A.

The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the identification, evaluation and protection of historic resources within College Place and preserve and rehabilitate eligible historic properties within the city for future generations in order to:

1.

Safeguard the heritage of College Place as represented by those buildings, districts, objects, sites and structures which reflect significant elements of the city's history;

2.

Foster civic and neighborhood pride in the beauty and accomplishments of the past, and a sense of identity based on the city's history;

3.

Stabilize or improve the aesthetic and economic vitality and values of those buildings, districts, objects, sites and structures which reflect significant elements of the city's history;

4.

Assist, encourage and provide incentives to private owners for preservation, restoration, redevelopment and use of outstanding historic buildings, districts, objects, sites and structures;

5.

Promote and facilitate the early identification and resolution of conflicts between preservation of historic resources and alternative land uses; and

6.

Conserve valuable material and energy resources by encouraging the ongoing use and maintenance of the built environment.

(Ord. No. 20-021, § 2(Exh. A), 11-24-2020)

A.

There is established the College Place historic preservation commission, consisting of five members. Members of the historic preservation commission shall be appointed by the mayor and approved by the city council and shall be residents of the city, except as provided in this chapter.

1.

All members of the commission must have a demonstrated interest and competence in historic preservation and possess qualities of impartiality and receptiveness, be willing and able to work in groups and with others, and be familiar with the city comprehensive plan, zoning code, and strategic plan.

2.

The Commission shall always include at least two professionals who have experience in identifying, evaluating and protecting historic resources and are selected from among the disciplines of history, architecture, architectural history, historic preservation, planning, cultural anthropology, landscape architecture, archivist, archaeology, cultural geography, American studies, law and real estate. The commission action that would otherwise be valid shall not be rendered invalid by the temporary vacancy of one or all of the professional positions, unless the commission action is related to meeting certified local government (CLG) responsibilities cited in the certification agreement between the city and the state historic preservation officer. Furthermore, exception to the residency requirement of commission members may be granted by the mayor and city council in order to obtain representatives from these disciplines.

3.

Appointments shall be made for a three-year term. Vacancies shall be filled by the mayor for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.

4.

All members shall serve without compensation.

5.

Professional staff assistance shall be provided to the commission by the community development director or his/her designee and by such qualified professionals, as may be required to support the performance of the duties of the commission.

6.

The commission may, in consultation with city staff and the city attorney, adopt administrative rules and rules of procedures to implement its powers and duties.

7.

All commission meetings shall be conducted in compliance with Chapter 42.30 RCW, Open Public Meetings Act.

B.

As requested by the city, the historic preservation commission may:

1.

Promote awareness and preservation of the city's history.

2.

Maintain a comprehensive inventory of historic resources within the city.

3.

Officially recognize excellence in the rehabilitation of historic buildings and structures.

4.

Maintain the College Place Register of Historic Places. This official register shall include buildings, structures, sites, objects and districts identified by the commission as having historic significance worthy of recognition and protection by the City and encouragement of efforts by owners to maintain, rehabilitate and preserve properties.

5.

Review and make recommendations to the city council on nominations to the College Place Register of Historic Places according to criteria in this chapter and Chapter 84.26 RCW.

6.

Review and comment on applications for approvals, permits, environmental assessments or impact statements, and other similar documents pertaining to properties on the register.

7.

Maintain standards to be used to guide the review and the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness or waiver.

8.

Review proposals to construct, change, alter, modify, remodel, move, demolish and significantly affect properties or districts on the College Place Register of Historic Places.

a.

Approve or deny requests for certificates of appropriateness or waivers.

9.

Serve as the local review board for special valuation in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 84.26 RCW, and:

a.

Make determination concerning the eligibility of historic properties for special valuation;

b.

Verify that the improvements are consistent with the Washington State Advisory Council's Standards for Rehabilitation and Maintenance;

c.

Enter into agreements with property owners for the duration of the special valuation period as required under WAC 254-20-070(2);

d.

Approve or deny applications for special valuation; and

e.

Monitor the property for continued compliance with the agreement and statutory eligibility requirements during the ten-year special valuation period.

