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. 
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. 
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. 
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. 
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. 
Alternates. There shall be three alternates appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Board of Aldermen.
A. 
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. 
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. 
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. 
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]