HISTORIC PRESERVATION

The recognition, enhancement, perpetuation and continued use of the buildings, sites and districts of historical significance within the City is in the interest of civic pride and the prosperity and general welfare of the city’s inhabitants. Historic assets are an integral part of the heritage, education and economic base of the City and the economic, cultural and aesthetic standing of the City can only be maintained and enhanced by conserving its heritage and by maintenance of its cultural assets. The City promotes the improvement of property values in historic areas, and encourages new building and development that will be harmonious with existing historic buildings and areas; fosters civic pride in the accomplishments of the past and a sense of identity based on the City’s history; protects and enhances the City’s ability to attract tourists and visitors, thereby stimulating the local economy; assists, encourages and provides incentives to private property owners for conservation, renovation, restoration, redevelopment and use of historic buildings, district, neighborhoods, streets and sites; promotes and facilitates the early identification and resolution of conflicts between the preservation of historic resources and alternative land uses; and conserves valuable material and energy resources by ongoing use and maintenance of the existing environment.

The Yelm Historic Preservation Commission consists of no more than eight members, and shall be appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council and shall be residents of Yelm’s designated sphere of influence. The Commission meets on the first Wednesday of each month, at 4:00 p.m., at Yelm City Hall.

Current Commission members are:
Ed Blake
MaryAnne Herness Cottmeyer
Floyd Cummings
Lyla Eide
Yael Klein
Charlotte Miller
Ronni Nutter
Joanne Baker
Vacant

The major responsibility of the Historic Preservation Commission is to identify and actively encourage the conservation of the City’s historic resources by initiating and maintaining a register of historic places and reviewing proposed changes to register properties; to raise community awareness of the City’s history and historic resources, and to serve as the City’s primary resource in matters of history, historic planning, and preservation. Properties listed on the inventory shall be recorded on official zoning records with an “HI” (for historic inventory designation). This designation shall not change or modify the underlying zone classification, and shall be separate and distinct from the “National Register,” “State Register” and “local register”. The Yelm register of historic places shall be compiled of buildings, structures, sites, objects, and districts identified by the Commission as having historic significance worthy of recognition by the City and encouragement of efforts by owners to maintain, rehabilitate, and preserve properties. The Commission reviews proposals to construct, change, alter, modify, remodel, move, demolish, or significantly affect properties for districts on the register. The Commission also provides information to the public on methods of maintaining and rehabilitating historic properties in the form of pamphlets, newsletters, workshops, or similar activities. All members serve without compensation.

Any building, structure, site, object or district may be designated for inclusion in the Yelm register of historic places if it is significantly associated with the history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or cultural heritage of the community; if it has integrity; is at least 50 years old, or is of lesser age and has exceptional importance; and if it falls in at least one of the following categories:

• Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of national, state or local history;
• Embodies the distinctive architectural characteristics of a type, period, style, or method of design or construction, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction;
• Is an outstanding work of a designer, builder or architect who has made a substantial contribution to the art;
• Exemplifies or reflects special elements of the city’s cultural, special, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering or architectural history;
• Is associated with the lives of persons significant in national, state or local history;
• Has yielded or may be likely to yield important archaeological information related to history or prehistory;
• Is a building or structure removed from its original location but which is significant primarily for architectural value, or which is the structure significantly associated with an historic person or event;
• Is a birthplace or grave of an historical figure of outstanding importance;
• Is a cemetery which derives its primary significance from age, from distinctive design features, or from association with historic events, or cultural patterns;
• Is a reconstructed building that has been executed in an historically accurate manner on the original site;
• Is a creative and unique example of folk architecture and design created by persons not formally trained in the architectural or design professions, and which does not fit into formal architectural or historical categories.

The HR (historic register) designation, once assigned, shall replace the HI (historic inventory) designation. Listing on the Yelm register of historic places is an honorary designation denoting significant association with the historic, archaeological, engineering or cultural heritage of the community. Properties are listed individually or as contributing properties to an historic district. Prior to the commencement of any work on a register property, the owner must request and receive a certificate of appropriateness from the Commission for the proposed work. Violation of this rule shall be grounds for the commission to review the property for removal from the register. Prior to whole or partial demolition of a register property, the owner must request and receive a waiver of a certificate of appropriateness.