B. Discretionary project means a project which requires the exercise of judgment or deliberation when the public agency or body decides to approve or disapprove a particular activity, as distinguished from situations where the public agency or body merely has to determine whether there has been conformity with applicable statutes, ordinances, or regulations.

C. Historic district means any area containing a concentration of improvements which have a special character, historical interest, or aesthetic value, which possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association, or which represent one or more architectural periods or styles typical to the history of the county, and that has been designated an historic district pursuant to provisions of this ordinance or nominated to the National Register of Historic Places.

D. Historic/historical means an historic building or site that is noteworthy for its significance in local, state, or national history or culture, its architecture or design, or its works of art, memorabilia, or artifacts.

E. Landmark/landmark sites means any site or improvements, man made or natural, which has special character or special historical, cultural, architectural, archaeological, community or aesthetic value as part of the heritage of the county or the nation which has been designated as a landmark pursuant to the provisions of this ordinance.

F. National Register of Historic Places means the nation's master inventory of known historic properties worthy of preservation. The National Register of Historic Places is administered by the National park Service on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior. National Register listings include buildings, structures, sites, objects, and districts that possess historic, architectural, engineering, archeological, or cultural significance. Properties listed are not limited those of nationwide significance; most are significant primarily at the state or local level.

G. Preservation means the identification, study, protection, restoration, rehabilitation or acquisition of cultural resources.

The Commission shall have the following powers and duties.

A. Adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of its business in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

B. Establish criteria and conduct, or cause to be conducted, a comprehensive survey in conformance with survey standards and guidelines of cultural heritage resources within the boundaries of the county. The Commission shall also publicize and periodically update the survey results.

C. Recommend the designation of cultural heritage resources including individual properties, landmark sites, conservation zones, and historic districts.

D. Maintain a local register of cultural heritage resources consistent with the National Register of Historic Places criteria including historic districts, landmark sites, and landmarks within the county including all information required for each designation.

E. Review and comment upon the conduct of land use, housing and redevelopment, capital improvements, and other types of planning and programs undertaken by any agency of the county, or state, as they relate to the survey results and cultural heritage resources of the county.

F. Propose prescriptive standards to be used by the Commission in reviewing applications for permits to construct, change, alter, modify, remodel, remove, or significantly affect any cultural resource.

G. Advise the board of supervisors regarding recommendations for the purchase by the county of fee or less-than-fee interests in property, transfer of development rights, easements, or other mechanisms for purposes of cultural heritage resources preservation.

H. Investigate and make recommendations to the board of supervisors on the use of various federal, state, local, or private funding sources and mechanisms available to promote cultural resource preservation in the county.

I. Review all applications for discretionary projects, environmental assessments, environmental impact reports, environmental impact statements, and other similar documents as set forth in this ordinance, pertaining to designated and potential cultural resources, or related neighboring property within public view. The planning department shall forward all such documents to the Commission for review and comment, prior to review and approval by the zoning administrator or planning commission, as appropriate.

J. Review the actions and proposed actions and advise environmental review processes of all county departments and public agencies concerning the effects of their actions, programs, capital improvements, or activities on designated and potential cultural resources.

K. Recommend hiring staff, retaining consultants and conducting studies as the Commission deems desirable or necessary, by the board of supervisors.

L. Cooperate with local, state and federal governments in the pursuit of the objectives of cultural resource preservation.

M. Keep minutes and records of all meetings and proceedings including voting records, attendance, resolutions, findings, determinations, and decisions. All such material shall be a public record.

N. Render advice and guidance, upon the request of the property owners or occupants, on the restoration, alteration, decoration, landscaping, or maintenance of any cultural resource including landmarks, landmark sites, historic districts, or neighboring properties within public view.

O. Encourage and render advice and guidance to property owners or occupants on procedures for inclusion of a cultural resource on the National Register of Historic Places.

P. Participate in, promote, and conduct public information, educational, and interpretive programs pertaining to cultural resources preservation.

Q. Confer recognition upon the owners of landmarks or property or structures within historic districts by means of certificates, plaques, or markers, and from time to time issue commendations to owners of cultural resources who have rehabilitated their property in an exemplary manner.

R. Undertake any other action or activity necessary or appropriate to the implementation of its powers or duties to fulfill the objectives of cultural resource preservation. (Ord. 4488 1998)