(a) Duties. The commission shall:
(1) Prescribe appropriate rules and regulations for the transaction of its business; and
(2) Adopt and use in its review of applications, guidelines and criteria for construction, alteration, reconstruction, moving and demolition of designated landmarks, sites, structures and districts that are consistent with those generally recognized by the Maryland Historical Trust. Guidelines may include design characteristics intended to meet the needs of particular types of sites, structures and districts and may identify categories of changes that, because they are minimal in nature, do not affect the historic, archeological, or architectural significance of such sites, structures and districts and do not require review by the commission. Guidelines shall not become effective until approved by the mayor and board of aldermen.
(b) Powers. The commission may:
(1) Direct studies, reports, and surveys to identify historical, archeological, or architecturally significant sites, structures, and districts that exemplify the cultural, social, economic, political or architectural history of the City of Frederick, the State of Maryland, or the United States;
(2) Accept and use gifts for the exercise of its functions, subject to the City of Frederick’s charter, ordinances, resolutions, local public law, policies and procedures regarding the acceptance and use of gifts by public officials;
(3) Request that the City of Frederick institute any of the available remedies for violations associated with the discharge of the commission’s duties;
(4) Acquire easements in connection with individual sites or structures, or with sites or structures located in or adjacent to a locally designated historic district, subject to any requirements of the City of Frederick governing the acquisition of easements. Such easements may grant to the commission, the residents of the historic district(s) and the general public the right to ensure that any site or any structure and surrounding property upon which it is applied is protected, in perpetuity, from changes which would affect its historic, archeological or architectural significance; and
(5) Undertake any other action or activity necessary or appropriate to the implementation of its powers and duties or the implementation of the purpose of this article. (Ord. No. G-05-12, § 2, 7-21-05)