SEC. 2.57.  HERITAGE PRESERVATION ADVISORY COMMISSION.

 Subd. 1.  Policy and Purpose.  The Council finds that the historical, architectural, archeological, engineering, and cultural heritage of the City are among its important assets.  Therefore, this Section is adopted to engage in a comprehensive program of historic preservation, and to promote the use and conservation of historic properties for the education, inspiration, pleasure, and enrichment of the citizens of the City.

 Subd. 2.  Establishment and Composition.  An Heritage  Preservation Commission is hereby established.  The Commission shall be composed of five (5) members appointed for three‑year staggered terms.  By virtue of his position, the Chairperson of the Planning Commission shall be an ex officio non‑voting member of the Commission, but such membership shall not be counted in the number of

members stated.  Commission members, other than the Chairman of the Planning Commission, shall be persons with demonstrated interest and expertise in historic preservation who are residents of the City, and, if available, a member of the Wright County Historical Society.

 Subd. 3.  Powers and Duties.  In general, the purpose of the Heritage Preservation Commission shall be to preserve buildings, land, areas, or districts which are determined by the Commission to possess particular cultural or educational value (herein referred to as "An Heritage Preservation Site"), and to that end it shall promote the designation of Heritage Preservation Sites applying the following standards:

      A.  The character, interest or value as part of the development of heritage or cultural characteristics of the City, State, or Nation.

      B.  The location as a site of a significant historic event.

    C.  The identification with a person(s) or who significantly contributed to the culture and development of the City.

      D.  The embodiment of distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style, period, form or treatment.

      E.  The identification as work of an architect or master builder whose individual work has influenced the development of the City.

    F.  The embodiment of elements of architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship which represent a significant architectural innovation.

      G.  The unique location or singular physical characteristic representing an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood, community, or the City.

  Subd. 4.  Additional Powers and Duties.  The Commission shall study and recommend to the Council, the following:

      A.  The survey and designation of districts, sites,  buildings, structures, and objects that are of historical,  architectural, archeological, engineering, or cultural significance.

      B.  The enactment of rules governing construction,  alteration, demolition, and use, including the review of building  permits, and the adoption of other measures appropriate for the  preservation, protection, and perpetuation of designated properties  and areas.

      C.  The acquisition by purchase, gift, or bequest, of a  fee or lesser interest, including preservation restrictions, in  designated properties and adjacent or associated lands which are  important for the preservation and use of the designated properties.

      D.  Requests to the Council to use its power of  eminent domain to maintain or preserve designated properties and  adjacent or associated lands.

      E.  The sale or lease of air rights.

      F.  The granting of use variations to a zoning  ordinance.

    G.  Participation in the conduct of land use, urban  renewal, and other planning processes undertaken by the City.

      H.  The removal of blighting influences, including  signs, unsightly structures, and debris, incompatible with the  physical well-being of designated properties or areas.

  Subd. 5.  Procedure for Designation of An Historic Preservation Site.

      A.  Every program proposed by the Commission shall be forwarded to the Minnesota Historical Society which shall, by statute, review and comment on the proposal within sixty (60) days.

      B.  Either prior to, or subsequent to, a hearing as hereinafter provided for, the Commission may recommend to the Council, after review by the Planning Commission, that certain property eligible for designation as An Heritage Preservation Site be acquired by the City either by gift, devise, negotiation, or eminent domain.