.
(d) 
If no decision is rendered by the Landmark Commission on a major design review application within 75 days of receipt of a complete application, approval shall be deemed granted, and a building permit, if required, may be issued with verification of application submittal.
(e) 
Any approved design review application issued a certificate of appropriateness shall expire within 12 months from the date of issuance if the work authorized is not commenced within this time period. The Landmark Commission may, however, renew an approval if application is made within 30 days of its expiration.
(f) 
Landmarks must be maintained to ensure their structural soundness and to ensure their exterior preservation. Ordinary repair and maintenance is exempt from design review by the Landmark Commission and this section, as are emergency measures authorized by the building inspection division to protect the health, safety, and public welfare. The term “ordinary repair and maintenance” is defined as any work for which a building permit is not required, where the purpose of the work is to correct any damage or deterioration, and where such work will not noticeably change the exterior appearance of any part of the landmark.
(g) 
An application shall be considered submitted when the Landmark Commission begins deliberations on the project. The need for additional information shall extend the application submittal period for an additional 30 days. Should the information not be forthcoming during that period, the application shall be considered null and void.
(h) 
No design review application that has been deemed similar to one that has previously been denied by the Landmark Commission or city council shall be considered or resubmitted for six months from the date of that denial. The historic preservation officer is the final authority as to the determination of similarity of the design review application.
(1966 Code, sec. 2-160.7.3; 2001 Code, sec. 62-7; Ordinance 07-2001, sec. 2, adopted 1/2/01; Ordinance 92-2003, sec. 1, adopted 9/16/03)
(a) 
Creation.
There is hereby appointed a local historic preservation officer for the city.
(b) 
Appointment.
The city manager shall appoint an existing, qualified city employee as the city local historic preservation officer.
(c) 
Functions.
The historic preservation officer shall:
(1) 
Serve as the local preservation contact and/or liaison for the city, the community, the State Historical Commission, and the National Park Service.
(2) 
Submit copies of Landmark Commission meeting minutes and activities to the State Historical Commission.
(3) 
Provide resource materials and information to all Landmark Commission members to better assist them in their duties.
(2001 Code, sec. 62-8; Ordinance 90-2001, sec. 1, adopted 9/18/01)