§ 30-1693. Historic preservation commission.

(a)

Historic preservation commission: The historic preservation commission (HPC) is a governmental agency of the village. The HPC is vested with the authority to make recommendations to the village council on the designation and regulation of village historic structures within a designated historic district and landmarks within the incorporated area of the village as prescribed in this division.

(b)

Appointment and membership qualifications: The HPC consists of five members appointed by the village council. Each member shall be a resident of the village at the time of appointment and during the member's term(s) in office. Appointments shall be made on the basis of civic pride, integrity, experience and interest in the field of historic preservation. The village council shall attempt to nominate architects, realtors, archaeologists, historians, neighborhood activists, lawyers or other individuals from the business, financial and other segments of the community who, by virtue of their profession, business or civic involvement, have demonstrated concern for historic preservation. Membership on the board should be representative of the community at large and reflect a broad cross section of the community.

(c)

Membership removal, terms, and vacancies: The HPC members shall serve overlapping terms of three years. HPC members serve without compensation, but are entitled to the reimbursement of expenses as provided in F.S. § 112.061.

(d)

Organization and administration: The members of the HPC shall elect a chairperson and vice chairperson, for a one-year term each. The chairperson or, in the absence of the chairperson, the vice-chairperson, shall preside at all meetings and may vote. The director of planning and development services shall designate staff to advise and provide clerical support to the HPC. The village attorney shall be the attorney to the HPC. The director of planning and development services shall be the custodian of all HPC records. The HPC shall meet at least once per month at a date and time established by the HPC, unless there is no business pending.

(e)

Notice: Notice of meetings required under this division shall be given in accordance with section 30-213 of the Village Code.

(f)

Public hearings: All hearings required under this division shall be conducted in accordance with section 30-213 of the Village Code.

(g)

Powers and duties: The HPC has the following powers and duties:

(1)

Adoption of its own procedural rules and regulations as necessary for the conduct of its business;

(2)

Investigate and recommend to the village council the adoption of ordinances designating buildings, structures, sites having special historic, architectural and archaeological value as landmarks or historic districts, and if necessary, recommend rescission of such designations;

(3)

Investigate and recommend to the village council the adoption of ordinances on whether a substantially damaged designated historic building, structure, object, or site may be reconstructed using the criteria set forth in this division;

(4)

Conduct surveys of historically, architecturally and archaeologically significant structures and districts within the village;

(5)

Advise the village council on all matters related to historic preservation policy, including the use, administration, and maintenance of publicly-owned historic landmarks;

(6)

Make recommendations on nominations of a historic property to the National Register of Historic Places;

(7)

Increase public awareness of the value of historic and architectural preservation by developing and participating in public education programs;

(8)

Make recommendations to the village council concerning utilization of state, federal and private funds to promote the preservation of significant structures and historic districts within the village;

(9)

Make recommendations to the village council concerning acquisition of a significant structure where its preservation is essential to the purposes of this act and where private preservation is not feasible;

(10)

Review applications for special certificates of appropriateness and make recommendations to the village council regarding such applications; and

(11)

Undertake any other action or activity specifically delegated to it or requested by the village council.

(h)

The HPC shall meet no less than four times per year. At a minimum of one meeting each year, the HPC shall identify those structures within the village which are historically, architecturally or archaeologically significant. The findings of the HPC shall be transmitted to the village council after each meeting of the HPC, for the review and consideration of the village council. The HPC shall otherwise encourage the identification, preservation and protection of historically, architecturally or archaeologically significant structures and sites.

(Ord. No. 02-14, § 1(7.6.3), 2-7-2002; Ord. No. 07-21, § 1, 7-26-2007)