There is created the Albany Landmarks Commission.
(1) 
Purpose and Intent. It is declared a matter of public policy that the protection, enhancement, perpetuation, and use of improvements of special character or special historical interest or value is a public necessity and is required in the interest of health, prosperity, safety, and welfare of the people. The purpose of this chapter is to:
(a) 
Effect and accomplish the protection, enhancement, and perpetuation of such improvements and districts which represent or reflect elements of the City’s cultural, social, economic, political, and architectural history;
(b) 
Safeguard the City’s historic and cultural heritage, as embodied and reflected in such landmarks and historic districts;
(c) 
Stabilize and improve property values;
(d) 
Foster civic pride in the beauty and noble accomplishments of the past;
(e) 
Protect and enhance the City’s attraction to residents, tourists, and visitors and serve as a support and stimulus to business and industry;
(f) 
Strengthen the economy of the City;
(g) 
Promote the use of historic districts and landmarks for the education, pleasure, and welfare of the people of the City;
(h) 
Work for the continuing education of the citizens of Albany concerning the historic heritage of this City and its landmarks, sites, and objects.
(Ord. 3793 § 1, 1974; Ord. 4252 § 1, 1979; Ord. 5931 § 1, 2019)
The Landmarks Commission shall consist of seven members, each having their principal place of residence within the jurisdictional limits of the City of Albany. Each council member shall have one counterpart, with nominations to be ratified by the council. Members appointed previously under the provisions of this chapter shall continue in office until the expiration of their terms of office. Appointments made to replace those whose terms of office have expired or been vacated shall conform to the intent of this chapter and current council policy. Each member shall have demonstrable knowledge, interest, or competence in historic preservation and additionally in one of the following fields: architecture, landscape architecture, history, art history, education, construction, real estate, development, urban planning, archaeology, law, finance, cultural geography, cultural anthropology, local history, or related disciplines. Commission members shall serve without compensation. Persons appointed to membership on the Landmarks Commission shall serve at the pleasure of the council and may be removed therefrom without cause by a majority vote of the council.
(Ord. 3793 § 2, 1974; Ord. 4252 § 1, 1979; Ord. 4825 § 1, 1988; Ord. 5928 § 6, 2019; Ord. 5931 § 1, 2019)
Two of the first members of the Landmarks Commission shall be appointed for one year, two members shall be appointed for two years, and three members shall be appointed for three years. Except for the first members and appointments to fill vacancies, the terms of members of the Landmarks Commission shall be three years and until their successors are appointed and qualified.
(Ord. 3793 § 3, 1974; Ord. 4252 § 1, 1979; Ord. 5931 § 1, 2019)
The Landmarks Commission shall, at its first meeting in January of each year, elect one of its members to serve as chair and another to serve as vice chair. The community development director of the City, or his/her designee, shall serve as secretary to the Landmarks Commission and shall keep accurate, permanent and complete records of all proceedings held before the Landmarks Commission. The chair or the presiding officer of the Landmarks Commission shall be entitled to vote on all questions that are before the commission. The commission may adopt rules governing the transaction of its business which are consistent with the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 3793 § 4, 1974; Ord. 4252 § 1, 1979; Ord. 4825 § 1, 1988; Ord. 5013 § 1, 1992; Ord. 5931 § 1, 2019)
The Landmarks Commission shall have and may exercise the following duties, powers, and responsibilities:
(1) 
The Landmarks Commission shall be a quasi-judicial decision maker for matters that include the following:
(a) 
Decisions regarding the application or removal of historic overlay districts in cases where a public hearing is required by the Albany Development Code, Article 7;
(b) 
Type III historic review permit decisions; and
(c) 
Appeals of director-level historic review permit decisions.
(2) 
The Landmarks Commission shall advise and assist the council, Planning Commission, and community development director in matters pertaining to historic and cultural resource preservation. Such matters shall include:
(a) 
Recommendations concerning amendments to sections of the Albany Development Code pertaining to historic preservation.
(b) 
Recommendations concerning the nominations of sites or structures for the National Register of Historic Places.
(c) 
Recommendations concerning additional inventories and/or surveys of Albany’s historic sites and structures.
(d) 
Recommendations concerning the application for and expenditure of grant funds pertaining to historic preservation programs and activities.
(e) 
Coordination of public information or educational programs pertaining to historic and cultural resources.
(f) 
Coordination of historical preservation programs of the City, county, state, and federal governments as they relate to property within the City.
(Ord. 3793 § 5, 1974; Ord. 4252 § 1, 1979; Ord. 4825 § 1, 1988; Ord. 5931 § 1, 2019)