A. Safeguard the heritage of the city as represented by those buildings, objects, sites and structures which reflect significant elements of the city’s history;

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

C. Stabilize or improve the aesthetic and economic vitality and values of such sites, improvements and objects;

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

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

F. Conserve valuable material and energy resources by ongoing use and maintenance of the existing built environment. (Ord. 1513 § 3 (Exh. C), 2023; Ord. 992 § 1, 2005).

A. “Historic inventory” or “inventory” means the comprehensive inventory of historic and prehistoric resources within the boundaries of the city of Gig Harbor.

B. “Historic preservation commission” or “HPC” is the local review board established to carry out the provisions of this chapter as created by Chapter 2.26 GHMC.

C. “Register of historic places,” “local register,” or “register” means the listing of locally designated properties provided for in GHMC 17.97.040.

D. “Actual cost of rehabilitation” means costs incurred within 24 months prior to the date of a special valuation application and directly resulting from one or more of the following: (1) improvements to an existing building located on or within the perimeters of the original structure; or (2) improvements outside of but directly attached to the original structure which are necessary to make the building fully useable, but shall not include rentable/habitable floor space attributable to new construction; or (3) architectural and engineering services attributable to the design of the improvements; or (4) all costs defined as “qualified rehabilitation expenditures” for purposes of the federal historic preservation investment tax credit.

E. “Building” is a structure constructed by human beings. This includes both residential and nonresidential buildings, main and accessory buildings.

F. “Certificate of appropriateness” means the document indicating that the HPC has reviewed the proposed changes to a local register property and certified the changes as not adversely affecting the historic characteristics of the property which contribute to its designation.

G. “Certified local government” or “CLG” means the designation reflecting that the local government has been jointly certified by the State Historic Preservation Officer and the National Park Service as having established its own historic preservation commission and a program meeting federal and state standards.

H. “Class of properties eligible to apply for special valuation” means all properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places including but not limited to properties certified as contributing to a National Register Historic District which have been substantially rehabilitated at a cost and within a time period which meet the requirements set forth in Chapter 84.26 RCW; and all properties listed on the local register including but not limited to properties certified as contributing to a local district which have been substantially rehabilitated at a cost and within a time period which meet the requirements set forth in Chapter 84.26 RCW.

I. “Cost” means the actual cost of rehabilitation, which cost shall be at least 25 percent of the assessed valuation of the historic property, exclusive of the assessed value attributable to the land, prior to rehabilitation.

J. “Emergency repair” means work necessary to prevent destruction or dilapidation to real property or structural appurtenances thereto immediately threatened or damaged by fire, flood, earthquake or other disaster.

K. “Historic property” means real property, together with improvements thereon, except property listed in a register primarily for objects buried below ground, which is listed in a local register of a certified local government or the National Register of Historic Places.

L. “Incentives” are such rights or privileges or combination thereof which the city or other local, state or federal body or agency, by virtue of applicable present or future legislation, may be authorized to grant or obtain for the owner(s) of register properties. Examples of economic incentives include, but are not limited to, tax relief, transfer of development rights, facade easements, preferential leasing policies, plaques, and beneficial placement of public improvements or amenities.

M. “Local review board” used in Chapter 84.26 RCW and Chapter 254-20 WAC for the special valuation of historic properties means the historic preservation commission created by Chapter 2.26 GHMC.

N. “National Register of Historic Places” means the national listing of properties significant to our cultural history because of their documented importance to our history, architectural history, engineering, or cultural heritage.

O. “Object” means a thing of functional, aesthetic, cultural, historical or scientific value that may be, by nature or design, movable yet related to a specific setting or environment.

P. “Ordinary repair and maintenance” means work for which a permit issued by the city is not required by law, and where the purpose and effect of such work is to correct any deterioration or decay of or damage to the real property or structure appurtenance therein and to restore the same, as nearly as may be practicable, to the condition prior to the occurrence of such deterioration, decay or damage.

Q. “Owner” of property is the fee simple owner of record as exists on the records of the Pierce County assessor.

R. “Significance” or “significant” used in the context of historic significance means the following: a property with local, state or national significance is one which helps in the understanding of the history or prehistory of the local area, state or nation (whichever is applicable) by illuminating the local, statewide, or nationwide impact of the events or persons associated with the property, or its architectural type or style in information potential. The local area can include the city of Gig Harbor, Pierce County or Puget Sound, Washington, or a modest geographic or cultural area, such as a neighborhood. Local significance may apply to a property that illustrates a theme that is important to one or more localities; state significance to a theme important to the history of the state; and national significance to property of exceptional value in representing or illustrating an important theme in the history of the nation.

