17.14.080 Designation of historic landmarks or districts.
A. Purpose. The designation of historic landmarks/districts allows the City to formally recognize and protect historic landmarks/districts. Designated historic landmarks/districts identify geographic areas, corridors, ensembles, buildings, portions of buildings, sites, landscape features, cemeteries, bridges, signs, plaques, archaeological sites, or other objects of historical and/or architectural significance, locally, regionally, or nationally. The regulations that apply to designated landmarks/districts provide a means to review proposed changes and encourage the preservation of the historic landmark/district.
B. Initiation. The process for designating historic landmarks or districts may be initiated by the Landmarks Board, Planning Commission, the City Council, recognized neighborhood groups, interested persons, or property owners, or their authorized agents, who submit a complete application for designation.
C. Procedure. Requests for designation of historic landmarks or districts are reviewed initially by the Landmarks Board. The Landmarks Board makes recommendations for designations to the City Council. The City Council shall conduct a quasi judicial hearing in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 17.09 of the Hood River Municipal Code taking into consideration the recommendations of the Landmarks Board and public testimony.
D. Application. An application for designation shall be prepared and filed with the Planning Department, using forms prescribed by the Planning Director. The Planning Director shall fix a date and time for a public hearing before the City Council.
E. Review Criteria. The Landmarks Board shall review all applications for historic landmark or district designations and shall make its recommendation on the basis of the following criteria (at least one (1) section or sub-section of the following criteria must apply to the proposed historic landmark or district):
1. The proposed historic landmark or district has historic significance or contributes to the historical resources of the community. The resource is
a. Associated with past trends, events, or values that have made a significant contribution to the economic, cultural, social, and/or political history of city, county, state, region, or nation; or
b. Associated with the life of or activities of a person, group, or organization, or institution that has made a significant contribution to the city, county, region, state, or nation.
2. The proposed historic landmark or district has architectural significance because it:
a. Embodies distinguishing architectural characteristics of a period, style, method of construction, craftsmanship, or materials;
b. Represents the work of a designer, architect, or master builder who influenced the development and appearance of history of the city, county, region, state, or the nation;
c. Is the only remaining, or one of few remaining, resources of a particular style, building type, design, material, or method of construction;
d. Is a prominent visual landmark with strong associations to the community; or
e. Has high quality of composition, detailing, and/or craftsmanship.
3. The site contains archaeological artifacts related to prehistory or to the early history of the community.
4. The proposed historic landmark or district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
5. In conjunction with other criteria listed above, the proposed historic landmark/district
a. Is fifty (50) years old or older unless the resource is of exemplary architectural or historical significance;
b. Contributes to the continuity or historic character of the street, neighborhood, and/or community; or
c. Has sufficient original workmanship and materials remaining to show the construction technique and stylistic character of a given period.
F. Recommendation by the Landmarks Board. After the historic resource has been evaluated according to the review criteria set forth in Section 17.14.080(5), the Landmarks Board shall recommend designation of a historic resource, district, or designation with conditions, or denial of designation, it shall make specific findings based on the review criteria, and the goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan. The Landmarks Board shall submit its recommendation specifying the findings and forward these to the applicant at least ten (10) days prior to the public hearing and review by the City Council. If the Landmarks Board acts to reject a proposed designation, no further action shall be taken unless an appeal of the Landmarks Board’s action is filed with the City Council.
G. City Council Decision. The City Council shall conduct a public hearing to consider the proposed designation and recommendations of the Landmarks Board. Following the public hearing, the City Council shall approve, approve with conditions, or deny the proposed designation. Written notice of the decision of the City Council shall be sent to the applicant and property owner by the Planning Director within 30 days of the date of the decision.