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HomeMy WebLinkAboutD-1 Staff Report - Cultural and Historical Preservation Commission Reassignment ReviewSCHEDULED ITEM D-1 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL VIA: DON PENMAN, INTERIM CITY MANAGER FROM: KURT CHRISTIANSEN, FAICP, DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DATE: NOVEMBER 6, 2017 SUBJECT: DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION ON THE REASSIGNMENT OF THE CULTURAL & HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMISSION DUTIES SUMMARY: At the September 14, 2015 City Council Meeting, a discussion was held regarding the purpose and mission of the City of Azusa Board and Commissions. The Council made a determination to complete a comprehensive review of the following Commissions; Architectural Barriers Commission, Cultural & Historical Preservation Commission and Human Relations Commission, in order to examine the role, purpose and mission of each Commission and decide how each Commission can best serve the Council and the Community. The Council decided that all appointments to these Commissions will be placed on hold and all future meetings be suspended until the review is complete. This is a comprehensive review on the Cultural & Historical Preservation Commission. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the City Council take the following actions: 1) Remove the suspension of the Cultural & Historical Preservation Commission and resume future appointments and meetings; and 2) Direct Staff to initiate a Code Amendment to allow Planning Commission to assume any and all responsibilities as required by Chapter 55 – Historic Preservation of the Azusa Municipal Code. DISCUSSION: Chapter 55 – Historic Preservation of the Azusa Municipal Code regulates any and all aspects of historic preservation within the City’s boundaries. Article I – Cultural and Historic Preservation Commission of the Azusa Municipal Code, outlines the requirements of the Commission as shown below: APPROVED COUNCIL MEETING 11/6/2017 Recommendation No. 1 Only Cultural & Historical Preservation Commission November 6, 2017 Page 2 1. Creation 2. Guiding Mission 3. Membership, Composition, Qualification, Residency 4. Membership, Term, Appointment, Compensation 5. Rules, Regulations, Records 6. Meetings, Quorum 7. Powers and Duties 8. Use of City Staff Article II – Historic Preservation of the Azusa Municipal Code outlines, the duties and procedures of the Commission as shown below: 1. Intent and Purpose 2. Applicability 3. Definitions 4. Administration 5. Designating Historic Landmarks, Historic Districts, Potential Historic Landmarks and Potential Historic Districts 6. Designation Procedures 7. Effective Date of Commission’s Action 8. Appeals 9. Designation Statement 10. Change in Designation 11. Certificate of Appropriateness for Historic Landmarks and/or Historic Districts 12. Procedure for Finding of Economic Hardship 13. Special Review for Potential Historic Landmarks and Potential Historic Districts 14. Emergency Demolition 15. Maintenance and Care 16. Historic Preservation Participation Incentives 17. Enforcement and Penalties Staff has received various inquiries and one application regarding historic preservation. Therefore, a Commission is needed to review and approve future historic preservation applications and projects. FISCAL IMPACT: Staff time shall only be impacted. Therefore, there will be no fiscal impact to the City. Prepared by: Reviewed and Approved: Manuel Muñoz Kurt Christiansen, FAICP Associate Planner Director of Economic and Community Development Reviewed and Approved: Reviewed and Approved: Louie F. Lacasella Don Penman Senior Management Analyst Interim City Manager