Burnet Historic Board

The development and promotion of historic preservation was established as a program and function of the City of Burnet, Texas. The name of the organization and program is the "City of Burnet Historic Board" (Board). The Board has establish by-laws that are consistent with the precept of this ordinance.

Goals and Purposes

The City Council of the City of Burnet hereby declares that as a matter of public policy the protection, enhancement, and perpetuation of landmarks and a district of historical and cultural importance and significance is necessary to promote the economic, cultural, educational and general welfare of the public.  It is recognized that areas of the city, including but not limited to the historic downtown area, represents the unique confluence of time and place that shaped the identity of generations of citizens, collectively and individually, and produced significant historic, architectural, and cultural resources that constitute their heritage.  This section is intended to:

• Protect and enhance the landmarks and districts which represent distinctive elements of Burnet’s historic, architectural, and cultural heritage;
• Foster civic pride in the accomplishments of the past;
• Protect and enhance the city of Burnet’s attractiveness to visitors and the support and stimulus to the economy thereby provided;
• Ensure the harmonious, orderly, and efficient growth and development of the city;
• Promote economic prosperity and welfare of the community by encouraging the most appropriate use of such property within the city;
• Encourage stabilization, restoration, and improvements of such properties and their values.

Board

The Board shall consist of five members; one of which shall be a member of the City of Burnet staff, one shall be a member of the City Council or a City staff member appointed in their stead, and three at-large members.  The at-large members shall be appointed by the City Council.  For the initial terms, two at-large directors shall serve two year terms and one shall serve a one-year term after which all terms for at-large members shall be two years. In the event a director leaves prior to the expiration of his/her term, the City Council shall appoint a director to fill the un-expired term.  All at-large Board members shall have a known and demonstrated interest or knowledge in historic preservation. 

Officers of the Board shall be the President, Vice-President and Secretary and shall be elected by and from the members of the Board annually.  The Board shall be subject to the City of Burnet Code of Ethics.   

The Board shall meet at least monthly, if business is at hand.  Special meetings may be called at any time by the President, City staff member, or on the written request of any two Board members.   A quorum of the Board is required for the transaction of business and shall consist of not less than a majority of the currently sitting membership of the Board.  The President shall be the Executive Officer for the Board. He/she shall preside at board meetings and, with the approval of the Board, appoint committees, task forces, and chairmen; act as a liaison to the Code Enforcement Office, Planning and Zoning Commission and/or the City Council as needed to do the business of the Board; serve on Board committees as requested by the Board and deemed appropriate; sign official documents on behalf of the Board; and perform other such duties as may pertain to the office. The President shall submit an annual activity and progress report to the City Council.  The Vice-President shall preside at all meetings in the case of the absence of the President; he/she shall possess all of the duties and responsibilities of the President in the event of absence, resignation or death of the President.  The Secretary shall record the minutes of all the meetings; assist the President in arrangement and notification of meetings, necessary correspondence and reports; where required, co-sign with the President where required, any contracts or instruments designated by the Board as pertaining to the business of the Board; perform any other duties normally pertaining to the office as requested by the Board.

Committee chairmen shall lead their committee members in the execution of those tasks assigned to them by the Board as they pertain to the business of the Board.

No person may be appointed to the Board who is related within the second degree by affinity (marriage) or within the third degree by consanguinity (blood) to any other member of Board or City Council.  In the event that City Council adopts nepotism rules generally applicable to boards and commissions the Board shall comply with either this subsection or such general nepotism rules whichever is stricter.

All Board meetings shall comply with the Texas Open Meetings Act.

Activities

The Board’s duties functions and jurisdiction shall be determined by City Council and shall include the following:

Recommend to the City Council, criteria for the designation of historical, architectural, and cultural landmarks and delineation of Historic District(s) of the city of Burnet.
Conduct survey’s and maintain an inventory of significant historic, architectural, and cultural landmarks and all properties located in Historic Districts within the city.
Recommend to City Council, the designation of landmarks and Historic Districts.
Create committees from among its membership to carry out the purposes of this ordinance.
Maintain written minutes which record all actions taken by the Board.
Recommend to City Council, the conferral of recognition upon the owners of landmarks or properties within Historic Districts by means of certificates, plaques and/or markers.
Increase public awareness of the value of historic, cultural, and architectural preservation by developing and participating in public education programs.
Make recommendations to the City Council concerning the utilization of state, federal, or private funds to promote the preservation of landmarks and Historic Districts within the City.
Review applications for Certificates of Appropriateness as provided for herein.
Prepare and submit a report summarizing the work completed as requested by the City and/or City Council.
Recommend specific guidelines that, upon approval by City Council, shall be the basis for the review of landmarks and districts.
With prior approval of the City Council, research and report on the possible acquisition of landmark structures by the City where its preservation is essential to the purpose of this ordinance and/or where private preservation is not feasible.
  Upon direction by the City Council, review offers of the donation of preservation easements and development rights for the purpose of historic preservation, for consideration by the City Council of the City of Burnet.

More Information

For more information on the activities of the board and the method for obtaining an historical designation view the ordinance on the Burnet Code of Ordinances.