Historic Commission

As of January 1st, 2012 historic district and landmarks commission duties will be handled by the planning commission.

Purpose

Purpose of the Historic District is to promote the public health, safety and general welfare by establishing procedures, regulations and conditions for the preservation, protection, enhancement, restoration, rehabilitation, perpetuation and use of improvements, buildings, structures, signs, objects, sites and areas within the City for the following reasons:

  • To preserve, protect, enhance and perpetuate certain improvements, buildings and structures which reflect outstanding elements of the City's cultural, artistic, social, economic, political, architectural, engineering, historic or other heritage
  • To foster civic pride in the beauty and accomplishments of the past by controlling indiscriminate erection of new structures and buildings and by fostering proper and repair of existing improvements, structures and buildings
  • To enhance property values and to increase the economic and financial benefits to the City and its inhabitants
  • To protect and enhance the City's attraction to tourists and visitors
  • To promote the continuing use of outstanding structures thereby serving as a stimulus and support to business and industry
  • To promote and encourage continued private ownership and utilization of improvements, structures and buildings to the end that the objectives listed in this section can be attained
  • To encourage, develop and maintain appropriate environments for improvements, buildings and structures within the City
  • To preserve and encourage harmonious architectural styles, emphasizing the preservation of architectural styles existing in the area of the City prior to 1910 and secondarily emphasizing other distinct and noteworthy architectural styles reflecting the phases of the City's history
  • To foster knowledge of the living heritage of the past to achieve the enrichment of human life in its educational and cultural dimensions in order to serve spiritual as well as material needs 

(Ordinance 539 Part), 1977: Ordinance 480 (Part), 1972)

When Permits are Required

It is unlawful for any person to tear down, demolish, construct, alter or remove any improvement, or any portion thereof, which has been designated a landmark or landmark site pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, or which lies within a historic district; or to alter in any manner an exterior architectural feature of such a landmark, landmark site or improvement within a historic district; or to place, erect, alter or relocate any sign within a historic district or on a landmark or landmark site, without first obtaining a permit to do so in the manner provided in this chapter. (Ordinance 539 (Part), 1977: Ordinance 480 (Part), 1972).

Permits are not required for alteration, rehabilitation, restoration or remodeling which does not alter any improvement, building, structure, landmark or landmark site as to its exterior appearance.

Additional Information

Contact us for more information.