Article II - Historic Preservation Commission

1. Creation. There is hereby established, by authority of Chapter160D-940, Part 4 Historic Preservation, of the North Carolina General Statutes, a joint historic Resources commission to be known as the Henderson County Historic Resources Commission ("HRC”). The Commission shall consist of not fewer than four and not more than nine members appointed by the Board of Commissioners as provided below.
2. Appointment. In making appointments to the HRC, the Board of Commissioners shall appoint four members who do not reside in any municipality which adopts this chapter and one member who resides within the territorial limits of each municipality which adopts this chapter. For each municipality which adopts this chapter, the Board of Commissioners shall appoint the member who is required to reside in such municipality recommended by each municipality. At the time of original appointments to the HRC, Henderson County staff shall assign each of the seats initially to a term of one, two or three years. Subsequent appointments of each of the seats on the HRC shall be for a term of three years, so that after the expiration of initial appointments, the term of each HRC member shall be for three years, with the terms of approximately one-third of the membership of the HRC expiring each year.
3. Qualification of members. Each of the members of the Commission shall have demonstrated experience, education or interest in history, architecture, archaeology, or related fields.

The HRC is authorized and empowered to undertake such actions reasonably necessary to the discharge and conduct of its duties and responsibilities as outlined in this chapter and the North Carolina General Statutes, including but not limited to the following:

1. Undertake an inventory of properties of historical, prehistoric, landscape, architectural, archaeological, and/or cultural significance.
2. Recommend to the County individual buildings, structures, sites, areas, landscapes or objects within the respective zoning jurisdiction to be designated as "historic landmarks."
3. Recommend to the County proposed ordinances regarding historic landmarks, and amendments to the same, as requested by the Board of Commissioners.
4. Recommend to the County that designation of any building, structure, site, landscapes, area, or object as a historic landmark, be revoked or removed for cause.
5. Review and recommend proposals for alteration or demolition of designated landmarks, pursuant to this chapter.
6. Report violations of this chapter, or other ordinances affecting historic landmarks, to the Planning Department.
7. Act as, establish, or designate a group, body, or committee to give advice to owners of historic landmarks concerning the treatment of the historical and visual characteristics of their property, such as gardens and landscape features, minor decorative elements, and for the informal review of major additions and new construction.
8. Conduct educational and outreach programs on historic landmarks within the county.
9. Publish information, or otherwise inform the public, about any matters pertinent to its purview, duties, organization, procedures, responsibilities, functions, or requirements.
10. Cooperate with state, federal and local governments in pursuing the purposes of this chapter.
11. Communicate with other boards or commissions in Henderson County or with agencies of the County or other governmental units to offer or request assistance, aid, guidance, or advice concerning matters under its purview or of mutual interest.
12. Prepare and recommend the official adoption of a historic preservation element as part of the County's comprehensive plan and a municipality's comprehensive plan, at the request of the local governing body.
13. Organize itself and conduct its business, including any meetings or hearings necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
14. Submit an annual report to the state historic preservation office and to the County Board of Commissioners. That report shall include a comprehensive review of the HRC's activities, actions and problems.
15. Research and apply for grants from other governmental and non-governmental sources for historic preservation.
16. Collaborate with the Tourism Department, Chamber of Commerce, Heritage Museum, and other local entities supporting tourism or historic preservation in Henderson County.