[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of Winneconne as Title 15, Ch. 3, of the 2012 compilation of ordinances, as amended through 5-22-2013. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
The Village Board hereby declares as a matter of public policy that the protection, preservation, perpetuation and use of places, areas, buildings, structures and other objects having special historical, community or aesthetic interest or value is a public advantage and is promoted in the interest of the people. The purpose of this section is to:
A. 
Safeguard the cultural resources of the Village of Winneconne by preserving sites, structures, landmarks and districts which reflect elements of the Village's cultural, social, economic, political, visual or architectural history.
B. 
Protect and enhance the Village's attractions to visitors and residents, and serve as a support and stimulus to business, industry and tourism.
C. 
Foster civic pride in the beauty and notable achievements of the past.
D. 
Enhance the visual and aesthetic character, diversity and interest of the Village.
E. 
Promote the use and preservation of historic sites, structures, landmarks and districts for the education and general welfare of the people of the Village with respect to the cultural, civic, architectural and historic heritage of the Village.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
COMMITTEE
The Historic Preservation Committee created hereunder.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
CULTURAL RESOURCES
Any work of man or nature that is primarily of interest for its historical, archeological, natural scientific or aesthetic value, including, but not limited to, historic houses and other structures such as barns, schools, kilns, archeological sites, American Indian burial grounds and earthworks, buildings identified as the work of an architect, developer or master builder whose work has influenced the Village, and structures noteworthy because of their design, detail, materials or craftsmanship, or association with historic persons or events.
HISTORIC DISTRICT
An area of the Village which contains one or more designated sites, structures or landmarks. The historic district's boundaries shall be shown on the Village Zoning Map.
HISTORIC PROPERTY
Any area, place, structure, land or other object which has been duly designated by the Village Board; this includes prehistoric aboriginal sites; a natural or man-made feature of local or regional interest which is associated with a particular historic or prehistoric event; man-made building which has special character, historic interest or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the Village.
A. 
Composition.
(1) 
The Village Board shall establish a five-member Historic Preservation Committee (one Village Trustee and four citizens) vested with the authority and responsibility to propose action to safeguard and preserve the historic heritage of the Village. In this role, the Historic Preservation Committee will act in an advisory capacity to the Village Board in all matters concerning properties which are designated as historical sites, structures, landmarks and districts within the Village.
(2) 
Members of the Historical Preservation Committee shall be chosen and appointed with consideration of one or more of the following qualities:
(a) 
Active interest in the historic preservation of the Village of Winneconne.
(b) 
Knowledge of the history of the Village and its environs.
(c) 
Expertise and knowledge concerning architecture and archeology.
(d) 
Ability to utilize authoritative resources concerning historic preservation.
(3) 
The term of office for each Committee member will be two years, with the exception of the Village trustee, whose term will be one year.
(4) 
The Historic Preservation Committee shall elect a chairperson to serve a one-year term. This chairperson may be reelected or a new chairperson may be elected annually.
(5) 
The Historic Preservation Committee shall hold regular meetings as needed to perform the duties of the Committee. A quorum shall consist of three members.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
(6) 
The Village Board and Building Inspector shall be fully informed of the decisions and recommendations of the Historic Preservation Committee in order to distinguish and expedite actions to promote and safeguard the Village's program of historic preservation.
B. 
Register of historic properties and districts. The Committee shall maintain a register of historic properties and districts.
C. 
Subcommittees. The Historic Preservation Committee shall have the power to enlist the aid of area historical societies and other organizations for assistance in promoting the policy of the Village in the interest of historic preservation.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
D. 
Funding. As it deems advisable, the Historic Preservation Committee is empowered to solicit and receive funds for the purpose of preservation of historic properties of the Village. Funds for such purposes shall be placed in the general fund restricted for use by the Committee.
In determining the eligibility of any area, site, place, building, structure or district within the Village as an historic site, the Historic Preservation Committee shall consider the following factors with respect to eligibility:
A. 
