H-1161.2                  _______________________________________________

 

                                                      HOUSE BILL 1853

                              _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington                              53rd Legislature                             1993 Regular Session

 

By Representatives Ogden, Carlson, Basich, Wood, Shin, J. Kohl, Bray, Kessler, Quall and Jacobsen

 

Read first time 02/12/93.  Referred to Committee on Local Government.

 

Creating an historic resources and local government task force.


          AN ACT Relating to historic preservation; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that:

          (1) Development often occurs in areas occupied by historic buildings and archaeological sites, and that development in such areas can lead to the loss of valuable cultural assets as well as add to the cost and complexity of development planning;

          (2) Local government is in the best position to respond to such conflicts but is often without the legal apparatus to do so; and

          (3) The failure to resolve such conflicts will lead to unanticipated development costs and the degradation of the state's patrimony.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, as used in this act, "historic resources" means those sites, objects, or improvements that reflect or provide evidence of previous human activity considered scientifically or historically important by local government or by inclusion in a state or national register of historic places.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3.  (1) There is hereby established an historic resources and local government task force that shall investigate the impact of local development on significant historic and archaeological properties and propose future legislation to outline a model ordinance or other method for the local resolution of the intersection of historic resources and development.

          (2) The task force shall include but need not be limited to local elected officials, planning officials, developers, Native Americans, archaeologists, historians, architects, and property owners.  No more than two individuals shall be appointed from the same area of interest.  The director of the department of community development shall appoint the chair and the members of the task force.

          (3) The department of community development shall provide support services for the task force.

          (4) The task force shall serve without compensation except travel, lodging, and subsistence in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

          (5) A simple majority shall constitute a quorum.

          (6) The task force shall meet at the call of the chair.

          (7) The task force shall terminate June 30, 1995.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4.  (1) The task force shall prepare a report conveying its recommendations for the most effective and efficient means of coordinating the protection of historic resources without creating an undue burden on local economic development efforts.

          (2) In making the recommendations in subsection (1) of this section, the task force shall consider the impact of development on historic resources and the means available for the identification, evaluation, and protection of such resources.

          (3) The task force shall consult with interested conservation, business, and professional organizations.

          (4) The task force shall hold public meetings at such locations as may be appropriate for the purpose of providing interested persons with the opportunity to testify with respect to the matters before the task force.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5.  By November 30, 1994, the task force shall submit a report and recommendations to the governor and the legislature.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6.  This act shall expire July 1, 1995.

 


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