20.10.040 Powers and duties – Responsibility.
The major responsibility of the Historic Preservation Commission is to identify and actively encourage the conservation of Pasco’s historic resources by reviewing National Register properties applying for special tax valuation; to raise community awareness of Pasco’s history and historic resources; and to serve as the City of Pasco’s primary resource in matters of history, historic planning, and preservation. In carrying out these responsibilities, the Historic Preservation Commission shall engage in the following:
(1) Conduct and maintain a comprehensive inventory of historic resources within the boundaries of the City of Pasco and known as the City of Pasco Historic Inventory, and publicize and periodically update inventory results. Properties listed on the inventory shall be recorded on official zoning records with an “HI” (for historic inventory designation). This designation shall not change or modify the underlying zone classification.
(2) Initiate and maintain the City of Pasco Register of Historic Places. This official register shall be compiled of buildings, structures, sites, objects, and districts identified by the Commission as having historic significance worthy of recognition and protection by the City of Pasco and encouragement of efforts by owners to maintain, rehabilitate, and preserve properties.
(3) Review nominations to the City of Pasco Register of Historic Places according to criteria in Chapter 20.15 PMC and adopt standards in its bylaws to be used to guide this review.
(4) Review proposals to construct, change, alter, modify, remodel, move, demolish, or significantly affect properties or districts on the register as provided in Chapter 20.20 PMC; and adopt standards in its bylaws to be used to guide this review and the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness or waiver.
(5) Provide for the review either by the Commission or its staff of all applications for approvals, permits, environmental assessments or impact statements, and other similar documents pertaining to identified historic resources or adjacent properties.
(6) Conduct all Commission meetings in compliance with Chapter 42.30 RCW, Open Public Meetings Act, to provide for adequate public participation, and adopt standards in its bylaws to guide this action.
(7) Participate in, promote and conduct public information, educational and interpretive programs pertaining to historic and prehistoric resources.
(8) Establish liaison support, communication and cooperation with federal, state, and other local government entities which will further historic preservation objectives, including public education, within the City of Pasco.
(9) Review and comment to the Pasco City Council on land use, housing and redevelopment, municipal improvement and other types of planning and programs undertaken by any agency of the City of Pasco, other neighboring communities, Franklin County, the state or federal governments, as relate to historic resources of the City of Pasco.
(10) Advise the Pasco City Council and the Mayor generally on matters of Pasco’s history and historic preservation.
(11) Perform other related functions assigned to the Commission by the Pasco City Council or the Mayor.
(12) Provide information to the public on methods of maintaining and rehabilitating historic properties. This may take the form of pamphlets, newsletters, workshops, or similar activities.
(13) Officially recognize excellence in the rehabilitation of historic buildings, structures, sites and districts, and new construction in historic areas; and encourage appropriate measures for such recognition.
(14) Be informed about and provide information to the public and City of Pasco departments on incentives for preservation of historic resources, including legislation, regulations and codes which encourage the use and adaptive reuse of historic properties.
(15) Review nominations to the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
(16) Investigate and report to the Pasco City Council on the use of various federal, state, local or private funding sources available to promote historic resource preservation in Pasco.
(17) Serve as the local review board for special valuation and:
(a) Make determinations concerning the eligibility of historic properties for special valuation;
(b) Verify that the improvements are consistent with the Washington State Advisory Council’s Standards for Rehabilitation and Maintenance:
(c) Enter into agreements with property owners for the duration of the special valuation period as required under WAC 254-20-070(2);
(d) Approve or deny applications for special valuation;
(e) Monitor the property for continued compliance with the agreement and statutory eligibility requirements during the 10-year special valuation period; and
(f) Adopt bylaws and/or administrative rules and comply with all other local review board responsibilities identified in Chapter 84.26 RCW.
(18) The Commission shall adopt bylaws of procedure to address their responsibilities under this title. [Ord. 4178 § 1, 2014; Ord. 3785 § 1, 2006; Ord. 3785 § 1, 2006; Code 1970 § 27.070.040.]