16 Miss. Code. R. 3-1.3
State agencies, counties, cities, and all their political subdivisions are required to submit a Notice of Intent to MDAH for all projects affecting publicly owned property in accordance with Rule 1.2 for review. Work affecting archaeological sites or potential archaeological sites on publicly owned property also must be submitted to MDAH for review and approval.
The permit process begins with the filing of a Notice of Intent. The review process which follows is determined by the classification of the property at issue and the nature of the activity for which a permit is sought as set forth herein.
If, upon review, MDAH staff determines that a property does not meet the criteria for designation as a Mississippi Landmark as defined in Rule 1.4(A), staff will notify the applicant that the project may proceed without further review.
If MDAH determines that the property is a potential Landmark, in accordance with the criteria in Rule 1.4(A) and that the proposed project meets the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, MDAH staff will notify the applicant that the project is acceptable or acceptable with conditions.
For public campuses, including schools, universities, public health facilities and other similar multi-building properties, the Board encourages the adoption of Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) between MDAH and the governing public institution to identify eligible resources for Mississippi Landmark designation and to establish priorities for preservation. In the absence of the adoption of an MOA, public entities shall act in accordance with the requirements of Rule 1.2, Rule 1.3 and Rule 1.4 for all buildings.
Transfer of Property. A Notice of Intent must be submitted in accordance with Rule 1.2 for the transfer of publicly owned property to private ownership prior to transfer. If, upon review, MDAH staff determines that the property is a potential Mississippi Landmark, the owner shall be informed and the proposed property transfer or sale shall not be commenced prior to Landmark designation and the authorization of a permit by the Board. The Board, in consultation with staff, may act to consider the property for Mississippi Landmark designation in accordance with the procedures in Rule 1.4. The Board may also authorize a permit for property transfer without designation.
Adverse Effect. If, upon review, MDAH staff determines that significant historic, archaeological or architectural sites, buildings, structures, locations or objects will be adversely affected by the public construction, alteration or demolition, MDAH will notify the applicant and owner that the proposed project must not be commenced without a permit issued by the Board. Additional information, including, but not limited to, a structural report by a qualified structural engineer with experience working with historic structures may be required prior to MDAH action.
Consideration. The Board, in consultation with staff, may act to place a project that would adversely affect a potential Mississippi Landmark under consideration for a permit. Once the project is placed under consideration, MDAH will publish a legal notice soliciting written, public comment in accordance with Rule 1.5.
After the conclusion of the public comment period, the proposed project and written public comments may be placed on the Board agenda for action. Based on the comments and additional documentation received, the Board may act to approve or deny the permit.
If the Board denies the permit due to an adverse effect, it may also consider the property for Mississippi Landmark designation in accordance with the procedures in Rule 1.4.
Appeal. Should the owner of a potential Mississippi Landmark property wish to appeal the conditions of a permit or a decision involving a potential Mississippi Landmark property, the owner must provide the appeal in writing. Following review and recommendation by MDAH staff, the appeal will be considered by the Board.
Restoration, renovation, repairs, excavation, ground-disturbing activities, or other alterations of a designated Mississippi Landmark property may be conducted only pursuant to a permit approved by the Board of Trustees in accordance with this Rule 1.3(B) or Rule 1.3(C). Permit applications must be submitted using the Notice of Intent form in accordance with Rule 1.2.
Upon receipt of a Notice of Intent, the proposed project will be reviewed by MDAH staff to determine if the project is in conformance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Staff determinations for routine or minor activities under Rule 1.3(C) may include project approval or approval with conditions. If the project is not within the provisions of Rule 1.3(C), staff may deny a permit or make a recommendation to the board for action. Permit denials issued by MDAH staff may be provided to the Board for informational purposes.
Transfer of Property. MDAH requires a Notice of Intent to be submitted in accordance with Rule 1.2 for the transfer or sale of designated Mississippi Landmark property. The Notice of Intent must include contact information for the current and future owners.
Adverse Effect. When a Notice of Intent is received for the demolition or significant alteration that would adversely affect a designated Mississippi Landmark property, the owner may be asked to provide additional information, including, but not limited to, a structural report prepared by a qualified structural engineer with experience in evaluating historic structures.
Consideration. The Board, in consultation with staff, may place a property under consideration for demolition or significant alteration at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. Once the property is placed under consideration, MDAH will publish a legal notice soliciting written, public comment in accordance with Rule 1.5.
After the conclusion of the public comment period, the proposed demolition or significant alteration may be placed on the Board agenda for action at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
Archaeological Sites. Work affecting archaeological sites also requires a Mississippi Landmark permit in accordance with Rule 1.2 and Rule 1.3. Work must be conducted according to current Mississippi Standards for Archaeological Practices.
Duration of Permit. All permits issued by the Board are valid for one (1) year from the issue date of the permit. It is the responsibility of the property owner to request permit renewal for projects that will not be completed before the permit expires. The permit must be posted at the project site for the duration of the project. At the completion of the permitted project, the owner must submit documentation, including photographs, of the permitted activity.
Appeal. Should the owner of a designated Mississippi Landmark property wish to appeal the conditions of a permit, denial of a permit, or a decision by the Board involving a designated Mississippi Landmark property, the owner must provide the appeal in writing. Following review and recommendation by MDAH staff, the appeal will be considered by the Board.
Permits for projects that consist of routine or minor activities that are in conformance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, as outlined below, may be approved by MDAH staff. At the next Board meeting, the Board will place upon its minutes the projects approved by the staff pursuant to Rule 1.3(C). The following are considered to be routine or minor activities (consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties) that may be approved by MDAH staff:
In the event that American Indian or aboriginal burials are encountered during any project, work must stop immediately and must not recommence until the Board has authorized a permit. If on private property, removal or excavation also requires the written permission of the landowner(s). No prehistoric or historic American Indian or aboriginal burial excavation permits will be issued unless the excavation is performed by a professional archaeologist and a physical anthropologist who meet the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualification Standards for Archaeology. If the burial(s) in question are reasonably expected to be of a known, federally recognized Tribe, MDAH shall consult with tribal authorities prior to the issuance of a permit.
Permits to excavate burials will not be issued unless there is an immediate threat to the integrity of the burial(s) through vandalism, natural forces, or unavoidable development. A burial is understood to include those items that were interred with the remains.
16 Miss. Code. R. 3-1.3