Pomona Municipal Code § 2-616 Powers and duties

There is hereby created and established an historic preservation commission to lead in the application, enforcement and education of the historic preservation regulations set forth in section .5809-13 of the city zoning ordinance.

(Code 1959, § 21-1; Ord. No. 3790, § 1)

The protection, appreciation and preservation of the historic and cultural resources of the city shall be the guiding mission and fundamental purpose of the historic preservation commission. The commission shall work in partnership with property owners and residents, the business sector and the community at large to retain and protect those historic and cultural resources which will preserve and enhance the city's uniquely built environment.

(Code 1959, § 21-2; Ord. No. 3790, § 1)

Commission members should possess interest and knowledge of historic preservation and the historic and cultural resources of the city and an expertise and experience in the disciplines of architecture, history, architectural history, planning or other historic preservation-related disciplines, such as urban planning, American studies, American civilization, cultural geography, or cultural anthropology, to the extent that such professionals are available in the community. Commission membership should also include other persons who have demonstrated competence, knowledge, or experience in the history, architecture or cultural heritage of the city as will provide for an adequate and qualified commission.

(Code 1959, § 21-3; Ord. No. 3790, § 1; Ord. No. 4305, § 5, 7-19-2021)

(a) Subject to state law and procedures prescribed in this division, the historic preservation commission shall have and may exercise the following powers and duties:

(1) Aid the city in applying for a certified local government program and advise the city on how to conform with the federal preservation program. Further, the commission shall assist in the annual application process for preservation grants for which certified local government programs are eligible.

(2) Periodically update historic survey results and publicize the findings.

(3) Recommend to the city council that certain areas, places, buildings, structures, natural features, works of art or similar objects having significant historical, cultural, architectural, community or aesthetic value as part of the heritage of the city be designated as historic landmarks or that an area be designated an historic district.

(4) Advise staff on the city's historic register which identifies all sites, natural features, buildings and structures designated and approved as historic landmarks, historic districts or contributors to the city council. A description of the historic landmark or historic district and its reason for inclusion shall be contained therein. Copies of the register and list shall be transmitted to the city clerk, the departments of community development, community services, public works, and other appropriate departments and governmental agencies.

(5) Encourage public understanding and involvement in historic, architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage through educational programs such as lectures, tours, walks, reports or publications, films, open houses, and special events.

(6) Explore means for the protection, retention and use of any designated or potential historic landmark and historic district, including, but not limited to, appropriate legislation; tax incentives; and financing, such as encouraging independent funding organizations or private, local, state or federal assistance.

(7) Approve, conditionally approve or disapprove in whole or in part an application for a certificate of appropriateness regarding the demolition, alteration, or removal of a landmark or the improvement of a natural feature within an historic district consistent with the provisions of the city's zoning code.

(8) Recommend and encourage the protection, enhancement, appreciation and use of historic and cultural resources which have not been designated as historic landmarks or landmark districts and take such steps as it deems desirable to recognize such resources, including, but not limited to, listing, certificates, letters or plaques.

(9) Render advice and guidance, upon request of the property owners, on the restoration, alteration, decoration, landscaping or maintenance of any historic landmark or contributor to an historic district.

(10) Recommend for adoption written design standards to be used by the commission in reviewing applications for permits to construct, change, alter, modify, remodel, remove, demolish or affect any historic landmark or historic district.

(11) Advise and assist the city council and property owners regarding the identification of appropriate government agencies or private parties to accept the grant of interests, such as conservation easements, that further the purpose of historic preservation in the city.

(12) Research and report to the city council on the use of various federal, state, local or private finding sources and mechanisms available to promote historic preservation in the city.

(13) Investigate the feasibility of participating in making application to the certified local government program and make recommendations to the city council; make recommendations to the city council regarding uses for the funding available through the certified local government program.

(14) Render advice and guidance, upon the request of property owners, on procedures for inclusion of a building, structure, improvement or site on the local or state register of historic places or the National Register of Historic Places.

(15) Confer recognition upon the owners of designated historic landmarks or historic districts by means of certificates, plaques or markers and from time to time recommend that the city council issue commendations to such owners who have rehabilitated their property in an exemplary manner.

(b) The commission shall be charged with maintaining an information system capable of tracking the following:

(1) The processing time from the application to a determination of certificates of appropriateness;

(2) The number and percentage of rejected applications for certificates of appropriateness;

(3) The number of applications for economic hardship; and

(4) Recommendations from property owners or professions in the building trades to improve the process.

The commission shall collect other information it deems useful in evaluating the effectiveness of the historic preservation ordinance. On an annual basis at a minimum, the commission shall submit a report to the city council as to the effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction with the historic preservation procedures. This report shall include any recommendations for changes to the ordinance or changes in the procedures of the commission.

(c) The commission shall submit an annual report of its activities to the state office of historic preservation at the end of each calendar year. The report shall include but not be limited to such information as appointments to the commission, resumes of commission members and staff, attendance records of members, official minutes of the commission meetings, revisions in the enabling ordinance if applicable, sponsorship of special workshops and conferences, summaries of environmental review cases requiring commission comments, new landmarks and historic districts designated, review of National Registrar nominations, cultural resources survey updates, and other pertinent activities performed by the commission.

(Code 1959, § 21-7; Ord. No. 3790, § 1; Ord. No. 4305, § 5, 7-19-2021)