States and local governments may establish historic preservation commissions
and architectural review boards to promote the educational, cultural, economic
and general welfare of municipalities through the preservation and protection
of buildings, sites, structures, areas and districts of historic significance
and interest. Such board and commissions vary by state, but aim for the
preservation and enhancement of the national, state and local historic,
architectural, archaeological and aesthetic heritage found in the area
and to promote and enhance its historic and aesthetic attraction to tourists
and visitors.
Some of the powers of a historic preservation commission may include
the following:
- Preserve and protect buildings, structures and sites of historic
and architectural value in the historic districts designated pursuant to
that ordinance;
- Prepare a survey of all property within the territorial jurisdiction
of the municipality creating the commission;
- Recommend to the municipality creating the commission buildings,
structures, sites and districts for designation as historic properties
or districts;
- Restore and preserve any historic properties acquired by the municipality
creating the commission or acquired by the commission;
- Promote acquisition of facade and conservation easements by the
municipality creating the commission or by the commission;
- Develop and conduct educational programs on historic projects and
districts designated pursuant to the ordinance and on historic preservation
subjects;
- Make such investigations and studies of matters relating to historic
preservation as the municipality creating the commission or the commission
deems necessary and appropriate for the purposes of this chapter;
- Apply for funds to carry out the purposes and responsibilities of
the commission from municipal, county, state, federal and private agencies
and sources;
- Purchase, sell, contract to purchase, contract to sell, own, encumber,
lease, mortgage and insure real and personal property in carrying out the
purposes and responsibilities of the commission;
- Investigate, survey and process nominations of properties to the
National Register of Historic Places;
- Investigate, survey and process applications for certification
of historic properties for tax credits for preservation expenditures;
- Contract with other municipal, county, state, federal and private
agencies and organizations to perform historic preservation related functions;
- Exercise such further powers as the commission may deem reasonably
necessary and proper to carry out the purposes, responsibilities and powers
of the commission.
Related Terms
Terms with 'Historic' or 'Preservation'
