HomeMy WebLinkAboutNo 905 The Heritage Preservation Commission Ordinance (The Historical Preservation Commission Ordinance)
AMENDMENT ORDINANCE 905
THE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION ORDINANCE
Section 1 This amendment revises Sections 2-87 to 2-91
DIVISION 4 HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION (“Commission”)
Section 2-87 Authority for Establishment
There is hereby established for the City a Heritage Preservation Commission as an
independent commission to the City Council, as provided in Minnesota Statutes Annotated
Sections 471.193 and 138.51.
Section 2-88 Statement of public policy and purpose
The City Council hereby declares as a matter of public policy that the protection,
preservation, perpetuation and use of places, areas, buildings, structures and other objects
having a special historical, community or aesthetic interest or value is a public necessity and is
required in the interest of the people. The purpose of this Chapter is to:
(a) Safeguard the cultural resources of the City by preserving sites, structures, districts and
landmarks which reflect elements of the City's cultural, social, economic, political or
architectural history;
(b) Protect and enhance the City's attractions to residents and visitors;
(c) Foster civic pride in the beauty and notable achievements of the past;
(d) Enhance the visual and aesthetic character, diversity and interest of the City; and
(e) Promote the use and preservation of historic sites and landmarks for the education and
general welfare of the people of the City.
Section 2-89 Advisory body
All actions of the Commission shall be in the nature of recommendations to the City Council,
and said Commission shall have no final authority with reference to any matters, except as the
Council may lawfully delegate authority to it.
Section 2-90 Composition; Appointment; Qualifications; Terms
(a) The Heritage Commission shall be composed of seven (7) members appointed by the
City Council, who shall be residents of the City, and shall be selected to assure that the
Commission is representative of the various areas of the City and responsive to the needs of
the people.
(b) Commission membership shall be drawn from persons with demonstrated interest and/or
expertise in historic preservation. If available in the community, at least two members of the
Commission shall be heritage preservation-related professionals (e.g. the professions of history,
architecture, architectural history, archeology, planning, real estate, design, building trades,
landscape architecture, or law). A member of the Maplewood Heritage Preservation
Commission is required to be a representative to the Ramsey County Historical Society. The
City shall pay for the membership of the Commission or designee.
(c) The members of the heritage preservation commission shall serve staggered terms. All
appointments shall be assigned by the city council for a term of three years.
Section 2-91 Officers Generally
The chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Commission shall be elected by the
Commission at the first meeting in January of each year from among the members of the
Commission. The Chairperson shall be responsible for calling and presiding over all meetings
and shall be entitled to an equal vote with other members of the Commission. If the
Chairperson is unable to attend a meeting, the vice-chairperson shall conduct the meeting.
Section 2-92 Designation of historic sites and landmarks
(a) Procedures: The City Council, upon the request of the Commission, may by resolution
designate an historic site, landmark, or district. Prior to such designation, the city council shall
hold a public hearing, notice of which shall be published at least ten (10) days prior to the date
of the hearing. Notice of the hearing shall also be mailed to all owners of property which is
proposed to be designated as an historic site, landmark or district and to all property owners
within five hundred (500) feet of the boundary of the area to be designated. Every nomination
shall be forwarded to the Minnesota Historical Society for review and comment within sixty (60)
days of the Commission’s request.
(b) Eligibility criteria: In considering the designation of any area, site, place, district, building
or structure in the city as an historic site, landmark, or district the Commission shall consider the
following factors with respect to eligibility:
(1) Its character, interest or value as part of the history or cultural heritage of the
City, the State or the United States;
(2) Its association with persons or events that have made a significant contribution to
the cultural heritage of the City;
(3) Its potential to yield information important in history or prehistory;
(4) Its embodiment of distinguishing characteristics of architectural type or style, or
elements of design, detail materials or craftsmanship; and
(5) Its unique location or singular physical appearance representing an established
or familiar visual feature of a neighborhood or community of the City.
Section 2-93 Alterations to landmarks, sites or districts; review
(a) Review and recommendations generally: The Commission shall review and make
recommendations to the Council concerning proposed alterations to an historic site, landmark or
district.
(b) Land use permit: Every application for a land use permit which may result in the
alteration of a designated historic site, landmark or district in the City shall be reviewed by the
Commission; thereafter, the Commission shall make a recommendation and may recommend
conditions regarding approval to the City Council concerning the proposed permit.
(c) Other building permits: The Commission shall review and make recommendations to
the Council concerning the issuance of building permits to do any of the following in a historic
district or State designated historic site:
(1) New construction – New building or new addition to an existing building
(2) Remodel – Alter, change or modify building or site
(3) Move a building – Building or structure moved into the city.
(4) Excavation – Dig out materials from the ground.
(5) Demolition – Destroy, remove or raze – completely tear down
(d) Factors considered: The Commission, upon receipt of the permit application and plans,
shall determine if the work to be performed adversely affects the designated historic site,
landmark or district. In determining whether or not there is an adverse effect to the historic site,
landmark, or district the Commission shall consider the following factors:
(1) Whether the work will significantly alter the appearance of the building or
structure so as to remove the features which distinguish the historic site, landmark or district as
a significant cultural resource.
(2) Whether the use of the property will destroy, disturb or endanger a known or
suspected archaeological feature site.
(e) Standards and guidelines: The Comprehensive Plan adopted by the City shall be the
authoritative guide to reviewing permits in relation to designated historic sites, landmarks and
historic districts.
(f) Appeals: Any party aggrieved by a decision of the Commission shall within ten (10)
days of the Commission’s action recommending denying the issuance of a building permit within
a historic district have a right to appeal such decision to the City Council. The Commission in
recommending denial of a building permit shall advise the applicant of his/her right to appeal to
the City Council. The aggrieved party shall file with the Building Official a written notice
requesting Council review of the action taken by the Commission.
Section 2-94 Maintenance of records and documents
The Commission shall conduct a continuing survey of cultural resources in the City
which the Commission has reason to believe are or will be eligible for designation as historic
sites, landmarks or districts. The Commission shall also prepare and maintain a Comprehensive
map and survey.
(a) Register of Historic Sites and Landmarks: The City shall maintain a register of historic
sites and landmarks.
(b) Repository for Documents: The office of the Building Official is designated as the
repository for all studies, surveys, reports, programs, and designations of historic sites and
landmarks.
Section 2-95 Violation
It shall be a misdemeanor to alter, disturb, deface or materially change the appearance or use
of a designated historic site, landmark, or district without a permit.
This Historical Preservation Commission recommended approval of this ordinance.
This ordinance shall take effect after publishing in the official newspaper.
The Maplewood City Council approved this ordinance on June 28, 2010.