§ 402.050. Historic Preservation Commission., Chapter 402. Review and Decision-Making Bodies, Unified Development Code, Code of Ordinances, Blue Springs

There is hereby created a Blue Springs Historic Preservation Commission.

Number Of Members. The Historic Preservation Commission is to be composed of nine (9) members.

Appointment. The Mayor, with the consent and approval of the majority of the members of the City Council, shall have the power to appoint all members. One (1) member shall be a representative from the Planning Commission and one (1) shall be a City Councilmember representative.

[Ord. No. 4813, 4-15-2019]

Terms of office. Citizen appointments shall be for terms of three (3) years. The Planning Commission and Councilmember representatives shall be appointed annually. Members may serve consecutive terms.

]Ord. No. 4813, 4-15-2019]

Qualifications. Members shall be residents of Blue Springs. All members should demonstrate an interest and knowledge of history, architecture or preservation. In addition, every effort should be made to appoint members with the following additional qualifications:

[Ord. No. 4813, 4-15-2019]

An architect who has professional experience in restoration or historic preservation.

A member of the Blue Springs Historical Society.

A property owner in an existing or proposed Historic District or Conservation District.

A merchant in an existing or proposed Historic District or Conservation District.

Organization And Authority.

Chairperson. Neither the City Councilmember representative nor Planning Commission representative shall be appointed as Chairperson or Vice Chairperson.

[Ord. No. 4813, 4-15-2019]

Rules. The Historic Preservation Commission shall have power to make whatever rules and guidelines necessary for the execution of its duties as set forth in this Chapter. All such rules shall be approved by the City Council by resolution before becoming effective.

Meetings. The Historic Preservation Commission shall meet on a periodic basis as determined by the Commission from time-to-time, and may hold any other special meetings as called by the Chairperson or a majority of its members.

Records. The Historic Preservation Commission shall keep minutes and records of all meetings and proceedings including voting records, attendance, resolutions, findings, determination and decisions. All such material shall be public record.

Duties And Powers. The Historic Preservation Commission shall act in an advisory capacity to the City Council, Planning Commission, and Director of Community Development in carrying out activities required by City ordinances relating to the administration of this Development Code regarding Historic Landmarks, Historic Districts, and Conservation Districts and shall have the following powers and duties:

To review amendments, modifications or revisions of this Development Code regarding Historic Landmarks, Historic Districts, and Conservation Districts and make recommendations to the City Council.

To initiate and recommend property and/or properties for proposed designation as a Historic Landmark and/or Historic District.

To review applications for building permits for Historic Landmarks or within a Historic District, or within a Conservation District, and to make recommendations concerning such applications to the Director of Community Development.

To review proposed changes to buildings, structures, street furniture, City parks, civic areas, public facilities or environmental features of a Historic Landmark or within a Historic District, or within a Conservation District, reporting its recommendations to the City staff.

To review applications for demolition permits to demolish buildings or structures within a Historic District or Conservation District, and to make recommendations concerning such applications to the Director of Community Development.

To review applications for conditional use permits for a Historic Landmark or within a Historic District, or within a Conservation District, and to make recommendations concerning such requests to the Planning Commission.

To initiate from time-to-time a comprehensive review of the provisions of this Development Code regarding Historic Landmarks, Historic Districts, or Conservation Districts.

To disseminate to owners or occupants of Historic Landmarks or within Historic or Conservation Districts, or to the general public, information concerning the preservation of Historic Landmarks, Conservation Districts, or Historic Districts.

To support the nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, of local Historic Landmarks and Districts, of Conservation Districts, or any property which the Commission members believe meet the standards herein set forth and have contributed to the history, architecture and culture of Blue Springs.

To establish and maintain a survey and inventory of historic properties in accordance with standards and guidelines established by the Division of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation within the Department of Natural Resources of the State of Missouri. In establishing the foregoing information, the Commission shall place particular emphasis upon evaluating and incorporating the findings and studies and surveys already completed.