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AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET PROJECT: Consider an ordinance redesignating Articles IV and V of Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances as Articles V and VI, respectively; repealing Article VI of Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances regarding the Historic Landmark Preservation Committee; adopting a new Article VII to Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances to establish the Paris Historic Preservation Commission; providing for designated landmarks and historic districts; providing for certificates of appropriateness; and regulating the issuance of demolition permits for structures within historic districts. BACKGROUND: Recently the City Council considered and approved amendments to Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances to add a new Article III and IV thereto dealing with hazardous buildings. The ordinance finally adopted by City Council included a Section 7-50 dealing with preservation of substandard buildings; Section 7-50 will be effective only at such time as the City of Paris becomes designated a certified local government by the Texas State Historical Office. To accommodate the new substandard building ordinance provisions, current Articles IV and V of Chapter 7 need to be redesignated. In addition, to qualify the City as a certified local government, the City must adopt a new historic preservation ordinance and repeal the existing ordinance creating the Historic Landmark Preservation Committee. This new ordinance would be designated as Article VII to Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances. A group of citizens has volunteered to participate in the process of seeking certification for the City, and has proposed an ordinance for adoption. DESCRIPTION: The enclosed ordinance for consideration by City Council includes certain changes recommended by the Legal Department. Most of these changes are formatting changes to make the ordinance consistent with other City Codes. Very few changes are substantive. These include omission of the Legal Department as an ex-officio member (no such designation is necessary under the City Charter, and in fact such designation may be conflicting with the proper role of the City Attorney); matters approved by the Historic Preservation Commission are clarified as being subject to subsequent approval by City Council; and certain provisions are clarified to not conflict with Article III of Chapter 7, the new substandard building ordinance. However, most of the provisions of the ordinance proposed by the citizens group remain intact. Also enclosed for City Council's review is a copy of the State Model Historic Preservation Ordinance; a comparison with the proposed ordinance indicates some differences, but none of any great significance. RECOMMENDED ACTION: As requested by City Council, the ordinance is posted for adoption. COUNCII, DATE: Discuss and consider at City Council's June 17, 2002, special Council meeting. ADDITIONAL MATERIALS: See enclosed proposed draft ordinance as well as state model ordinance.