16.53.050 Review and monitoring of properties for special property tax valuation.
A. The class of properties eligible for special valuation shall be limited to properties listed on the Lacey Register of Historic Places or properties identified as contributing to Lacey Register Historic District.
B. Applications for special property tax valuation in connection with substantial improvement of historic properties, as defined in Chapter 84.26 RCW and Chapter 221, Laws of 1986, shall be submitted to the commission by the county assessor within ten days of filing.
C. The commission shall recommend to the city council applications for approval for special valuation if the property meets the criteria of Chapter 84.26 RCW and Chapter 221, Laws of 1986, and is not altered in a way which adversely affects those elements which contribute to its designation and the owner(s) enters into an agreement with the city of Lacey which requires the owner(s) for the ten year period of classification to:
1. Monitor the property for its continued qualification for special valuation;
2. Comply with rehabilitation plans and minimum standards of maintenance as defined in the agreement;
3. Make the historic aspects of the property accessible to public view one day a year, if the property is not visible from the public right-of-way;
4. Apply to the commission for recommended approval or denial of any demolition or alteration;
5. Comply with any other provisions in the original agreement as may be appropriate.
D. Once an agreement between an owner and the commission has become effective pursuant to Chapter 84.26 RCW and Chapter 221, Laws of 1986, there shall be no changes in standards of maintenance, public access, alteration, or report requirements, or any other provisions of the agreement, during the period of the classification without the approval of all parties to the agreement.
1. The Washington State Advisory Council’s Standards for the Rehabilitation and Maintenance of the Historic Properties in WAC 254-20-100 shall be used by the commission as minimum requirements for determining whether or not an historic property is eligible for special valuation and whether or not the property continues to be eligible for special valuation once it has been so classified.
2. The historic preservation special valuation agreement in WAC 254-20-120 shall be used by the commission as the minimum agreement necessary to comply with the requirements of RCW 84.26.050(2).
E. An application for classification as an eligible historic property shall be approved or denied by the Lacey city council before December 31st of the calendar year in which the application is made, is submitted by December 1st of the calendar year.
F. The city shall notify the county assessor, county auditor, and the applicant of the approval or denial of the application.
G. If the Lacey city council determines that the property qualifies as an eligible historic property, the city shall certify the fact in writing and shall file a copy of the certificate with the county assessor and auditor within ten days of the determination and no later than December 31st. The certificate shall state the facts upon which the approval is based.
H. Any decision of the Lacey city council regarding application for classification as historic property, eligible for special valuation, may be appealed to superior court under RCW 34.05.510 through 34.05.598, in addition to any other remedy of law. Any decision on the disqualification of historic property eligible for special valuation, or any other dispute, may be appealed to the county board of equalization. (Ord. 1370 §4, 2011; Ord. 796 §8, 1986).