Historic Resources Commission Duties (Chapter 104, Section 104-4)

The Commission is authorized and empowered to undertake such actions reasonably necessary to the discharge and conduct of its duties and responsibilities as outlined in this chapter and the North Carolina General Statutes, including but not limited to the following:

1. Undertake an inventory of properties of historical, prehistorical, architectural, archaeological, and/or cultural significance.
2. Seek and secure funding and assistance as necessary and desirable to complete the inventory of properties of historical, prehistorical, architectural, archaeological and/or cultural significance.
3. Recommend to the County and any municipalities which have adopted this chapter individual buildings, structures, sites, areas, or objects within the respective zoning jurisdiction to be designated as "historic landmarks" and areas within the respective zoning jurisdiction to be designated as "historic districts."
4. Recommend to the County and any municipalities which have adopted this chapter proposed ordinances regarding historic landmarks, historic districts, and amendments to the same, as requested by the Board of Commissioners or by the governing board of any such municipalities. It is anticipated that each of the County and any municipalities which have adopted this chapter may, due to their unique characters and natures, have different ordinances regarding historic landmarks and historic districts, with differing degrees of protection of the same, and any recommendations from the Resources Commission shall be guided by the Board of Commissioners or by the governing board of any such municipalities.
5. Recommend to the County and any municipalities which have adopted this chapter that designation of any area as a historic district or part thereof, or of any building, structure, site, area, or object as a historic landmark, be revoked or removed for cause.
6. Review and act upon proposals for alteration or demolition of designated landmarks and for alteration, demolition, or new construction within historic districts, pursuant to this chapter.
7. Report violations of this chapter, or other ordinances affecting historic landmarks and properties within historic districts, to the local official responsible for enforcing the ordinance.
8. Act as, establish, or designate a group, body, or committee to give advice to owners of historic landmarks or property within a historic district concerning the treatment of the historical and visual characteristics of their property, such as color schemes, gardens and landscape features, minor decorative elements, and for the informal review of major additions and new construction.
9. Conduct an educational program on historic landmarks and districts within the county.
10. Publish information, or otherwise inform the public, about any matters pertinent to its purview, duties, organization, procedures, responsibilities, functions, or requirements.
11. Cooperate with state, federal and local governments in pursuing the purposes of this chapter. The local governing body or the Commission, when authorized by the appropriate local governing body, may contract with the state, the United States of America , or any agency of either, or with any other organization, provided the terms are not inconsistent with state or federal law.
12. Communicate with other boards or commissions in Henderson County or with agencies of the County or other governmental units to offer or request assistance, aid, guidance, or advice concerning matters under its purview or of mutual interest.
13. Prepare and recommend the official adoption of a historic preservation element as part of the County's comprehensive plan and a municipality's comprehensive plan, at the request of the local governing body.
14. Accept funds to be used for preservation purposes that are granted to the Commission by private individuals, organizations, and local governing bodies.
15. Act as the appeal board from decisions of the staff of Henderson County or of any municipality which has adopted this chapter regarding the enforcement of any ordinance of Henderson County or of any such municipality which designates the Resources Commission as its appeal board. For any such appeals arising from within any such municipality heard by any committee or subcommittee of the Resources Commission, the Resources Commissioner residing in such municipality shall be a member of such committee or subcommittee determining such appeal.
16. Organize itself and conduct its business, including any meetings or hearings necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

 

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