[Ord. No. 156-2003 §1, 10-21-2003]
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this Section is to promote the economic,
cultural, educational and general welfare of the City by:
1.
Conserving and improving the value of property within District HD;
2.
Protecting and enhancing the attractiveness of Neosho to home buyers,
home owners, residents, tourists, visitors and shoppers thereby supporting
and promoting business, commerce, industry and providing economic
benefit to the City;
3.
Providing a mechanism to identify and preserve the distinctive historic
and architectural characteristics of downtown Neosho;
4.
Fostering civic pride in the aesthetics and cultural accomplishments
of the past as represented in Neosho's landmarks and historic areas;
5.
Fostering and encouraging district, restoration and rehabilitation
of structures, areas and adjoining neighborhoods;
6.
Promoting the use of landmarks and historic areas for the education,
pleasure and welfare of the people of Neosho and its visitors.
B.
Historic District Commission.
1.
The Historic District Commission is hereby established. The Historic
District Commission shall consist of seven (7) members appointed by
the City Council. Members shall serve without compensation. Every
attempt should be made to establish a balance of representation among
members and all Commissioners should have a demonstrated interest
in historic district. Of the seven (7) members, five (5) shall be
voting members and two (2) will be non-voting ex officio members.
The Commission shall be devised as follows: One (1) voting member
shall be a member of the City Council; one (1) voting member shall
be a representative of the Newton County Historical Society; three
(3) voting members shall be downtown Neosho property owners; one (1)
non-voting member shall be nominated by the Chamber of Commerce/ Economic
Development Director and the City Planner shall be a non-voting member.
2.
Two (2) of the initial members shall serve terms of one (1) year,
two (2) shall serve terms of two (2) years and three (3) shall serve
terms of three (3) years. Thereafter, the terms of office for members
of the Historic District Commission shall be three (3) years. Vacancies
shall be filled for the unexpired terms only.
3.
The Historic District Commission shall elect from its members a Chair,
a Vice Chair and a Secretary. Officers shall serve for one (1) year
and shall be eligible for re-election. The Chair shall preside over
all meetings. In the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair shall preside.
The Secretary shall prepare minutes and other necessary records of
Historic District Commission meetings.
C.
Powers And Duties. The Historic District Commission shall
have the following powers and duties:
1.
To adopt its own procedural regulations;
2.
To investigate and recommend to the Council the implementation of
incentives and benefits to encourage redevelopment of the historic
district(s);
3.
To review applications for the designation of landmarks in the Historic
District, make recommendations to the City Council regarding the designation
of landmarks and historic district(s), maintain a register of designated
sites and district(s) and confer recognition upon persons associated
with designated landmarks and historic district(s);
4.
To advise and assist Neosho residents and owners of real property
on physical and financial aspects of district, renovation, rehabilitation
and reuse of structures within the historic district(s);
5.
To encourage nomination of landmarks and historic districts to the
National Register of Historic Places;
6.
To review applications for construction, alteration, removal or demolition
affecting landmarks or properties and structures within the historic
district(s);
7.
To consider applications for certificates of economic hardship that
would allow the performance of work for which a certificate of appropriateness
has been denied;
8.
To review proposed Zoning District Map amendments, applications for
special use permits or applications for zoning variances for property
in District HD or within one hundred eighty-five (185) feet of District
HD in order to provide comment on such actions to the Planning and
Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustment and City Council, as appropriate.
9.
To advise the Council on the administration of any historic property
which the City owns or controls;
10.
To make recommendations to the City Council concerning the application
for and utilization of any Federal, State or private grant, gift or
bequest furthering the purposes of this Section;
11.
To call upon available staff members and other experts for technical
advice;
12.
To advise and testify before City boards and commissions on any matter
affecting historically and architecturally significant property, structures
and areas;
13.
To periodically review this Chapter and to recommend to the City
Council and Planning and Zoning Commission amendments appropriate
for the protection and continued use of landmarks or property and
structures within historic district(s).
