The Ritzville Historic Preservation Commission meets on the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm at City Hall.

MEMBERS

3 yr term

Name	Term	Term End
Ann Olson	3 yr term	12/31/08
Jennifer Larsen	3 yr term	12/31/10
Sam Duncan	3 yr term	12/31/10
Nona Thompson	12/31/10

PURPOSE

The Commission was formed on January 21, 1992, with the passage of City Ordinance #856. The purpose of the Commission is to provide for the identification, enhancement, perpetuation, and use of the historic resources within the City of Ritzville in order to:

1. Safeguard the heritage of the City as presented by those buildings, sites, and districts which reflect significant elements of the City’s history;
2. Strengthen the economic vitality of the City of Ritzville by promoting the stabilization and improvement of property values in historic areas and by encouraging new building and development that will be harmonious with existing historic buildings and areas;
3. Foster civic pride in the accomplishments of the past and a sense of identity based on the City’s history;
4. Protect and enhance the City’s ability to attract tourists and visitors, thereby stimulating the local economy;
5. Assist, encourage, and provide incentives to private property owners for conservation, renovation, restoration, redevelopment, and use of historic buildings, district, neighborhoods, streets, and sites;
6. Promote and facilitate the early identification and resolution of conflicts between the preservation of historic resources and alternative land uses; and
7. Conserve valuable material and energy resources by ongoing use and maintenance of the existing environment.

CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The City of Ritzville became a Certified Local Government in June 1992. The Certified Local Government Program helps local governments to actively participate in preserving Washington’s irreplaceable historic and cultural resources as assets for the future. This unique nationwide program of financial and technical assistance was established by the National Historic Preservation Act. In Washington, it is implemented and administered by the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (OAHP).

Local governments that establish a historic preservation program meeting federal and state standards are eligible to apply to the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) for certification. A local government that receives such certification is known as a "Certified Local Government" or "CLG." Responsibilities of a CLG include maintaining a historic preservation commission, surveying local historic properties, enforcing state or local preservation laws, and providing for public participation.

Obtaining status as a CLG may help a local government encourage, develop, and maintain its local preservation efforts in coordination with its development plans. In addition, CLG’s may apply for special grants from the SHPO; receive recognition for their preservation expertise by local, state, and federal agencies; obtain technical assistance and training from the SHPO; participate in the review of nominations to the National Register of Historic Places; participate in the national historic preservation assistance network; regularly exchange information with the SHPO; and participate in statewide preservation programs and planning.

NATIONAL REGISTER DISTRICT

A National Register historic district is a historic district that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register is our country’s official list of historic properties or resources worthy of preservation. It includes individual buildings, structures, sites, and objects as well as historic districts that are considered to be significant in American history, architecture, engineering, archaeology, and culture. The boundaries of the National District and the local district are not necessarily the same.

National Register listing recognizes the significance of properties and districts. By doing so, it identifies significant historic resources in a community. Boundaries of National Register districts are tightly drawn to encompass only concentrated areas of historic buildings. Information compiled to nominate a historic district can be used in a variety of planning and development activities. National Register listing also makes available specific preservation incentives and provides a limited degree of protection via review of the effects of federally funded, licensed, or permitted activities.

The National Register is maintained by the U.S. Department of the Interior. In the state of Washington, the National Register program is administered by The Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation via the Office of Community Development, a Cabinet-level agency managed by a Governor-appointed Director.

Districts and other properties are listed in the National Register through a multiple step process which involves identification, documentation, and evaluation. This process was completed by the Historic Preservation Commission for Ritzville’s National Historic District in May 1993.

RITZVILLE’S HISTORIC REGISTER

Under the provisions of the Ritzville Historic Preservation Ordinance #856 approved in January 1992, the Ritzville Historic Commission (HPC) is directed to maintain a Ritzville Register of Historic Places. Currently the old Ritzville High School, the Adams County Courthouse, and the Downtown National District have been nominated and placed on the Register.

Any building, structure, site, object or district may be placed on the Register if the HPC determines that it meets the criteria or is approved by the City Council. Any individual, group of property owners or members of the HPC may nominate a building, structure, site, object or district for inclusion on the Register. The nomination is reviewed by the HPC and a public meeting is held to hear comments. At the conclusion of the public comment, the HPC deliberates and votes whether or not to approve the application. If the nomination is approved, it is forwarded to the City Council for determination. With the City Council’s approval, the property is placed on the Register. A property may be added to the Register without the owner’s consent; therefore, there is an appeal and resubmission process.

Once the application is approved by the HPC and the City Council, the Planning Commission and Building Inspector are notified of the building’s status. The character of the property is now protected by city ordinance. Any material changes in appearance to the property require review and approval, based on conformance to local design guidelines, before a building permit is issued.