To effectuate the goals of Chapter
228, Landmarks Preservation, there is hereby established in and for the City of Ithaca a commission to be known as the "Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission."
The powers of the Commission shall include:
A. Adoption of criteria for the identification of significant historic,
architectural, and cultural landmarks and for the delineation of historic
districts;
B. Conduct of surveys of significant historic, architectural, and cultural
landmarks and historic districts within the City;
C. Recommending designation by Common Council of identified structures
or resources as landmarks and historic districts;
D. Adoption of criteria for the evaluation of applications for a Certificate
of Appropriateness;
E. Approval or disapproval of proposals for exterior change resulting in applications for a certificate of appropriateness pursuant to §§
228-4 and
228-6 of the City Municipal Code;
F. Approval or disapproval of applications for a finding of economic hardship pursuant to §§
228-10 and
228-11 of the City Municipal Code;
G. Making recommendations to the City concerning the acquisition of preservation easements or other interests in real property as necessary to carry out the purposes of §
228-2 of the City Municipal Code;
H. Increasing public awareness of the value of historic, cultural, and
architectural preservation by developing and participating in public
education programs;
I. Making recommendations to the City concerning the utilization of
state, federal, or private funds to promote the preservation of landmarks
and historic districts within the City;
J. Recommending acquisition of a landmark structure by the City where its preservation is essential to the purposes of §
228-2 of the City Municipal Code and where private preservation is not feasible;
K. Preparing a report or recommendation to other City boards and committees
regarding plans and proposals that could have an impact on designated
individual landmarks and/or historic districts;
L. Delegation of work to staff and professional consultants as necessary
to carry out the duties of the Commission, within the budget provided
therefore by the City of Ithaca.
The Commission shall adopt rules for the transaction of its
business, which shall provide for the time and place of holding regular
meetings. Regular meetings shall be held at least once each month.
The Commission's rules shall provide for the calling of special meetings
by the Chairperson or by at least three members of the Commission.
All regular or special meetings of the Commission shall be open to
the public, and any person shall be entitled to appear and be heard
on a matter before the Commission before it reaches its decision.
[Amended 11-3-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-09]
The Commission shall keep a record, which shall be open to the public view, of its resolutions, proceedings and actions. The vote or failure to vote of each member shall be recorded. The concurring affirmative vote of a majority of those members present shall constitute approval of plans before it for review or for the adoption of any resolution, motion or other action of the Commission. The Commission shall submit an annual report of its activities to the City Manager and Common Council and make such recommendations to the Common Council as it deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter and Chapter
228, Landmarks Preservation.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission may, by rule, establish
permanent or ad hoc committees consisting of no less than three current
members of the ILPC for assignments delegated by the full Commission.
As an aid toward cooperation in matters which concern the integrity
of the designated landmarks and historic districts, all City departments
shall, upon request, furnish to the Landmarks Preservation Commission,
within a reasonable time, the available maps, plans, reports and statistical
or other information the Commission may require for its work.