§ 2.12.1020. Historic preservation board—Function.  


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  • The board will have the following functions:

    (a)

    The board shall survey and inventory the historic resources within the city and those which may be eligible for listing on the Wichita Register of Historic Places and shall administer the identification, documentation and designation of such properties, and shall present verification of significance to the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission and the City Council.

    (b)

    Consistent with those criteria set forth in Section 2.12.1019 of the Code of the City of Wichita, the board shall identify criteria to be used in determining whether certain buildings, sites, structures, land areas, districts, and interiors should be designated as Wichita Register Historic Properties or Wichita Register Historic Districts.

    (c)

    The board shall administer Certificate of Appropriateness review for projects regarding Wichita Register Historic Properties, and buildings, sites, land areas, objects, or structures within a Wichita Register Historic District according to specified guidelines to determine whether to grant or deny approval of proposed undertakings. The design criteria shall be:

    (1)

    The Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings' and amendments thereto:

    (a)

    A property shall be used for its historic purpose or be placed in a new use that requires minimal change to the defining characteristics of the building and its site and environment.

    (b)

    The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The removal of historic materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property shall be avoided.

    (c)

    Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its time, place and use. Changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or architectural elements from other buildings, shall not be undertaken.

    (d)

    Most properties change over time; those changes that have acquired historic significance in their own right shall be retained and preserved.

    (e)

    Distinctive features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship; that characterize a historic property shall be preserved.

    (f)

    Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities, and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features shall be substantiated by documentary, physical, or pictorial evidence.

    (g)

    Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause damage to historic materials shall not be used. The surface cleaning of structures, if appropriate, shall be undertaken using the gentlest means possible.

    (h)

    Significant archeological resources affected by a project shall be protected and preserved. If such resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures shall be undertaken.

    (i)

    New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment.

    (j)

    New additions, adjacent or related new construction shall be undertaken in such a manner that if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired.

    (2)

    Specific Design Review Guidelines as adopted by the Wichita City Council for the following Wichita Register Historic Districts and any and all other local historic districts hereafter designated by the City Council:

    (a)

    East Douglas Avenue;

    (b)

    Topeka/Emporia Avenue;

    (c)

    Park Place/Fairview Avenue and;

    (d)

    Bitting Avenue.

    (d)

    The board shall review and provide comment to the Wichita Area Planning Commission on any proposed zoning change or any publicly funded projects of construction such as street, lighting, paving, sidewalks, etc., excepting maintenance which occurs within a two-hundred foot radius of any Wichita Register Historic Property or Wichita Register Historic District.

    (e)

    The board shall review and comment on projects determined by the city archaeologist to pose a threat to an archaeological site.

    (f)

    The board may suggest sources of funds for preservation and restoration activities and for acquisitions, to include federal, state, municipal, private and foundation sources.

    (g)

    The board may recommend incentives for preservation.

    (h)

    If the board finds that certain buildings, structures, land, areas, or districts cannot be preserved without acquisition, the board may recommend to the city council that the fee or a lesser interest in the property be acquired by gift, or purchase, using funds or facilities available for preservation or restoration.

    (i)

    The board may annually review the status of historic resources and districts and include in the board minutes a report of such review.

    (j)

    The board shall make or cause to be made, a preservation plan with authorization hereby to review and update the preservation plan as needed.

    (k)

    The board may implement a receivership program for facade easement donations for the purpose of historic preservation.

    (l)

    The board may recommend programs and legislation to the city council to encourage historic preservation in the city.

    (m)

    The board shall review all determinations of the Superintendent of Central Inspection, that any Wichita Register Historic Property or any building or structure within a Wichita Register Historic District is dangerous and unsafe pursuant to chapter 18.16 and make any appropriate order regarding the repair or removal of such structure.

    (n)

    The Board shall act as the advisory board to the City to assist the City in carrying out its responsibilities as a Certified Local Government. These responsibilities are outlined in the 'Procedures for Implementation of Certified Local Governments in Kansas' and as provided by the SHPO. The Board shall also carry out the City's responsibilities as outlined in any agreement with the SHPO to undertake reviews pursuant to K.S.A. 75-2724 and amendments thereto. Environs review is not applicable to Wichita Register Historic Properties or Wichita Register Historic Districts.

    (o)

    The board may review and recommend local incentives which may encourage the listing of historic properties These may be in the form of tax rebates, permit fee waivers, utility reductions or other means to stimulate interest in historic preservation available only to properties listed on the Wichita Register of Historic Places. Such incentives shall be by agreement between the City, the property owner and the respective business or utility providing the reduction or rebate.

(Ord. No. 41-921 § 8; Ord. No. 48-301, § 6, 3-24-09)