Monterey County Municipal Code Ch. 2.56 Historic Resources Review Board

There is created an advisory Board in the County of Monterey to be known as the Historic Resources Review Board.

The Historic Resources Review Board shall be composed of seven members, all of whom shall be residents of the County, and who shall be selected and appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Five members shall be appointed from among professionals in the disciplines of architecture, history, architectural history, planning, prehistoric and historic archaeology, folklore, cultural anthropology, curation, conservation, and landscape architecture or other historic preservation disciplines, including, but not limited to, urban planning, American studies, American civilization, cultural geography, or cultural anthropology, to the extent that such professionals are available in the County. Two members shall be persons from the general public who have demonstrated special interest, competence, experience, or knowledge in historic preservation, American studies, cultural anthropology, cultural geography, or other historic preservation-related discipline.

Of the members of the Historic Resources Review Board, two shall be appointed for a term of one year, three shall be appointed for two years, and two shall be appointed for three years. Their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years. Terms of office shall expire on December 31st of the last year of each term; however, members shall remain in office until their successors are appointed and qualified.

A. The Historic Resources Review Board shall elect from its members a Chair and Vice-chair to serve in such capacities for a term of one year and, subject to other provisions of law, may elect such other officers as it may determine.

B. The Chief of Planning, or the designee of the Chief, shall serve as Secretary to the Historic Resources Review Board and shall be custodian of the Board's records. The Secretary shall also generally supervise the technical and clerical work of the Historic Resources Review Board and perform such other duties as the Historic Resources Review Board may assign and the Board of Supervisors may authorize.

C. The Historic Resources Review Board shall hold at least one regular meeting each month.

D. The Historic Resources Review Board shall adopt rules for the transaction of business, consistent with this Code.

(Ord. No. 5391, § 10, 12-6-2022)

The Historic Resources Review Board shall have the following powers and duties:

A. Maintain a local register of historic and cultural resources consistent with the National Register of Historic Places Criteria, including without limitation, historic districts, landmark sites, and landmarks within the County including all information required for each designation.

B. Perform, supervise, review, and distribute surveys of historic properties and cultural heritage resources in the unincorporated areas of the County, in conformance with State standards, as may be authorized by the Board of Supervisors.

C. Recommend to the Board of Supervisors the adoption or update of specific guidelines, consistent with those of the California Office of Historic Preservation, for the designation of historic resources and historic districts and adopt prescriptive standards, consistent with such guidelines, to be used by the Historic Resources Review Board in reviewing applications for permits to construct, change, alter, modify, remodel, remove, or significantly affect any historic resource as identified in Chapter 18.25 of this Code or maintained on property zoned as an Historic Resources Zoning District ("HR") pursuant to Chapter 21.54 of this Code.

D. Recommend to the Board of Supervisors the purchase of interests in property, including less than fee interests, transfer of development rights, easements, or other mechanisms, for the purpose of historical or cultural preservation.

E. Investigate and report to the Board of Supervisors on the use of various Federal, State, and local or private funding sources and mechanisms available to promote historical and cultural resource preservation in Monterey County.

F. Cooperate with and assist Federal, State, and local government entities in the pursuit of historic and cultural preservation objectives of the County.

G. Advise and assist property owners, on request, on the restoration, rehabilitation, alteration, decoration, landscaping, or maintenance of any historical or cultural resource.

H. Review and comment upon the conduct of land use, housing and redevelopment, municipal improvement, and types of planning and programs undertaken by any agency of the County or State, as they relate to historic resources or historic structures as identified in Chapter 18.25 of this Code or maintained on property zoned as an Historic Resources Zoning District ("HR") pursuant to Chapter 21.54 of this Code.

I. Encourage and render advice and guidance to property owners or occupants on procedures for inclusion of an historical or cultural resource on the National Register of Historic Places.

J. Participate in, promote, and conduct public information, educational, and interpretive programs pertaining to historical and cultural resources preservation.

K. Review and comment on National Register nominations submitted for properties within the County and provide recommendations to the State on whether each property meets the National Register criteria.

L. Perform such other duties as may otherwise be required pursuant to this Code or as may be directed by the Board of Supervisors.