Title
Recommendation on Proposed Change to Historic Inventory Regulations
Report
Issue:
The Olympia Heritage Commission recommends removal of section 18.12.100(B) of the Olympia Municipal Code regarding Heritage Commission review of demolition permits for buildings that have been placed on the Olympia Historic Inventory (but not listed on a Heritage Register or within a historic district).
Staff Contact:
Michelle Sadlier, Historic Preservation Officer, Community Planning and Development, 360.753.8031
Presenter(s):
Michelle Sadlier, Historic Preservation Officer
Background and Analysis:
On May 28, 2014, the Olympia Heritage Commission passed a motion to recommend the removal of OMC 18.12.100(B): Demolition of Property on the Historic Inventory from the Olympia Municipal Code. Background on this recommendation is provided below.
As described in the code, the City maintains two lists of historic properties. This proposed change relates to one of them: the Olympia Historic Inventory (Inventory).
Definitions:
The Inventory is defined in OMC 18.02.180 as: Buildings and property identified and listed by the Heritage Commission as having special historic significance and merit. This list of historic buildings is relatively informal. It typically results from information gained from a professional architectural survey of historic properties which is presented to the Heritage Commission for review. The Heritage Commission then determines which properties to place on the Inventory to note these properties as having historical significance to Olympia. There is minimal regulation associated with being on the Inventory (described below). There are also no preservation incentives, such as tax benefits, for Inventory properties.
A companion list of historic properties, the Olympia Heritage Register (Register) is defined in the code as: The listing of properties having special historic significance and is listed on the Olympia Heritage Regis...
Click here for full text