§ 67-29. Powers of the commission.

In order to preserve, promote, and develop the distinctive appearance and the historic resources of Starkville and to accomplish the purposes set forth in MCA 1972, § 39-13-5 as amended, and in this article:

(a)

The commission shall conduct or cause to be conducted a continuing study and survey of resources within the City of Starkville.

(b)

With the concurrence of the board of aldermen, the commission shall hold public hearings and recommend to the city the adoption of ordinances designating historic districts, landmarks, and landmark sites. All properties presently listed in the National Register of Historic Places and located within the City of Starkville, whether publicly or privately owned, will be considered for designation as landmarks, landmarks sites, and historic preservation districts, whichever category is appropriate, with appropriate public notice, hearings and recommendations.

(c)

The commission may recommend that the city recognize subdistricts within any historic district, in order that the commission may adopt specific guidelines for the regulation of properties within such a subdistrict.

(d)

The commission shall review applications proposing construction, alteration, demolition, or relocation of any resource as defined in section 54-26 above.

(e)

The commission shall grant or deny certificates of appropriateness (within the rules and regulations of city zoning and building codes and within the guidelines established by the commission), and may grant certificates of appropriateness contingent upon the acceptance by the applicant of specified conditions.

(f)

The commission shall not consider interior arrangements of buildings and structures except that it shall advise the Mississippi Department of Archives and History on questions relating to the interiors of publicly owned resources.

(g)

The commission, subject to the requirements and approval of the mayor and board of aldermen, is authorized to apply for, receive, and spend funds from private and public sources, in addition to appropriations made by the city for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this article.

(h)

The commission is authorized to request such city staff or contract with technical experts or other persons as may be required for the performance of its duties and to obtain the equipment, supplies, and other materials necessary for its effective operation with the approval of the mayor and board of aldermen.

(i)

The commission is authorized, solely in the performance of its official duties and only at reasonable times, to enter upon private land for the examination or survey thereof. No member, employee, or agent of the commission shall enter upon any private land or any private dwelling or structure without the written consent of the owner of record or occupant thereof. Application for a certificate of appropriateness by property owners shall serve as authorization for right of entry. Notarized authorization shall be required of property owners who do not reside or conduct business at the property of interest.

(j)

The commission chairman or designated member shall be responsible for signing of the building department's "Building Permit Routing Form" for the issuance of a building permit for all applicable structures.

(k)

Paint color changes shall not be within the jurisdiction of the commission.

(Ord. No. 2010-08, § V, 5-18-10)