10.

Perform tasks assigned by the city council or the mayor.

(Ord. No. 20-021, § 2(Exh. A), 11-24-2020)

A.

Any building, structure, site, object or district may be designated for inclusion in the College Place Register of Historic Places if it is significantly associated with the history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or cultural heritage of the community; if it has integrity; is at least fifty years old, or is of lesser age and has exceptional importance; and if it falls in at least one of the following categories:

1.

Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of national, state or local history;

2.

Embodies the distinctive architectural characteristics of a type, period, style or method of design or construction;

3.

Is an outstanding work of a designer, builder or architect in national, state, or local history;

4.

Exemplifies or reflects special elements of the city's cultural, special, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering or architectural history;

5.

Is associated with the lives of persons significant in national, state or local history;

6.

Has yielded or may be likely to yield important archaeological information related to history or prehistory;

7.

Is a building or structure removed from its original location, but which is significant primarily for architectural value, or which is the only surviving structure significantly associated with an historic person or event;

8.

Is a birthplace or grave, tomb, crypt or the like of an historical figure of outstanding importance and is the only surviving structure or site associated with that person;

9.

Is a cemetery or burial ground which derives its primary significance from age, from distinctive design features, or from association with historic events or cultural patterns; or

10.

Is a reconstructed building that has been executed in an historically accurate manner on the original site.

B.

Any person may nominate a building, structure, site, object, or district for inclusion in the College Place Register of Historic Places. All nominations shall include the written consent or approval of the property owner(s) or his/her/their agent.

1.

The nomination shall include all features, interior and exterior, and outbuildings that contribute to its designation.

2.

The nomination shall include a legal description of the property wherein a building or structure is located, or of the site in the case of a site. In the case of an object, the location shall be described with sufficient detail to identify the object's physical location.

3.

In the case of districts, the designation shall include description of the boundaries of the district; the characteristics of the district which justifies its designation; and a list of all properties including features, structures, sites and objects which contribute to the designation of the district.

C.

The historic preservation commission shall consider the merits of the nomination in accordance with the criteria set forth in this chapter.

1.

Consideration of the merits of the application and the commission's recommendation shall occur at a public meeting or meetings. The application and documentary materials should be provided to the commission members and available to the public in advance of the meeting.

2.

Notice that the commission will be considering a nomination application shall be provided as required by the Open Public Meetings Act. Written notice shall be mailed via USPS to the nominee owner(s) of record and the nominator (if different) prior to all public meetings unless requested otherwise. Notice shall include posting at the property, when reasonably feasible.

3.

If the commission finds that the nominated property is eligible for inclusion in the College Place Register of Historic Places, the commission shall make a recommendation to the city council that the property be listed in the register. In the case of historic districts, the commission shall consider a simple majority of property owners (50 percent plus one vote) to be adequate for owner consent. Owner consent and notification procedures in the case of districts shall be further defined in rules. The property owner(s) of record shall be notified of the listing. Notice of the listing to the property owner(s) of record shall be by mail.

D.

The commission may consider removal of a property from the College Place Register of Historic Places by the same procedure as provided for in establishing the designation and may remove the property upon a finding that it no longer qualifies with the listing criteria. A property may be removed from the register of historic places without the owner's consent.

E.

Listing on the College Place Register of Historic Places is an honorary designation denoting significant association with the historic, archaeological, engineering or cultural heritage of the community. Properties may be listed individually or as contributing to an historic district.

1.

Prior to the commencement of any work on a register property, excluding ordinary repair and maintenance and emergency measures as defined in this chapter, the owner must request and receive a certificate of appropriateness from the commission for the proposed work. Violation of this rule may be grounds for the commission to review the property for removal from the register, to recommend to the city council removal of the property from the register, or any other action available to the city.

2.

As a certified local government (CLG), all properties listed on the College Place Register of Historic Places may be eligible for a special tax valuation on their rehabilitation.

F.

