There is hereby established a Historic District
Commission for the City having all of the powers and duties set forth
in RSA 31:89-f in effect as of July 9, 1980. Any subsequent amendments
to the RSA shall not affect this article unless such amendments are
first approved by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen.
A.Â
Composition. The Historic District Commission shall
consist of seven members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the
Board of Aldermen, one member who is an Alderman, appointed by the
President of the Board of Aldermen, and one member who is the Mayor
or the Mayor's designee. All members shall be residents of the City.
One member shall be a representative of a local nonprofit historical
organization, one member shall be a registered architect, one member
shall be an Alderman, one member shall be the Mayor or the Mayor's
designee, one member shall be a member of the Planning Board, one
member shall be a resident of a designated Historic District, if possible,
and there shall be one other member.
B.Â
Terms. The members of the Commission shall be appointed
for three-year terms. Initial appointments shall be staggered so that
subsequent appointments shall not occur at the same time.
C.Â
Vacancies. If a vacancy is created, an interim appointment
for the remainder of the term shall be made in accordance with the
procedures hereinbefore described.
D.Â
Qualifications. In determining the qualifications
of a member of the Commission, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen shall
take into consideration the individual's demonstrated interest and
ability to understand, appreciate and promote the purposes of this
article.
E.Â
Alternates. There shall be three alternates appointed
by the Mayor and confirmed by the Board of Aldermen.
A.Â
The Historic District Commission shall annually elect
a Chairman and secretary from among the appointed members and create
and fill such other offices as it may deem necessary to fulfill its
work. The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chairman, and at
such other time as the Commission may determine, and shall adopt rules
for the orderly conduct of meetings. Minutes of all meetings shall
be kept, and all records and meetings of the Commission shall be open
to the public.
B.Â
In order for the Commission to take any action, at
least four members shall be present to constitute a quorum. A simple
majority of the quorum shall be sufficient to approve or deny any
motion to come before the Commission.
A.Â
The Historic District Commission shall develop a policy
to accomplish the purposes of this section within the historic districts
and to relate that policy to the Master Plan. The Commission shall
have the power to accept, review and act upon all applications for
building permits in reference to properties situated within the boundaries
of any Historic District established herein. Such power of review
and approval or disapproval shall be limited to those considerations
which affect the relationship of the applicant's proposal to its surroundings,
to the locating and arrangement of structures, to the architectural
treatment of the exterior features and finish of structures, and to
the compatibility of land uses within the district as they may be
deemed to affect the character and integrity of the district to achieve
the purposes of this article.
B.Â
The Commission may request reports and recommendations
regarding the feasibility of an applicant's proposal from any administrative
official of the City. The Commission may seek advice from, or engage
through contract, such technical assistance and consultants, and accept
and use gifts, grants or other contributions as may be deemed necessary
to carry out the purposes of this article, provided that no financial
or other commitment or obligation is incurred without having first
received the consent and approval of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen
in accordance with the Charter of the City. The Commission shall file
with the Building Department Manager a certificate of approval or
notice of disapproval following the review and determination of an
application. The Commission shall review the physical, social and
cultural assets of the City and recommend the establishment of areas
in the City for designation as Historic Districts to the Mayor and
Board of Aldermen.
[Amended 2-26-2008 by Ord. No. O-08-07]
