17.50.040 Register of Historic Places.
A. Criteria for determining designation in the Historic Register. Any building, structure, site, object or district may be designated for inclusion in the Historic Register if it is significantly associated with the history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or cultural heritage for 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 two (2) of the following categories:
1. 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, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction.
3. An outstanding work of a designer, builder, or architect who has made a substantial contribution to the art.
4. Exemplifies or reflects special elements of the city’s cultural, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering or architectural history.
5. 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. 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 of an historical figure of outstanding importance and is the only surviving structure or site associated with that person.
9. A cemetery, which derives its primary significance from age, from distinctive design features, or from association with historic events, or cultural patterns.
10. A reconstructed building that has been executed in a historically accurate manner on the original site.
11. A creative and unique example of folk architecture and design created by persons not formally trained in the architectural design professions, and which does not fit into formal architectural or historical categories.
B. Process for designating properties or districts to the Historical Register.
1. Any person, with the owners consent, may nominate a building, structure, site, object or district for inclusion in the Register of Historic Places. The Commission, and any member of the Commission, may solicit nominations. In its designation decision, the Commission shall consider the Aberdeen Historic Register and the city’s Comprehensive Plan.
2. In the case of individual properties, the designation shall include the UTM reference and all features—interior and exterior—and outbuildings that contribute to its designation.
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.
4. The Historic Preservation Commission shall consider the merits of the nomination according to the criteria in AMC 17.50.040(A) and the nomination review standards established in the Commission’s rules.
5. The Commission shall provide notice to the public, the owner(s) and the authors of the nomination, if different, and lessees, if any, of the subject property prior to the meeting at which the nomination will be considered. The notice shall include publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the Aberdeen area, posting of the property, and written notification as required by the Open Public Meetings Act (Chpt. 42.30 RCW).
6. If the Commission finds that the nominated property is eligible for the city’s Historic Register, the Commission shall, with the owner’s consent, make a recommendation to the Mayor and City Council that the property be listed in the Historic Register. In the case of historic districts, the consent of the owners of 60% of the property, by assessed valuation, within the proposed district boundary shall be required.
7. The public, property owner(s), and the authors of the nomination, if different, and lessees, if any, shall be notified of the listing.
8. Properties listed in the city’s Historic Register shall be recorded on official zoning records with an “HR” (for Historic Register) designation. This designation shall not change or modify the underlying zone classification.
C. Removal of properties from the Historic Register. In the event that any property is no longer deemed appropriate for designation in the city’s Historic Register, the Commission may initiate removal from such designation by the same procedure as provided for in establishing the designation in AMC 17.50.040(B). A property may be removed from the city’s Historic Register without the owner’s consent.
D. Effects of listing on the Historic Register.
1. Listing on the city’s Historic Register is an honorary designation denoting significant association with the historic, archaeological, engineering or cultural heritage of the community. Properties are listed individually or as contributing properties to an historic district.
2. Prior to the commencement of any work on a Historic Register property, excluding ordinary repair and maintenance and emergency measures defined in AMC 17.50.050, the owner must request and receive a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Commission for the proposed work. Violation of this rule shall be grounds for the Commission to review the property for removal from the register.
3. Prior to whole or partial demolition of a register property, the owner must request and receive a waiver of a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Commission.
4. Once the city’s Historic Register is recognized as a Certified Local Government Historic Register all properties listed on the city’s Historic Register may be eligible for Special Tax Valuation on their rehabilitation (See, AMC 17.50.060).