There is established a Historic Preservation Commission, which shall advise the City on historic preservation matters, participate in processes that involve historical or cultural resources, and take other such actions concerning historic preservation as may be prescribed by ordinance and shall be appointed and serve in accordance with Chapter 2.58 SMC (City Boards, Commissions and Committees).
(Ord. 901 § 3-100, 1976; Ord. 1261 § 2, 2018)
The Historic Preservation Commission shall have and exercise the powers and perform the duties set forth in this section and in SMC Title 10, Zoning, with respect to historic preservation. The Historic Preservation Commission shall:
A. 
Recommend to the City Council, after public hearing, on the designation of properties to the local historic register and/or historic overlay district pursuant to Chapters 10.46 (Historic Preservation) and 10.28 SMC (Overlay Districts), and make any preliminary or supplemental determinations or conclusions in order to make a recommendation;
B. 
Conduct review for a certificate of appropriateness for applications of construction, alteration, demolition and other features pertaining to local/State/National Historic Register structures and historic overlay districts;
C. 
Compile or cause to be compiled and maintained a historic register that lists/describes all designated local/State/National Historic Register structures, historic overlay districts, and contributing properties and sites within the City;
D. 
Review a Citywide survey of historical resources, which is periodically updated, and other surveys on a case-by-case basis, and recommend adoption of the survey conclusions to the City Council;
E. 
Create policies, procedures, and guidelines to carry out the intent of this chapter and of SMC Title 10 (Zoning), as relates to historic preservation, for review and adoption by the City Council;
F. 
For the purposes of the Certified Local Government Program, recommend properties for inclusion in the California Register of Historical Resources and the National Register of Historic Places, and review and comment on Federal undertakings where authorized under the National Historic Preservation Act;
G. 
Review and comment upon environmental documents under the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") and the National Environmental Policy Act ("NEPA"), including advising the decision-making body whether sites and structures qualify as historical resources under CEQA;
H. 
Review and provide written reports to the Planning Commission and the City Council on policies, ordinances, and resolutions concerning historic preservation issues, historical resources, and other such matters as may be prescribed by ordinance;
I. 
Review and make recommendations to the City Council on Mills Act contracts, if adopted;
J. 
Provide recommendations to the City Council regarding the utilization and promotion of incentives and grants from Federal and State agencies, private groups, and individuals, and regarding budgetary appropriations to advance the preservation of historical resources in the City;
K. 
Participate in, promote, and conduct public information, educational, and interpretative programs pertaining to historical resources, and provide public participation in all aspects of the City's historic preservation program;
L. 
Advise the City Council on all matters relating to the historic and cultural preservation of the City, in particular State and Federal designations and registration of historical resources;
M. 
Recommend to the City Council the documents, paintings, and objects of special historical value associated with the history of the City and advise on items to be acquired by the City and the acceptance of gifts of such items, as well as money when the same is given to be used for the acquisition of property, real or personal, of historical interest; and
N. 
The Community Development Department shall provide staff support to the Historic Preservation Commission.
(Ord. 901 § 3-400, 1976; Ord. 1261 § 3, 2018)
The Historic Preservation Commission shall consist of five members to be appointed by the City Council. City Council appointments to the Commission shall be governed by the provisions set forth in Chapter 2.58 SMC. The term of office for each member shall be for three years, with terms staggered so that the terms of not more than three members expire in a single year, to the extent possible. Commission members may serve consecutive terms.
(Ord. 901 § 3-200, 1976; Ord. 1133 § 3, 1998; Ord. 1261 § 4, 2018)
A. 
Certified local government procedures require the Historic Preservation Commission to meet specific professional requirements. The Historic Preservation Commission shall include five individuals with all members having demonstrated interest, competence, or knowledge in historic preservation. Historic Preservation Commission membership may also include lay members who have demonstrated special interest, competence, experience, or knowledge in historic preservation.
B. 
At least two Historic Preservation Commission members are encouraged to be appointed from among professionals in the disciplines of history, architecture, architectural history, planning, prehistoric and historic archaeology, folklore, cultural anthropology, curation, conservation, and landscape architecture or related disciplines, such as urban planning, American studies, American civilization, or cultural geography, to the extent that such professionals are available in the community.
(Ord. 1261 § 5, 2018)
Within 10 days after the appointment of the Commission, they shall meet in regular session and organize by electing from members of the Commission a Chairperson and Vice Chair who will hold office for a term of one year. Thereafter, the Commission shall meet in regular session not less than once every 60 days.
(Formerly 2.28.040; Ord. 901 § 3-300, 1976; Ord. 1261 § 6, 2018)
The Community Development Director, or their designee, shall serve as Secretary of the Historic Preservation Commission. The Secretary shall attend meetings and keep a record of the proceedings and transactions of the Historic Preservation Commission, specifying the names of the Commission members in attendance at each meeting and the ayes and noes upon all roll calls. The Secretary shall, among other duties, post and publish all required notices of the Historic Preservation Commission.
(Ord. 1261 § 7, 2018)