Properties designated on the College Place Register of Historic Places shall be subject to the provisions set forth in this chapter, as well as the bulk, use, setback and other controls of the zoning district in which they are located. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to be repealing, modifying or waiving any zoning provisions or other local, state or federal laws or regulations.

G.

No change of use, construction any new building or structure, or reconstruction, alteration, restoration, remodel, repair, removal, or moving any property on the College Place Register of Historic Places shall occur without review by the historic preservation commission and issuance of a certificate of appropriateness.

1.

The owner or his/her/their agent shall apply to the city for a review of proposed changes on a College Place Register property or within a College Place Register historic district and request a certificate of appropriateness or, in the case of demolition, a waiver. Each application for review of proposed changes shall be accompanied by such information as is required by the city for the proper review of the proposed project. The commission's decisions shall be in writing and shall state the findings of fact and reasons relied upon in reaching its decision.

2.

The commission shall attempt to meet with the applicant and review the proposed work according to the design review criteria established in rules. Commission members of the commission as a whole may visit the property or site for the purpose of inspection and information gathering, but no deliberation shall occur by the commission or its members outside of the public meeting. The commission shall complete its review and make its recommendations within 30 calendar days of the date of receipt of the application. If the commission is unable to process the request, the commission may ask for an extension of time. If the commission is unable to process the request due to the applicant failing to meet with the commission, failing to submit required information, failing to permit site visit to the commission or any of its members, or failing to comply with any other reasonable request of the commission or any commission rule, regulation, or guidelines, or this chapter, the commission may deny the application.

3.

The commission's recommendations shall be in writing and shall state the findings of fact and reasons relied upon in reaching its decision. Any conditions agreed to by the applicant in this review process shall become conditions of approval of any permits granted. If the owner agrees to the commission's recommendations, a certificate of appropriateness shall be awarded by the commission according to standards established in the commission's rules.

4.

The commission's recommendations and, if awarded, the certificate of appropriateness shall be transmitted to the building or zoning official for consideration in making a decision on the building permit application.

(Ord. No. 20-021, § 2(Exh. A), 11-24-2020; Ord. No. 24-002, § 41, 1-23-2024)

The purpose of this section is to implement special tax valuation for rehabilitation of historic properties under which the assessed value of eligible historic property is determined at a rate that excludes, for up to ten years, the actual cost of the rehabilitation, in accordance with the provisions of RCW 84.26.

A.

Property owners seeking special tax valuation shall submit applications for special tax valuation to the county assessor's office.

1.

Applications shall be forwarded to the city by the assessor, typically within ten calendar days of filing.

2.

The commission shall review the application(s), consistent with its rules of procedure, and determines if the application(s) is complete and if the properties meet the criteria set forth in WAC 254-20-070(1) and this chapter.

a.

If the commission finds the property meets all the criteria, then, on behalf of the city, it shall seek to execute an historic preservation special valuation agreement (set forth in WAC 254-20-120) with the property owner. No application shall be approved without an historic preservation special valuation agreement duly executed by the commission and the property owner(s).

b.

If the commission determines the application incomplete, lacks required supporting documentation or information, or the property does not meet all applicable criteria, then it shall deny the application.

3.

The commission certifies its decisions in writing and states the facts upon which the approvals or denials are based and the city files copies of the certifications with the county assessor, typically within ten calendar days.

4.

For approved applications, the city shall:

a.

Forward copies of the agreements, applications, and supporting documentation (as required by WAC 254-20-090 (4)) to the county assessor; and

b.

Notify the state review board that the properties have been approved for special valuation.

5.

For approved applications, the owner shall:

a.

Monitor the property for continued compliance with the agreements throughout and continued qualification for the special valuation for the ten-year special valuation period;

b.

Immediately report to the city any actual or suspected agreement non-compliance or special tax disqualification;

c.

Make the historic aspects of the property accessible to public view at least one day a year if the property is not substantially visible from public rights-of-way; and

d.

Comply with any other provisions in the agreement.

6.

The commission may determine, in a manner consistent with its rules of procedure, whether a property should be disqualified from special valuation, based on a finding that:

a.

The owner failed to comply with the terms of the agreement; or

b.

