Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission
Department of Planning and Development
611 Walker St
Houston, TX 77002
Contact: Marlene Gafrick
Phone: (713) 837-7760 Fax: (713) 837-7760
Email: Marlene.gafrick@cityofhouston.net
Updated as of: 9/2/2009
LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR CREATION AND OPERATION(City)
Created by Chapter 33, Article VII, Code of Ordinances, City of Houston.
GENERAL POWER AND DUTIES
While the HAHC has broad powers with respect to promoting the City and its history, its primary function is to administer the historic preservation ordinance by recommending the designation of properties as City historic landmarks or districts and by considering and acting on applications for certificates of appropriateness for changes to historic properties subject to the ordinance.
MEETING TIME AND LOCATION
The second Thursday of each month, 3:00 p.m. at the City Hall Annex Council Chambers, 900 Bagby St, Public Level.
COMPOSITION
The Houston Archeological and Historical Commission shall be comprised of thirteen members. The Mayor shall assign a staff member to serve as a liaison between the HAHC and the Mayor's office. The director, or in his absence or inability to act, a deputy director or assistant director of the department shall serve as a non-voting, ex officio member and as executive secretary to the HAHC. The archivist of the Houston public library system and the directors of general services and public works and engineering shall serve as ex officio members of the HAHC, but shall not have a vote.
Members holding Positions one through nine of the HAHC shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the City Council. The members holding Positions ten through thirteen shall be appointed by the City Council. At least four members of the HAHC shall own or reside in a historic landmark or contributing structure designated to this section.
The thirteen members of the HAHC shall hold specific positions as follows:
Position 1. Shall be filled by a professional archaeologist with knowledge of and interest in archaeology of the city.
Position 2. Shall be filled by a professional historian with knowledge of and interest in the history of the city.
Position 3. Shall be filled by an architectural historian.
Position 4. Shall be filled by a representative of a cultural history organization.
Position 5. Shall be filled by a registered architect.
Position 6. Shall be filled by a landscape architect or an urban planner.
Position 7. Shall be filled by a professional real estate appraiser certified to perform appraisals for the city.
Position 8. Shall be filled by a remodeler or builder registered with the Texas Residential Construction Commission with knowledge of and interest in restoration, historic building renovation and compatible new construction.’
Positions 9 through 13. Shall be filled by citizen representatives.
Ex-Officio Member of Mayor's staff to serve as liaison.
Ex Officio Director of Planning as executive secretary.
Ex Officio Archivist of Houston Library System.
Ex Officio Directors of General Services, Public Works, and Engineering.
QUORUM: Seven members of the HAHC shall constitute a quorum; however, in the event of vacancies on the commission, a majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
TERM: Each member shall serve for a term of two years and shall hold over until the member's successor is qualified. The terms of each even-numbered position shall end on March 1 of even-numbered years, and the terms of each odd-numbered position shall end on March 1 of odd-numbered years.
CHAIRPERSON: The HAHC shall elect its own chairperson and vice-chairperson.
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY
Entity is NOT included in the financial reporting for the City of Houston.
MEMBER LIST