Division 14 — HISTORIC LANDMARK/DISTRICT DESIGNATION

This Division 14 is established to recognize and preserve the history of the City of Commerce and Southern California by providing for the identification and designation of historic places, buildings, works of art, neighborhoods, and other objects of historic or cultural interest.

(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000).

A.

Applications for designation of a historic landmark may be initiated by any person who is able to demonstrate a legal vested interest in the property proposed for the landmark designation. The authorized agent of any person with a legal vested interest may also initiate an application. The community development director may request proof of ownership or authorization to apply prior to the acceptance of any application.

B.

Applications for designation of a historic district may be initiated by any individual, the community development director, the planning commission, or the city council.

(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000).

A.

Determination of Application's Merit. Upon acceptance of an application for designation of a historic landmark or historic district as complete, the community development director shall forward the application to the cultural resource management commission for a preliminary assessment of the merits of the application.

B.

No Merit Determination. If the cultural resource management commission determines that the application has no merit, the application shall be rejected and no further action shall be taken unless an appeal is filed pursuant to the provisions of Division 4 (Appeals and Revocations) of this Chapter 19.39.

C.

Merit Determination. If the cultural resource management commission determines that the proposed historic landmark or district designation has merit, the commission shall set a date for a public hearing to consider the application.

D.

Public Hearing—Cultural Resource Management Commission.

A public hearing before the cultural resource management commission shall be noticed and conducted pursuant to the provisions of Division 3 (Public Hearings) of this Chapter 19.39.

At the public hearing, the commission shall review the application and receive evidence as to how or why the proposed historic landmark or district represents and exemplifies an important aspect of the cultural or architectural history of the City of Commerce or Southern California.

The commission shall act by resolution to recommend to the city council approval, approval with modifications, or denial of the proposed application.

The commission's resolution shall include its recommendation and shall be transmitted to the City Clerk for scheduling the matter for public hearing before the city council.

E.

Public hearing—City Council.

Upon receipt of the cultural resource management commission resolution, the city clerk shall set the matter for hearing before the city council as provided for in Division 3 (Public Hearings) of this Chapter 19.39.

At the hearing, the city council shall review the commission's recommendation and receive evidence as to how or why the proposed designation of a historic landmark or district furthers the goals of the city with respect to the identification and protection of important historic and cultural resources.

The city council shall act by ordinance to approve, approve with modifications, or deny the application. The council's action shall be final and shall become effective upon the effective date of the ordinance.

(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000).

In acting to approve designation of a historic landmark or district, the city council shall make one or more of the following findings:

A.

That the resource exemplifies or reflects special elements of the city's or region's cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering, or architectural history; or

B.

That the resource is identified with persons or events of significant local, state, or national history; or

C.

That the resource has characteristics of a style, type, method of construction or is an example of indigenous materials or craftsmanship; or

D.

That the resource represents a notable aesthetic work of a builder, architect, or designer.

(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000).