There was a loss of historic value resulting from physical changes to the building or site; or

c.

The disqualification is necessary and appropriate to fulfill the purposes of this chapter.

7.

In the event that the commission finds that a property is no longer qualified for special valuation, the city shall notify the owner, the county assessor, and state review board in writing and state the facts supporting its findings.

B.

Applications for special tax valuation shall be subject to review as follows:

1.

Properties listed on the College Place Register of Historic Places or that have been certified as contributing to a historic district on the College Place Register of Historic Places which have been substantially rehabilitated at a cost and within a time period which meets the requirements set forth in Chapter 84.26 RCW are eligible to apply.

2.

Complete applications shall consist of the following documentation:

a.

A legal description of the historic property;

b.

Comprehensive exterior and interior photographs of the historic property before and after rehabilitation;

c.

Architectural plans or other legible drawings depicting the completed rehabilitation work;

d.

A notarized affidavit attesting to the actual cost of the rehabilitation work completed prior to the date of application and the period of time during which the work was performed and documentation of both to be made available to the commission upon request; and

e.

For properties located within historic districts, in addition to the standard application documentation, a statement from the Secretary of the Interior or appropriate local official, as specified in local administrative rules or by the local government, indicating the property is a certified historic structure is required.

3.

In its review of complete applications, the commission shall determine if the properties meet all the following criteria:

a.

The property is historic property;

b.

The property is eligible for special valuation by the city;

c.

The property has been rehabilitated at a cost which meets the definition set forth in RCW 84.26.020(2) within 24 months prior to the date of application; and

d.

The property has not been altered in any way which adversely affects those elements which qualify it as historically significant as determined by applying the Washington State Advisory Council's Standards for the Rehabilitation and Maintenance of Historic Properties (WAC 254-20-100(1).

4.

Rehabilitation and Maintenance Criteria. The Washington State Advisory Council's Standards for the Rehabilitation and Maintenance of Historic Properties in WAC 254-20-100 shall be used by the commission as minimum requirements for determining whether or not an historic property is eligible for special valuation and whether or not the property continues to be eligible for special valuation once it has been so classified.

5.

The historic preservation special valuation agreement in WAC 254-20-120 shall be used by the commission as the minimum agreement necessary to comply with the requirements of RCW 84.26.050(2).

6.

Any decision of the commission acting on any application for classification as historic property, eligible for special valuation, may be appealed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 14.30.

a.

The appeal must be filed in the timeframe and format prescribed by the city and must state the grounds upon which the appeal is based.

b.

The appeal shall be reviewed on the records of the commission (closed record appeal).

(Ord. No. 20-021, § 2(Exh. A), 11-24-2020)

The purpose of this section is to establish a means by which the beauty and authenticity of College Place's historic structures may be conserved as reminders of the community's heritage.

A.

A 30-day holding period shall be observed, following notification to the local newspaper, prior to issuance of a development authorization for demolition of structures over 50 years old, or places of historic value, during which time staff will invite comments from the Washington State Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation and local interest groups having on file a request for notification of such applications, on the possible historic or architectural significance of the structure or place to the community.

B.

If, based on comments received from the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation or local interest groups notified as per Subsection A., staff determines that the subject structure or place possesses sufficient community-wide historic or architectural significance that further public input is warranted, the proposal will be subject to the following:

1.

A 60-day staff level stay during which the director may consult with local and/or state organizations concerned with historic or architectural values. If the structure or place is found to be significant, staff or the concerned group(s) or agency(s) may petition the historic preservation commission for a public hearing to consider significance of the structure or place and options available to preserve the public interest.

2.

Based on input received at the public hearing, the historic preservation commission may:

a.

Authorize issuance of a development authorization by staff;

b.

Issue a continuance of the stay for no longer than one year to provide opportunity for acquisition, easement, or other preservation mechanism to be negotiated; or

c.

Take other action as required by state statutes or administrative code as advised by authorized representatives of the Archaeology and Historic Preservation Division of the State Department of Community Development.

(Ord. No. 20-021, § 2(Exh. A), 11-24-2020)