Its character, interest or value as a part of the history or cultural heritage of the Village, state or United States.
B. 
Its association with the persons or events which have made a significant contribution to the cultural heritage.
C. 
Its potential to yield information important in history or prehistory.
D. 
Its embodiment of distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type or style, or element of design, detail, materials or craftsmanship.
E. 
Its unique location or singular physical appearance representing an established and familiar feature of a neighborhood or community of the Village.
A. 
Designation of historic structures and historic sites.
(1) 
The Committee shall provide full information to the property owners of the civic advantages and responsibilities involved in accepting such designation.
(2) 
The Committee may, after notice and public hearing, designate historic properties or rescind such designation or recommendation after application of the criteria in § 337-4 above. At least 10 days prior to such hearing, the Committee shall notify the owners of record, as listed in the office of the Village Clerk, who are owners of property in whole or in part abutting the property proposed.
(3) 
The Committee shall then conduct such public hearing and, in addition to the notified person, may hear expert witnesses. The Committee may conduct an independent investigation into the proposed designation or rescission. Within 10 days after the close of the public hearing, the Committee may designate the property as either an historic property or rescind the designation. After the designation or rescission has been made, notification shall be sent to the property owner or owners. Notification shall also be given to the Village Clerk-Treasurer and the Building Inspector.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
(4) 
The cost of the proceedings, including publication, witness and recording fees, shall be paid by the property owner if he/she is requesting the action by the Committee. If the Committee is requesting action, the costs associated will be paid by the Village.
B. 
Recognition of historic properties. At such time as an historic property or district has been properly designated, the Committee, in cooperation with the property owner, may cause to be prepared and erected on such property a suitable plaque declaring that such property is an historic structure, site or district. The property owner shall pay for the plaque if the historic designation was requested by the owner; the Village will pay for the plaque in all other instances.
The owner of designated property needs to report any planned external alteration which will require a building permit, including window replacement and total demolition, to the Historic Preservation Committee for review and recommendation. The Historic Preservation Committee will base its recommendation according to the guidelines set forth in the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.
A. 
Notification of every application for building, zoning or demolition permits for properties on the Village register shall be given by the Village Building Inspector or his/her designee to the Historic Preservation Committee for their review. The Committee shall make a recommendation to the Village Board concerning the proposed permit.
B. 
Considering that time is of the essence, the Historic Preservation Committee shall act promptly in its consideration of an application for building, zoning or demolition permits in relation to designated properties. The review and recommendation shall be forwarded to the Village Board within 30 days. The Village Board will vote to decide if the permit will be issued or denied at their next regularly scheduled meeting.
C. 
The Historic Preservation Committee may also recommend to the Village Board variations which are comparable to the proposed changes if the Village Board determines that such variations are necessary to alleviate financial hardship placed upon the owner of the property. The Historic Preservation Committee will be allowed another 30 days to determine such variations. The Committee's recommendation shall be considered by the Village Board before a vote is taken to determine if a building, zoning or demolition permit will be issued.
D. 
The Village Board, in considering the recommendations of the Historic Preservation Committee, shall determine if the work to be performed adversely affects the designated historic property. In determining whether there is such an adverse effect, the Village Board shall consider the following factors:
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
(1) 
Whether the work will significantly alter the appearance of the building or structure so as to remove features which distinguish the historic site, structure, landmark or district as a significant cultural resource.
(2) 
Whether the use of the property will destroy, disturb or endanger a known or suspected archeological feature.
E. 
Nothing contained in this section shall prohibit the construction, alteration or demolition of any improvement on a designated historic property, or in an historic district pursuant to any court judgment to remedy conditions determined to be dangerous to life, health or property. In such case, no approval from the Committee shall be required.
The Village of Winneconne Municipal Building is designated as the repository for all studies, surveys, reports, programs and designations of all historic sites, structures, landmarks and districts.