§ 25:753 — Historic preservation study committee

Prior to the establishment of an historic preservation district or of a landmarks commission, the following steps shall be taken:
(1) The governing body or authority of such governmental unit, be it municipality, incorporated town, parish, parish council, or similar governmental unit, which shall hereinafter be called the "governing body", may appoint an historic preservation study committee for the purpose of making an investigation of any proposed historic preservation district and/or a landmarks commission. Said study committee shall consist of from three to seven members appointed by the chief executive official of said governmental unit, by and with the advice and consent of the majority of the governing body as a whole. The members of said study committee shall be electors of the said governmental unit, of the full age of majority, and they shall be chosen, as far as possible, from any existing historical societies, archaeological associations, preservation groups, architectural associations, cultural organizations and educational groups as may exist therein.
(2) The historic preservation study committee shall, after investigation, render to the planning or zoning agency or commission serving the governmental unit, if there be such an agency or commission, a report on the historic significance of the buildings, structures, sites, monuments, areas and landmarks to be governed by the proposed historic preservation district and/or landmarks commission and shall designate the buildings, structures, sites, monuments, areas and landmarks to be regulated by said commission, including suggestions for a proposed ordinance or law designed to implement and carry out the recommendations of said committee. In the absence of such a planning or zoning agency or commission serving the governmental unit said report shall be made to the governing body.
(3) A copy of said report and accompanying documents shall be filed with the State Art, Historical, and Cultural Preservation Agency.
(4)(a) In the event that any museum exists within the unit a copy of the report and recommendation of the historic preservation study committee shall be filed with it for its consideration and to obtain its advice.
(b) In the event that a chapter or unit of the American Institute of Architects or similar responsible organization of architects exists within the governmental unit, a copy shall be furnished to it for its consideration and to obtain its advice.
(c) In the event that a landmarks society or commission exists within the governmental unit, then a copy shall be furnished to it for its consideration and to obtain its advice.
(d) In the event any individual, agency, or organization demonstrates an interest to participate in the review of the committee's report then copies of said report shall be made available to said parties for its consideration and in order to obtain its advice.
(5) A public hearing shall be held by the planning or zoning agency or commission, if one exists serving the governmental unit, at which hearing the report and recommendations of this historic preservation study committee shall be presented and an opportunity afforded the public to consider them. In the absence of said agency or commission the public hearing shall be held by the historic preservation study committee. Written notice of the purpose, time and place of such public hearing shall be published in the official journal, if any exists, or in any newspaper of general circulation in the area served by the governmental unit at least once and at least a minimum of seven days before said hearing; and such written notice may be affixed to the bulletin board, front door or other prominent place at or near the main entrance of the building, hall or room where meetings of the governing body are usually held.
(6) The planning or zoning agency or commission if one exists in the governmental unit, shall submit a final written report to the governing body within sixty days after the public hearing and said report and recommendation shall contain (a) a complete description of the area; (b) a map or sketch showing the boundaries of the area to be included within any proposed historic preservation district; (c) an indication of the type of buildings, structures, sites, monuments, areas and landmarks appropriate for landmark designation, and (d) suggestions for a proposed ordinance or law designed to implement and carry out the recommendation of said agency or commission and the provisions of the Part. If no planning or zoning agency exists within the governmental unit, the historic preservation study committee shall submit said written report to the governing body within sixty days after the public hearings.
(7) The report and recommendations of the historic preservation district study committee or the planning or zoning commission or agency, as the case may be, shall be reviewed in full at an open meeting of the governing body of the governmental unit involved, within a reasonable time after the rendition of said report, but in any event, not more than ninety days thereafter.

Legislative History

Acts 1974, No. 273, §3. Amended by Acts 1975, No. 592, §1, eff. Aug. 1, 1975.