It is hereby declared to be a matter of public policy that the protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use of structures, land and districts of historical, architectural or geographic significance, located within the city, is in the public interest.

(Ord. 962 §§1, 2, 2007)

A.

The Community Foundation of Northwest Colorado shall serve as the Craig Historic Preservation Commission (the historic commission).

B.

Powers and duties.

1.

The historic commission shall review from time to time the criteria for designation of historic sites as set forth in this chapter and shall make recommendations to the planning commission for amendments.

2.

The historic commission shall prepare application forms, shall review applications for designation of sites as being historic pursuant to this chapter and shall make recommendations to the planning commission for review and final recommendation to the city council as to whether it should designate the site described in the application for such designation.

(Ord. 962 §§1, 2, 2007)

In order to qualify for designation as an historic site pursuant to this code, the historic commission must determine that it has historic significance due to one (1) or more of the following factors:

A.

It has character, interest or value as part of the historical development, heritage or culture of the community, state or nation.

B.

Its location is a site of a significant historic event.

C.

Its identification with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the culture and development of the city.

D.

Its exemplification of the cultural, economic, social or historic heritage of the city.

E.

Its portrayal of the environment of a group of people in an era of history characterized by a distinctive architectural style.

F.

Its embodiment of distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type or specimen.

G.

Its identification as the work of an architect or master builder whose individual work has influenced the development of the city.

H.

Its embodiment of the elements of architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship that represent a significant architectural innovation.

I.

Its relationship to other distinctive areas that are eligible for preservation according to a plan based on an historic, cultural or architectural motif.

J.

Its unique location or singular physical characteristic representing an established familiar visual feature of a neighborhood or of the city.

K.

Is at least fifty (50) years old.

(Ord. 962 §§1, 2, 2007)

A.

Recommendations for designation of historic sites. Pursuant to the procedures set forth in this chapter, the historic commission may make written recommendation to the planning commission and city council that a site be designated as an historic site for preservation, meeting the criteria set forth in this code. Each such recommendation shall include a description of the characteristics of the site which justify its designation and shall include a legal description of the site. The recommendation may indicate alterations that would have a significant impact on, or be potentially detrimental to, the historic features of the site. Any such designation shall be in furtherance of and in conformance with the purposes and standards of this code.

B.

Procedures for designating historic sites.

1.

Applications. Applications for designation of historic sites must be made to the historic commission on forms provided by the city. Applications shall be made only by the owners of one hundred percent (100%) of the site for which the application is submitted.

2.

Historic commission review. The historic commission shall review applications for designation of historic sites for content and for completeness. The historic commission shall, within a reasonable time of receipt, forward complete applications and recommendations to the planning commission.

3.

Planning commission review. The planning commission shall consider and act upon applications at regularly scheduled or special meetings within a reasonable time of receipt of staff recommendations. The planning commission shall approve, approve with conditions or disapprove applications and shall immediately forward notice of its decisions to the city council. In the event of failure of the planning commission to act in a timely manner, the city council may proceed without a planning commission recommendation.

4.

City council action. Within a reasonable time of action by the planning commission, the city council shall by resolution approve, modify and approve or disapprove the proposed historic designation.

5.

Withdrawal of applications. Prior to action on applications by the city council, applicants may withdraw applications by submitting a written request to the city.

6.

Recording. The resolution designating a site as a local historic landmark shall be recorded in the records of the county clerk.

(Ord. 962 §§1, 2, 2007)

Whenever the city council disapproves an application for historic designation, or whenever an owner withdraws an application, no person shall submit an application for the same site within one (1) calendar year of the disapproval or withdrawal.

(Ord. 962 §§1, 2, 2007)

Designation of an historic site may be amended to add features or property to the site according to the application process described in this chapter for new designations.

(Ord. 962 §§1, 2, 2007)

All modifications to designated historic landmarks shall be done in conformance with the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings as published by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

(Ord. 962 §§1, 2, 2007)

Any owner filing an application for designation of a site shall, as a part of the application, agree, any time after a site is designated as an historic site, to notify the historic commission of the owner's intention to alter, demolish, move or remove the site and provide plans for the work at least thirty (30) days prior to beginning such work. This notification requirement shall run with the land and shall bind successors and assigns. The historic commission shall, upon receipt, forward the notification and plans to the planning commission for review. The planning commission shall review the plans and may advise the owner on the potential affect of the plans on the historic designation. The planning commission may forward a recommendation to the city council that, based on the plans, the historic designation be modified or revoked.

(Ord. 962 §§1, 2, 2007)

The city council may, by resolution, revoke or modify the designation of a site after fifteen (15) days' notice to the owner and after public hearing if any of the following conditions exist:

A.

If any owner of a designated site fails to provide notification as required in this code or if alterations to the site will significantly alter the historic character of the site;

B.

If an owner of a designated historic site submits a written request to the city for revocation of an historic designation;

C.

If the historic commission makes a recommendation for modification or revocation based on an owner's written intent to alter a designated historic site; or

D.

If modifications are made to an historic landmark that are found by the historic commission to not be in accordance with the standards specified in this code.

(Ord. 962 §§1, 2, 2007)