The commission's duties include but are not limited to the following:
(a) The commission is that agency of city government responsible for developing and coordinating the municipality's historic preservation activities. The commission shall be concerned with those elements of development, redevelopment, rehabilitation and preservation that affect visual quality in the historic district. Areas of concern may also include viewsheds, landscapes and streetscapes of historic importance. The commission may make recommendations to the common council concerning development rights, facade easements, the imposition of other restrictions, and the negotiation of historic property contracts for the purpose of ensuring preservation.
(b) The commission has the authority to receive funds in order to promote its stated mission.
(c) The commission may not consider details of design, interior arrangements, or building features if those details, arrangements, or features are not subject to public view.
(d) The commission may not make any requirement except for the purpose of preventing development, alteration or demolition in the historic district obviously incongruous with the historic district.
(e) The commission shall conduct a survey, or may adopt existing surveys, to identify historic buildings, structures and places located within the city.
(f) The commission may promulgate standards for architectural review. These shall include local design guidelines to be published and be made readily accessible to the general public.
(g) The commission shall draw and submit to the common council for its approval a map or maps describing the boundaries of an historic district or conservation district. The commission shall issue a report to the common council based upon its survey, identifying and validating the significance of the property or district according to Section 8.08.020 of this code.
(h) The commission may issue certificates of appropriateness for any actions required by Section 8.08.020.
(i) The commission may adopt rules consistent with this title designating situations not requiring a certificate of appropriateness under Section 8.08.020. (Ord. 97-03 § 12 (part), 1997)