S. “Site” is a place where a significant event or pattern of events occurred. It may be the location of prehistoric or historic occupation or activities that may be marked by physical remains; or it may be the symbolic focus of a significant event or pattern of events that may not have been actively occupied. A site may be the location of ruined or now non-extant buildings or structures if the location itself possesses historic, cultural or archaeological significance.

T. “Special valuation for historic properties” or “special valuation” or “special property tax valuation” means the local option program which when implemented makes available to property owners a special tax valuation for rehabilitation of historic properties under which the assessed value of an eligible historic property is determined at a rate that excludes, for up to 10 years, the actual cost of the rehabilitation (Chapter 84.26 RCW).

U. “State Register of Historic Places” means the state listing of properties significant to the community, state, or nation, but which may or may not meet the criteria of the National Register.

V. “Structure” is a work made up of interdependent and interrelated parts in a definite pattern of organization. Constructed by man, it is often an engineering project.

W. “Waiver of a certificate of appropriateness” or “waiver” means the document indicating that the HPC has reviewed the proposed whole or demolition of a local register property and failing to find alternatives to demolition has issued a waiver of a certificate of appropriateness which allows the building or zoning official to issue a permit for demolition.

X. “Washington State Advisory Council’s Standards for the Rehabilitation and Maintenance of Historic Properties” or “State Advisory’s Council’s Standards” means the rehabilitation and maintenance standards used by the city historic preservation commission as standards for maintaining property that has received special valuation and whether or not the property continues to be eligible for special valuation once it has been so classified.

Y. “District” is a geographically definable area urban or rural, small or large – possessing a significant concentration, linkage, or continuity of sites, buildings, structures, and/or objects united by past events or aesthetically by plan or physical development. (Ord. 1513 § 3 (Exh. C), 2023; Ord. 1375 § 1, 2017; Ord. 992 § 1, 2005).

A. Criteria for Determining Designation in the Register. Any building, structure, or site may be designated for inclusion in the city of Gig Harbor historic preservation register if it is significantly associated with the history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or cultural heritage of the community, if it has integrity; is at least 50 years old, or is of lesser age and has exceptional importance; and if it falls in at least one of the following categories:

B. Process for Designating Properties to the City Register of Historical Properties.

C. Removal of Properties From the Register. In the event that any property is no longer deemed appropriate for designation to the city’s register of historical properties, the HPC may initiate removal from such designation by the same procedure as provided for in establishing the designation, subsection B of this section. The city council makes the final decision on a proposed removal of property from the city’s register of historical properties. A property may be removed from the city’s register of historical properties without the owner’s consent, and the city council shall remove the property from the city’s register if the owner requests removal.

D. Effects of Listing on the Register.

A. Review Required. No person shall change the use, construct any new building or structure, or reconstruct, alter, restore, remodel, repair, move, or demolish any existing property on the city historic register without review by the HPC and without receipt of a certificate of appropriateness, or in the case of demolition, a waiver, as a result of the review.

B. Exemptions. Ordinary repair and maintenance, which includes painting, or emergency measures defined in GHMC 17.97.020(J) and (P), do not require a certificate of appropriateness.

C. Review Process.

A. Eligible Properties for Special Property Tax Valuation. Class of properties eligible to apply for special valuation in Gig Harbor means all properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places including but not limited to properties certified as contributing to a National Register Historic District which have been substantially rehabilitated at a cost and within a time period which meet the requirements set forth in Chapter 84.26 RCW and all properties listed on the local register of historic places including but not limited to properties certified as contributing to a local register historic district which have been substantially rehabilitated at a cost and within a time period which meet the requirements set forth in Chapter 84.26 RCW.

B. Application for Special Property Tax Valuation. Application for special valuation is made at the Pierce County assessor’s office. The assessor then forwards applications to the city for review and a decision by the historic preservation commission (HPC).

C. Contents of a Complete Application. A complete application for special valuation shall consist of the following documentation:

D. Time Frame for Processing Applications for Special Property Tax Valuation.

E. Application Review Procedures. Applications for special property tax valuation shall be processed as follows:

F. Property Review Criteria. In its review the HPC shall determine if the properties meet all the following criteria:

G. Agreement. The following historic preservation special valuation agreement shall be used by the HPC as the agreement necessary to comply with the requirements of RCW 84.26.050(2):

This Historic Preservation Agreement is entered into on this ___ day of ____, 20__ by and between __________________ (hereinafter referred to as APPLICANT) and the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) (hereinafter referred to as LOCAL REVIEW BOARD).

