[Added 10-7-2025 by Ord. No. 25-3356]
The governing body hereby establishes within the City of Summit an Historic Preservation Commission ("Historic Preservation Commission," "Commission," or "HPC"), whose members shall serve without compensation. The powers of the Commission shall be limited to those expressly set forth in this Part V, Historic Preservation, of Chapter 35, Development Regulations, of the City Code.
[Added 10-7-2025 by Ord. No. 25-3356]
A. 
The Historic Preservation Commission shall consist of seven regular members and two alternate members. There shall be three members of Class A and B, with at least one member each of Class A and B, and four members of Class C. At the time of appointment, members shall be designated by the following classes:
1. 
Class A. A person who is knowledgeable in building design and construction or architectural history and not more than one of whom may reside outside the municipality;
2. 
Class B. A person who is knowledgeable in, or who has demonstrated an interest in, local history and not more than one of whom may reside outside the municipality; and
3. 
Class C. Citizens of the City who shall hold no other municipal office, position or employment, except for membership on the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment. Class C members should have, at a minimum, a demonstrated interest in history, historic preservation or a related field.
B. 
Of the seven regular members, at least one member shall be appointed from each class. Alternate members shall meet the qualifications of Class C members. At the time of appointment, alternate members shall be designated as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2."
C. 
Commission members shall serve on a voluntary basis without compensation.
[Added 10-7-2025 by Ord. No. 25-3356]
A. 
The Common Council shall determine the terms of the members appointed under this Historic Preservation Ordinance so that, to the greatest extent practicable, to stagger the expiration of the terms to avoid more than two Class A and B members' appointments expiring in any given year, more than two Class C members' appointments expiring in any given year, and more than one alternate member's appointment expiring in any given year; provided that the term of no regular member shall exceed four years and that the term of no alternate member shall exceed two years.
B. 
The term of a full member shall be four years; the term of an alternate member shall be two years.
C. 
Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this article, the term of any member who is also a member of the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment shall be coterminous with membership on such board.
D. 
The governing body shall fill any vacancy occurring other than by expiration of term within 60 days for the unexpired term only.
E. 
Any member of the Commission may, after public hearing if he or she requests it, be removed by the Common Council for cause. Missing three or more meeting in any calendar year may be deemed cause for removal.
[Added 10-7-2025 by Ord. No. 25-3356]
Alternate members may participate in all Commission discussions during proceedings but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular member may vote instead of an alternate member. In the event that the HPC must choose between alternate members, Alternate No. 1 shall vote.
[Added 10-7-2025 by Ord. No. 25-3356]
The Common Council shall designate one of its members as a liaison between the Historic Preservation Commission and the Common Council. The Planning and Zoning Boards may designate one of its members as a liaison between the Commission and the Planning Board. The role of such liaisons shall be informational only and such persons shall possess no voting rights with regard to any action taken by the Commission.
[Added 10-7-2025 by Ord. No. 25-3356]
A. 
Annually, the Commission shall elect a chair and vice chair from its regular members.
B. 
Annually, the Commission shall appoint a recording secretary who shall be a member of the Commission.
[Added 10-7-2025 by Ord. No. 25-3356]
A. 
The Commission shall adopt written by-laws and procedures for the transaction of its business consistent with the provisions of this Historic Preservation Ordinance.
B. 
A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of four of the Commission's members, including the Chair or, in their absence, the Vice Chair.
C. 
Minutes and records of all meetings and proceedings, including voting records, attendance, resolutions, reports, findings, determinations, decisions, and verifications, shall be public documents. The Commission shall deliver copies of all its minutes to the City Clerk and the Department of Community Services; the City Clerk shall maintain copies of such minutes at City Hall. Electronic records shall be maintained in a database created by the City for such purposes.
D. 
The Commission shall make available copies of the Commission's records to the Common Council, and to municipal boards, agencies, and officials for their use. When the Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Adjustment refers an application to the Commission, the Commission shall prepare a report in response to such a referral and shall provide a copy of the commission's report to the referring board.
E. 
The Commission may report findings upon complete review of a Historic Site Verification to the Historic Preservation webpage of the City website.
F. 
No member of the Commission shall act in his or her official capacity on any matter in which he or she has, either directly or indirectly, any personal or financial interest.
G. 
Report at least annually to the Planning Board and Common Council on the state of historic preservation in the City and recommend measures to improve same.
[Added 10-7-2025 by Ord. No. 25-3356]
The Historic Preservation Commission shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities:
A. 
Prepare and maintain a survey of all buildings, structures, sites, objects, improvements, and districts of historical significance within the City.
B. 
Make recommendations to the Planning Board and Common Council regarding (1) the designation of buildings, structures, sites, objects, or improvements as local historic landmarks (individually designated resources), and (2) the designation of local historic districts (a grouping of historic resources), and designation of sites, landmarks and districts, for inclusion in the National, State, and/or County Registers of Historic Places.
C. 
Make recommendations to the Planning Board and Common Council on the Historic Preservation Element of the Master Plan and on the implications for preservation of historic landmarks and historic districts of any other Master Plan elements.
D. 
Make recommendations to the Planning Board and Common Council on the historic preservation implications of any proposed or adopted zoning or development ordinance(s) or proposed or adopted element(s) of the City's Master Plan.
E. 
Make recommendations on the subject matter of Historic Site Verifications submitted to the Historic Preservation Commission.
F. 
Advise and assist City departments, officers, employees, boards, and other bodies, including those at the county, state and federal levels, on matters which have potential impacts on the historic buildings, structures, objects, sites or districts in the City or on the physical character of any portion of the City or region.
G. 
Advise and assist City departments, officers, employees, boards, and other bodies in the review of proposed partial or total demolition of designated historic resources.
H. 
Advise the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment on applications for development involving designated historic sites, structures, landmarks or districts.
I. 
Advise the Planning Board and Common Council on the relative merits of proposals involving the use of public funds to restore, preserve and protect historic buildings, structures, objects and sites; to securing state, federal and/or other grants or assistance in support of such projects, and to monitor such projects once underway.
J. 
Make information available to residents of historic buildings or districts concerning guidelines for rehabilitation and design criteria for new construction.
K. 
Seek any benefits which may be granted under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, or any other state, county, or federal legislation, including the benefits which flow to communities under the certified local government program with regard to training, grant funding and technical assistance; and, in furtherance thereof, to take any steps necessary to assist the City in the preparation and submission of any documents needed for certification of the City as a certified local government under the National Historic Preservation Act.
L. 
Monitor and recommend to the Common Council the submission of any grants related to historic preservation.
M. 
Increase public awareness of the value of historic, architectural and cultural preservation by developing and participating in public information programs.
N. 
Conduct such other advisory, educational and informational functions as will promote historic preservation in the City of Summit.