Historic Preservation Commission

Current Agenda

Usual Meeting Dates & Times


Monthly on the 4th Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.


Meeting Location


Council Chambers, Weatherford City Hall, 303 Palo Pinto Street


Powers & Duties


  • The historic preservation commission has the following powers and duties: 
  • Adopt rules and procedures, subject to the approval of the city council; 
  • Familiarize itself thoroughly with the structures, land, areas, and districts within the city that may be eligible for designation as a historic district, neighborhood or area; 
  • Establish criteria, standards and procedures for designation of a historic district, neighborhood or area; 
  • Recommend designation of a historic district, neighborhood or area; 
  • Develop a preservation plan, update the plan annually, and present the plan to the planning and zoning commission and the city council. The preservation plan shall include: 1: Identification of places and areas of historical, cultural, architectural, or archaeological value along with factual verification of their importance and significance; 2. Suggested program for private and public action to promote the preservation of historic structures and districts; 3. Identification of sources of funds, including federal, state, and local governments, corporations and private foundations, for preservation and restoration activities and for acquisitions; 
  • Conduct and administer historic resource surveys; 
  • Prepare and promote design guidelines for a historic district, neighborhood or area; 
  • Develop and adopt guidelines, where applicable, and review procedures to be used in determining whether to grant or deny initiated designation certificates of appropriateness, certificates of appropriateness, or certificates for demolition or removal; 
  • Recommend tax or other financial incentives to encourage preservation of historic resources; 
  • Recommend to the city council that certain places and areas which cannot be preserved without acquisition, be acquired in fee simple or in some lesser degree by gift or purchase; 
  • Recommend acceptance or rejection of donations of preservation easements; 
  • Recommend changes in use where conditions exist under which the required preservation of a property subject to the initiated designation or a historic structure would cause undue hardship to the owner of the property; 
  • Review applications, where applicable, and grant or deny certificates of appropriateness for proposed work and design on a property subject to the initiated designation or a historic structure; 
  • Review applications, where applicable, and grant or deny certificates of demolition or removal of a structure on a property subject to the initiated designation or a historic structure; 
  • Initiate, when appropriate, the procedure for adopting an ordinance to establish or amend a historic district, neighborhood or area or remove such district; 
  • Establish committees and task forces as needed to make recommendations to the historic preservation commission on applications for certificates of appropriateness, certificates of demolition or removal, and other issues; 
  • Identify cases of demolition by neglect and initiate remedial actions; 
  • Develop public outreach/education/awareness programs; 
  • Review and make recommendations on zoning amendments and comprehensive plans relating to historic preservation; 
  • Review and make recommendations on the decisions and documents (including any environmental assessments, reports, and/or environmental impact statements) of other public agencies when such decisions or documents may affect historical overlay districts or potential historical overlay districts in the city; and 
  • Perform other duties as may be assigned by the city council or created by state law, the City's Charter, or an ordinance.

Membership Qualifications


The requirements for a Certified Local Government when appointing Historic Preservation Commission members are as follows:

  1. The preservation commission shall have a minimum of five members.
  2. All commission members must be appointed by either the chief elected official or City Council.
  3. All commission members must have a demonstrated interest, knowledge, or training in historic preservation.
  4. All commission members are required to complete Texas Open Meetings Act training provided by the Texas Attorney General’s Office.
  5. All commission members must attempt to remain current concerning historic preservation issues and techniques. At least once a year, one or more commission members must attend a THC-led or THC-approved training.
  6. At least 60 percent of the commission membership shall be drawn from the preservation-related professions defined by the National Park Service. These professions include Architecture, History, Architectural History, Planning, Prehistoric and Historic Archaeology, Folklore, Cultural Anthropology, Curation, Conservation, and Landscape Architecture. This requirement may be waived if the local government can provide written documentation to the THC that it has made a reasonable effort to fill those positions.
  7. Terms of office of commission members shall be staggered and of at least two years duration. There need not be a limit on the number of consecutive terms served by one member.
  8. The local appointing authority shall act within 60 days to fill a vacancy, including expired terms. The THC shall be provided with the résumés and qualifications of new appointments.
  9. All meetings of the commission shall be open to the public. Minutes shall be kept of each meeting and shall be available for public inspection. A copy of the minutes of each meeting shall be sent to the THC following approval at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
  10. The commission must meet no less than six times a year. All commission meetings shall be properly posted and conducted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act.
  11. All responsibilities and duties assigned to local preservation commissions shall be complementary to and carried out in coordination with those assigned to the State in 36 C.F.R. 61.6 (e) Procedures for State, Tribal, and Local Government Historic Preservation Programs.

The National Park Service Qualifications Referenced in Item 6 Are As Follows:



  • HISTORY

    - The minimum professional qualifications in history are a graduate degree in history or closely related field; or a bachelor’s degree in history or closely related field plus one of the following: 1. At least two years of full-time experience in research, writing, teaching, interpretation, or other demonstrable professional activity with an academic institution, historic organization or agency, museum, or other professional institution; or 2. Substantial contribution through research and publication to the body of scholarly knowledge in the field of history.

  • ARCHEOLOGY

    - The minimum professional qualifications in archeology are a graduate degree in archeology, anthropology, or closely related field plus: 1. At least one year of full-time professional experience or equivalent specialized training in archeological research, administration or management; 2. At least four months of supervised field and analytic experience in general North American archeology; and 3. Demonstrated ability to carry research to completion. In addition to these minimum qualifications, a professional in prehistoric archeology shall have at least one year of full-time professional experience at a supervisory level in the study of archeological resources of the prehistoric period. A professional in historic archeology shall have at least one year of full-time professional experience at a supervisory level in the study of archeological resources of the historic period.

  • ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY

    - The minimum professional qualifications in architectural history are a graduate degree in architectural history, art history, historic preservation, or closely related field, with coursework in American architectural history, or a bachelor’s degree in architectural history, art history, historic preservation or closely related field plus one of the following: 1. At least two years of full-time experience in research, writing, or teaching in American architectural history or restoration architecture with an academic institution, historical organization or agency, museum, or other professional institution; or 2. Substantial contribution through research and publication to the body of scholarly knowledge in the field of American architectural history.

  • ARCHITECTURE

    - The minimum professional qualifications in architecture are a professional degree in architecture plus at least two years of full-time experience in architecture; or a state license to practice architecture.

  • HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE

    - The minimum professional qualifications in historic architecture are a professional degree in architecture or a state license to practice architecture, plus one of the following: 1. At least one year of graduate study in architectural preservation, American architectural history, preservation planning, or closely related field; or 2. At least one year of full-time professional experience on historic preservation projects. Such graduate study or experience shall include detailed investigations of historic structures, preparation of historic structures research reports, and preparation of plans and specifications for preservation projects.
  • If you are interested in the Historic Preservation, please provide proof you meet the requirements.


Contact


Kaleb Kentner, Director of Development and Neighborhood Services

Email

817-598-4284