[R.O. 2013 §420.010; Ord. No. 1538 §2, 8-6-2001]
A.
The
preservation of historic landmarks and districts promotes the public
welfare and serves a public purpose by providing education, enrichment
and inspiration to residents of the City and by maintaining a civic
cultural environment conducive to the conservation of property values.
The purpose of this Chapter is to promote the educational, cultural,
economic and general welfare in Valley Park by:
1.
Providing a mechanism to identify and preserve the distinctive historic
and architectural characteristics of Valley Park which represent elements
of the City's cultural, social, economic, political and architectural
history;
2.
Fostering civic pride in the beauty and noble accomplishments of
the past as represented in Valley Park landmarks and historic districts;
3.
Conserving and improving the value of property designated as landmarks
or within historic districts;
4.
Protecting and enhancing the attractiveness of the City to home buyers,
tourists, visitors and shoppers and thereby supporting and promoting
business, commerce, industry and providing economic benefit to the
City;
5.
Fostering and encouraging preservation, restoration and rehabilitation
of structures, areas and neighborhoods and thereby preventing urban
blight; and
6.
Promoting the environment of historic districts and landmarks by
the people of the City.
B.
It
is the intent of this Chapter to reasonably assure the preservation
of historic landmarks and districts. In doing so it is intended that
this Chapter be construed liberally so as to preserve the basic aspects
of the historic landmarks and districts rather than the preservation
of every historic detail.
C.
It
is further intended that any new construction be compatible with the
existing surrounding structures rather than be a particular architectural
style; that there be no restriction on interior alterations which
do not affect the exterior appearance of buildings with the exception
of interiors designated in historic district or landmark regulations.
[R.O. 2013 §420.020; Ord. No. 1538 §2, 8-6-2001]
As used in this Chapter, the following terms shall have these
prescribed meanings:
An area within defined geographical boundaries containing
buildings, structures, humanly created objects or environmental features
which collectively constitute an area which possesses historical value
by the criteria established herein for a historic landmark and which
is designated as a historic district by ordinance by the Board of
Aldermen.
A structure, building, humanly created object or environmental
feature which possesses historic value by reason of age or association
with important figures or events; or evidences aspects of the history
of Valley Park, the State of Missouri or the United States; or embodies
the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction;
or represents the work of a historically notable architect, designer
or craftsperson and which is designated as a historic landmark by
ordinance of the Board of Aldermen, as advised by the Historic Preservation
Commission.
[R.O. 2013 §420.030; Ord. No. 1538 §2, 8-6-2001]
The establishment of a Historic Preservation Commission is hereby
authorized. The Board of Aldermen will appropriate funds to the Commission
in a maximum amount of five hundred dollars ($500.00) annually.
[R.O. 2013 §420.040; Ord. No. 1538 §2, 8-6-2001]
The membership of the Commission shall consist of four (4) citizen
members who shall serve without compensation and who shall be appointed
by the Mayor with the approval of the Board of Aldermen for a term
of three (3) years, except that the first three (3) of the members
appointed shall serve a one (1) year term, two (2) year term and three
(3) year term respectively. Thereafter, the Mayor with the approval
of the Board of Aldermen shall make appointments to fill the terms
expiring. In addition to the citizen members, the President of the
Board of Aldermen and the Zoning Administrator shall be non-voting
ex officio voting members of the Commission.
[R.O. 2013 §420.050; Ord. No. 1538 §2, 8-6-2001]
The Commission shall elect its Chairperson annually from among
the appointed members of the Commission.
[R.O. 2013 §420.060; Ord. No. 1538 §2, 8-6-2001]
A.
The
Commission shall act in an advisory capacity to the Board of Aldermen
and shall be empowered as follows:
1.
To conduct ongoing survey and research to identify and document buildings,
structures, objects, sites and districts that are of historic, archaeological,
architectural, engineering, cultural or scenic significance to the
locality, the state of the nation;
2.
To recommend to the Governing Body designation of significant historic
properties as historic landmarks and historic districts, to prepare
documentation supporting such nomination, and to maintain a register
of designated landmarks and districts and of significant historical,
architectural and archaeological properties;
3.
To recommend to the Governing Body the establishment of regulations,
guidelines and policies to preserve the integrity and ambience of
designated landmarks and districts. The Commission shall have the
authority to review ordinary maintenance as deemed appropriate, new
construction, alterations, removals and demolitions proposed within
the boundaries of a landmark or district, including review of plans
for vacant lots and non-historic buildings and structures;
4.
To provide technical assistance to owners of older and historic,
architectural, archaeological, cultural and scenic properties concerning
the preservation and maintenance of the property;
5.
To recommend to the Governing Body programs and policies and economic
incentives to encourage the preservation of significant historic landmarks
and districts;
6.
To prepare a comprehensive historic preservation plan or a preservation
element to a master plan to integrate the preservation program into
the local government for planning and zoning for land use, building
and fire codes, special use permits, community revitalization and
heritage tourism;
7.
To participate in the conduct of land use, urban renewal and other
City activities affecting landmarks and districts; and
8.
To acquire by purchase, gift or bequest fee title or lesser interest,
including preservation restriction or easements, in designated properties
and adjacent or associated lands which are important for the preservation
and use of the designated properties.