WHEREAS APPLICANT is the owner of record of the historic property commonly known as _________________________, located at ________________________, State of Washington, as more fully described in Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference (hereinafter referred to as PROPERTY); and

WHEREAS APPLICANT has requested special valuation of the PROPERTY pursuant to chapter 84.26 RCW; and

WHEREAS the LOCAL REVIEW BOARD has determined that the property has been substantially rehabilitated within the two year period preceding the date of application and the actual cost of said rehabilitation equals or exceeds twenty-five percent of the assessed valuation of the PROPERTY prior to the improvements; and

WHEREAS the LOCAL REVIEW BOARD has verified that the PROPERTY is historic property that falls within a class of property determined eligible for special valuation by local ordinance or administrative rule; and

WHEREAS the LOCAL REVIEW BOARD finds that the rehabilitation work has not altered the PROPERTY in any way which adversely affects those elements which qualify it as historically significant;

NOW THEREFORE, in recognition of the foregoing, the APPLICANT enters into this AGREEMENT with the LOCAL REVIEW BOARD and agrees to adhere to the following terms and conditions for the ten-year period of the special valuation classification:

1. APPLICANT agrees to comply with the Washington State Advisory Council’s Standards for the Maintenance and Rehabilitation of Historic Property as set forth in Exhibit B, which is attached hereto and by this reference incorporated herein.

2. APPLICANT agrees the property shall not be altered without the prior written consent of the LOCAL REVIEW BOARD signed by a duly authorized representative thereof. No construction, alteration or remodeling or any other action shall be undertaken or permitted to be undertaken which would affect the historic character of the PROPERTY which classifies it as eligible for special valuation, or which would affect the appearance of the PROPERTY as depicted in the photographs attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference as Exhibits ____ through ____, or which would adversely affect the structural soundness of the PROPERTY; provided, however, that the reconstruction, repair, repainting, or refinished of presently existing parts or elements of the PROPERTY subject to this Agreement, damage to which has resulted from casualty loss, deterioration or wear and tear, shall be permitted without the prior approval of the LOCAL REVIEW BOARD, provided that such reconstruction, repair, repainting, or refinishing is performed in a manner which will not alter the appearance of those elements of the PROPERTY subject to this AGREEMENT as they are as of this date. Exterior changes which shall require the consent of the LOCAL REVIEW BOARD shall include, but not be limited to, any substantial structural change or any change in design, color or materials.

3. APPLICANT agrees the PROPERTY shall not be demolished without prior written consent of the local review board.

4. APPLICANT agrees to make historic aspects of the PROPERTY accessible to the public one day each year if the PROPERTY is not visible from a public right of way.

5. APPLICANT agrees to monitor the PROPERTY for its continued qualification for special valuation and notify the Pierce County Assessor within 30 days if the PROPERTY becomes disqualified because of

a. a loss of historic integrity,

b. sale or transfer to new ownership exempt from taxation, or

c. sale or transfer to new ownership which does not intend to agree to the terms of this Agreement nor file a notice of compliance form with the Pierce County Assessor.

6. The APPLICANT and LOCAL REVIEW BOARD both agree that there shall be no changes in standards of maintenance, public access, alteration, or report requirements, or any other provision of this Agreement, during the period of the classification without the approval of all parties to this Agreement.

Term of the Agreement. This Agreement shall take effect immediately upon signature and remain in effect until the property is no longer eligible for special valuation either through disqualification under RCW 84.26.080 or upon expiration of the ten-year period of special valuation commencing January 1, 20___, and ending December 31, 20___.

Hold Harmless. The APPLICANT or its successors or assigns shall hold the State and the LOCAL REVIEW BOARD harmless from any and all liability and claims which may be asserted against the State and the LOCAL REVIEW BOARD as result of this Historic Preservation Special Valuation Agreement or the participation by the APPLICANT in the Special Valuation Program.

Governing Law. The terms of this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington.

H. Enforcement. As the sole remedy for the applicant’s breach of the historic preservation special valuation agreement the historic preservation commission may notify the Pierce County assessor to inform the assessor that the property has become disqualified and removed from the city’s historic inventory.

I. Appeals. Any decision of the HPC acting on an application for special property tax valuation, or any disqualifications of historic properties eligible for special valuation, may be appealed to the county board of equalization. (Ord. 1513 § 3 (Exh. C), 2023; Ord. 1375 § 4, 2017; Ord. 992 § 1, 2005).