§ 2.24.020. Duties.  


Latest version.
  • A.

    The HLC shall perform all duties and functions as may be designated to it in the El Paso City Code.

    B.

    The HLC shall thoroughly familiarize itself with buildings, interiors, structures, sites, districts, areas and lands within the city that may be eligible for designation as historic landmarks.

    1.

    Initiate designations of local H-overlay properties and historic districts.

    2.

    Create and recommend to city council for approval, guidelines for designated historic buildings, interiors accessible to the general public, structures, sites and districts to be used in determining the approval or denial of certificates of appropriateness and certificates of demolition or removal. The guidelines may address any alterations on historic landmarks in order to protect significant architectural, historical, archeological or cultural elements of the district by describing the architectural regulations for the exterior of building, in addition to existing zoning classification, height and area limitations, and design regulations for those interiors specifically designated as historic interiors, to include the following factors when reviewing applications:

    i.

    Acceptable materials for construction;

    ii.

    Appropriate architectural character, scale and detail;

    iii.

    Acceptable appurtenances to new and existing structures;

    iv.

    Acceptable textures and ornamentation;

    v.

    Acceptable landscape architectural features.

    3.

    Nominate landmarks, H-overlay properties, and historic districts to the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) for consideration to the National Register of Historic Places or to the Texas Antiquities Landmarks, and to review and comment on any national register nominations submitted to the HLC upon request of the mayor and city council.

    C.

    Prepare a preservation plan, which shall be presented to the city plan commission for consideration and recommendation to the city council as a supplement to the plan for El Paso. The HLC shall review the preservation plan and the state of preservation of designated historic landmarks annually, include in the HLC minutes a report of such review, and take appropriate action on any amendments to the plan deemed necessary. Prior to presenting the preservation plan or any amendment thereto, to the plan commission, the HLC shall hold a public hearing on the preservation plan or the amendment thereto.

    D.

    The HLC may perform the following functions including but not limited to:

    1.

    Provide information and counseling to owners of designated historic landmarks;

    2.

    The HLC shall rule on requested exceptions to the guidelines based upon the overall visual effects of the proposed exceptions;

    3.

    Conduct surveys and maintain an inventory of historic, architectural, archeological and cultural landmarks located with the city; and

    4.

    Approve work completed on a historic property, regardless of designation, which adheres to the administrative review design guidelines as approved by city council.

    E.

    Assist the historic preservation office with supporting and promoting the historic preservation program, specifically including but not limited to the following:

    1.

    Serving as the advocacy arm of the program to raise interest and awareness, highlight program successes, retain and expand programs, and promote new initiatives that are an essential part of a successful historic preservation program;

    2.

    Identify funding mechanisms, public and private, that helps to sustain an effective and efficient program;

    3.

    Recommend strategic conservation initiatives and investments that help to promote and sustain local preservation efforts;

    4.

    Actively work to develop an institutional framework that encourages incentives and controls that:

    a.

    Reflect local urban design concerns,

    b.

    Planning processes that support urban design and historic preservation activities,

    c.

    Methods for working with the private sector on its development proposals, and

    d.

    Methods for conducting formal and informal public meetings so as to get information and feedback.

    5.

    Work with community leaders and various agencies to broaden knowledge on the local development character to maintain an existing and new historic focus on landmarks within the fabric of the community;

    6.

    Create opportunities to preserve and expand the community historic preservation program; and

    7.

    Evaluate other community programs frequently to guide and serve as a model for growing the local program, and particularly to develop a funding plan necessary for execution of new initiatives.

(Ord. 16369 § 1 (part), 2006)